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 thelongwayhome@radionz.co.nz.
But, for the last time - this is The Long Way Home: whenua, whakapapa, whanau. Thanks for following us.
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!"
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."
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!!!"
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!"
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."
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?"
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...!"
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?"
As he traverses the Richmond Ranges, Bruce Hopkins solves an age-old mystery.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 23, 3 March - 10 March 2018
Richmond Ranges - St Arnaud
"After my longest stretch of consecutive days sweating it out in one of New Zealand's most rugged and beautiful hinterlands I finally find myself back in civilisation and internet connection.
"Just completed 13 days without a break on Te Araroa Trail and have now done what is regarded as one of the hardest sections of the trail.
I started at Pelorus Bridge, headed up the Pelorus river track then into the Bryant Ranges and the Richmond Range, in tandem with great young dude Bevan.
"The next three days I was on my own climbing around vertical rock cliff faces on Mt Rintoul, knowing that if you slip on your hand hold or foot placement, your reality will probably be a lonely death in the mist.
"Now to mend my frikkin, left knee, damaged when descending the scree slope of Mt Rintoul!"
The big climb begins! Bruce takes on the Richmond Ranges.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 22, 26 February - 2 March 2018
Anakiwa - Richmond Ranges
"This 3000km odyssey is delivering the most demanding physical challenges I have ever faced in my life while delivering some of the most glorious moments of beauty and sense of achievement I have ever experienced. This combo tends to reoccur every day.
"The last few days have included exhaustion-inducing slogs that make arriving at a DOC back country hut one of life's great pleasures.
"Standing on mountain passes at the same elevation as the clouds, beholding vast landscapes of uninhabited ridges, valleys, rivers and mountains is a glory unto itself.
"Immersing myself in a river when possible at the end of such a day is a truly joyous indulgence. I am hanging out to finish this crazy gig as I miss my grandkids and family massively, but at the.same time I am meeting some of the most amazing peeps.
"He tangata he tangata he tangata: it is the people it is the people it is the people."
Bruce Hopkins is in Te Wai Pounamu, beginning the second leg of Te Araroa.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 21, 17 February - 25 February 2018
Ship Cove - Anakiwa
"This stunning experience of walking New Zealand's long pathway, Te Araroa, continues to reveal the beauty of the human spirit. Thank you Mathea, Keran, Hannah, Hadley and Harry for sharing your Garden of Eden at Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui with me.
"I'm starting to meet north bound Te Araroa trampers. So many families from overseas take their little kids bush walking, bloody brilliant. The French family with two young boys on Queen Charlotte track were super cool . They had already done three days on the Abel Tasman track. Their boys were four and seven years old but I've seen babies in back packs even! These peeps from offshore know how to get out and into New Zealand's beauty.
"I had a most excellent welcome at Smiths Farm Holiday Park with a warm muffin and a glass of cold water. I have to soak up the luxuries while I can, the Southern Alps and associated ranges await!!!
"I miss my family but glory in this experience of life."
At last Bruce finishes off the North Island section of Te Araroa Trail - but not without a close shave in the tops of the Tararuas.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 19, 10 February - 16 February 2018
Palmerston North - Wellington via the Tararua Tops
"Sean McCarthy found my GoPro ... Sean brings it to me from Feilding, just astounding!
"When I'm coming down out of the tops ... that's when it'll start crackin's up. Which'll be okay. I'll probably get drenched, but I'll be out of those exposed tops.
"It's not even so much the rain, or even the potential snow at this time of year, but more the wind
" Selfish! ... you're displaying qualities that kind of go against what you're doing . You know? You ... bl***y hell, pull your head in.
"I've just emerged from the forest once again and into the tussock ... Mt Crawford that I climb tomorrow is looming ...
"The forest is magical , the layers of moss and lichen ... the gnarly, gnarly trunks and branches ... Now I'm up on the peaks. ... I had no idea how vast these Tararua's were.
"Whew. What took place this morning up there on Mt Crawford .... is going to take a while to sink in I think - how close I came to not being here anymore."
Bruce Hopkins spends five fabulous days on the Whanganui River. He finds some amazing friends and (not-so-amazingly) retains his reputation for losing stuff.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 17, 4 February - 9 February 2018
Taumaranui - Whanganui (5 days on the Whanganui River)
"Whanganui River .. so calm just now. Lots of swallows darting 'round the river. Very, very peaceful.
"So I'm feeling very safe with you two on the river (Monica and John from The Yukon) - nothin's gonna come at us ... possums?
"You guys (Hunter and Jacqui from Australia) ... honestly, just watching you last night and then today paddling the river ... wicked. Man, if more people your age were doing this kid of gig, we'd probably be destined for a very nice world
"Is it different from doing this sort of thing in your own country where you guys have got all these bloody crocodiles, and snakes and spiders ... ?
"It'll be my first time in a doc hut - not sure if I'm excited or not. But it's all tainted anyway with my having to come to grips with losing my bloody GoPro ... Ah well, my reputation is intact: 'He who loses things'!
"Yet another mist-enshrouded morning on the tops of the forest surrounding the river, but a clear and green and rich vista down here on the river
"A couple of good rapids coming up today. One called the '50/50' because fifty percent of people go over ... tip over! He, he... let's see how that goes."
Bruce Hopkins takes on the Tongariro Crossing against the flow of trampers coming the other way.
Bruce continues to fill in the blanks, taking on the big one - Tongariro . He still has the Whanganui River and the Tararuas to go before making it to the South island.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 17, 3 February - 9 February 2018
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
"I'm a little anxious about this actually - Tongariro Crossing. Such a renowned climb ...
"Whenever I go near a location that's meant to have spectacular views, the mist and rain clouds will come in, and I'll have no views other than the mist in front of my face
"Once I complete all that it's into the Tararuas (Tararua Forest Park)... and then I've finished the North Island.
"... I've always thought New Zealand should just declare itself an organic farm for the world.
"I dunno, the idea of being in a hut with 18 or 19 other people ? ... I kinda thought, nah, I'll just go and get my little tent
"We interrupt this program to bring you a self-indulgent moment just expressing how stunning this is!
" The moments of joy and beauty and bliss only come because the walking was done ......
"That's why rich people get helicopters."
Bruce Hopkins fills in more of the bits he has missed on the Te Araroa trail.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 16, 27 January - 2 February 2018.
Pureora Forest Headquarters - Taumaranui
"Pureora Forest Timber Trail. This trail is a winner. It's fantastic.
"Trail mates say allow 4 or 5 days to head through to Taumaranui, and it's just a glorious kind of trek proper - Formed, fine gravel walkways and also some forest floor.
"I'm doing another bit of my jigsaw puzzle.
"That was a 33 kilometre day coming out of the Pureora Timber Trail ... I've had a couple of 30+ kilometre days, so tomorrow I'll be into Taumaranui - about 26 or 28 kilometeres.
"That's nice 'cos it'll give me a chance to have a rest day having started again after my break ....Whew! - the body's definitely getting hammered being back on this here Trail.
"The woman at the iSite (in Taumaranui), she said that I am the most organised person she has seen. Ha ha! Sheesh, if I'm organised ... man, those other buggers ... how'd they do it?"
After an extended layoff Bruce is given a roaring send off when he resumes his journey.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 15, 21 January - 26 January 2018
Te Kuiti - Pureora Forest - Taumaranui
A friendly farmer lets Bruce use some prime real estate for a campsite before hitting the Trail.
"This is my third kind of layup - you know... son's marriages, Christmas... that sort of thing... a small operation to remove a small cluster of cancer cells from my bladder.
"Boy, every time I've had to restart, I get this bout of anxiety... my schedule now has me finishing right at the end of April. Any later and you're into some extreme weather - some changeable weather - down in the South Island.
"I've prepared my food parcel for myself - the packages of food to last me nine days at a time for four or five of the long sections in the South Island, through the mountains.
"Tomorrow I 'phone the surgeon to see if he can give me the results of the biopsy and then board the bus back to Te Kuiti to James and Sharon and back on the trail
"Here in Mangaweka still having a much appreciated cup of tea and talking with Daphne, Freedom and Latisha .. and I'm heading to Pureora forest headquarters to start the trek into Taumaranui
"I've ended up here at Timber Trail Lodge - I feel like a draft dodger you know? I'm in the lap of luxury in the middle of the forest ... What it's indicative of is this amazing new wave of tourism and adventure tourism that's happening in New Zealand.
Bruce Hopkins faces yet another setback. This one might be a bit more serious.
Bruce spends one more day in sunny Wellington before flying home. He has a wee medical issue that needs sorting out.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 20, 17 February - 25 February 2018.
Ship Cove
"Talofa! I'm hanging out to get back on Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail but it seems the gods of all things Te Araroa keep placing extra challenges in my path!
"After making it to Wellington I had to get back home to Auckland for a medical procedure to remove a small cancer from my bladder.
"I had been experiencing haematuria (blood in the urine) following multiple long, hard and sweaty days on Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail. Scans showed a mass in my bladder but a neat bit of laparascopic surgery removed it all and the prognosis is looking good.
"As the song says, you've got accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and don't mess with Mr. Inbetween!
"All going according to plan, I should be back on the trail in 10 days. As if walking Te Araroa wasn't challenging enough!"
Bruce Hopkins fills in some of the missing pieces of Te Araroa jigsaw puzzle.
Back on the road again! Bruce flies south and restarts his walk from Otaki Forks. His plan is to fill in some of the gaps in the giant jigsaw puzzle that has become his version of Te Araroa. Five days of walking lie ahead of him. His destination? Wellington!
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 13, 3 January - 8 January 2018
Wellington
"What a buzz!
"Even though I still have two sections to fill in, here I am in Wellington at the end point of the North Island section of Te Araroa. Wicked!
"I have done maybe 1200 kilometres so far...got some hard slog to go!
"I've got two sections to fill in; five to six days in the Tararuas (which will be hard out). I've also got about nine days hiking and three days on the river between Te Kuiti to Whanganui. Some hard out days there, too.
"But what a buzz, what a buzz. Real cool to be here. Yee ha!"
4th generation Stewart Islander Bruce Hopkins chats to 3rd generation Islander Colleen Hopkins - his mum.
During a break in Auckland for his son's wedding and to get his health sorted, Bruce Hopkins caught up with another ex-Stewart Islander; his mum Colleen. They talk about her early life, meeting and marrying his dad and what it was like to raise four kids on a small and isolated island.
Bruce Hopkins Trail Diary - Week 12, 28 December 2017 - 1 January 2018
Auckland
"Mum came down for the wedding and she brought me some more of Dad's ashes...sorry about that, Ma!
"And I've got some more of brother Doug's ashes, too.
"I'm walking them back to Stewart Island where my mum, Colleen Hopkins, was born a third generation Islander, making me, my brother Doug and my sisters Lynley and Wanda fourth generation islanders!
"It must have been an unreal experience growing up there.
"I just want to say thank you to the many people who've approached me and said thank you for sharing this journey and my story. Thank you so much, guys, it's humbling. It's a privilege to be doing this.
"Yeah, thanks for that Bruce. I've got to get myself all cleared up for the isolated and very challenging sections of the trail still to come. I thought I've already done some bloody challenging bits but wait, there's more!
"Catch you later."