Bruce Hopkins wants to take his dad and brother's ashes back home to Rakiura/Stewart Island. He’s just taking the long way to get there. The long, long way.
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50 rivers crossings in one day? That's nothing to Bruce Hopkins. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
"Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot...for the next eight hours."
Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, on the second leg of Te Araroa.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 27
2 April– 10 April 2018.
Topp Lodge, Ashburton - Tekapo
"50 river crossings in one day…wet shoes and feet are a given down this way.
"Even relatively shallow crossings can have unpleasant endings.
"Lynda Topp loaned me her river pole and it definitely came in handy on this stretch.
"But when I climb out of a river valley and cast a glance back it invariably allows me a moment of quiet satisfaction."
Trail angel Wayne Keenan. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
"I met one of the most on to it providers to Te Araroa trampers, Wayne Keenan - brilliant local knowledge and so aware of what is entailed in this odyssey."
A starry night on the Two Thumb track Photo: Bruce Hopkins
"Emilie took an amazing pic of the heavens when she visited the long drop one night. She also has the best story I have heard thus far on the Trail and it involves a long drop, a poo mountain and her mobile phone.You can guess the rest!"
Snow in Tekapo. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
"The snow came down in Tekapo in gentle styles. I shall enjoy the beauty before having to negotiate another delay!
"Just keep following the river. Onwards, upwards and ever forwards."