The Richmond Ranges tested me more than I expected. And I expected to be tested. The Te Araroa Trail Notes say that the Ranges should only be attempted by 'fit, experienced, and well-equipped hikers'. I guess I can claim to be all that now. Which got me thinking about all the things I can now do that I couldn't at the start of the trail. i can now
-Hike 20 miles with a 45 lb pack
-Summit three mountains in a day
-Ford a fast flowing river with water up to my waist
-Hike 900 meters up a mountain with food poisoning
-Survive over 50 days living with the same person (although if it was anyone but Bethany one or both of us would probably be dead. And it still got kinda close a couple days...)
-Hike 20 miles with a 45 lb pack
-Summit three mountains in a day
-Ford a fast flowing river with water up to my waist
-Hike 900 meters up a mountain with food poisoning
-Survive over 50 days living with the same person (although if it was anyone but Bethany one or both of us would probably be dead. And it still got kinda close a couple days...)