‘Longest walk’ a personal challenge says local couple

 

BY JULIA WADE

A local couple’s decision to venture the wild side on a six month hike through New Zealand’s rural back yard saw them washed down a raging stream, battling 100kph winds, ascending mountainous peaks, and beholding some of the country’s most stunning scenery, all while raising cash for a higher cause.  

Taking their first steps from Cape Reinga on October 1 last year after months of training, Mangawhai residents Mark Williams and Kerry Shanta began what the worldwide tramping community believes to be one of the must-do treks, the Te Araroa Trail.

Extending from the  northern tip of Aotearoa to the deepest south, the country’s ‘longest walk’ is a 3000km collation of challenging tracks showcasing some of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural ‘back country’, documented by Mark and Kerry through a running blog and stunning images. 

Mark says, the Trail was ‘quite an adventure and an incredible challenge’, and often gets curious inquiries as to why they decided to take it on. His answer tells of both parental influence and a ‘why not’ mentality.

“Kerry is from Kaitaia and wanted to walk 90 mile beach and see the Northland forests as her father Des Ogle was a prominent figure and forest ranger in the area, so I said, ‘well, why don’t we just keep going and head for Bluff?’ So we did!” he says. “Kerry also pointed out we should go North to South because it will be downhill all the way… .” 

As well as the personal challenge, the couple raised $900 for ‘Higher Ground’, a residential-based facility which provides support and structure for recovering addicts who seek to change their lives. 

“We chose Higher Ground as we’ve been personally affected by the impact of addiction and deeply appreciate the steps towards recovery they help provide.”

The couple decided to leave early in October to allow enough time to walk to Wellington and fly back to Auckland to spend Christmas with family, before once again lacing up hiking boots and taking on the South Island Trail. However with some of the southern trek sections being vastly remote with Mark and Kerry having to carry extra food rations resulting in heavier packs of 20kg mixed with volatile South Island weather, the couple’s walk abruptly – and nearly disastrously – came to an end in Te Anau on March 26, just 220km short of their final destination at Bluff.

“In wet tramping conditions we were crossing a stream that quickly became a raging torrent of water which swept us off our feet, tossing us 100 metres or so downstream in about five seconds,” Mark says. “We managed to struggle out of the water and assess our injuries. Kerry's hand was swollen and her arm was definitely not right. An x-ray at the hospital later revealed a broken arm with the possibility of surgery required. It was a most terrifying experience and we felt lucky to survive the ordeal with only a broken arm!”

Although forced to abandon the Trail, the couple still made it to Bluff, just not in the style they had hoped, driving to the southern tip with Kerry’s arm in plaster. However, never defeated, they plan to return sometime in the coming summer to complete the job. They both say they feel privileged to have seen ‘a slice of New Zealand that many Kiwi's do not get to experience’.

“We both feel humbled by the great experiences we’ve had, the people we’ve met, the highs and lows, and the lasting memories we have made,” Mark says. “We’ve also learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of a smooth log to sit on and cool clean mountain water to drink.”

On returning home, Mark and Kerry have spoken of their experiences, hoping to inspire others to take on the Trail, giving presentations to the 'Mangawhai Trackies', Walking Weekend Volunteers, Kaipara Hunt as well as Higher Ground residents on July 1, where they were pleased to present a cheque of funds raised. 

“After the presentation the whole group of about 50 residents of Higher Ground gave a very rousing and impromptu haka to show their appreciation for our talk... it was a very moving experience and we felt extremely honoured and privileged,“ Mark says. “We would like to say thank you to everyone for their kind donations to this cause; we’re very appreciative.”

 To experience Mark and Kerry’s intrepid adventure, google markandkerrytat.

‘One of the highlights of our trip’ say Mark and Kerry, pictured atop the summit of Breast Hill, overlooking Lake Hawea in the South Island. “Younger travellers we met in the South Island huts were in awe of us when they realised we had completed the North Island trek considering the generation gap and our large backpacks.” PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Back in Auckland, pictured from left, Higher Ground director Johnny Dow, Kerry, her daughter Tracey and Mark, presenting the cheque for $900 with an additional $150 forthcoming from Kaipara Hunt members who recently enjoyed Kerry and Mark’s trepid tale of adventures. PHOTO/SUPPLIED


“In wet tramping conditions we were crossing a stream that quickly became a raging torrent of water which swept us off our feet… .”