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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Above the clouds on the Richmond Range. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, on the second leg of Te Araroa.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 22
26 February – 2 March 2018.
Anakiwa - Richmond Ranges
"This 3000km odyssey is delivering the most demanding physical challenges I have ever faced in my life while delivering some of the most glorious moments of beauty and sense of achievement I have ever experienced. This combo tends to reoccur every day.
Rock cairn, useful for identifying the trail. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
"The last few days have included exhaustion-inducing slogs that make arriving at a DOC back country hut one of life's great pleasures.
"Standing on mountain passes at the same elevation as the clouds, beholding vast landscapes of uninhabited ridges, valleys, rivers and mountains is a glory unto itself.
"Immersing myself in a river when possible at the end of such a day is a truly joyous indulgence. I am hanging out to finish this crazy gig as I miss my grandkids and family massively, but at the.same time I am meeting some of the most amazing peeps.
"He tangata he tangata he tangata: it is the people it is the people it is the people."
The summit of Mt Ellis. Photo: Bruce Hopkins
