2016 Project – The Great New Zealand Walk of HOPE

An attempt to set a third world record in New Zealand

Christopher Neil Linton, then known as The Earth Walk Man aimed to become the first person in recorded history to circumambulate the entire scenic North Island, majestic South Island, and remote Stewart and the Chatham Islands of beautiful New Zealand, no less than 7,500 km ( 4,350 miles ). This was to be his third world record in as many years.

The epic history-making long-distance walk was planned to take a minimum of 12 months ( 52-weeks or 365-days ) and would have taken 1,400 walk-hours, require 9,250,000 steps, and burn an estimated 1,000,000 calories.

Research has indicated that several individuals have walked from tip-to-tip New Zealand ) New Zealanders, Germans, French, Swiss Backpackers etc., using the Te Araroa Trail: 3000km route stretching from Cape Reinga in the North to Bluff in the South ), but there is no evidence to indicate an entire circumambulation of New Zealand’s four main islands has been completed.

The Vision

Research has indicated that several individuals have walked from tip-to-tip New Zealand ) New Zealanders, Germans, French, Swiss Backpackers etc., using the Te Araroa Trail: 3000km route stretching from Cape Reinga in the most Northern of the North Island of New Zealand to the Bluff in the most Souther point on the South Island).

There is no evidence to indicate an entire circumambulation of New Zealand’s four main islands, North, South, Stewart and Chatham Islands has ever been attempted or completed.

* Newspaper and Radio Media Coverage of  Chris’s attempt is showcased Below.

The walk was to:

• To bring awareness to, and combat the stigma associated with Mood and Anxiety Disorders such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Chris also walked as a Veteran for Veterans to bring attention to the growing epidemic of needless veteran suicides at a rate of over 20 individuals a day ( USA ), more than 7,300 per year.
• To be an international advocate in partnership with like-minded individuals, groups, businesses owners, and organisations, to create positive sustained change within global society.

The South Island Epic Adventure!

Chris left Tasmania, Australia on Aire New Zealand and arrived in Wellington, where he took a sponsor-provided Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries to Picton.

Another great sponsor, the Picton Juggler’s Rest backpackers, nominated one of the top 12 backpacker hostels of the world, provided a few days stay where Chris prepared for the commencement of The Great New Zealand Walk of Hope.

The Jugglers Backpacker Hostel is perfectly located to take advantage of the stunning Marlborough Sounds with activities to please most anyone, such as Kayaking,  Nature tours,  Dolphin viewing and swimming,  world-renowned vineyards,  mountain biking & walking, The 70km (45 miles) Queen Charlotte Track and rich history of Maori and pioneer settlement.

With the aid of a Pack-wheel and 65kgs of supplies, Chris headed up to “Farewell Spit,” at the most Northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand. Farewell Spit stretches 34km, making it one of the longest natural sandspits in the world, a bird sanctuary since the 1930s, a home for over 90 bird species. Bar-tailed godwits, knots, curlews, whimbrels and turnstones fly around 12,000 kilometres (745 miles) every northern hemisphere autumn to spend the summer there. The spit also has a resident gannet colony.

After walking the Spit, Chris then headed down to Brown Hut on the eastside entrance to Heaphy Track near Golden Bay, 156 km (97 miles) from Nelson. The Heaphy Track is one of the Great Walks of New Zealand.

After an overnight stay, Chris departed brown hut for Perry Saddle Hut, which took about 6 1/2 hours, a distance of 17.5km (11 miles). About 180 metres (200 yards) upstream from the hut, Chris crossed a bridge over the Brown River, then across a grass flat, before winding upward on a well-defined track and into the lush New Zealand bush. The track climbs gradual, so pulling the pack-wheel was manageable.

After 4 hours of uphill slug, Aorere shelter was reached. From the shelter, the Aorere Valley is seen extending northward. It was a clear day so it was possible to see Mt Taranaki/Egmont in the North Island.

Thirty minutes before arriving at Perry Saddle Hut, I dropped my gear for a short walk to a viewpoint at Flanagans Corner. Flanagan’s Corner is the highest point on the track, at 915 metres (3000 feet).

Perry Saddle Hut is 880 metres (2900 feet) above sea level. Near the hut, in Gorge Creek, was a deep and very cold pool, where I stopped to take a bath, brrrrrr.

After a rest, I set out for Gouland Downs Hut. It took about 3 hours, approximately 10km (6 1/2 miles). I crossed Perry Saddle and inched my way above Perry Creek, through tussock clearings, and patches of beech. The valley then widened and the track climbed to a small rise to an open tussock area stretching out to the west.

The track then meandered easily down to Cave Brook, passing the famed pole to which trampers have tied old boots over the years. Just beyond the brook is Gouland Downs Hut.

Nearby, I saw a small patch of beech that grows on a limestone outcrop. The track crosses a limestone arch, which are the remnants of old caves. Nearby, was a small waterfall flowing out of a cave passage.

After a rest at Gouland Downs Hut, it was time to move on toward the Saxton Hut. This took about 2 1/2 hours, approximately 6km (4 miles). The track was relatively level as it crossed the northern part of Gouland Downs. The tussock country and riverbeds were beautiful. However, because of low fog, it felt pretty eerie. Saxon Hut is nestled near the end of the downs, named after John Saxon who surveyed the track in 1886.

From Saxon Hut the track drops slightly to grassy flats beside the Saxon River and then climbs gently up to a broad ridge, which joins Gouland Downs to Mackay Downs, about 3 hours, 12km (7 1/2 miles).

It is a flood-prone area between Saxon and James Mackay huts. A section on Mackay Downs floods in extremely wet conditions and is quite dangerous. I found this out retrospectively. As I could not go over the bridge, me pack-wheel was too fat at its base, so I chose to cross the river. As I was crossing, I was swept downstream, my backpack-wheel catch water dragging me into a pool and underwater. I cut myself free, gathered my gear, and spent the rest of the trip to Karamea wet.

After gathering myself, I moved on. The track skirts the edge of Mackay Downs to James Mackay Hut, winding in and out of several small streams, just before they tumble off the downs and fall to the Heaphy River on the left. The vegetation is alternately tussock field and shrub-fringed patches of beech forest. Small creeks dissect the landscape and the pink granite sparkles and crunches beneath your feet.

James Mackay Hut is situated just above the track on an open terrace. The Tasman Sea and Heaphy River mouth can be seen from here, 15 km (about 10 miles) to the west and 750 m below.

Leaving James Mackay Hut, there was a gradual descent where the Heaphy River begins, this took approximately 4 1/2 hours, 14km (8 1/2 miles). The track passed through beech forest at first, but soon the richer and taller forest, typical of the West Coast of New Zealand, becomes prominent.

Occasional glimpses of the Heaphy River below were seen through the forest. The sounds of rushing water grow louder and then just as you think you can’t go any further the hut appears at the junction of the Heaphy River with the smaller Lewis River. The sandflies were intense. This was also the beginning of the first nikau palms.

From Lewis Hut toward Heaphy Hut, about 4 hours and 10km (6 1/2 miles), I headed back up the track for a short distance and then across the Heaphy River, via the 148.4 metre (500 feet) suspended deck suspension bridge – the longest ever built by DOC.

The track continued along the left bank to the river mouth through a forest of kahikatea, rimu and rata. Glossy-leaved shrubs were perched precariously in the tall trees, flourishing in the abundant light and extracting nutrients from humus (accumulated plant debris) in their hosts’ branches. It was a well-deserved rest at the Heaphy Hut, one of the nicest huts on the trail.

Early in the morning, I left Heaphy Hut heading toward the Kohaihai River Mouth, a 6-hour walk, a distance of 17km (11 miles). The Heaphy River mouth is an exciting place. The river surges out through a narrow gap into the sea. In-coming waves halt the flow and the churning of salt and fresh waters with spectacular force.

The track south to Kohaihai took me through the forest. Occasionally, I walked along the beach, a hellish walk trying to pull a pack-wheel in soft sand. Some of the small streams were not bridged and were a little dangerous after a bit of rain. The forest has rata and karaka trees, and many vines and groves of nikau palms.

Just beyond Katipo Creek is Crayfish (Koura) Point. I took a high-level track above the beach, well away from the sea. I soon reached Scotts Beach, the clearing was a good spot to rest. With semi-fresh legs, I climbed over Kohaihai Saddle and down through wind-blasted shrubs to a bridge that acrosses the Kohaihai River. The track follows the riverbank for 400 metres (450 yards) to the Kohaihai car park. I pitched a tent for the night, then the next morning headed into Karamea, the most Northern town on the West Coast of New Zealand.

I won’t continue my story from this point, on this website. I will leave that for a potential book. But I did continue down the West Coast, Through Westport, Grey Mouth, Hokiteka, Ross, Franz Joseph, Fox Glacier, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Bluff, Stewart Island, Invercargill and then Dunedin.

Charities Chris was Supporting

The aim was to raise at least $250.000. Funds raised were to benefit:

• The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, and
• Future mental health projects.

Those that chose to donate will be given the option as to which charity he or she would like to donate.

Radio Coverage for The Great New Zealand Walk of HOPE

Newspaper Coverage for The Great New Zealand Walk of HOPE