Anyone else thinking of starting the TA Nov or Dec?
Floppy
I am planning to set off November - December and was wondering who
else was thinking of setting off about the same time?
Would be good to hear from you.
Floppy
Gold
southern end though. The weather in the north is a bit better than the
south should it get to the point where that'll be a concern.
David Castle
My wife and I are planning on starting from Bluff about 12 Janaury.
David
Citizen Gold
> Gold, Floppy
>
> My wife and I are planning on starting from Bluff about 12 Janaury.
Ohhh.... That would give good planning time.
I'm still researching what I need but I'm most of the way there.
Pointers to good resources for hikes like this would be appreciated.
I'm quite time poor at the moment. :/
--
Regards,
Gold - Code Monkey - Sparks Interactive
http://sparksinteractive.co.nz/
Skype: gold.sparksinteractive
Jabber: go...@sparksinteractive.co.nz
Floppy
I am planning to start in the North and see how I get on. It would be
interesting to know how many of us set out and how many make the whole
distance.....
It is worth having a look at the facebook page. Lots more info on
there.
Floppy
On Aug 12, 5:53 am, Citizen Gold <g...@sparksinteractive.co.nz> wrote:
>
> > Gold, Floppy
>
> > My wife and I are planning on starting from Bluff about 12 Janaury.
>
> Ohhh.... That would give good planning time.
>
> I'm still researching what I need but I'm most of the way there.
> Pointers to good resources for hikes like this would be appreciated.
> I'm quite time poor at the moment. :/
>
> --
> Regards,
> Gold - Code Monkey - Sparks Interactivehttp://sparksinteractive.co.nz/
> Skype: gold.sparksinteractive
Citizen Gold
> What a broad question. Couldn't think where to start; and I haven't walked
> the track yet (of course).
Heh. :) It is a broad question. Judith answered very well though.
Will be saving that response in case I see it asked again.
> Done any tramping? Walked any long distant trails? Anything you are
> looking for?
I've not done any serious tramping in quite a while and I've not done
any long distance trails like this before. I got my Queens Scout
Award but that was more than half a lifetime ago. :) The final tramp
for that was a 5 day trip for 4 that I had to plan out.
Judith Humbert
Not a problem - happy to help out where I can. I see you mention this
will be your first long distance trail. Wow - what a way to begin!
Thought you or anyone else contemplating a long trip like this might
find this discussion about training for backpacking useful:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?74889-How-to-train/
See page 2 and Jack Tarlin's comments:
"But most important of all, well before your trip, get into the woods.
Get comfortable with being and living outside. Get comfortable with
your gear, both how it works and how to fix it. Learn to deal with
injuries, bad weather, insects, equipment failure, and so on.
The single best way to prepare to spend a great deal of time in the
out-of-doors is simply to spend as much time as you can out of doors."
Is Queen's Scout award like the Eagle Scout award in the States?
Sounds impressive.
All the best,
Judith
On Aug 15, 11:04 am, Citizen Gold <g...@sparksinteractive.co.nz>
wrote:
>
> > What a broad question. Couldn't think where to start; and I haven't walked
> > the track yet (of course).
>
> Heh. :) It is a broad question. Judith answered very well though.
> Will be saving that response in case I see it asked again.
>
> > Done any tramping? Walked any long distant trails? Anything you are
> > looking for?
>
> I've not done any serious tramping in quite a while and I've not done
> any long distance trails like this before. I got my Queens Scout
> Award but that was more than half a lifetime ago. :) The final tramp
> for that was a 5 day trip for 4 that I had to plan out.
>
> --
> Regards,
Citizen Gold
> Hi David,
Err... Gold. (Yeah, that's my actual name :) )
> Not a problem - happy to help out where I can. I see you mention this
> will be your first long distance trail. Wow - what a way to begin!
It's the first in a very long time.
> Thought you or anyone else contemplating a long trip like this might
> find this discussion about training for backpacking useful:
>
> http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?74889-How-to-train/
Will look over this today.
> See page 2 and Jack Tarlin's comments:
> "But most important of all, well before your trip, get into the woods.
> Get comfortable with being and living outside. Get comfortable with
> your gear, both how it works and how to fix it. Learn to deal with
> injuries, bad weather, insects, equipment failure, and so on.
> The single best way to prepare to spend a great deal of time in the
> out-of-doors is simply to spend as much time as you can out of doors."
Good advice. I have a conference at the end of this month but the
plan after that is to do just that. Jump on a bus, head towards a
random part of town and walk away for a day. Camp out over night and
walk back. I'll get to explore Wellington and get to test out the
gear.
Stuart Fleming, on this list, has just offered me usage of his tent.
One extra item ticked off. :) For the most part I think I'm fairly
sorted equipment wise. I already live a minimilist lifestyle with
everything I own fitting into the backpack I have. From talking to
Stuart though I think I'll be dumping about half to 2/3rds of my
clothing before starting this trip. :)
Oh, David, from talking to Stuart I've also decided to do the walk
solo. He mentioned a number of good points for doing it that way.
I'll be compiling these for a blog post over the weekend. Will cross
post to this list then too.
> Is Queen's Scout award like the Eagle Scout award in the States?
> Sounds impressive.
According to the Free Dictionary they are comparable.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Queen%27s+Scout+Award
--
Regards,
toek
to South in 2009 / 2010.
Thu-Hiked the AT / the PCT / the CDT. I have some experience.
Get into the outside when the weather is really bad (rain wind). Hike in it
and build you camp. Think about your gear. it's not how expensive it was or
that the shop recommended to you, it's about if it is going to working for
YOU!
There is a difference in thinking about it at home and sitting in the middle
of a storm far away from a hut depending on it. Test and change what is not
working for you.
- Read about the strategies of the thru-hikers:
http://www.trailjournals.com/index.cfm
- Look on the internet about "ultra light hiking".
- Reduce your Weight!
- Reduce your Weight!!
- Reduce your Weight!!!
- Reduce your Weight!!!!
If you want to walk really far and enjoy it you must reduce your weight to
the bare minimum. Change your mind set from our western view of "more is
better" to "leave everything behind". Only carry what is absolutely
necessary. That is very difficult and you will need a lot of experimenting.
Nobody can learn you this, you have to find it out yourself (probably the
hard way like we all did).
Focus on what is in your backpack what you not really need. get rid of it!
An experienced thru-hiker carry not more than 5 a 6 kg (excluded food or
water) NOT 16 or 20.
I met hikers with 4.5 KG backpacks on trails of 4500 KM
Citizen Gold
I'm hearing the same thing (Reduce your Weight) a lot from Stuart too.
I'll also be taking a look at the backpack I've got now. It's a good
sized pack but I suspect it'll be way more than I need for this trip.
I'll also be following through with the practice angle for testing the
gear I have. I'm also going to approach the boss and ask about moving
to 10 hour days. 4 day work weeks with a 3 day weekend will allow me
to go that little bit further each week.
Having just hit the search engines I now have ample reading for
Ultralight Backpacking too... :) Thanks for those keywords.
I did a bit of a search on you also. Is this you? http://pnsmit.home.xs4all.nl/
ToeK
For your backpack take a look here http://www.ula-equipment.com/
I really like the backpacks. used the olm on te Araroa.
Tents: http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
Great stove: http://www.bushbuddy.ca/
the weather ... lol...! : http://www.metservice.com/national/index
Op Do, 18 augustus, 2011 23:24, schreef Citizen Gold:
Judith Humbert
mention ULA packs - good all around packs. To go even lighter one can
check out Mountain Laurel Designs, Gossamer Gear and ZPacks. If you
like to sew, plenty of MYOG information at backpackinglight.com.
Did you use a bushbuddy for cooking? If so, how did it work out for
you on TA?
I'd better get off the Internet and get hiking soon! :)
> For your backpack take a look herehttp://www.ula-equipment.com/
>
> Tents:http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
> Great stove:http://www.bushbuddy.ca/
> the weather ... lol...! :http://www.metservice.com/national/index
>
> Op Do, 18 augustus, 2011 23:24, schreef Citizen Gold:
> Thanks ToeK.
>
> I'm hearing the same thing (Reduce your Weight) a lot from Stuart too.
> I'll also be taking a look at the backpack I've got now. It's a good
> sized pack but I suspect it'll be way more than I need for this trip.
>
> I'll also be following through with the practice angle for testing the
> gear I have. I'm also going to approach the boss and ask about moving
> to 10 hour days. 4 day work weeks with a 3 day weekend will allow me
> to go that little bit further each week.
>
> Having just hit the search engines I now have ample reading for
> Ultralight Backpacking too... :) Thanks for those keywords.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Flore
My boyfriend and I are going to start the TA end of November this
year. We'll may cross your road on the trail.
Cheers,
Flore
toek
I know the ZPacks but understand that the durability can be problem. The ULA
proved themselves for me on the TA.
Yes u used the Busch buddy on the TA. that worked great.
Never have to worry about fuel.
you can find some wood every ware.
its fun to play with your little fire on the end of the day.
the smoke keeps the sandflys away!
Use cottonbols and Vaseline to start.
-----Original Message-----
From: tear...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tear...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf
Citizen Gold
> sorry for the long time to respond on your questions. (was out hiking ;-)
>
> I know the ZPacks but understand that the durability can be problem. The ULA
> proved themselves for me on the TA.
Hey all,
I've had Aarn backpacks recommended to me also. Just wondering if
people have had any experience with them. Would like to support NZ
Made if possible. :)
Considering this one at the moment;
http://aarnpacks.com/products/natural_balance.html
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Looking for someone or a small group who want to start end of October or at the beginning of Novemeber!
Anybody else?
cheers,
Marc
Citizen Gold
Hey Marc,
I was initially looking at doing this with company but have since
decided against it. I recall Stuart Fleming telling me about a few
met on the trail and his experiences. Things like the days you're
just in a bad mood. These could strain the relationship with your
traveling companion. Then there's also the pace. One is likely to
have a faster pace so the other is likely to either feel slowed down
or pushed harder than they'd like. Either way, there's the potential
for one to not enjoy the journey as much.
There's a few other points also, but the general feeling I got was
that it was probably better to do it on my own.
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Yes, I thought also of this things. But I think, I could accommodate me with a lot people. And you don´t have to walk the hole day with your group/ hiking partner. You could keep a healthy distance to them. Walking the day together, sleeping somewhere else. It could change a little bit in all.
Nice would be also, to met maybe only all few days, or every bigger city. I think also about the safety.
Charing equipment is also a thought.
and so on...
Marc
Floppy
I am planning on setting off early November. Although I am setting
off alone I hope that I do meet people along the trail to spend some
time with for a few hours or a day or two. Still haven't brought my
flight to NZ from the UK yet so haven't got a date of arrival but it
will be sometime mid to late October. It would be great if there were
fellow TA hikers in Auckland who fancied meeting up to share plans...?
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Booked my flight to Aukland today. I will reach NZ at the 21st of October. What about meeting somewhere in Aukland? Or better in Kaitaia? Thought of starting from there to Cape Reinga.
cheers,
Marc
Nicolas
at the start. It would be nice to start this big ol trip with
company.
Dirty Harry AT05 GA-NY/AT08 GA-ME.
Citizen Gold
> Hey Gold!
>
> Yes, I thought also of this things. But I think, I could accommodate me with
> a lot people. And you don´t have to walk the hole day with your group/
> hiking partner. You could keep a healthy distance to them. Walking the day
> together, sleeping somewhere else. It could change a little bit in all.
> Nice would be also, to met maybe only all few days, or every bigger city. I
> think also about the safety.
Safety is an issue worth considering. NZ is fairly safe from the
point of view of native predators(none) or meeting people on the track
(from what I've experienced/heard). From the point of view of an
injury while out in the middle of nowhere though it's a good point.
Mary Hansen
From: tear...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tear...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, 16 September 2011 5:21 a.m.
Mary Hansen
From: tear...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tear...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, 16 September 2011 5:21 a.m.
To: tear...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Anyone else thinking of starting the TA Nov or Dec?
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Think I can´t make it that fast to the Raetea Forest. Could try to start at the 23rd of October, not earlier, I think. Let me know your e-mail address by a short message please, to stay in contact easier. My mobile number: 0049 (0) 1709667471
thanks,
Marc
Floppy
Thanks for your mail. I had planned to arrive in NZ about the same
time but we have had a bit of a scare regarding my Dad's health.
Things don't look as bad as we first feared so hopefully I will still
get there but I am hanging on here a bit later for test results....
So I have got lots of equipment and a good idea! Fingers crossed it
all works out.
Where are you from? Have you done any huge hikes like this before?
Floppy
Mary Hansen
will wait. No I haven't done any long trails, lots of short tramps and two
6-7 day walks but I really enjoyed Cape Reinga to Ahipara in 4 days, then
Ahipara to Mangamuka summit in 3 days. I am self employed and can only get
away for up to a week at a time...it would be much easier to walk right
through...am planning to be semi retired by the time I get to the South
Island and hope to be able to be away for a month or so and want to do some
of the other lovely popular walks while down there also. I am sure you will
find someone to walk with when you are ready. You are welcome to ring for
advice on the little I have done so far. I would say that "the beach" is
easy navigation wise, water shortage is an issue, but the 4 forests to
Kerikeri are a real contrast, overgrown tracks fallen trees and carefull
navigation needed in places...but awesome, eat your lunch under 1,000 year
old Kauri trees and put your ear to the trunk and listen to the sap running!
See the kauri snail shells as big as the palm of your hand and walk through
the Puketi forest with the densest population of Kiwi in NZ....and I guess
that means the world! Best of luck, Mary 078847539
-----Original Message-----
From: tear...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tear...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf
Of Floppy
Sent: Thursday, 29 September 2011 9:29 a.m.
To: Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Long Pathway
Subject: Re: Anyone else thinking of starting the TA Nov or Dec?
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
Hope your father is all right now. All best for him.
I´ve done no long distance hikes like this before.
Only shorter trips about a week and so on.
My name is Marc, you know, and I am 31 and from Germany.
Could we have next talks about this via e-mail?
It´s faster than here. And more private.
My e-mail address: marc...@t-online.de
cheers,
Marc
marc.ba...@yahoo.com
That sounds all gorgeous what you are writing about. And that is, what I want to experience.
You said it, water shortage is an issue. How have you made this?
I want to navigate by maps and compass. Think that will be enough. What do you think?
Could you give me also a directly message via e-mail? It´s easier: marc...@t-online.de
cheers,
Marc