The Long Way Home

The final episode of The Long Way Home.

Kia ora, e te whānau.

Bruce has done it - he's made it all the way to Bluff and the end of Te Araroa!

And just like he promised he would, he has carried his father and brother's ashes back home to Rakiura/Stewart Island.

All you can say about that is well done that man. Nga mihi nui! Job done.

But we didn't want to end it just yet so we've put together a special episode to properly say haere rā to Bruce and The Long Way Home. It's a bit of best of, really, with some of the most memorable moments of his very long walk.

Now, if you've been following the series closely, this episode will probably be just what you imagine; Bruce hurting himself a lot and losing stuff along the way.

But there's other stuff, too, like all the sights he's seen, the people he's met and the many special things that happened along the way. Bruce himself will also weigh-in here and there.

While this is the last episode of The Long Way Home, it doesn't have to be the end of the conversation. Bruce has just loved all your emails, tweets and texts so feel free to keep on talking to him on Twitter @brucehop or by email at [email protected].

But, for the last time - this is The Long Way Home: whenua, whakapapa, whanau. Thanks for following us.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is this it? Has Bruce Hopkins finally made it all the way home?

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 31, 4 May - 9 May 2018
Invercargill - Rakiura/Stewart Island

"There ya bloody go!"

"I currently sit in the luxury of my dear cousins Colin and Margaret's wonderful abode on what has always felt like my spiritual home, Rakiura/Stewart Island, where I was born a fourth generation member of my mother's family."

"Astounding what putting one foot in front of the other along beaches, over mountains, through rivers and valleys, on sawtooth forest ridgelines, in knee deep snow (and more) can achieve. I will need to thank my body and myself at some stage when it all sinks in and I gain a perspective on what this journey has been at this stage of my life.

"As a 62 year-old privileged white middle class male, I have a propensity at times to beat myself up over feeling I have not succeeded in the material world."

"However the last six and 1/2 months saw any hint of that indulgence dissipate as I was required to stay ever present to the reality of not only where my next foot placement would be but also to ensure I would not plummet to my death, be swept away by a high flow river or freeze in ever wintering conditions.

"I have massive respect for all who take on Te Araroa, who bent the blades of grass and built the rock cairns ahead of me. You all made my navigation of this epic adventure that much easier. Thank you, thank, you thank you. I cannot even begin to express sufficiently my gratitude to the incredible trail angels I encountered, both friends I already knew and first time acquaintances. I am forever indebted to you, feel free to call on return the favour at any time!"

"Tis done!"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bruce Hopkins does not love the mud in Southland.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 30, 27 April - 4 May 2018
Te Anau - Invercargill

"Just been raving and ranting about some a-hole walking off with my hiking poles from the hostel in Te Anau!

"On the way to Aparima hut in Southland I endured three and a half days of misty, freezing cold drizzle. Ended up having a weather day in Aparima with Edd Barber who I have connected with three times now while on Te Araroa in the South Island."

"Five other trampers arrived that night and a damn fine fire kept the hut warm!"

"And now it begins to get slightly strange as the end of this 6 1/2 month odyssey draws near.

"Getting so close but the craziness continues! I'm missing my family big time, blessed to have been able to get this far."

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bruce Hopkins is still hoping he'll meet Shania Twain. It's not looking likely.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 29- 30, 17 April - 27 April 2018
Wanaka - Te Anau

"How are you at endings?"

'I am now facing a series of endings. A few days ago I emerged from the Alpine section of Te Araroa after many weeks of massive ascents, descents, river crossings and all other aspects of tramping Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island of New Zealand."

It was possibly the last time I will stand at that kind of elevation, in a wonderful aloneness, looking at the magnificence of the landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks, vast plunging river-cut valleys, feeling the blasts and power of winds sweeping through the entire scene.

"At times the scale of the environment Te Araroa throws at you is mind boggling. I am continually astounded when I take the time to look back at how far one pair of legs can haul my self-pitying arse and associated body bits along with an extra 20kg of food, tent, etc. loaded on board.

"Damn what an incredible land this is. My initial desire to tramp Te Araroa was and still is, to express my gratitude for being born here and this experience has felt worthy of that expression.

"Cheers, come join me for a beer at the South Seas Hotel on Stewart Island on about the 10th May!!!"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Weddings and wading knee-deep in snow on the way to Wanaka... it's been a bit of a week for Bruce Hopkins.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 28, 10 April - 17 April 2018

Tekapo - Wanaka

"Bloody hell when you think you have survived the hardest sections Te Araroa throws you another.

"I got into Wanaka late yesterday. The five days from Tekapo to Lake Ohau and over the mountains to here had to have been amongst the most brutal yet.

"Knee deep snow for hours as well as fresh snow falling on Day Two.

"Knee deep snow and a close call with a fall on Day Three. Just some good bruising on one leg the result.

"Day Four was at least 20 river crossings and ridiculously steep climbing and sidling down the Timaru River valley, ending with a two hour ascent that was one of the steepest so far.

"One night was in a tent and the others in huts. Bloody, bloody, bloody cold either way!

"But I survived and am now resting in Wanaka. May do another rest day tomorrow as I'm pretty shattered.

"I'm going for the record of the slowest through-walk of Te Araroa ever. But still...

"NEARLY THERE!"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

50 rivers in one day? That's nothing for Bruce Hopkins.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 27, 2 April- 10 April 2018
Topp Lodge, Ashburton - Tekapo

"50 river crossings in one day...wet shoes and feet are a given down this way.

"Even relatively shallow crossings can have unpleasant endings.

"Lynda Topp loaned me her river pole and it definitely came in handy on this stretch.

"But when I climb out of a river valley and cast a glance back it invariably allows me a moment of quiet satisfaction."

"I met one of the most on to it providers to Te Araroa trampers, Wayne Keenan  - brilliant local knowledge and so aware of what is entailed in this odyssey."

"Emilie took an amazing pic of the heavens when she visited the long drop one night. She also has the best story I have heard thus far on the Trail and it involves a long drop, a poo mountain and her mobile phone.You can guess the rest!"

"The snow came down in Tekapo in gentle styles. I shall enjoy the beauty before having to negotiate another delay!

"Just keep following the river. Onwards, upwards and ever forwards."

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bruce meets up with some hunters in the hills before finding a long lost friend and then dropping in on Lynda Topp.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 26, 29 March - 2 April 2018
Arthurs Pass - Topp Lodge, Ashburton

"What's the most dangerous situation you've ever found yourself in?

"I had one in the Tararuas - I took a tumble off a little rock face and was ever appreciative I came out of that alive.

" I never expected that I'd be at Lake Coleridge Lodge this evening ... and it's very cool. I'm having a beer and sitting in front of the fire ...

"1966?  Your parents hauled you out to Milford Track, at 14? Wow!

" You guys (the Topp Twins) are like ... adhesive that brings people together. .. You cross the whole spectrum. My parents, you know, my dad, a hard-arsed commercial fisherman. They just loved the Topp Twins!  Anything to do with the Topp Twins. ...

"A live hedgehog?  I thought it was a toy one! ... Look at that! Imagine being able to coil yourself up like that?"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bruce Hopkins ticks off the last of three big challenges on Te Araroa.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 25, 15 March - 22 March 2018
Waiau Pass - Boyle River

"What shape or form do blessings come in?

"I've hit what I feel is my lowest point since starting Te Araroa. Knee injury = five days off the trail. Another injury break!

"I've been hitting the hot pools at Hanmer Springs between physio sessions, sitting in a sulphur hot pool with fellow TA tramper Adam from LA.

"But I did it! The big three, the Tararuas, Richmond Range and now Waiau pass, are all done! And I never have to go back there again!

"About to start a seven day haul from Boyle River to Arthur's Pass with multiple river crossings. I shall complete this journey...!"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bruce Hopkins begins his crossing of Waiau pass, but is dreaming of other things.

Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 24, 10 March - 15 March 2018
St Arnaud - Waiau Pass

"Oh man...that was arduous, really slow going. But spectacular!

"But all the descending really did my knee in, and my right thigh, and my calf. The knee was already bung from all the scree slopes on Mount Rintoul.

"Before beginning this section, I spent four days in St Arnaud, hoping the swelling in my knee would go down. I ate every kind of pizza they had there!

"I wish you were here...'cos then you could carry my pack for me. And maybe you've brought a bottle of wine?

"Man, I'm hanging out for a good red wine! Does that make me an alcoholic?"

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details