audio narratives: sounds of the Te Araroa

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

Maori proverb
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I didn't always find soulful campsites on the Te Araroa.
TA audio narrative: hitting a wall
We suffer thru-hiking for the transcendent, and appreciate it more because of our suffering.
a chorus of birds from both sides (of the world) now
The chorus of birds on both the Te Araroa and the Pacific Crest Trail were glorious. Hear them for yourself!
audio narrative: the joy of missing out
Instead of desperately missing the things you can't do, it's better to enjoy what's right in front of you.
TA audio narrative: in the South Island
When talking about the islands of New Zealand, you say "in" the island, not "on" because they're huge.
TA audio narrative: trail detour
I hitched around Lake Wakatipu then hiked an Alpine pass on the Routeburn Trail in rain.
TA audio narrative: water, water everywhere
The saying goes that in the North Island, you get dirty and in the South, you wash.
TA audio narrative: chasing clear skies
The weather is wild in New Zealand ranging from hot days to storms with gale force winds.
TA audio narrative: hut life
In New Zealand, thousands of huts in the back country provide shelter for trampers.
TA audio narrative: weather window
The most important lesson I learned is if the weather is good, keep moving.
TA audio narrative: thru-canoer
Blissful hangs up her hiking shoes for a paddle on the Whanganui River.
TA audio narrative: best birthday present ever
Good weather and good friends add up to one of the best birthdays in memory.
TA audio narrative: into each life...
Rain is a constant companion on the Te Araroa causing anxiety until I learned to accept it.
TA audio narrative: gratitude
I just happened to be passing through Auckland at Thanksgiving and have a lot to be grateful for.
Omra tells me that my subconscious needed this long walk to sort out the "big questions."
TA audio narrative: the trail will provide
There is a lot of magic on a thru-hike when we have faith and juts let it happen.
TA audio narrative: hiking as conversation
The birds, people, and sound of my feet through water, mud and sand were the hiking conversation.
Legs like stilts on the Ninety-Mile Beach in the far, far north of New Zealand.
TA audio narrative: the start
The start of the Te Araroa is a trial of sand, wind, rain and mud, but it's worth it.
Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand
TA audio narrative: suddenly D-day
After 36 hours of travel, I arrived in New Zealand and started hiking right away.
The great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wants us to be wanderers, “though not as a traveler to a final destination: for this destination does not exist.”
TA audio narrative: no outcomes backpacking
If you arrive at a final destination, it’s a sign that you’ve set your sights too low.
When in doubt, make a fool of yourself.
TA audio narrative: Does orange make my butt look fat?
It's said that people fear public speaking - and looking ridiculous - more than death.
I love my work as a classical music radio host, but I wanted to see what a long distance thru-hike would do to my body, mind and spirit so asked for a leave.
TA audio narrative: who is this "blissful hiker" you speak of?
I love being a DJ, but wanted to experience a thru-hike before it was too late.