To keep our phones (AKA GPSes), cameras, GoPro and the rechargable batteries of our SPOT powered up while out in the back country for long periods of time we needed a solar panel and a power bank to do the job. Solar panels vary significantly when it comes to their efficiency, and after a good… Continue reading Goal Zero Nomad 7 & Guide 10
Once upon a time, New Zealand hosted a variety of bird life unseen anywhere else on the planet. The birds were everywhere and everything, in all different sizes, shapes and colours, filling the forests with songs so loud they could be heard from miles offshore. Today, many of the forests we walked through are silent. On… Continue reading Battle for the Birds
For its temperature range, the Cumulus Lite Line 300 is one of the lightest sleeping bags out on the market. It is warm, comfortable and durable, and it has been a valuable companion in New Zealand's changeable climate. We've been very happy with this sleeping bag. It is one of the few gear items we… Continue reading Cumulus Lite Line 300
For our hike across New Zealand we discussed our options with Helsport and settled for their Storsylen X-Trem 2+ 4-season dome tent. We wanted a sturdy, freestanding tent that could easily be set up in all environments we walked through. Even though this tent is not ideal for thru-hiking due to its weight we've… Continue reading Helsport Storsylen X-Trem 2+
Cape Reinga - Bluff 169 days (Mason Bay - 182 days) Trail slogan: Just Go For It! Distance covered: 3202 km (including Stewart Island) Number of walking days: 141 Number of resting days: 28 Number of nights in a tent: 67 Number of nights in a hut: 47 Nights in a bed (hostel, motel, holiday… Continue reading TA Fun Facts
I felt empty after reaching Bluff, purposeless, and after two days of sitting still in Invercargill somewhat confused as well. Why are we not walking anymore? Regardless of the weather forecast we booked a flight to Stewart Island. We all wanted to go. Marylène and Patrick joined in the enthusiam. They would only come along… Continue reading The Bonus Round: Stewart Island
We left the hotel together at 8 in the morning. It was drizzly and windy outside. While we walked from the city center to the start of the track a big rainbow appeared over the Invercargill estuary.The sun started peeping through as the clouds passed. What better weather to have for the finish than the… Continue reading Bluff
One last resupply. One last heavy pack loaded with 9 days of delicious food. We rather took it on the safe side for the final rough tracks with unpredictable weather and tired bodies. Up and down, up and down, up and down we went, until we stood on the beach. The TA challenge is not… Continue reading To the Southern Ocean
A little detour with a great result. Routeburn, one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks, is officially not a part of Te Araroa but connects so perfectly to its route that we couldn't resist the temptation of covering it. Patrick joined in too. Because, really, what are an additional 54km when you've almost walked 3000?… Continue reading Routeburn, Mavora Lakes & Mararoa River tracks
Along the lines of a historical Maori route Te Araroa winds its way from Wanaka to Queenstown. Motatapu is a fantastic track. It is not characterized by your typical dramatic mountain landscape - glaciers, snowy peaks, blue lakes - yet there is something inherently impressive about it. It is different from any other mountainous place… Continue reading Motatapu Alpine Track
Team Belgica 