Travel Diary: Orani Hoyt completed half of her trip in New Zealand

Orani Hoyt Argentonnaire is part of a 3,000km trek in New Zealand gave him News in the New Republic When it just made a little more than half way through. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have just finished North Island after two months of walking, You wrote to us. I traveled 1700 km. »

Prior to that, Urani Hoyt covered 86 kilometers in five days, bypassing the Timber Trail. ” againstto It is located in a huge forest containing 35 bridges. In this section, I had the impression that I had been stopped in time. I followed the old historic Ellis and Burnand Tramway, with information boards everywhere telling the story of the workers and locals. »

but travel fluctuations He came to disrupt his plans.

In the Tararua Mountains, Urania recedes

“I didn’t get to kayak the Whanganui River as planned. So I followed it on foot, which allowed me to learn a lot about the legends of that river. I also slept in a rather strange monastery that looked like a hospital. I spent the night there alone, with a statue of Jesus.” My only companion. I did not meet anyone, neither when I arrived nor when I left, and I left hastily the next day.”

Before the year-end festivities, Orani Hoyt partially satisfied one of her curiosities. “I was waiting for a while to cross Tongariro, a UNESCO classified park, Says. The circuit traverses alpine deserts, meanders between volcanoes, descends into a crater, navigates emerald lakes, winds through hot springs and ends in a virgin forest. It is a hotspot for volcanic tourism in New Zealand. Each year, approximately 100,000 adventure hikers attempt adventure hikes. The total distance to be covered is about 19.4 km. A route to be covered in one day. »

For Orani, crossing this site did not go as planned. “The higher I climbed, the worse the weather. It got colder and colder, with winds of 50 km/h. The day was hard and trying. My head was in the clouds all day, until I saw the Emerald Lake.”

South Island to explore

Crossing the Tararua Mountains, a mountain range, was also difficult for the hiker.

“It took me five days of walking, with the promise of great views. This will be my worst hike. I find myself on a trail with a landslide. The path is narrow and my feet can’t stay together. I am paralyzed. I feel more dizzy than I feared. My body stiffens.” All of it. I find a pass and cling to the roots praying that God will not die. I really hated the beginning of this day. I got to the top, where I pitched my tent with an enchanting view. The next day the weather was bad and I ran out of water. With a shock, I decided to retreat. »

On January 20, 2023, Orani Hoyt was in Wellington, having covered 1,700 km. “ I completed my circuit in the North Island. I am waiting for the boat to continue the adventure in the South Island. » For our part, we look forward to more news from him.