The End.
24 May 2022
I did it. I really did it!!! I actually finished over three weeks ago now but sometimes ya just need a minute to process these things.
3,000 kilometres & 140 days later I completed my journey of Te Araroa. Taking my first steps solo from Cape Reinga I really had no idea what I was in for - I was excited but so, so incredibly naive. My optimism got me through the challenges though and before long I’d fallen in love with the simplicity of the trail lifestyle. There was nothing more bliss than rolling out of my tent in the morning, eating breakfast in an idyllic location & quite literally only having to worry about putting one foot in front of the other for the beautiful day ahead.
The trail allowed me to fully connect with our natural environment & let go of the constant noise & distractions of civilisation. I was able to grieve, heal, laugh & cry all in my own space & time, releasing my emotions onto the trail. I continuously learnt new things about myself & gained a new appreciation for my beautiful body & all of the things that it can do for me. I became more motivated and was able to gain a fresh insight into the things that I am capable of as well as what I want to get out of my life. But most of all, I grew more confident in myself & gained a mental clarity like never before. It feels peaceful, blissful & magical all at the same time!!!
Overall, the trail wouldn’t be the experience it was without all of the wonderful, crazy, fun humans who I met or who supported me along the way. From the kaitiaki (Trail Angels) who provided places to stay, to strangers who met me with some wonderful & sometimes wild offers, to the friends & family who supported me from afar but most importantly, the people pictured who became my ‘tramily’. These are some of the most incredible people ever & I am so grateful that I was able to share this insane journey with them!!! It would’ve been so much harder to get through this journey without all of the laughs that they provided along the way.
While it is bittersweet to say that it is the end of my Te Araroa journey, it is only the beginning of living a life that prioritises outdoor pursuits. I have plans brewing on where my next steps might lead me and what trails and mountains I can conquer next. I am so excited for what’s to come but for now, I have a promise to keep. I almost forgot that I said at the beginning of this crazy journey that I would plant one tree for every $10 donated to my fundraiser for I Am Hope. Therefore, I’m currently planning the logistics of my tree planting endeavour. On that note, thank you to every single person who has donated and supported in any way. This page will still be open for another month for anyone who is still willing & able to donate.
One final note - if anyone is interested in hearing stories first hand or just wants to know more about the TA in general, I have been invited to speak at the next South Canterbury Tramping Club meeting. Send me a message on FB or email at baileywhitnack@gmail.com for more info if you’d like to come along. Also, feel free to get in touch if you simply want to ask your own questions one on one. I’d love to chat and share any tips if you’re planning on doing the TA yourself!
As usual for more pictures, videos and shorter updates from my time on the trail, follow this link: https://www.instagram.com/bailey_whitnack/
