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Amber walks 3000km for NZ's Youth, Torbay (2025)

03/12/2022

A final update for the year…..I’ll continue on with the walk in the New Year now as I need to be back in Auckland to help family out with nursing duties and end of year festivities. Unfortunately the weather 🌧️❄️wasn’t completely in our favour so there are a couple more small things to finish off in the North Island, but otherwise that is ticked off. Then I’ll be on to the top of the South Island. Lots of new adventures are on the horizon in the New Year after a far North summer of fishing 🎣 sun soaking 👙and socialising with great friends and family 🥂. It was so sad 💔to say goodbye to Carina and Wonder, before returning to Auckland. Wonder will join me for some of the summer ☀️ before he returns ✈️ to the USA and Carina has returned ✈️to Germany to be with her beautiful family, but we’ll b seeing each other again soon, also in the New Year. I miss her beautiful presence, her sunshine smile and her ability to tame my wild blonde curls in to amazing braids 😂 So the weather was gruelling, the first couple of days as we headed out from Palmerston North, to then turning in to pockets of brilliant sunshine ☀️ then back to torrential rain. We passed through rivers, beautiful forests filled with Rewarewa; I love the flowers from this native tree 💖, steep climbs 💪and gorgeous outlooks, to narrow tracks along steep ravines. We aimed to complete the Tararua’s but the weather was to severe 🥶to, so we adjusted our plans and made our way through to Wellington. We had the pleasure of having Taku join us for a few days and to be wowed by his amazing photography. We went from the three amigos to 4 ☺️ lots of laughs had between us all, I even got to practice my secondary School Japanese 🤭 New Zealand is so diverse, so beautiful and so unforgiving with the weather, it can throw you a real curve ball when you least expect it. We had absolute torrential rain through the nights that caused massive flooding to brilliant sunshine in the day, it all adds to the adventure. Bring on the New Year and all it has to offer. I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season and thanks for all the kind words and support, thanks too to those who have helped me out over the last few months from either drop offs or pick ups, you are all anazing💖

21/11/2022

We are still alive, the weather is terrible, we walked 31km yesterday in torrential rain with lots of river crossings. This morning we had 5 min of sunshine so we thought perfect time to take a photo 🥰 no signal now for another couple of days….we passed the 1500km mark too 🥳

20/11/2022

Off again….enough socialising in Auckland with Surgical Balls and Concerts….we’re heading out from Palmerston North today heading South. The weather won’t be in our favour to much this week, but it’s the last week of hiking together for all of us. So some celebration drinks last night in Palmy for all that’s been achieved and back in to it this morning 🏕️🏃🏼‍♀️💪

08/11/2022

Hi all, just an update since last time…..I had a few days off in Auckland, to rest my calf muscle some more and to host some fellow Te Araroa friends. My leg is still giving me grief 🤦‍♀️so I have a MRI scheduled for later this week. In the meantime though I thought I’d smash out some more Kms while I waited. I joined Carina and Wonder 🥰in Owhango, we had the last available accommodation, which meant we all bunkered down together and had a Te Araroa pj party 🥂😂🍪 . Carina and I carried on to do the 42 Traverse track and Wonder headed on to Whanganui. The morning we headed off was a little overcast 🌧, but then it turned out to be a magic day with views for miles. Steep ups and downs did initially irritate my calf muscle, but it held up well walking through the beautiful bush and river crossings whilst listening to the bird life. We smashed out 22km 💪for the day which was great considering the terrain. We found a magic spot to camp 🏕 for the night, just up from a beautiful river. The river turned out to be our bath tub 🧼 too for the evening. Talk about cold 🥶 but at the same time so refreshing after our long hot day of trekking. As we were making camp we befriended Codi, 🙌 he had been 4WD through the forest 🌲. He made camp with us and shared his local knowledge and stories around a makeshift camp fire 🔥. Such an awesome young guy from Te Kuiti doing really well for himself. The next morning, as we packed up our tents, Codi offered us a 4WD tour through the forest 🌲, what a blast 🤩 after that we resupplied at the shops in the National park for our next leg, the Tongariro Circuit 🏔. I have done the Tongariro crossing before, but was looking forward to making more memorable memories this time doing the Circuit with Carina. If you haven’t done either of these walks, I highly recommend them 🤩. An early start for us, we were on the trail just before 7am, a crisp morning but the mountain 🏔 look so majestic with the sun rising up behind it. As we walked through tussocks grasses, tiny H**e shrubs and the volcanic rock we could hear the sound of water gently flowing down between the rock crevices, it was so peaceful in the early morning light. We climbed the devils staircase, to the red crater then down to the stunning emerald lakes. Just as we reached the summit, a bunch of clouds ⛅️ rolled in to block our views of the surrounding terrain, so we found a spot to dump our packs 🎒and wait for the clouds ☁️to pass. There are thermal vents coming out from the ground, so we located a rock 🪨 to sit on that was being warmed by one, perfect spot to sit and keep cozy. The cloud ⛅️ cleared, we got our Insta shots and then carried on through the moon like terrain to reach our hut for the night. Thankfully we had booked in advance as it was chocker with other hikers. Carina and I seem to be the fire 🔥 experts on the trail, as every time we make camp one of us is lighting the fireplace. As the temperature dropped 🥶for the evening, our camp fire 🔥skills were welcomed by the fellow hikers. A fun evening 🌙✨eating and chatting with everyone before an early night 😴. The next day we started in white out conditions due to the low cloud 🌧and drizzle before it all lifted to give us stunning views again. The trek for the day went from rocks 🪨 , to forest 🌲 to tussocks grasses. It’s was so peaceful and quiet as we walked through the rocky terrain and then as we entered in to the forest the bird 🐦 life seemed so noisey. We stopped for lunch at a hut briefly then carried on to the end of the trail. This bit was probably the most tedious as we got rained ☔️on and the wind chill was bitter ❄️, still we got lots of pics and were blown away by the sheer beauty of the landscape. Arriving in Whakapapa, late yesterday afternoon cold 🥶 and a little wind blown we indulged in long hot showers, another warm fire and a movie night in front of the fireplace. All we were missing was a glass of bubbles 🥂to celebrate the previous days efforts of big Kms across rugged terrain. My calf muscle made it through, just 😬, I’m sure it will be fine 🫣. Enjoy the pictures till the next update…..

17/10/2022

Yes 🙌 I’ve completed the top half of the North Island 🤪 I’ve walked now from Cape Reinga right through to the other side of Hamilton. Although I’ve had to do it in stages due to lockdowns and injuries, I am still chuffed with myself, especially over the last couple of weeks with my calf injury. Thanks again to everyone who has helped me out over the last week (Tamati, Jeff and Nikki 💖), those who have provided me with refreshments and words of encouragement. I’ve managed to stop and catch up with good friends on this leg and soak up more of the beautiful north. I can honestly say that there are some stunning spots on the trail walking along the coastline and in the bush, but the amount of road walking has been awful. It destroys your feet, it can be really dangerous on some of the narrow roads and is basically a major bore. The views out to the coastline islands on a clear sunny ☀️ day, really make you appreciate how lucky we are here in NZ. This part of the trail I’ve had nights in my tent 🏕 and nights in a cosy bed with a warm shower, I like them both for different reasons. There’s something special about being in a sleeping bag, looking up at the stars ✨ with the glow of the moon 🌙 glistening on the water, while a Morepork is calling out in to the dark of the night; my absolute favourite 🥰 The weather has remained a constant challenge, if it’s not blowing me around, the heavens pour down on me ☔️ or the sun comes out to sun kiss my skin, I’m developing a sock and shorts tan line 😂 Back in Auckland now for a couple of days for social engagements and to try and get some treatment for this calf muscle of mine. I’m looking forward to hosting Carina and Wonder too and cooking them a kiwi home cooked meal 💓Thanks to my boy Eth for coming to collect me from my finishing point in Mangawhai, just in time as the rain ☔️started to set in again after being such a beautiful morning. Enjoy the pics 🤗

13/10/2022

Hey all 👋, just a few pics and an update. I have made my way down the West Coast and I’m now traveling down the East coast 🏃🏼‍♀️. It’s been a busy week walking, nursing others 👩🏼‍⚕️and then nursing myself. I had to help Nurse a couple of fellow TA hikers with their brutal blisters they had acquired, so bad they had delaminate the skin quite deep from their heals and soIes of their feet. I myself have torn my right calf muscle🤦‍♀️, but with a couple of days of rest, it is slowly on the mend. It now means I need to keep my leg strapped heavily to walk with my pack weight, but I love a challenge😬. So grateful 😇 for the help from Jaime on the best way to strap my injury. Then to Eddie for picking me up and dropping me in to Kaitaia to get stuff from the pharmacy to strap it. Also for the fab meal Bruce and I had at his Awanui Hotel. Then for Bruce for hosting me again while I recovered a little. Ninety mile beach was gruelling to walk, especially last Thursday, walking 17km in 15 knot head winds really tested my endurance, but the West Coast is so wild and beautiful at the same time. Sand dunes, wind💨, washed up treasures on the beach 🐡🐚and rolling waves🌊 make such an amazing sight. Whilst in Kaitaia sitting on the park bench waiting outside the pharmacy for Bruce to pick me up, I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of the local community. I could of sat there all day watching the world go by and enjoying the conversations from people passing me by. Such a beautiful community feeling up here in the far north. Whilst staying with Bruce I helped him do some landscaping 🪴, I walked Tokerau beach a few times with Benji his dog 🐕 , my new bestie, to try and gently keep my leg moving to aid in its healing. Not completely there yet, but she’ll be right I’m sure 😬 I have also had the chance to catch up with one of my favourite humans 💓, Callum my cousin, always lots of laughs when we catch up. So a quick visit at the beautiful Kauri Cliffs then down to the most beautiful bay I think I’ve ever been to, where he is currently residing. I made him dinner and did a few domesticated chores for him and we enjoyed the evening with a glass or two of bubbles 🥂. Today I have traveled from Paihia across to Whangaruru and I am staying at a working Farm. Lots of fun listening to fellow travellers stories and to be part of it all. One of the guests here is making everyone fresh fish and chips from fish 🎣 her caught today whilst kayaking, what a treat after a long day of walking. Tomorrow I’m heading in the direction of Whangarei via the back roads. Enjoy the shots 💖

05/10/2022

Hey everyone, just letting you all know I’m back out ticking off some more Kms of the trail 🏃🏼‍♀️…..it’s been a while since I was last hiking, but there’s been a few things on the table to deal with. As most of you know this year has certainly brought me some challenges 💪and heartache💔, but true to my determine nature I hate to let things get the better of me. I am very fortunate to have such fabulous friends and family 💞who have all helped with the trials and tribulations this year has brought. One in particular was getting really sick with COVID while climbing the hills outside of Arrowtown, which had me at the hospital with damaged intercostal chest muscles, which required 12 weeks rest🤦‍♀️. Resting for me can be near impossible, there’s always something on the go….. so I bought two houses and moved in to one and then got everything else in order while I waited out the winter ❄️months to pass so I could continue on. I flew to Kaitaia on the smallest plane ✈️ ever last week, nervously chewed a new found friends ear off during the flight, sorry Eddie. Bruce collected me from the airport and kindly hosted me in preparation before I headed off. He then drove me super early all the way to Cape Reinga, made sure I was all good then made the return trip, dropping a care package off for me, absolute legend 💓 At the Cape I met beautiful Carina from Germany, another fabulous new found friend and we have walked the last few days, sharing lots of laughs and encouraging each other along the way. We took some photos at the Lighthouse and then descended down the cliffs on our way to Twilight Beach where we would camp 🏕. As we walked 🏃🏼‍♀️along the cliffs we marvelled at the raw beauty the far North has on offer😍. Deep blue oceans🌊, sheer cliffs, golden sands, beautiful flowering 🌸scrub and then there’s the insane amounts of plastic. It was actually quite sad to see how much plastic and rubbish is washing up on to the beaches. We camped at Twilight Beach our first night and then up early to walk the day on the low tide sands towards The Bluff. On the way we befriend Wonder(Salvador) and what a wonder he is, again another new found friend. The day started out with 3km through thick flowering 🌸Manuka scrub that was wind blown in growth to then descend down a steep staircase to start Ninety mile beach, 25km of walking on the sand. It certainly was a challenge towards the end but the beauty of the beach and the sand dunes, helped to pass the time. We were treated to some wild horses 🐴 visiting out camp ⛺️ at the Bluff, just on sundown, so majestic to see in person, the stallion 🐴protecting his herd. Again up early the next morning to walk the low tide sands, 30km this time, this was a real real challenge, but between the laughs and encouragement we made it. We were sand blasted, sun kissed and had aching feet 👣 from the sand walking, but a real sense of achievement between us all. We checked ourselves in to our lodgings and then enjoyed a well deserved glass of wine or two. Hukatere Lodge is so beautiful, sitting here in the Lodge looking out the bay window watching the sunset and wildness of the ocean is captivating. Today has been a rest day and playing nurse to many bruised and battered feet 👣 of fellow trampers. I had my breakfast in the most glorious bath tub this morning, soaking my aching muscles while looking out the window to the wilderness, I said goodbye for now to my traveling companions, washed my sweat stained clothes and basically relaxed. Well deserved I felt after walking 70km. I’ve decided life is going to be a lot more about balance, work and play, enjoying things and enjoying time with friends and family 💖

15/03/2022

Hey everyone,

Back out on the trail again 🤞it’s been a very manic last 6 weeks, selling the house, saying temporary goodbyes to family, friends and my fur babies 😞, packing my house and putting it all in storage, rushing to make meals and gathering all my hiking equipment, then finally saying goodbye to the house that I’ve poured a lot of time and love in to and to which I have very fond memories. So lots of change and a few tears in the mix of it all. On the other side now, looking forward to seeing what new adventures life brings my way, it feels very weird to be homeless and have all my things in storage.

So I flew out Sunday to Queenstown and then caught a shuttle to the Greenstone car park to walk back towards the Mavora Lakes, which is where I last finished off down South. So over the last few days I’ve seen more of the South Island’s beauty, met some wonderful people 💕, stayed in some quaint huts, put a hole in my Lululemon leggings 😱, crossed rivers with great anxiousness and lost a multitude of toenails 🤦‍♀️ It’s been very rewarding, uplifting for my spirit, whilst been challenging at the same time. I’ve managed to have a few moments to sit back on my pack and look up at the shear magnificence of the mountains and reflect back on life and think how fortunate I am to be taking in the remote beauty of it all whilst also thinking how god dam sore my feet are 😂. So I’m in Queenstown tonight and tomorrow, doctoring my toes, might even stay another night and indulge at the Onsen pools, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. From here I plan to go to Arrowtown and over the hills to Wanaka, then on to Hawea then over to Ohau. I have the Ahuriri River to cross in the next couple of weeks, which is genuinely making me feel very uneasy as it’s the biggest river for me to cross so far and I really don’t have much luck with them 😬 So I am hoping I cross paths with someone going the same direction to ease my burden. Anyway, enjoy the photos, there will be plenty more as I continue on 👋😊💖

26/02/2022

Just a quick update, house sold ✅, fur babies sorted ✅, house packed ✅ completed water safety course ✅ just waiting on the movers later this week, then on my way to return to the trail once the last few final things are all sorted. I chose to do this course, to build on the knowledge I already have and to help prepare me further for the numerous rivers I have to cross 😬🤞Here’s some pics from the course today…..

26/01/2022

Lots on the go now everyone, I’ve decided to have a bit of a change - I’m a little over the Auckland vibe at the moment. So I’m gonna put everything into storage, finish my fundraiser walk while the Auckland borders are still open and then decide where in this world I want to be, preferably close to a beach for fishing, a hospital for work and an airport to make travel easier. I have one slight problem though, I need someone to watch my fur babies for me till I get back from my walk and have organised my new home. I know it’s a lot to ask 🙏 but I can’t take them with me. So if you have a fully fenced section and love animals and would love to help me out, then please get in touch. 🐶🐶🐱🏃🏼‍♀️💗

Amber walks 3000km for NZ's Youth

03/12/2022

21/11/2022

20/11/2022

08/11/2022

17/10/2022

13/10/2022

05/10/2022

15/03/2022

26/02/2022

26/01/2022

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