North to South: Hiking the Te Araroa Trail

stefan on marthas saddle te araroa

Oh my goodness I am excited! Repeated due to popular demand!

Another evening ALL about the Te Araroa! The Te Araroa is New Zealand's longest trail spanning the length of the two islands, and if you have ever considered doing it, have done it or are just curious, then this is the night for you.

 

Te Araroa northern beaches

The hike isn't all mountains.

We are so lucky to have our friend and all-round mountain man Stefan Fairweather come to the shop and give us the low down on completing a self-supported trip, the length of New Zealand.

 

HAndy work for a rest stop on te araroa

What through hikers do to make life a little more comfortable, and re purpose old gear.

Topics he will cover include logistics around food and gear drops. What actually tastes good after 3000km? How to budget for a trip of this length. What gear works, what doesn’t. How fit or experienced should you be? How do you navigate the walk? And so much more.

PLUS Stefan will be sharing stories from his book North to South (and will have signed copies available for sale on the night). Which is all about his through hike on the Te Araroa just recently.

north to south hiking te araroa

 

Where: Further Faster, 57a Buchan St, Sydenham, Christchurch.

When: Thursday, September 24th, 6.30pm start (shop open prior).

Tickets: $10, and are limited, please purchase via Humanitix. All money will be donated to the Te Araroa Trust.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a repeat of Stef's previous SOLD OUT talk at the shop about the TA from April 2019, if you couldn't get a ticket then, now is your chance!

Looking forward to seeing you there (and please, bring all your questions!)

 

Our friends from the Comfort Theory made this wee clip about the trail...

 

stefan fairweather

Stefan, is originally from Hamilton. His interest in hiking started on Mt Pirongia with boy scouts more than 30 years ago. He joined the Junior Naturalist (not naturist) Club and had further tramping experiences near Kawhia and the Coromandel. It was a one-week camp on Mt Taranaki and numerous hikes back to this iconic national park during his years at Waikato University that gave him his thirst for the mountains. For several of his university summer holidays, he hitchhiked around the South Island, hiking in Nelson Lakes, Kahurangi, Westland, Arthur’s Pass and Mt Cook National Parks. After graduating with a degree in biology, he departed NZ for nine-years overseas. Mountains and hiking were often the inspiration to visit places and consequently he has been hiking in Morocco, Nepal, Slovakia, Malaysia, Canada, Poland, India, USA and Japan.

Since returning to NZ and embarking upon a medical career, he has continued his adventures in the mountains as much as he can, including leading adventures with other mountain loving folk.  

The Te Araroa is Stefan’s first long distance hike (but not his last) and North to South is his first book. He works as a GP and lives in Christchurch with his wife and an anxious cat.