750K Hamilton

Arrived in Hamilton hardly able to hold my self up. Super fatigued and burning up from a high fever. Turned out it was the beginning symptoms of Giardia....shitty.....very shitty. The past week has been tough. The Te Araroa trail has been fairly non existent, poorly marked and  some of the worst trail I've seen, in some of the easiest looking country I could imagine hiking thru......thanks DOC. From the beginning at 90 mile beach thru the sub-jungle ridges and farmland of the north island of NZ the water sources have been super poor quality or just not there at all. You wouldn't think that of NZ or at least I didn't think that would be the case but when you go thru the day with no water then thru the night, then thru the next day you kinda go for whatever comes up....even if  its cow farm run off-gross. To top it off my hiking partner decided to walk......away from are thru hike because of a little disagreement about where to hitch on the side of the road right when my Giardia was starting to take control if you know what I mean..Fucking lame, I don't have any patience or time for shit like that anymore. Its a good thing he left anyway, anyone who is  going to walk away from something like this, that fast isn't worth being my friend.
                OK so ya......this whole blog, (what little it is) has seemed fairly negative and its kinda true. I mean we started in rain...that lasted for ten days straight. Started on a trail that seemed to be finished which is hardly the case, and lets face it, the north island is kinda lame for hiking. I mean the people are great, friendly and very helpful but I DO NO NEED TO HIKE ANOTHER 1000 MILES THRU FARM COUNTRY!...and my hiking partner left.....and as of right now it feels like somebody is stabbing me over and over again with one of those small Swiss army knifes in the stomach. But......this is what happens........when your living the dream......my friends......Ha!
                  I'm bouncing down to Wellington for New years, should be great fun, and I should be better by then. After that I;m taking a fairy over thru Cook Strait to the South Island, where I can fish, run, hike and live in the Huts as I please most importantly Ill be back in the mountains.

                                                                                                         Nick
             

Flowers!

650K

Made it to Auckland!.....where it all started 20 some days ago. Fly into Auckland, hitch three days up the coast, then hike back 650K.... Thought we may be walking into Auckland on Christmas but the 21st is great! The weather has improved and so has are moods. Next large city will be Hamilton.....with some flat rolling farm land ahead of us. Can't wait to get into the mountains and out of the jungle and coastal hills.

350K

Day ten.....made it to the east coast of the north island, (started on the west coast going south following 90 mile beach then cutting south east hitting the east coast several days ago). Threw up the white flag in the battle of the rain to stay in a hotel to dry out gear, escape the weather and to lift are spirits. The trail seems to be getting better the further south we travel, better maintained, more markers, and less over growth. However the road walking seems to becoming more frequent. I cant stop thinking or talking about when the time comes that we head on a ferry thru Cook Strait and make are way onto the South Island to tramp thru National Parks, Forest Parks that are filled with huts to stay in. Soon enough, till then safe travels, nick.

200K

Making are way south trying to battle the never ending rain. Its taking its toll on me, the trail and my goal to finish within 100 days. Like all things this too shall pass......forward......relentless.......progress.

Arrived in Auckland NZ

Hitchin and bus riding to the North.,,,,gotta go!

One Week!

One week till the 28 hour plane ride to Auckland NZ. From there I will meet up with my hiking partner Josh from Alabam.http://gohike13.blogspot.com/ . We expect to be at the northern terminus on the 4th of December where the 3000km hike will begin. The first 100 miles will consist of a 90 mile beach walk, which sounds wonderful but seems to be a bit of a challenge regarding the sand and sun. Looking forward to dodging the winter and to continue with the summer for another 4 months!

All ready missing friends and family especially my co-workers from the last fire academie I just attended in Oct/Nov. If you guys are ready this........its about time to throw my pack back on my back and kick some ass!

I decided to start this blog primarly for sharing pictures and journal enrties for all who care to follow this awesome opportunity to life the way it should be. Great pics to come!