Trail Notes, Trip Stories and Honest Advice from the Field
The Freewheeling Kiwi Blog
Sharon Evans is the founder of Freewheeling Kiwi and one of Australasia's leading small group Himalayan trekking specialists
She has walked the full length of Te Araroa — 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff — and led multiple groups to Everest Base Camp with a 100% summit success rate. She also treks in Australia, Bhutan, the Annapurna region and across New Zealand.
Te Araroa - Walking Back to Myself
Two years ago I walked the full length of Aotearoa, from Cape Reinga to Stirling Point in Bluff, covering more than 3,000 kilometres over 133 days.
What I expected was a physical challenge and a long-held adventure ticked off the list. What I did not expect was how profoundly the trail would reshape my understanding of rest, simplicity and coming back to myself.
The lessons did not arrive dramatically. They accumulated slowly, step by step, day by day, until something essential had quietly shifted.
Whether you are a long distance hiker or simply someone craving a proper reset, I think some of what Te Araroa taught me might resonate with you too.
Sharon Evans is the founder of Freewheeling Kiwi and one of Australasia's leading small group Himalayan trekking specialists
She has walked the full length of Te Araroa — 3,000 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff — and led multiple groups to Everest Base Camp with a 100% summit success rate. She also treks in Australia, Bhutan, the Annapurna region and across New Zealand.