My Knees Are Falling Off | Te Araroa Trail Part 2

Hi, I’m John. This is Part 2 of my first ever hike. I’m attempting to walk the length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa Trail — about 3000km. This section covers roughly days 17–41, from leaving The Farm through to hitching to Te Kuiti. I head south through: Whananaki (and the long footbridge) Waipu Cove Mangawhai Pakiri Beach Orewa Auckland Pokeno Huntly Ngaruawahia Hamilton Along the way: Thunderstorms on the Helena Ridge Track. Camping at Nikau Bay and reaching Treasure Island. Knee pain getting worse and forcing detours and hitching. Trail angels helping me out with a place to stay and a car. Seeing a physio and finding out it was patella tracking. Crossing long beach sections that completely wrecked my knees. Climbing the Hakarimata Summit Track (950m up and down) Getting sick in Hamilton (cold → gastro) and being stuck there over Christmas. This one didn’t exactly go to plan. #hiking #thruhike #teararoa