Full circle
It's been almost a week since I finished hiking the Te Araroa, but it seems as if that piece of information has not made its way into my brain yet. Like, how do you mean we're not hiking tomorrow? What else am I going to do? I cannot 'not' hike, can I!? Meghan caught me looking at Guthooks the day after we finished, even if there was nothing for me to research. I did it! I hiked the entire length of New Zealand, but I didn’t want to be done. My knees are very sore, they are definitely in need of a break, but other than that I feel perfectly fine. I could easily ignore my knees for a little longer and hike another month or two. To delay my ‘return to the modern world’ I decided to head over to Stewart Island right away to hike the ‘Rakiura Track’. They list it as a 3 day hike, but I ended up doing it in one, and realized how spoiled I am. The track was cool, but I have seen so many amazing places along the TA, that I felt a little underwhelmed. It looked just like any other pretty forest to me, but full of day hikers. I guess every place will feel crowded after seeing only a couple of people a day for months. I can feel society slowly creeping up on me and I don’t like it.
Hiking the Te Araroa has been a treat. What a trail. I loved every second of it. Except maybe that one time I got close to hypothermia on the Whanganui river, but other than that, no complaints. The adventure started with a beach and a muddy forest and it ended the same way. We’ve come full circle. Like the time when I finished the PCT I wish I could go back to the beginning to hike the first kilometers one more time, just to see what it would feel like. I remember being completely overwhelmed by the mud in the Raetea forest but having no problem at all getting through the Longwood forest which is pretty similar just 3.5 months later.
I’ve been lucky, having had the chance to take some time off to get to know New Zealand with its kind, generous and quirky people. They've invited me into their homes, given me rides, they've fed me and made me smile without wanting anything in return. I'll make sure to pass on the good vibes. One of the best parts of thru-hiking are the friendships you make along the way. I met some pretty amazing people during the past months, and I don’t think I could have done the trail without them. There are days when your head isn't in the game and you're low on energy. Having someone around you during those times to share your feelings with makes things so much easier.
Another aspect I love is knowing how to deal with the elements. I know my gear inside out. Everything has its place and its reason to be there. I could pitch my tent blind in two minutes if I had to, and I can get into my rain gear in one minute without taking my shoes off (I can also pee in the woods without having to take my pack off btw). With each thru-hike I learn to read weather, rivers and tracks a little better which I find exciting. What I want to say is: Hiking is empowering. There’s so many things you can learn on the trail, and I truly feel that being out in nature without the modern world distractions brings out the best in people.
For now, all I care about is being happy, and in my case that seems to translate into sleeping outside under the stars with a bag full of dehydrated food, sore knees, amongst positive thinking people in smelly clothes. The trail is my happy place, which just means that I have to get back on one as fast as possible, so the plan for the next one is already in the making. 2020 is going to be a wild one. Stay tuned.
Where it all began. 9. November 2019.
Cathedral Caves
