What's so special about New Zealand's Hiking Trail anyway? | How TA is *unique*

[@Jerrymc1975]

A thru-hike is a cathartic journey if you’re looking for it, which means you hike you’re own hike. I hiked the PCT last year, but was forced off by the fires. I hiked for healing since my spouse passed one year before. I received healing and so much more. It literally changed my life and am now loving life again.

[@synechdoche]

"Comparison is the thief of joy"... Big love from California.

[@jasonroxburgh9194]

I was at the TA presentation night, you came across and genuine, enthusiastic, and knowing your stuff, so don't beat yourself up.

[@nickymd1]

"Maybe it's too late for you..." literally had me laughing out loud. It's the same thing I always say to people who ask me about my Camino experiences - if you've spent more than 15 minutes seriously thinking about it, the idea has already taken root in you and you'll likely never shake it. And now I'm off on my first TA gear test hike (GR20) next week with hopes to be standing with my pack and pockets full of optimism at Cape Reinga in November 2023.

[@vicsters07]

I've been thinking of doing the Camino for a couple of years since seeing a TV show about it. Looks like it's took late for me :) hopefully I'll go in 2023 after I finish my studies.

[@nickymd1]

@@vicsters07 if you have any backpacking experience and can therefore handle longer days, I would definitely recommend doing the Camino del Norte. I've done multiple Caminos and it's hands-down my favourite. It could be a little of that "your first "thruhike" is like your first love" thing, but it was so much more beautiful and the connections I had went so deep that every long stage was worth it 30x over.

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@nickymd1 I am also aiming to be on the start blocks at Cape Reinga in November 2022. I too am practising with my gear and planning ahead. 🤪❤️😁

[@nickymd1]

@@GypsyGirl317 have a great trip!

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@nickymd1 thank you, and the same for you. ❤️ 👐🏿 😊

[@SustainablyVegan]

I haven't wanted to visit NZ more than I do right now haha - this trail looks so unbelievable, cannot wait to see your videos xx sending you lots of love Elina xx

[@ElinaOsborne]

Thanks Immy you sweet soul ❤️You'll have a trail angel all ready to pick ya up when you make it down here xx

[@davebryer6133]

The Tourist Bureau of NZ should be giving you a box of cash for this video.

[@RunFishBrad]

I've binge watched this entire series today after recently moving to the Sth Island, and discovering a passion for moving slower than I'm used to on trail. Thank you for putting together such an awesome series, and sharing your experiences good and bad, it was awesome! Sorry to hear about your Mum, I know she'll be so proud of you. I think I know what I have to do

[@franziskafla6072]

I hiked the north island of Te Araroa in 2016 when I was just 18 years old and left my soul behind when I had to go back to my home country. So I love watching your videos, hearing this familiar accent and seeing the most beautiful country on earth. I hope New Zealand opens up there borders again...

[@Monica-jq4gy]

cool !!! same here

[@garthrogers2269]

Mavora Lakes are my favourite DoC campground. I love that place. The Kiwi Burn hut just south of there also has a special place in my heart.

[@trekbhutan]

sending you back love, light and peace Elina, all the way from Bhutan.

[@schmitzcj]

I completely understand your concern/fear with cows after almost being attacked by one while hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail on Maui a few years ago. I have a new respect for them.

[@deannilvalli6579]

Nice video as usual. That hut pass sounds brilliant! "Comparison is the thief of joy." I like that!

[@PedroNord]

Yes. I’m still totally in love with your presentation technique and editing. I’m looking forward to coming down and tramping all over the place. I grew up herding cattle on horseback in Texas so the “cow bit” was quite funny. I also spend some of my preteen years herding angora goats (I was the border collie). So any agrarian rurality just adds to the experience. I’m looking forward to your next video. Thank you for sharing. 🦋

[@flagsontheat5269]

Travelling from the UK to start the AT in April. I know it’s not one you’ve done, but your videos inspire me so much to just get out there - thank you. Looking forward to your TA series. ‘Flags’

[@AlpineShenanigans]

Wow with ever upload the Elina O cinematic universe just keeps getting bigger!

[@sarazsadanyi4113]

This video made me soooo homesick. I can't wait to come back and do TA!!!

[@f_l3339]

I really miss NZ. There is a certain feeling, that's hard to describe, when i see your NZ-footage. It's like there's a glow to the images, that can't be seen, but felt, i don't know. Spent an amazing time in this beautiful country..

[@laurenedwards7649]

This is what I've decided is going to be my first thru-hike when I graduate high school next year. I can't wait. Also, I could literally watch you talk about anything for hours. I know a lot of thru-hike KZbinrs are scared to do talking videos but please don't be!

[@kramco.5984]

Hello from Tuolumne! I think I just watched all your videos in one sitting! Almost 4 1/2 hours later, and I can't wait for more!

[@jeanclaudevanweatherman]

I always discover new music when I watch your videos! I didn't know Cody Fry before, but I like it! (thanks!)

[@Kevinschart]

Your videos always make me smile. Cheers from the US.

[@anthonyjstewart]

Your optimism is infectious . Really looking forward to seeing the full series.

[@safromnc8616]

Lovely - Am hopeful your borders open up soon ! I get when you talk about the 'competitive nature' of some trails in the US. It's a shame that it comes to that for some people. It is most important that you enjoy, experience & learn (in my eyes) on any trail. Best to you !

[@grahameastham5785]

Oh, great, thanks! Now I have to do the TA. Seriously tho, you have absolutely swayed me from being 'Meh' to 'that looks fricken awesome'. Thank you. :-)

[@lukaklubien4063]

Always look forward to your videos Elina. They never disappoint. Thanks for being part of the reason I’ve decided to do Te Araroa this year 🙃 Also really sorry to hear about the passing of your mum. Im sure she is very proud of you !

[@suzanneng5326]

Your videography and editing is so amazing! I’m so glad I found your channel :)

[@dreadlocksoutdoors492]

Content always really great. You've got talent!

[@nedanother9382]

I'll admit....at the beginning I backed up the video to see who that cute long hair with bangs was....so cute. I wanna hear more about the competition on the PCT. Im not sure I've heard you mention that before. Cheers. Hope your days are getting happier.

[@richardross7219]

Very nice. The AT was very crowded this year. Some people got off trail because of the crowds. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@katlinharaldson9209]

Aw this video gave me chills. Thankyou for the inspiration! Sending you much love from the Big Island

[@leonahughes377]

Love it Now planning to do this next year... thanks for the awesome info and inspiration

[@ChiroHD]

Really enjoyed your film style, music choices, and personality in your videos these past years. Always looking forward to your next video, keep up the good work.

[@heidiwood2390]

Great content as always. Thanks! If you find the time to do a vid on hut etiquette that would be really appreciated... its kind of needed for some of our huts here in Otago!

[@ElinaOsborne]

Really good idea, thanks Heidi! So so important.

[@MrDeltabravo12]

It’s crazy how from just a little second long snippet of video I can list of pretty much all of the places you recorded them 😂 we have such a beautiful country and I really hope more kiwis get to experience some TA magic

[@nessazee]

I’m so glad I found this channel. Your thru-hike of the PCT made my mind up that I’m going to do the same. Also I now want to do Te Araroa as well hmm

[@matwinner9708]

Canadian here; visited NZ 10 years ago on my honeymoon, and have dreamed of going back ever since. I agree with everything in this video: the chill people, the strong sun and the quite peculiar territorial cows😂. Count on us to one day hike if with the kids. Peace.

[@amalieasmindrosendal1181]

I think 13:08 is my cue to go. Love your videos!

[@noraweigel171]

Hiked Te Araroa in 2019/2020 and fall in Love with the country and the people. Really want to go back 🥲😄

[@KateTries.]

Really hope to have the opportunity one day. Can’t wait to see the rest of the videos!

[@kiwdwks]

Love your videos/perspectives...thank you!

[@AwkwarredTurtle]

Last year I took a gap year and my big want was to get to NZ to go the TA. Covid came crushed my dream (for now). Your videos right now are so bitter sweet.

[@GypsyGirl317]

Hold onto your dreams, there will come a time when you can live them. ❤️ I dreamed for many years of going to Africa 🌍, and in 2018 my dream came alive. I spent a month in Kenya 🇰🇪 and a month in Uganda 🇺🇬, staying with locals and I had a great time! We love visitors here in New Zealand, and you will always be welcome. 🤗

[@talesfromthetrail2437]

Yep, it’s too late for me 😆 Long service leave already booked for Oct 2022… just hoping and praying us Aussies can come visit by then! Awesome vid xx

[@richardguenther655]

Very helpful video! I was especially curious about the hut system. I am planning to thru hike the AT in 2022 and my wife and I have discussed sending 6 months in New Zealand and/or Australia in 2023. I am planning to do some sections of the TA during that time. Maybe up to 500 miles. I really liked the point you made about not having to hike the whole thing - biking, kayaking are available. That makes it more interesting for me. We'll see how this all works out and I'll reach out when we end up coming over.

[@GypsyGirl317]

Also, if you haven't already, join the two fb groups - Te Araroa NZ and Te Araroa Trail Angels. ❤️

[@whosyourbrad]

❤️❤️ I can't wait to get back home and smash out the hiking again, my hikes in NZ were like the leg days of all leg days!!🔥🔥 Nice video 💛

[@lukecarpenter6984]

Good to know I'll be walking the trail on it's 10th birthday. Can't wait!

[@frederickyoung4560]

I lived on the South Island for two months. Through all of the amazing views, my favorite part of the hiking was the lack of predators and the super nice people.

[@otisberard2427]

Absolutely Positively Wellington 12:22

[@wilsonrobb10]

Ahh so good. Looking forward to the trail vids.

[@jeffworst9939]

Beautiful video. I wish more hiking content was at this level.

[@Swimdeep]

Dixie of Homemade Wanderlust is getting ready to do the TA. I’m so envious for a myriad of reasons. NZ🇳🇿 is my dream destination. I hope so much I am able to get there in my lifetime.🌿

[@nessazee]

She is?? I had no idea! Oh man I’m so excited for her

[@jasonholly7346]

watched your pct documentary like a year ago and then completely forgot about you til this video popped up thanks for the follow up! glad to see youre doing well

[@getouttheretoursandtravel]

“Take nothing away. Leave nothing behind.” My LNT mantra. :)

[@garrycollins3415]

Biking part of the trail. Way cool, many people would be afraid to bike a trail. Who would question a Kiwi, a through hiking expert, a recognized ambassador on what is correct?

[@leonahughes377]

Kia ora whahine toa, Me and my partner have now decided to do this hike next year (covid dependent) You are inspirational and I love it Mad respect 🙌 I'm signing up to you pateron now so we can get the best advice So do you wahine toa... u are inspiring an 40 year old wahine to do a hikoi in Aotearoa Nga mihi, Leona

[@ErikaLjung]

First you convinced me to dream of the PCT, and now your making things hard again by ALSO making me dream of Te Araroa just at much… ;)

[@190Michael190]

nice video format Elina! great to hear you talk and switch to footage of it actually happening. Milk this cow!

[@GypsyGirl317]

I agree 👍🏿 Excellent style of presentation huh, and Elina your chatty warm approach makes me want to listen to more of your work!

[@jonathanmurti8746]

Are you going to do a video series on the TA like you did with the PCT? Love your work!

[@corbinarnold5998]

Love the bangs lol 🥰

[@raynwalden115]

Yaaassss Elina! Amazing mahi :)

[@JM-mj1lb]

I absolutely love your videos!

[@lilianbuchner1590]

Thank you for this video ❤

[@thornton]

Every amazing clip just makes me desperate to see the final cut! Tramp your own tramp 4 life, thanks for all the inspiration

[@victoriabowman6336]

Your intro made me laugh out loud! Get you girl! now....back to the mooooovie 😀

[@rhunl]

Wooooh! NZ is my all time favourite destination (it was only like 19 years ago :'() but I will be back!!!

[@rhunl]

And one of the attractions of Te Araroa which you don't *fully* praise is that New Zealanders are among the finest people you will find.... I've always been drawn to them when i find them on trails like the Camino de Santiago or in Nepal, and I really hope work sabbatical / redundancy means i'll be doing the Te Araroa in the future!

[@ElinaOsborne]

kiwis are but force-fed humble pie from birth ❤️ (even admitting this feels wrong)

[@rhunl]

@@ElinaOsborne When I've walked with Kiwis in Europe, and when I've done hikes in NZ (routeburn etc) you are all amazing people. And I just wanna hike with more kiwis, even if you are really bloody humble about it!!! x

[@kevincox1192]

I live along the Remutaka cycle track which I think is part of the trail So might become a trail angel Once I have worked out how to do that

[@AdventureswithWillem]

Thanks for sharing, yes Te Araroa is my first love (2019/2020), and yes it has ruined me. Almost no day goes past with out me thinking about it. Love your Vlogs!

[@albertashearing5340]

Hey Elina, I’m very excited to visit NZ from the UK in January! Hiking is on the agenda 🏔🥾⛺️Was wondering what shoes you wore for your TA? Thanks ♥️

[@ElinaOsborne]

I went New Balance Foam Hierros! I'm on the Hoka train currently, but also about to try out the Nordas. Definitely based on your feet and preference!

[@LMicheleS]

"No need to shake out your gear to see if Shelob is in there..." made me snort out loud. :D

[@hamishperkins2307]

I love watching your vids!

[@fairyintothewild8443]

Never having done a throughhike, I find it amusing how hesitant you are to admit you skipped a kilometer here and there and took a bicycle instead of walking every step of the trail. It sounds nice to have the flexibility to make it your own experience and not having to compete or rush through an area due to weather circumstances.

[@nickmanning6025]

Love this 💚… You are great!

[@joewarren1587]

love your content!!

[@jamilaknopp540]

So awesome that you have done it and share the info and love. I hope it won’t get to busy when our borders open again. Then doc will have to build more huts or we need more tents :). Isn’t the Queen Charlotte track part of the TA? Did you camp there?

[@GypsyGirl317]

Queen Charlotte track is part of TA. 🤗

[@jamilaknopp540]

@@GypsyGirl317 , that's great. Where did you stay on the Queen Charlotte track?

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@jamilaknopp540 I have not done it yet, I have been studying it ready for my attempt next year. 😊 There are a number of videos here on you tube of the the thru hike which I have been watching, and one of them shows part of the Queen Charlotte track. Also, it you simply put Queen Charlotte Track in the search, it's easy to find some specific hikes of it which will show the huts. ❤️ I will go look now and link one here for you. 👍🏿

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@jamilaknopp540 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX_cpoCKeZidp8U

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@jamilaknopp540 here's another one, she has split hers into episodes. 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3vOh3msm9pqbZI

[@ChrisonTour]

Looking forward to see the NZ thru hike material! I Just got back from Alaska and always thought how much it reminded me of New Zealand, have you done any trekking in Alaska as well?

[@NickandRachel]

Beautiful location 🙂

[@adventureawaits5003]

Awesome upload. Watch out for those cows 🤙

[@antoniabaker7770]

I was hoping to be there in September but looks like another year AGAIN

[@juketreks2192]

Hallelujah!

[@jasongray7447]

Enticing! But you passed over the sandflies bit pretty quickly!

[@panzerthecat]

Can you please share the information of the link to purchase the huts??

[@kristenniemi5518]

Great video! 😊

[@GourmetNinj4]

Damn this was a great edit

[@TravelswithRosie]

Your weather is changeable : UK weather. Hold my Ale.

[@ArnoPouwels]

Classic Peter

[@iPaddleonthelake]

12:58 You are correct. It ruined me. 10/10 would recommend

[@AN-cy7xm]

I hope I'm healthy and able to walk at least parts of TA post Covid.

[@Henning_Rech]

4:19 I doubt that cows are the most dangerous animals in NZ. I suspect it is like in the USA and many other countries: most dangerous are bees and wasps, followed by dogs and ticks. If you count the number of human casualities. - Forget bears or snakes (or cows) ;)

[@ElinaOsborne]

You're actually probably correct here... I added in my description about the wasps because some part of my brain blocked out the memory where my face swelled up and two of us could not sleep from pain 💔

[@Henning_Rech]

@@ElinaOsborne I have to admit, that after doing some research I found that I underestimated the cows... numbers found for the USA: bees/wasps/hornets 62 fatalities/yr cows 20/yr dogs 16/yr (other source says: 30/yr) Being from Germany, I judged from my local experience. We have here 1 fatality every 10 years by cows. But similar per capita numbers for the other animals. In general, we tend to overestimate the danger from big, exotic, terrifying things, but neglect the trivial everyday risks. Using a ladder in the household may be more dangerous than hiking 1000 miles.

[@jeffworst9939]

I grew up around cows so they don't bother me. BUT... bulls are a completely different story. Before crossing a pasture, we'd always look for a while to see if there was a bull in the herd lurking someplace. I guess another tricky situation is getting between a cow and her calf; she will take you out probably faster than the bull.

[@shannonbritton5313]

Will there be more footage of your hike?

[@filmcanon589]

❤️✨

[@LuluBejot]

Yeah I’m in New Zealand too 😃 I subscribed I do hiking as well but I’m doing bmx video

[@butchbinion1560]

✌️👊

[@Jimbo-pm1dp]

"I hear a symphony"....

[@HBRDynamics]

Class action lawsuit incoming

[@aidenhong8635]

Came across with cows on the TA. I’m scare of them 😂😂

[@JaredandTasha]

Im trying to go there for my honeymoon but wtf is the PM doing?! Covid zero is a delusion

[@GypsyGirl317]

Many of us here in NZ completely agree with you. ❤️ I do hope you can come here one day. ☺️

[@agnesskibicka]

@@GypsyGirl317 no to tyranny!! Greetings from Poland and my little channel 😀

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@agnesskibicka I totally agree with you - NO to tyranny. ❤️ 👐🏿 😊 Greetings to you from my very small channel too. 👌🏿 😊

[@michael60711]

Visit PH 🇵🇭 😊

[@SleepParty30]

The earth is flat. And I think people who travel the world far and wide know it. Especially when you want to go to Antarctica and the Arctic and the military and government always keep you down from doing it freely.