blissful hiker ❤︎ inspiring you to hike your own hike

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker discovers that planning only goes so far for her Continental Divide Hike but maybe that's a good thing.  In this episode: Blissful tackles the many pieces of logistics of the CDT by starting with day one – when is the best date and how does she get a permit. With this flurry of detail, she recalls learning from another thru-hiker and "Trail magician"...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker shares her array of workouts to get fit for the Continental Divide Trail and much of it is not just walking.  In this episode: Blissful starts her day with a two-minute plank – probably the best overall daily exercise for a hiker because it strengthens the core , increases balance and powers the body for all other athletic activity.  Practicing Hot Yoga   got Blissf...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker brings the story of the Te Araroa to a close so she can podcast from trail on the Continental Divide Trail, a 3,000-mile thru-hike on the Rockies.  In this episode: We have a new name for the podcast: Blissful Hiker, Walking the World.  It's all about clarifying who Blissful is, what she's doing and to keep things consisten t.  Blissful closes the story of...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker says goodbye to her young friend Tomáš who helped her through the toughest parts of the trail, including reaching a summit above the highest point of the trail.  In this episode: Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa , reaching Stag Saddle and Beuzenberg Peak in New Zealand's Southern Alps, looking towards Mount Cook and the astonishing turquoise of L...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker discovers hope because repair happens simultaneously with her trailside breakdown. In this episode: Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa , crossing the gigantic braided Rangitata River in New Zealand's Southern Alps .  Before crossing, she joins her young Czech friend Tom on a side-trip to Mount Sunday known as Elorus in The Lord of the Rings , a mag...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker learns that worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. In this episode: Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa , walking south in the South Island of New Zealand between the Rakaia   and   Rangitata Rivers , both "Hazard Zones."   From the A-frame Hut, Blissful heads up this "Lord of the Rings"...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker is astonished  when she lets the day take care of itself, miracles occur. In this episode: Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa , walking south in the South Island of New Zealand .  After Hamilton "Hilton" Hut it's rocky and tussock-covered terraces as well as numerous crossings in the knee-high rapids of the Harper River on a hot day. At t...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker 's friend from Day 1 falls and dislocates her shoulder and another tramper needs rescuing, and she decides to take things slow so as not to fall – and to not rush to the end. In this episode: Blissful leaves Goat Pass for Arthur's Pass on the Te Araroa with Alessio and Tomaš in rain, with more on the way.  Alessio tells her he didn't "sign up&quo...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker learns a new skill crossing rivers in cold and dangerous rapids and falls in the South Island of New Zealand.  In this episode: Blissful is on day 89 of the Te Araroa , New Zealand's "long pathway" developing a new skill of crossing dangerous rivers, but with a little help from friends, Alessio and Tomaš.   Her first challenge out of Hurunui Hut No. 3...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker finds she is like a river, following a path and forging a new way. It may be hard work, but it's in her nature In this episode: Blissful walks out of Nelson Lakes National Park on the Te Araroa stopping in Boyle Village to pick up her resupply, staying only long enough for a snack since the rain is coming and it's better to move on before the rivers rise a...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker discovers the difference between loneliness and solitude, appreciating the camaraderie crossing a difficult mountain pass. In this episode: Blissful joins six determined friends to cross Waiua Pass in high winds and squalls on the Te Araroa .  It's not so bad up and down around Lake Constance then up again on loose scree over the pass with a tricky downclimb on...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker learns what she plans to do with her one wild and precious life by heading into the mountains when weather moves in. In this episode: Blissful is told by the experts at DOC to keep moving up into the mountains since the bad weather is not a storm but more "squally showers" and very big wind . She gets a late start as she heads into Nelson Lakes National Pa...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker discovers that if you have the energy, the daylight and the weather is good, you should always try to get some distance while the getting’s good. In this episode: Blissful is up before dawn and has Purple Top in the Richmond Range of the  Te Araroa all to herself.  Then she dives back into a deep valley to walk up the Wairoa River , sidling its steep, crumbly banks...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker discovers that having her ego tweaked just a little by a braggart can be a good thing, because it helps her decide what matters and what doesn't.  In this episode: The day starts with a rainbow, feathery falls and then a steep climb into the stunning Richmond Range on New Zealand's long walk, the Te Araroa .  At Slaty Hut , she meets a young thru-hiker who...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker learns about the Maori legend of the sandfly, created to remind us that this Garden of Eden is something ephemeral, and one we can only pass through. In this episode: Blissful finishes her glorious walk of the Queen Charlotte Track visiting Havelock for a pot of mussels then camping on a trail angel's lawn.  The walk continues to the unbelievably crystal clear...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker takes a chance stealth camping at a lookout and shares spectacular views with one cheeky weka.      In this episode: Blissful leaves Wellington and the North Island behind on the Te Araroa when she takes the ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton and then a mail boat to the Queen Charlotte Track at Ship Cove.  She moves fast to Camp Madsen , harvesting mussels on th...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker is snubbed by a young hiker causing her to question friendships and her solo walk as she finishes the North Island with the help from, yes, friends.  In this episode: Blissful is dropped off where she left off on the Te Araroa in Paekakariki after a zero day   with her trail angel family, Rob and George. It begins on the spectacular Escarpment Track past the beach a...

Send us Fan Mail Blissful Hiker watches the sunrise from the summit of Mount Taranaki on the first day of the year and learns that getting to the top is optional, while getting down is mandatory. In this episode: Blissful leaves Paekakariki in pouring rain to head off-trail for a side-trip to climb the stratovolcano , Taranaki , an almost cliché of a cone-shaped, snow-capped mountain.  To see the...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker meets an English ex-pat in the Tararuas  named Julian and they bond like war-buddies, but are unsure they'll connect again. In this episode: Blissful bonds with an ex-pat named Julian when they leave Waitewaewae Hut   in the Tarauas  sidling the Otaki River on a nasty, muddy, and root-filled trail .  It's hard to say goodbye, she walks alone the rest o...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker takes a calculated risk to cross the glorious, but dangerous, Tararua Range all alone, the most difficult section of the Te Araroa so far,  taking advantage of a weather window. In this episode: Blissful is told at Makahika Outddoor Pursuit Centre to keep moving to get through the high, exposed Tararuas , since it will be calm and clear for two days. It's s...

Send us Fan Mail On day 59 of hiking the Te Araroa , the Blissful Hiker gets in touch with her inner brave spirit and gets more comfortable hiking her own hike. In this episode: Blissful leaves the Tasman Sea on concrete-hard black sand of Koitiata Beach and meets a Kiwi section-hiker who tells her the uneven and difficult trail standard is part of the challenge .  It's road walk from Mount L...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker completes the "thru-canoe" section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, and meets "Guardian" Trail Angels before she returns to the Tasman Sea. In this episode: Blissful and her paddle partner Andrew leave Hipango Park for one final day on the winding chocolate-colored Whanganui River toward the Holiday Park and a short walk to town. On h...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker continues the section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, learning that aiming your canoe – and life – straight into the V of rapids can give you a renewed sense of power and agency. In this episode: Blissful heads into the rapids on the Whanganui and her partner Andrew teaches her to ignore her intuition and head straight into the bubbling caldron – and ne...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker begins the section of the Te Araroa on the Whanganui River, a body of water precious and deeply spiritual to the Maori. In this episode: Blissful begins paddling the Whanganui with her partner Andrew as captain, a young American exactly thirty years younger , who takes charge of steering. After a quick lesson, they're off mostly on placid water reflecting t...

Send us Fan Mail The Blissful Hiker learns how to be brave and keep the faith from a novice hiker friend who jumped on the Te Araroa before she was totally ready. In this episode: Blissful leaves the Tongariro National Park on the Tupapakurua Falls Track , a "balcony walk" with views out to Mount Taranaki rising above the horizon like Shangri-La on a brilliantly clear day.  She camps wit...