Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
Mark Twain
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Today, my boss gave me the green light to take a personal leave of five months to take care of a little something that has been on my mind for the past several years: to walk one of the biggies.
While it would seem to make more sense to start with something close to home like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest, my chunk of time away will be in the winter, and it’s only logical to track down summer – and prime backpacking season – where it happens during our cold months, on the other side of the earth.
I must have been playing a long song on Classical MPR when I stumbled upon this long trail. I was surfing the web looking up top hikes of the world and this newish hike – or tramp, as the Kiwis call it – popped up, piquing my curiosity.
Te Araroa means “the long pathway” in Maori. Completed in 2011, it’s a 3,000 kilometer trail extending from Cape Reinga in the North to Bluff in the south. It traverses the entire country; beaches, forests, mountains, volcanoes and cities, and should likely take all the time I have planned to finish it.
Thus far the furthest I’ve walked all at one time was the GR5, 450 miles over the spine of the Alps. While taking on that challenge I wondered if I was made of the right stuff to sustain a thru-hike of not just weeks, but months.
Aside from the logistical nightmare and the risk that I might not be missed at my place of employment, I hadn’t the faintest idea if I possessed the grit, the fortitude and determination, and the sheer pig-headedness to stick with a walk of 1,864 miles.
Over the ensuing years, I decided there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to go and do it. Keeping in mind the fact that I’m not getting any younger and my arthritic toes are continuing to protest, I made the decision to request a leave of absence, and put myself directly on the path of enormous change.
Sure, it will be a change in scenery and routine, but also in how my life looks and feels because I am going alone. Don’t worry! Richard will be following my every step through the magic of GPS tracking – and I’ll stay connected by blog. I certainly hope you’ll follow me. I might need emotional support along the way.
So right now I’m absolutely tingling with excitement for this rare opportunity even as I make lists of all that has to get done, including applying for a visitors visa on an extremely thorough application which requires proof I not only have the financial means to return home, but plan to do so!
16 Responses
Holy crow… you leave on Saturday. Your last radio program for 5 months is tomorrow… We (the faithful listeners in “vacuumland”*** as one veteran CBC announcer used to refer to the radio audience) will miss you, but we’ll be with you in spirit, along with whatever musical companions you’re able to take on your iPhone. (The first three verses of “Ging heut’ Morgen übers Feld…” from Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer come to mind.)
Wishing you all the best from just north of the 49th for an exhilharating and safe “journey of a lifetime” 🙂
(*** no doubt a reference to the vacuum tubes in the transmitter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGeewqPaCUw
Sang this one – well more whistled – nearly all of the Alps traverse! Thanks for the good wishes! I’ll still be “on air” with SymphonyCast we recorded ahead of time! And you’ll hear lots of Lynn. Even my mom confuses us on air. must be the snarkiness – hahaha.
How exciting! I have a friend, a world class marathoner who is native NZ. I expect she would be willing to give you any advice, etc. you might need. Let me know if you would like me to introduce you to her.
Also, is the Camino de Santiago on your bucket list? Or have you already done it? I’m seriously considering finding 5 weeks to do it.
You should do it! At the moment, I am focused on backpacking, but one day I will walk it too.
And yes, I would very much like to meet your NZ friend! I am in the thick of planning now. all best and happy trails, alison
Hello Alison, my name is Susie Woolley and my family grew up with the Rasch’s and Ann told my mother Laverne Dawson about you travelling to New Zealand. I was supposed to contact you much earlier than now, so apologies for leaving it so long. I have lived in NZ since 1989 and we live in Auckland. If we can help with transport, accommodation, etc… please let us know. We would love to meet you and assist in any way. I have only skimmed over your blog at the moment, but will take more time when off work tonight. You have done a lot of walking to some amazing places! Hope to hear from you soon. Best Regards, Susie.
Hello Susie! And thanks so much for your lovely note! Ann and Hans were here just this past weekend. It was cold but all the leaves are in their brilliant fall colors now. I hope to arrive in Auckland by Nov 20? We’ll see how I manage 🙂 My email is alison@blissfulhiker.com See you and your beautiful country very soon!!
What a wondeful coincidence! You’ll have a bit of family away from home. 🙂
YES! I feel SO lucky to have friends of family and friends of friends looking out for me to ensure I stay “blissful!”
hello Susie and thanks so much!! Can you send a contact number/email to me at alison@blissfulhiker.com? Leaving in just a little over a week!!! thanks! alison