Two Thumbs up all the way to Tekapo

Along the Te Araroa (Two Thumbs Track) are some awesome views,

this one with Mt. Cook visible, if you know where to look!

During the last (Days 117-125 dbBrad Te Araroa hiker) 8 days I've hiked approx. 150k of some of the most amazing terrain since I began the Te Araroa trail. Stunning scenery that rivals the Cascades of Western Washington State, my stomping grounds.

This is the type of terrain you'll be hiking through/across on the south island of New Zealand if you hike the Te Araroa trail.

The trail has been non existent. Markers occasionally tell you which direction to travel but how you get there, which rocks you trip over, which type of bush or grass you choose to scar your calves with, and where and when you cross rivers and streams is all up to the hiker.

Richard preparing for the "grass slalom", a Te Araroa freestyle event soon be in the Olympics.

The going is slow, steep, hard and sometimes a bit frustrating, but the scenery is just kick ass.

Richard Wagner along the Te Araroa trail.

In New Zealand, a country of roughly 4 million people, less than 100th the population of the states, there just aren't enough hikers and taxes to make improved trails all along the way.

dbBrad's beloved MSR Zoid II with Richard's Sierra Design tent behind.

Beautiful New Zealand on the South Island along the Te
Araroa Trail

dbBrad and Richard on top of Mount Sunday. Since it was Sunday, you could say we mounted Mt. Sunday Sunday!! Also happens to be Rohan from the movie 'Lord of the Rings'

Richard W and dbBrad crossing the Rangitata

Richard, TA hiker in one of the massive river beds.

dbBrad on the steeps along the Te Araroa Trail.

Richard Wagner's silhouette in the high alpine after a recent summer snow along the Te Araroa trail.

dbBrad and Richard along the Te Araroa Trail, the trail that isn't a trail!

Just another day with wet feet on the Te Araroa Trail.

A DoC marker denoting direction of travel along the Te Araroa Trail.

In March it can snow along the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand when it's summer.

Ludo and Flore enjoy the last light of the day on what will be another chilly night along the Te Araroa Trail.

This is what you walk across when you tramp the Te Araroa Trail.

Ludo and Flore, Te Araroa Trail mid summer and yes, that's snow.

Decending down a snow field in mid summer along the Te Araroa Trail, South Island, New Zealand. Photo by dbBrad of Ludo and Flore. Tramping all seasons, all the time.

Flore along the Te Araroa Trail.

Flore, Ludo and dbBrad along the Te Araroa trail on the South Island of New Zealand.

New Zealand, South Island as viewed from the Te Araroa trail.

"Fludo" crossing a river, part of the Te Araroa Trail.

Tramping the Te Araroa Trail, Fludo.

The beauty in New Zealand along the Te Araroa Trail is endless.

Ludo on the steeps ascending up towards Spur

I suspect that's why they call hiking 'tramping' here in NZ. You are not hiking along a trail, you're tramping across the wilderness. You're stepping on grasses, kicking off ancient lichens, rolling your ankle on loose rocks and stepping in fragile wetlands--generally trampeling the countryside--hence, TRAMPING