paininthehead

Trail arcana

Arcana, specialised knowledge, language or information. The TA has its own terminology and in-group arcana. Walkers become initiates into a select support group where we recognise fellow walkers and have an instant connection from our shared hardships. Here are some of the key words to know. TA = Te Araroa, or long pathway; New Zealand’sContinue reading “Trail arcana”

Half-way through Te Araroa with a brain condition: an appeal

I’ve made it through the North Island! If you have enjoyed reading about my adventures and tribulations so far, please consider donating to the Neurological Foundation at this link: https://discover.neurological.org.nz/fundraisers/fionaimlach/tramping-te-araroa-with-migraine. The Neurological Foundation does lots of research and education about neurological conditions, and although they don’t have a dedicated resource for migraine research, the moreContinue reading “Half-way through Te Araroa with a brain condition: an appeal”

Finishing the North Island Te Araroa at Island Bay, Wellington

Day 80 (Monday 1 Feb): Wellington (home) to Island Bay Word of the day: Epicurean, devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially good food and luxury. We reached home on Wed 27 Feb and immediately launched into planning and preparation for the South Island, which was the opposite of restful, but to compensate, weContinue reading “Finishing the North Island Te Araroa at Island Bay, Wellington”

Tramping tips: Peeing in the outdoors

For those of us who have to squat to pee outside, here are some tips on how to accomplish this with minimal discomfit. 1. Pick a non-splash surface. Sand is ideal, being smooth and exceptionally absorbent. A rough surface of rocks or loose leaf litter risks spray splattering in unexpected directions. 2. Don’t have yourContinue reading “Tramping tips: Peeing in the outdoors”

Waikanae to Wellington

Day 77 (Mon 25 Jan): Waikanae to Paekakariki Started 10.10am, finished 3.30pm, 16k. Pain in the head status: Blissfully painfree today. Word of the day: Deiprosophist, someone who is skilled in table talk. After the rigours of the Tararuas, today’s coastal walk was like having a rest day. After walking along the Waikanae River andContinue reading “Waikanae to Wellington”

Waitewaewae to Waikanae

Day 75 (Sat 23 Jan): Waitewaewae hut to Parawai hut Started 8.35am, finished 2.45pm, 10k. Pain in the head status: All good; am thanking the restorative power of sleep, the most incredible recovery tool ever invented. Word of the day: Compos mentis, of sound mind, sane. The reports on the track ahead were variable butContinue reading “Waitewaewae to Waikanae”

Te Matawai hut to Waitewaewae

Day 73 (Thurs 21 Jan): Te Matawai hut to Dracophyllum hut Started 8.50am, finished 1.10pm, 8k. Pain in the head status: Again, woke around 4am with a migraine radiating from my neck. Again, it eased off quite quickly with medication and I was perfectly fine the rest of the day. I can only hope thisContinue reading “Te Matawai hut to Waitewaewae”

Tokomaru Dam to Te Matawai hut (Tararua Forest Park)

Day 71: Tokomaru Dam to Mangahao Flats hut (Tararua Forest Park) Started 8.05am, finished 2.15pm, 9.5k. Pain in the head status: Woke up with a migraine, which I tried to pretend wasn’t a migraine but eventually had to concede that it was a nasty one that needed treatment. Almost worse than the pain was theContinue reading “Tokomaru Dam to Te Matawai hut (Tararua Forest Park)”

Palmerston North to Tokomaru Dam

Day 69 (Sun 17 Jan): Palmerston North to Burtton’s track in Gordon Kear forest (Whare o Moturimu) Started 7.35am, finished 1.15pm, 21k plus 6k by car. Pain in the head status: No pain in the head, a good start to this final section of the North Island. Word of the day: Risible, laughable, amusing. TodayContinue reading “Palmerston North to Tokomaru Dam”

Fielding to Palmerston North

Day 66 (Thurs 14 Jan): Fielding to Palmerston North Started 8.55am, finished 1.50pm, 17k. Pain in the head status: Persisting mild pain but still ignorable. Word of the day: Ontological, related to the branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature of being. The path out of Fielding took us alongside the railway line and awayContinue reading “Fielding to Palmerston North”