Te Araroa | Why would you walk the length of a country?

[@rowansheppard4062]

I am getting ready to do this solo. I have never been more terrified and excited in my whole entire life. Thank you for sharing this special part of your life.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

You’ll be fine! Have a great one.

[@GypsyGirl317]

Rowan I feel the same way! I am in my 60s and planning on doing it next year, solo, in the summer season of 22-23. ❤️ 👐🏿 😊 I am training consistently at the moment!

[@Matalking1]

I hiked the TA in 2015/16. This is the best summary of the experience I have seen on the internet. Tingles watching it as the flood of incredible memories rushed back to me. If anyone thinking about doing the TA reads this, do it! You will remember it for the rest of your life.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

@@Matalking1 🙏🙏

[@starfish-l8l]

One of the best Te Araroa videos I've seen. Thank you for sharing.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks 🙏

[@jessewaller3435]

This was incredible! Honestly one of the best hiking videos I've watched (and I've seen a fair few). Looks like the most amazing hike and experience

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed!

[@dazstuart]

Wow! Such a brilliant video guys! It makes me feel so blessed to be a Kiwi and call this country home...thanks for sharing it. 👍

[@Bazdavies1]

Awesome video-Well done, brought back some great memories-very nostalgic.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@markfenwick1059]

Great video, thanks Gerben.

[@hfernee85]

Wat ontzettend mooi! Brengt de tocht weer helemaal terug😊

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Blij om te horen!

[@ChrisTenalach77777]

Geweldig gedaan. Deze staat nu voor mij op de wens lijst Tia Ora❤

[@arnege5469]

Great video! I got goose bumps seeing it, so emotional. I´m preparing my solo hike next season, 23/24, hoping to pich my tent on Stag Saddle too - sunrise there must be a really impressive moment 🤩

[@grifcole1]

Wow that is so good. It captures the TA perfectly . Well done. Karen

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏🏽

[@richardbench804]

Great video guys, hope there are more coming!

[@Ratatrail]

Extremely well made, superb video, now I really want to go, thank you for sharing your experience!

[@Steynberg.]

Great video, thanks!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@margaretebauer3373]

I am so happy to find this video an see that you have met Kathi and Georgia again and finished the trail together Margarete from bavaria

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

So lovely to hear from you Margarete 😊. Hope all is well!

[@barryclarke4841]

Hi , just watched your awesome inspiring video, what a journey and fell privileged to have shared your celabrations at Stirling point . Released at the end of the video you were the four hikers who walked in at the same time as three of us who finished our 3000km Tour Aotearoa bike journey . Well done again and i intend on following your foot steps through NZ next summer

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

cheers! and exciting plans to look forward to, all the best 🙏 you’ll love it!

[@louiserobinson6840]

Beautiful, wise and uplifting. Thanks for posting :)

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@louiserobinson6840]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard I plan to do my own TA in 2021 ( Virus allowing!). Your insights and beautiful filming was really inspiring and brought a tear to my eye and reminded me of the beauty and freedom of the adventure to be had. Very much needed in these difficult times. Many Thanks.

[@PatrickPlaggenborg]

'You are your own limit' :-) Fking nice deze trip! And beautiful shots. Thanks for creating this video and sharing your experience. Super inspiring Gerben.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏

[@wayno0504]

Fantastic, inspiritional, beautifully told story.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks!

[@curtiswise3738]

Great video! Really captures what a thru hike is like. Congratulations!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@GypsyGirl317]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing your amazing experiences with us. ❤️ 👐🏿 😊 I am planning on doing Te Araroa next year in the summer season of 22-23 when I turn 65 and get the pension! 😁🏞️⛰️🏕️🚶🏻‍♀️

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

That's amazing. Enjoy, you'll love it.

[@SueNielsen-g9x]

Great video.

[@thulierlaurent]

Very beautiful video ! It makes me nostalgic of my wonderful experience in NZ

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏🏽

[@MsMichellecampbell]

ataahua! bought back some good memories. Nga mihi x

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏

[@andyONthetrail]

Really enjoyed your video how it showed your heart and passion of the hike. An inspiring video for anyone planning on hiking the TA and a great reminder for pass TA hikers etc.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@jessc3007]

Congratulations on completing what must've been an arduous but beautiful journey and creating memories that'll last the rest of your lives. And thank you for sharing some of that with everyone.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏

[@bas_dijkstra]

This was an awesome video and it makes me want to come back to New Zealand soon. Maybe not to walk Te Araroa myself (maybe, though..), but thank you anyway for sharing this with the world. Truly inspiring, amazing and geweldig.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks Bas! Consider it, it'll be worth it 😊.

[@noraweigel171]

Done it last season as well and men I miss it 😕

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏

[@sophieeeeeeeee1]

Excellent video, it looks like an amazing experience!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@we12travel]

Gave video! Afgelopen week besloten deze trail eindelijk eens te gaan doen zodra het weer kan. Dank voor de inspiratie!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Leuk om te horen! Enjoy!

[@walkingisthebestmedicine]

Dank je voor de mooie video.. goede inspiratie om het kort en krachtig samen te vatten 😀.. door de huidige situatie in dit land gebleven en ik ga volgende week starten met de Ta Trail. Ik ben benieuwd 😀

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Tof, geniet ervan! 🙏

[@byronandrews29]

Wow

[@chrisgeorge5800]

Gerben, what's the groove that kicks in at 3:49? I love that bass riff so much! 😍 Great video all round 👌

[@georgie1241]

Great effort !!! Loved this video :)

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers!

[@stevekim4162]

Must do before i get too old I think i only have one shot at this

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Go for it!

[@cathafloat1195]

Hi Steve L. Age is just a number. You don’t know if you don’t try. My husband and I walked 1400km from Cape Reinga to Koitiata beach before an RSI stopped our trail. And we are over 60. We thought that was it but we plan to return to the trail as soon as we can, maybe December 2020, NOBO from Bluff for as far as we can. Go for it!

[@GoandLove]

Any more videos coming?!? I absolutely loved that! Just subbed with anticipation for more content!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Hopefully more content in the next few months (once allowed travelling again)

[@GoandLove]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard awesome

[@clarepower4081]

Love this guys!!! I have just started our video. You have done a fabulous job. I hope you are safe and well after the world we all found ourselves in leaving the native bush. Kia kaha, Clare and Kev

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Cheers! And awesome, can't wait to see it. All the best!

[@sannesimons]

Thanks so much Clare and Kev, it was soo lovely to meet you guys. Be safe!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Nice work mate! I think youve just convinced us to do this

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Do it! You'll love it.

[@thomasrobinson117]

Great edit

[@frisovanwassenaer785]

Heel vet gemaakt guys! Ik heb de TA gepland voor 2020-2021, als de coronacrap het toe laat!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Fingers crossed!

[@china5746]

Awesome video!! really inspired me to do this next year on my 25th birthday!! (October)

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

What a birthday gift!

[@Daydreamingmoments]

wow this is so gorgeous!! I wish I could do this.. Unfortunately it doesn't work for everyone that the mind determines how far you go. For me it's really my body that just stops.. thanks allergies and chronic illness 🙄🙄 Anyway, I do want to go back to NZ! Was there in 2017, loved it! Love the south island especially. Hope to go back one time and do all those hikes that I didn't do and some more skydiving 😊

[@davidbobeldijk8396]

Waaaauw wat gaaf zeg!!!! Prachtig

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

🙏🏽

[@emman1060]

This is amazing! What a great trip. (Hi Georgia!) I’d love to do part of this trip at some point but I’m not sure I’d have it in me to do the whole country! Good on you.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Once you get going I'm sure you'll make it to the end - just approach it one day at a time!

[@mattfinch3895]

OK you sold it to me. Next year I'm on it.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Awesome. You'll love it.

[@monique6604]

hoi, geweldige film! mooi gemaakt, krijg er helemaal zin in. kunnen jullie iets vertellen over de hoeveelheid asfalt? en wat hadden jullie bij je als uitrusting? dank!

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Ha Monique, leuk zeg, dank. De TA gaat voor ongeveer 15% over asfalt, al wordt er hard gewerkt om dat naar beneden te krijgen. Hier een overzicht qua gear: lighterpack.com/r/7r02c1 (al is m'n setup ondertussen al weer anders dan toen).

[@traildork9584]

Wowsers! Thanks for the awesome video!!!! How often did you see other thru hikers?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks! Very regularly :)

[@traildork9584]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard like few times a day?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

@@traildork9584 Yes! Especially at camping spots in mornings and at night.

[@LongWhiteGypsy]

This is such a beautiful video. I only wish mine could be as cinematic as yours! Great video guys, thank you for creating this :) Tell me, what's your camera setup?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks so much! Camera setup is a Sony A5100 with a Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS lens, mixed with a few iPhone 7 Plus and GoPro Session shots in between.

[@yogaphotographybydaniel]

Awesome experience! I want to know how much money did you spent each one in this trip? 🙂👌🏻

[@micoudstephanie1977]

Your video is just amazing and your words so powerful! I hope to start this trip around October if they open their borders with Australia. 🤞 I am just wondering which tent did you used for this trip, and also all of your equipment? Just to have an idea. Thanks a lot for this video and sharing this amazing trek 😊

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Thanks! We used an MSR Hubba Hubba Nx, and can definitely recommend. All our other equipment can be found here: lighterpack.com/r/7r02c1 (some of this was shared so base weight isn't completely right).

[@micoudstephanie1977]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard thank you very much!! 😃

[@bluehill_stories]

Mooi vastgelegd hoor!👏 biedt veel inspiratie voor onze tocht vanaf september 😊🙏 goede storytelling, pacing en edit. Hadden jullie veel cameragear mee? En wat was het meest waardevol wat jullie mee hadden? Of wat heb je gemist?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Dank! Een Sony A5100 en een GoPro (amper gebruikt), plus een iPhone. Meest waardevol was aan het begin een golfbal om je voeten mee te kunnen rollen, overall voor mij denk ik een fijne grote hoed (kan niet zo goed tegen hitte) en het laatste stukje een camelbag waar precies één fles rode wijn in paste ;-). Rain kilt voor bij warm weer en op op te zitten ook erg fijn.

[@daano465]

Mooi! Wil hem deze herfst gaan doen als corona het toelaat. Ik zie dat je ook een Osprey Exos hebt. Welke maat is dat? En beviel die?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

Mooi! Fingers crossed. Ik heb de 58L, maat M. Achteraf besloten dat het toch niet helemaal de juiste pasvorm voor m'n lichaam was, maar bij Sanne (48L) zat 'ie perfect. Zou sowieso aanraden om in een winkel te passen. Welke tassen kijk je nog meer naar?

[@daano465]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard Dankje voor je antwoord. Eigenlijk had ik alleen deze in het vizier voor het gewicht/prijs. Ik wil geen 400 euro aan een zpacks tas uitgeven maar ook geen 2kg Atmos gebruiken. Ik hoop dus de Exos gaat werken.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

​@@daano465 Check! Dan gewoon even naar een winkel waar ze de Exos hebben, komst vast goed.

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

@@daano465 Gelukt met een Exos? Ik krijg een nieuw exemplaar van Osprey toegestuurd die je eventueel voordelig van me over kunt nemen.

[@daano465]

@@GerbenvanderZwaard hi, ik heb em thuisliggen maar de shoulderpadding irriteert een beetje. Kans is aanwezig dat ik em retour doe. Maar bedankt voor je offer :)

[@DorisHikingAdventures]

Cool video guys! I am so happy to have walked part of the TA just before lockdown as well. What would you say was your favourite part?? :D

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

I really really enjoyed the Tararuas and Richmond Ranges, but probably the bit between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers was my favorite!

[@sannesimons]

I loved the Northland! Those forests are so beautiful.

[@garyfrey8853]

How many days did it take you?

[@GerbenvanderZwaard]

It took us 151 days, but we took it pretty slow (deliberately).

[@guillaume8483]

09:00 please don't advertise that you camped at a mountain pass : it's unconsiderate, dangerous. This might inspire people who are even less experienced than you are, and put them at great risk. thanks for the beautiful video

[@nepurangi]

Doing this soon. Great to be a tourust in my own country again. Thanks covoid 😂

[@sannesimons]

So nice! Have fun!

[@GypsyGirl317]

Michael have you managed to do it yet? ☺️ I am planning on doing it in the summer season of 22-23 👍🏿

[@wayno0504]

Christine Munro