We Made It! Well, the easy part...

We made it here, although it was pretty easy, I slept 8 hours on the plane. Lane didn't sleep at all. We did our first proper New Zealand training hike using the gear we will be taking and in similar terrain that we will be hiking in. It went well considering it was the thickest bush I have ever seen, and we were on a "trail". We had 32 stream crossings in a 4km stretch.
Gonna get started this upcoming Saturday the 22nd. Alice's mom is going to drive us to Cape Reinga on Friday and we'll officially hit the trail Saturday. It is hard to believe that it is here, after 8 months of planning a trip in terrain that you have never seen before, it feels good to finally be here.
Well gotta go, off to enjoy a three hour shower, a soft bed and any other luxuries (the refrigerator) I can find at Alice's house before I move into my tent for 5 months.

Dennis

Almost ready

Well, its hiking time. Alice is already in New Zealand, and Dennis and Lane will be arriving on the 13th of September. We will get on the trail during the 3rd week in September. We have spent countless hours over the last few months planning this adventure. We can't wait to be done with map printing, gear ordering and packing, and actually start hiking to see what lies ahead of us. We think we're prepared for whatever Mother Nature sends our way.

We hope that all of you at home are as excited as we are, and that you follow our adventure as it unfolds. We will be updating the site as much as possible with progress maps, donations, and photos. So when you get a chance check in and see how we are doing.

Hiking,

Lane, Dennis, Alice

Well, it finally happened, we now have a web page. I guess you already knew that, or maybe you just happened upon it, right... If you all could do me a favor and be my guinea pigs. Let me know if there are any problems with the web page. I know that most of you have already changed your browser to www.nzunderfoot.com to your home page. That makes us feel so warm and fuzzy inside. The thought of all you guys starting your Internet day with us is so touching. Well, if that's not true, at least come to visit us and see what we're up to. We are currently planning, although it seems quite endless right now. I'll keep ya updated.
- Dennis