WĀHINE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES

I was planning to walk Te Araroa alone. I was happy enough but thought I had first better get in some solo, multi-day tramping experience. The Old Ghost Road was a comforting place to start, huge vistas, clear tracks and plenty of company in the huts at night. It was then straight onto Kahurangi National Park with increased solitude and time to sit on mountain tops with only kea for company. On this trip, I discovered I loved tramping alone; more than loved it. It surpassed all expectations, giving more time to focus on what I loved: maximum time in nature, long lunch breaks in stunning locations and just the right amount of socialising.

Kea weren’t the only ones playing in the mountains. I encountered other women tramping solo and heard how they enjoy the freedom of not compromising plans, speed, time or gear. Most said they felt safer in the mountains than in a city and have only ever met friendly, like-minded people.

Here, three of the women I met share their advice on tackling a tramp