Te Araroa Gear List: What to Pack for a Thru-Hike

[@markdean2524]

I'm watching this baked and I just spent a good 15 seconds trying to scratch whatever little thing is on your wall because I thought it was a speck of food on my screen lmao 😅 Thanks for doing this!

[@aStrayLife]

Haha of course! I had taken a picture off the wall so that’s the nail! Hoped no one would notice! Glad you enjoyed!

[@louisedam4814]

You have such a nice and happy vibe. Love the video

[@aStrayLife]

Why thank you, I really appreciate that! 😀

[@sandrad7343]

Great fun watching your serious side of packing, and then onto the basics. OMG you are so funny! Who else could bring fun to packing. And then your video THE BEST EVER! I'm walking late 2021 and your videos nailed it. Good job from a kiwi!

[@aStrayLife]

Oh wow I really appreciate that, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed my videos!! I hope I could help out with your prep for 2021! You’ll love the TA!

[@kevinmcmenamin3559]

Good summary - I am doing the SI next year so interested in comparing my list of stuff to take - very similar. The only key thing missing is a personal locator beaken - no one should do the TA without one as some very isolated spots.

[@aStrayLife]

Thank you! I chose not to take a PLB since I had a gps app on my phone and there are always other trampers around so I felt comfortable with the risk. It is a personal decision for every hiker based on their comfort and path finding skills. Best of luck on the SI! It’s the best part of TA!

[@mchenryiain]

Thanks for the video man. Super useful for newbies like me at the planning stage.

[@aStrayLife]

Of course! I’m glad I could help! Let me know if you’ve got questions

[@exteci]

Nice summary of your gear. An outdoor scenery would be great... but the contents alone are what count :D

[@aStrayLife]

Thanks! Yeah I included all the scenery in my other TA videos!

[@PhilosophicalTendencies]

This was so useful, thank you✊🏼💚

[@aStrayLife]

I’m glad! Thanks!

[@6foot8jesuspilledpureblood82]

Great work, hope you loved nz.

[@aStrayLife]

Thanks mate! I most definitely did!

[@navirangi7122]

Thanks for the great vid. Clear, informative n simple. The undies part 👀 woah lol

[@aStrayLife]

Haha thank you! Gotta make sure I keep viewers attention 🤣

[@jontestrieben3192]

Nice video, it was a good orientation for my own gear list for TA this year. But as I couldn’t find it, I wanted to ask if you did do a video about the food you ate on TA. Many other videos about food aren’t very informative or they’ve spend a ton of money for food, that is very expensive.

[@aStrayLife]

Thank you, I appreciate it. My apologies, I have not gotten around to a video about food just yet. For me it was three ramen packs for dinner and then for lunch typically wraps of tasty cheese and tomato paste. A lot of tortilla wraps for sure!

[@jontestrieben3192]

@@aStrayLife Thanks, yeah I figured that I would eat something like that too. Did you send any resupply boxes along the way? And did you have a bounce box?

[@aStrayLife]

I did not bounce anything on TA. I was lucky enough to not need to mail anything. I had friends who picked me up at Arthur’s Pass for a day off in Christchurch to resupply. But Nelson lakes through to Arthur’s pass was the only tricky spot with food. I hiked a lot of kms each day so I think the average hiker would need a mail drop or something in that stretch

[@MrHonification]

Great clip thanks!

[@renatthestarbase]

Considering the TA in late 2021. How much did your pack and kit weigh ex food and water? Nice vid!

[@aStrayLife]

Thanks! My pack was 10kg without food and water. Perhaps on the heavy side but I was prepared for cold weather just in case!

[@eikejung572]

Thanks man

[@aStrayLife]

Of course!

[@timsamoa5944]

What was the total weight of your pack without food or water please

[@aStrayLife]

My base weight was 10kg

[@cathafloat1195]

Approximately, what is your base weight, please? No gaiters? No poo shovel? PLB? Sleep wear? Beanie/woolly hat? Gloves? Emergency/spare gas? We don’t use the “brain”. Thanks, enjoyed your vlogs. We walked (some of) the TA Oct/Nov 2019. Made it to Koitiata when we were stopped by my really bad case of plantur fasciitis. We plan to return 2021/22 season (vaccine permitting) probs NOBO from Bluff. What are your future walking plans?

[@aStrayLife]

My base weight was 10kg. That does include a winter hat and gloves which unfortunately I didn’t have around to include in this video. But I only used my gloves in Tararuas and briefly on the Tongariro crossing. I don’t think I ever wore my winter hat. The buff was enough to cover my ears. I did not use gaiters...it never seemed necessary. I pulled my socks up high and was fine. I had one fuel canister which is also not included in this video. I don’t carry a backup. I can always cold soak my food if I really had to. And for a shovel, I just used whatever stick I could find in the woods to dig a hole. But most of the time I used the privies at the huts and whatnot. Glad you enjoyed the vlog! Sorry to hear about your plantar fasciitis! That’s horrible and I hope you can get out to finish the trail! NOBO from Bluff would be the best! It will just keep getting prettier as you hike north on the South Island! As for me, with COVID I don’t think I can tackle the PCT this year. Thought about maybe the Arizona Trail or just some smaller hikes. Maybe just work and save money for the next big hike!

[@roxyknight4909]

How did the TA trail compare to doing the AT hike ? Love your videos

[@aStrayLife]

Thanks! Very different experiences. AT is harder terrain, much more wilderness. But also very well maintained and lots of resupply and campsites and shelters. TA is a new trail and goes through farms and cities and roads so the terrain was easier. It has its moments of difficulty and hard to find campsites in a few places. But overall I found it easier but more urban

[@subculturenz]

I feel you should do all your future videos in that towel :D

[@aStrayLife]

Haha I’ll try and give it some cameos!

[@subculturenz]

@@aStrayLife did you even do a cost breakdown of how much 90 days on the TA cost you? Also is there really a point where you walk so much that your junk chaffs against against itself? :D

[@aStrayLife]

I didn’t put together a cost breakdown for the TA, unfortunately. I think a rough estimate was something like 6k NZD. But I had most of my gear already. I also stayed with friends here and there so I think my coats might not reflect a walker from overseas. But a kiwi walker would probably have an advantage at keeping costs down if they know people along the way who could help them resupply, shuttle around the rivers, and stay for zero days. As for my balls, I used special underwear that have a pouch to keep them separated from my thighs. There’s a link to them in my blog post about my gear list. They work great! But talcum powder is another option.

[@antoniabaker7770]

Mmmmm

[@meganmills5412]

Im going to have to dissagree avout the only take 2 pairs of underwear year na ill take more

[@aStrayLife]

That’s fair. Everyone’s different in what they bring. I definitely was stinky!