She Treks

20/05/2024

It's been a busy week and weekend, but I found some time to create my North Island gallery for Te Araroa! The photos are in order, and actually have captions. Each time I make a gallery for one of my hikes, I do things a little differently. I took so many photos on this particular trip, I wanted to make sure I used all the best ones and maintained a level of continuity, to honor this Island to its full potential. Enjoy :)

Te Araroa New Zealand’s North Island 12/10/23—02/01/2024Between December 10, 2023 and March 22, 2024, I tramped the length of New Zealand's 3033km long trail, Te Araroa, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. My first 54 days on Te Araroa involved hiking and canoeing 1133.4 miles across the North Island to ...

04/12/2023

I’m finally done packing! So what am I carrying on Te Araroa? 😱

For my complete gear list PLUS a super awesome thru-hiking gear checklist for you to use on your next hike, visit:

https://shetreks.co/thru-hiking-gear-checklist

Or just click the link in my bio 🍄

I’m getting so stoked to hit the road for New Zealand! ✈️

I wanted to share a comprehensive gear list for THIS hike, because I feel like it is a realistic assemblage for most aspiring thru-hikers.

The pack I am carrying on the TA is definitely a little heavier than what I carried on the Benton MacKaye Trail in October. My baseweight for my unsupported BMT FKT was 9lb (4kg) and that was tricky to do while still making sure I had everything I needed.

The TA is longer, further away, and likely a bit rainier than the BMT, so I packed with all those variables in mind, plus I am bringing some extra technology to record my tramp.

And a couple “luxury” items :)

As you’re packing for your own hikes, don’t forget to bring a comfort item or two that makes you really happy!

01/12/2023

Are you planning a thru-hike for 2024? Is the Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail, or Vermont Long Trail on your list? I've written detailed accounts of each of my thru-hikes on these trails to be used as resources for aspiring hikers! Check out my trip resources page and use the search feature to sort through my reports 🌲🌵🏞🌅

Happy trails!

Trip reports and stories from Ivey's thru-hikes, backpacking trips, and trail running adventures.

29/11/2023

https://shetreks.co/email-newsletter

Venture out, that is all we have to commit to doing—to take that first, faithful step outside our comfort zone and then the adventure begins.

I have ventured out in big ways many times, but I find it’s in the small ways that I am challenged most. Like being brave enough to listen to a challenging opinion and then share my own, or in breaking a comfortable routine.

Big or small, there is no formula for venturing out. What matters is that we shake things up.

My project over the last few days has been to shake things up with my monthly email newsletter, I’ve given it a name and in doing so, a focus: VentureOut.

Embracing the unknown is a favorite theme of mine, it is the push behind much of what I do with She Treks and my personal adventures.

And now that I am about to leave the country for 4 months to tramp Te Araroa, the concept of venturing out has never felt more real. I’ll be leaving behind my fiancé, my friends, my routine, my “stuff”, my town, and walking quite a long distance, alone.

I’m nervous, excited, homesick already, and hopeful that I will learn a lot from this new trail.

I would love to walk with you, to show you what I’m seeing, to share with you how I’m feeling, to laugh at myself and any mishaps, together.

If you want to experience the TA through my writing & my photos, consider subscribing to VentureOut and I’ll have you along.

https://shetreks.co/email-newsletter

In the meantime, don’t forget to shake things up.

Happy trails,

Ivey “kaleidoscope” Smith

1st 📸 by Luke Young