Send us a text

Blissful Hiker discovers hope because repair happens simultaneously with her trailside breakdown.

In this episode:

1. Blissful continues her journey of the Te Araroa, crossing the gigantic braided Rangitata River in New Zealand's Southern Alps. 
2. Before crossing, she joins her young Czech friend Tom on a side-trip to Mount Sunday known as Elorus in The Lord of the Rings, a magnificent bump surrounded by snow-capped mountains. 
3. The river bed is six miles wide of rocks, fast-moving rivers, thorns and quicksand. 
4. Then it's up the Two Thumb Track into a wonderland  of pointy mountains in tussock, and rushing streams. 
5. At Crooked Spur Hut, two Kiwis act resentful that Te  Araroa hikers share their space and seem to delight in disturbing sleep and talking about bad weather coming. 
6. Blissful breaks down in tears but a beautiful waterfall covered in yellow flowers lifts her spirits as well as another hiker offering treats and laughs. 

MUSIC: Poema del Pastor Coya by Angel Lasala  as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano

Support the show