Iain's Great Adventure - Te Araroa

The Awesome Team at Davanti Consulting has blown my target out of the water by genoursly donating over $4000 towards the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, resulting in over $7000 in donations. A final review of my pack weight has resulting in some items being discarded in an attempt to get under 20kg, but not by much. Still feels too heavy, although I do need to carry enough food sustain me on this journey. Feeling good about the first stage, the Queen Charlotte Track, I can review the pack content again over the first couple of weeks depending how the body copes.

Massive shout to everyone that is supporting me and mental health through donations.. just ticketed over $2000 which is awesome.  1 weeks to go.. by this time next Saturday I will be in tent for first night on trail.

I have realised it's going to be easier to reduce my weight, than the weight of my pack.. Lockdown has not been good to my tummy. Should be able shed 6kg off ME. That will make my knees happy. Happy Knees .. Yes Please!

Week out from departure and worrying about pack weight. 20+kg to carry.. what do I not need?

I am so very grateful for those that have sponsored me already by donating to the mental health foundation of New Zealand. It have reach $1000 and not even started walking yet.. I am counting down the days... 10 to go.

Obviously I need a spreadsheet to plan this journey. I have been working and re-working the plan for some time. Here is a summary of the current estimated daily distances and nightly camps. The hardest sections being the Richmond Apline Track and Waiau Pass Track which are both high and remote. Fortunately, if timing permits, I will be joined on the Waiau Pass with friends from St Arnaud. I will be thankful for the company a couple of weeks into the journey and following New Year. Km Total Location nights avg km/ day total acc days date start end dist Destination 5 0 Boat from Picton 1 1 2021-12-18 1714 1719 5 school house camp 61 61 Queen Charlotte Track 3 20.33 4 2021-12-19 1719 1741 22 camp bay (22km) 1741 1758 17 black rock (17km) 1758 1780 22 Davies bay (22km) 44 105 Anakiwa to pelorus bridge 2 22.00 6 2021-12-22 1780 1803 23 Havelock(23km) 1803 1824 21 pelorus bridge (21km) 27 132 Pelorus River Track 1 27.00 7 2021-12-24 1824 1851 27 middy creek hut (26km) 113 245 Richmond Alpine...