Adventure, Confidence and Life Stories
The Freewheeling Kiwi Blog
Explore authentic travel adventures, personal reflections, and practical tips to help you grow in confidence, embrace challenges, and experience the world more fully.
Hi, I’m Sharon Evans. Through this blog, I share stories from my journeys around Aotearoa New Zealand and the world—moments of discovery, courage, and connection with nature. Here you’ll find inspiration, insights, and real experiences to guide you in living adventurously while building confidence and self-trust every step of the way.
What I Wish Every Trekker Knew Before Coming to Nepal
Last week my phone buzzed with a message from Nepal. It was Prashant, one of our porters, sending me a photo of his newborn daughter Diyaa, his third child. Prashant calls me Mum. So when that photo came through, it felt like getting a picture of your own grandchild.
This is what people don't tell you about trekking in Nepal. Yes, there's the altitude and the training and the gear lists. All of that matters. But underneath all of it is something that will surprise you if you're not expecting it. The people. Not just the people you trek with. The people who make the trek possible.
From First Follow to Base Camp: Why Trekking With Me Is Nothing Like Booking Online
There is no "add to cart" on my website. No instant booking, no automated confirmation email, no PDF itinerary fired into your inbox by a system that doesn't know your name.
What I offer instead is something no overseas booking site can replicate — a real person, a real relationship, and a community that starts long before anyone boards a plane to Kathmandu.
With 93,000 social media followers who already feel like family, and a 100% Himalayan summit success rate, here's what the journey actually looks like when you trek with me.
Am I Fit Enough for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?
Annapurna Base Camp is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Himalayas, and one of the most accessible for first-time Himalayan trekkers. But accessible doesn't mean easy. The question I hear most often is: am I actually fit enough to do this?
It's a fair question, and it deserves a straight answer rather than vague reassurance. The reality depends on where you're starting from, how much time you have before departure, and whether you're willing to prepare with intention. Here's what you actually need to know, from someone who has led multiple groups to Himalayan Base Camps with a 100% summit success rate.
Gear Guide for Annapurna Base Camp: Lessons from Experience
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is achievable with the right preparation.
This gear guide shares exactly what you need to pack, based on experience, to help you feel confident, comfortable, and ready for the trail.
How to Train for Annapurna Base Camp: A Practical Guide
Planning to trek Annapurna Base Camp?
This practical training guide covers cardio, strength, hills, altitude preparation and a simple 12 week plan to help you arrive confident and ready.