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Good Hiking Stories: Sharon
Strength comes to those who hike
With a passion for travel that provides adventure, challenge, nature and inspiration, Sharon is a professional storyteller on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok with thousands of followers across her channels.
But it wasn't always like that.
Just a few years ago, she was living the life of a typical over-achiever; in a challenging yet fulfilling role that kept her on the treadmill and glued to 'the system' with very little time off.
With the 20th year anniversary in that career approaching, she realised that it wasn’t the reality she wanted to live nor the ladder she wanted to climb. She slowly stepped back and started to reconstruct her life, took time off, started planning long weekends and even an annual holiday.
That’s how she came to find herself solo camping on the shores of a beautiful lake, watching in awe of the energy and beauty of a storm rolling across the far side of the lake. She knew intuitively there’d be many people who would miss out on experiencing what she was experiencing, the wonder and joy of nature all around.
It was apparent to her then, and more so since, that for whatever reason, not everybody has the resources, the confidence, support or skills to spend time with nature. In that instant, on the shores of the stunning Lake Waikaremoana, the dream of the Freewheeling Kiwi was created.
She has since found herself winding the clock back several decades and picking up again with the adventurous travel she'd loved so much, this time documenting her experiences for the inspiration of others.
At Merrell, we are all about celebrating the good vibes and positive changes that come from getting outdoors and soaking up nature; and inspired by Sharon's journey we asked her a few questions about her world of hiking.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HIKING TRIP OF ALL TIME AND WHY?
In the years before that hike, I’d experienced a great deal of stress and burnout and as a consequence I’d become so anxious I’d struggle to leave my home. Like many my age, I’d enjoyed huge freedom as a child, only returning home when it became too dark to play outside. Roaming the countryside, camping and exploring were all normal activities for me so it was humbling to no longer be able to do the things that brought me most joy. The situation wasn’t ideal however I knew it could be reversed.
It took great courage for me to undertake that trip, I had all sorts of adventures during those three days, many of them uncomfortable and it remains a turning point.
Watch the videos: Whirinaki Forest Park.
WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO HIKING AND HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTDOORS EVOLVED SINCE THEN?
My earliest memories of the outdoors are of exploring the jungles that surrounded our family home in Borneo. As kids, we learnt quickly to watch out for scorpions and other creepy crawlies though our dog was good at warning us. We had great freedom and back in New Zealand the privilege of long summer holidays camping or on our parent’s yacht exploring the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Later, as a backpacker, there was always a tent handy and it was a natural progression to head away for longer trips. Walking Te Araroa this past season has provided a greater sense of connection and appreciation of this land, our land that can only come from being out there for months. My goal now is to encourage others to spend time outdoors so that they too will reap the benefits, this can only be good for all of us.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS NEW TO HIKING OR HESITANT TO START?
My advice for a first time hiker is to make the commitment, start small and initially keep it local as it’ll be easier to organise and you’ll be more likely to see it through. If possible take along a friend or join an established hiking group for the company and shared knowledge. It’s your hike, have fun and make no comparisons.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT A TIME WHEN A HIKE DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM THAT EXPERIENCE?
The plan was a three day, two night circular trip in the Kaimanawa Ranges on the Umukarikari Track. Leaving the trailhead, the track climbed steeply towards the top of the Umukarikari Range at over 1500 metres. By the time we reached the tops, the summer weather had deteriorated and we had strong winds, horizontal rain and decreasing visibility. We crossed the exposed range before dropping back down to 1100 metres in the Waipakihi Valley where we’d planned to stay in the Hut.
As we descended we could see the Waipakihi River was a raging torrent and clearly impassable however we were optimistic we’d still be able to get across the smaller tributary and then to the Hut. It was not to be, we walked up and down the side river unable to find a safe place to cross, Andrew tried and was knocked off his feet by the force of the water.
With the rain continuing, we did our best to find dryer ground amongst the tussock which had become a marshy meadow. Choosing high ground we put the tents up and endured a very wet night, made worse by a leaking tent. We’d laid emergency blankets both under and over our sleeping bags which provided great insulation, although we were still wet, we were warm. I always carry a blanket but had never fully appreciated their value until that night. On waking, my first thought was we’d have to go up and over the Umukarikari Range again. There was no way we could continue as planned as the track followed the torrent downstream crisscrossing as it went. There were no alternatives but to go up and over the mountain range.
What the video of Sharon's hardest night in a tent:
Umukarikari Track, Kaimanawa Forest
"And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” - Mark Anthony, The Beautiful Truth.
These are the words Sharon lives by today.
Content and image credit: Sharon Evans - Freewheeling Kiwi
I love this! So inspiring!!
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