Funny Stuff

So when your alone in the woods and you want a picture of everyone, you have to set up the camera on a timer, then run to get in the picture. Here is the first attempt on a really cool tree that I thought would be a great photo. It came out a bit dark, so on the second try, I jumped up on to the tree, but in my haste, fell over the back side. In the process, I kicked Lane in the mouth and made him fall off too, there was no third attempt....

Dennis

ps - It appears I broke the progress page on our website, and being the creator and only person who knows how to fix it, I can't repair it until Auckland, probably 2-3 weeks, sorry

North Land Walks

So, We have had a change of scenery since Ninety Mile Beach and Ahipara. Back on the trail after half a day of rest we entered the Herekino forest track. It was filled with elevation changes and mud. The occasional view point was found though and was rewarding. From there we entered the Mangamuka Walk Way which was most difficult. We accomplished only 14km one day. That is a far cry from the 25km or so that we have been averaging. The last two days were spent in the rain in the Puketi Forest. Wet, but we did come across a grove of Kauri trees that were very cool. They are huge trees with very straight trunks, and most have been cut for lumber. We were saved from the rain one night when we came across a D.O.C hut. We were warm and dry. We have meet some really cool people along the way thus far. Thank you to all who have helped us along. Till the next post, we will try to keep dry and some kilometers behind us. Hiking.......Lane

Pictures - 3 of us and scenery
cow road block
cow in scenery
campsite
mud

First Section Done!

So, 101km down, only 2799km to go. We've spent the last 4 days on 90 mile beach and made it to Ahipara. Its been pretty amazing so far, although we're definitely pleased to be away from the sand for a bit. Dennis' boast that he wasn't going to get a single grain of sand in his pack was over in the first 15 minutes when he discovered the hose to his hydration pack had come unattached so everything had to come out onto the beach to save his stuff from getting drenched.

The landscape was awesome at first, but did get monotonous by the end. We were walking over crazy dunes, cliff edges and wide open beaches. It was pretty surreal having endless sand dunes to our left, flat beach in front of us and crashing waves to the right day after day. By the third day, when there were no distinguishable landmarks for the entire day, we were beginning to go a bit crazy. "Is that a bus on the horizon or just two seagulls perfectly placed so that they look like headlights?" The buses were a highlight though. Tourists flew by at 100km an hour on their way up to Cape Reinga. We managed to get a wave out of everyone, but one short bus thought it was hilarious to swerve right towards us and turn away at the last minute - scary the first time, funny the second, it was getting a little old by the third time.

Other than that we've seen seals, wild horses - 15 of them strolling past our campsite, and its rained every night. We're hanging out at the Ahipara Backpackers and Motor Camp until this afternoon then starting the trek to Kerikeri which should take about 5 days. We're feeling a little sore and are still getting along, no one's thrown a tantrum... yet.

Hope you're all good and we'll be in touch in Kerikeri.

Alice

pictures:

The start at Cape Reinga
Walking through crazy sand dunes
Our first campsite
Our vista for 4 days

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