S01E14 Te Araroa | Days 59-63: The Whanganui River
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Te Araroa is a very unique long distance hiking trail because parts of it can only be completed by kayak or canoe. Detours around these sections will take you off the official trail, and after 1200km it's understandable one would want to be a purist.
That means canoeing at least 3 (but more often 5) days down the Whanganui River.
The Whanganui River was given legal personhood in early 2017, only the second region in New Zealand to be granted this status (after Te Urewera). At over 290km it is New Zealand's longest river, and I canoed the final 150km as part of Te Araroa. Maori legend says the river valley was formed when Taranaki left the central plateau (after losing his love, Pihanga, to the mighty Tongariro) splitting the land open on his journey to the west coast where he now sits.
The river has been a major communication route in New Zealand since it was settled, first by Maori and later Europeans, primarily for travel to the central North Island. A regular steam boat service started in 1892, eventually running to Taumarunui where it connected with northern rail and coach services, connecting Whanganui to Auckland. Unfortunately its utility as a major transportation route dwindled after completion of the Main Trunk railway in 1908/9.
Despite my initial fears, the Whanganui River section of Te Araroa was hands down one of my favourites. The beautiful scenery coupled with the untouched nature of the Whanganui National Park were unlike anything i've ever experienced before. Learning a new skill (namely how to pilot a canoe through white water and rapids) and bonding with Dad were unexpected bonuses.
In true Te Araroa fashion, though, the journey became much more difficult (and even treacherous) where the Whanganui Journey ends and Te Araroa picks up at Pipiriki. Watch on to see the saga unfold in full.
MY TE ARAROA RESOURCES:
➡ TA Home: longwhitegypsy...
➡ Te Araroa Trail Accommodation: longwhitegypsy...
➡ Te Araroa FAQs: longwhitegypsy...
➡ Te Araroa Gear List: longwhitegypsy...
➡ 4 Ways To Prepare For A Te Araroa Thru Hike - Te Araroa Preparation: longwhitegypsy...
➡ How Much Did It Cost to Hike Te Araroa: • How Much Did It Cost M...
➡ 10 Things You Should Know Before You Hike Te Araroa: • 10 Things You Should K...
➡ 5 Mistakes I Made on Te Araroa: • 5 Mistakes I Made on T...
➡ Navigation on Te Araroa: • Navigation on Te Araro... z
➡ Roadwalking on Te Araroa: • Roadwalking on Te Arar...
➡ Why is Te Araroa So Expensive? • Why is Te Araroa SO EX...
➡ How I Packed my Pack on Te Araroa: • How Much Did It Cost M...
➡ PLAYLIST - Te Araroa North 19/20: bit.ly/3eeOpbU
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So glad this leg finally surfaced 😊
Can't wait to watch it and enjoy
Hope you enjoy it!
Yay and congrats on getting this footage back . The river looks just amazing and the weather was great what anice way to spend the new year and with your Father . i just loved this one thank you
Thanks heaps Darren! It was a pleasure putting this one together, I had a lot of fun doing it. A great start to a strange year!
I'm glad you were able to retrieve so much of your Whanganui River adventure video. You've captured some beautiful moments. I remember only too well how uphill the flat sections of that river feel with a strong headwind. The open section where you caught the wind would have been really disheartening. Was that really New Year 2020. It seems like half a lifetime ago with all that's happened since. I hope you are able to finish the TA sometime.
I like that description! It definitely did feel like paddling uphill! I just couldn't believe how different those final 2 days on the river were to the first 3. And yes. It was New Year 2020. It seems crazy aye... a completely different world back then!
Good to see the missing episode. Wow that boat ride sounds a adventure in its self. Glad you and your dad are ok. Richard
It definitely was an adventure! One of the great things about TA... always a different kind of adventure on the horizon :)
Your Dad is so cool!! 😂👍🏿🌳
He reminds me of my Dad, and is how I am sometimes 😁
What an absolutely stunning part of our country, and I am glad you have this footage too.
You have captured the essence of the river and surrounding areas beautifully. 😊
Thank you. Probably the single biggest highlight of the North Island for me. Can't believe I was so nervous about it beforehand!
Looks like an incredible trip. So glad you were able to recover the footage from your phone.
It really was the highlight of my entire adventure. And to think I nearly skipped it!
keep up the great video's, just subscribed :)
Thank you so much!
@@LongWhiteGypsy you are welcome
Wow that was such a beautiful journey especially to do it with your Dad that will be something to remember forever. I’m sure you now look back on those scary parts and although they probably make you still feel anxious you can probably laugh a little too. I know I would have pooped my pants. Your a very brave lady Michelle x
Haha thanks Emma. Yeah Dad and I just tend to laugh about it now, but at the time it was pretty harrowing! But a great bonding experience for us both :)
Wow I started following you last year but did not realise you did this trip until I was trying to find info on it, can you please tell me the camp sites you stayed at again? Thank you
No worries! I did the 5 day version from Whakahoro to Whanganui as part of the TA (if you didn’t already know that!). I stayed at Ohauora DOC camp, Ramanui private camp (opposite Tieke Kainga), and then Flying Fox and Hipango Park. Such a great trip, although I did get very lucky with weather and river conditions!
6:36 - dad joke unlocked