לאייל-  אני משארי הודעה זו כדביקה והיא צתהיה היומן שלך.

Hi Everyone,

Last update for now. I'm heading off to the north to start the trail. Hitching to Cape Reinga early tomorrow.

Few things I wanted to write:

Basic light gear like Tarp tent, Golite Ultra20 SB, thermal clothes, a poncho, gaiters (NZ is one of the most heavily rained countries in the world) is the same as in the thruhikes you know of in the US. I also used them alot in the Himalayas and with great success.

I have decided to start with my north face backpack and not my Golite ultralight bag cause I don't know how it will hold here. The trail here is rugged and wilder than the ones you know of in the US.

My north face prophet is only 1.6 Kg and its a working beast! so I have the ultralight one waiting for me on the way in case I see I can go even lighter.

I have all the maps on DVD and I printed the parts I needed till Auckland. which are the first 650 km. Costs 20 NZ cents for a print.

You can download all the maps from:

http://www.linz.govt.nz/topography/topo-maps/map-chooser/index.aspx

food:

I have quick meals by Back Country Cuisine and simple mashed potatos and one square meals for breakfast/lunch

I will start with this and see what need to be changed. You know how it is like to fine tune things as you walk.

Using a pepsi stove of course. Some of the meals you can find in a ready to eat mode. so no cooking necessery. that's what i'm starting with.

Anyways, I will report once in a while when I can and definitely in 3 weeks when I reach Auckland again.

Tomorrow up to the north...

By the way, Cape Reinga in the northern tip, is where Māori belief that is the point where the spirits of the dead enter the underworld.

I wonder.....

C ya all,

Eyal

Was able to steal few more internet minutes. I'm spending the night in this family's house north of Auckland. Hopefully tomorrow I'll hitch all the wayto the northern tip.

I forgot to add:

Buy 80% deet against the sand flies!!! they are a real pain.

Also, please keep this thread in English because I have friends whom I met along the way and from my trek in the Hamalayas who wants to read this.

Thanks a lot!

Will upload pics whenever I  can

Eyal

Hi all,

Finished the first part of 103 km of the north west coastline. From Cape Reinga to Ahipara. Now breaking east thrue bush walking all the way to the east coast and the south pacific ocean.

Took me two days to walk this part. I am writing a sort of a data book for all that is interested. I will have gps coordinates hopefully also.

The trail and the people are great. I'm having a great time.

A lot of adventures happened in the last few days. Lets just say that I found myself getting a present in the form of a PLB-Personal Location Beacon. worth 900$ from a local guy that decided my trail is great and he wants to help.

What do you think about that???

.anyways, will report more soon.cant upload the pics yet.probably in a week or so.

Eyal