Sam Francart

Hi! I'm Sam! I'm tramping the Te Araroa NOBO. I'm hiking, because I want to slow down and speed up. I want to embrace simplicity, forgiveness, and freedom in a way that only a trail can provide. I'm hiking for clarity and peace, for new beginnings and new challenges. I'm hiking, because it's a dream that only I can create into my reality.

Posts

3 Months Later

3 Months Later

Wow! How is it possible that I already finished the Te Araora three months ago? It was a challenging, albeit short, transition home. Then, I packed

Aug 10, 2023 : Sam Francart
Goal Setting and Thru-Hiking

Goal Setting and Thru-Hiking

At the end of January, I began my longest attempted thru-hike. As I prepared for my time in the wilderness on the Te Araroa, I decided to set some goals. In this post, I want to reflect on the goals I set and what actually happened.

May 2, 2023 : Sam Francart
The End of the Te Araroa

The End of the Te Araroa

This is a really difficult post to write. Usually, I love writing these updates and sharing my journey, but I’m not as excited to share this. It seems that my journey has come to an end.

Apr 26, 2023 : Sam Francart
Te Araroa NOBO (Days 60-62)

Te Araroa NOBO (Days 60-62)

Day 60 Woohoo! I’m finally back on the trail! I’ve got to say - it was really, really fun to go and explore Australia, and it’s really, really good

Apr 19, 2023 : Sam Francart
Exploring Australia!

Exploring Australia!

Backpacking in New Zealand was a great idea for SO many reasons! One of the reasons I’m super thankful for right now is New Zealand’s proximity to Australia!

Apr 13, 2023 : Sam Francart
Exploring NZ (Days 53-58)

Exploring NZ (Days 53-58)

Days 53-55 With the Abel Tasman now a memory rather than an upcoming event, I started looking to the next adventure. My morning began in Marahau; I

Apr 5, 2023 : Sam Francart
Abel Tasman Great Walk (Days 48-52)

Abel Tasman Great Walk (Days 48-52)

Day 48 After spending a few days in Nelson to eat and resupply, I was excited to get to my next section: the Abel Tasman Great Walk! I walked a day

Mar 27, 2023 : Sam Francart
Pros and Cons of the Te Araroa (South Island)

Pros and Cons of the Te Araroa (South Island)

I’m less than a week from the end of my time on New Zealand’s South Island. With roughly 2 months of tramping completed, I’ve been reflecting on my

Mar 22, 2023 : Sam Francart
Te Araroa NOBO (Days 43-45)

Te Araroa NOBO (Days 43-45)

(Another blog entry with a disclaimer. I’m off trail, so this post takes place entirely away from the Te Araroa. I’ve kept the title as it is to

Mar 20, 2023 : Sam Francart
Te Araroa NOBO (Days 40-42)

Te Araroa NOBO (Days 40-42)

Day 40 Today is the first day that I’m walking SOBO instead of NOBO. It was a tough decision, but I’ll explain. Yesterday, it rained all day long.

Mar 17, 2023 : Sam Francart