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Travel: Latin America

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Te Araroa 2026 Edition

Te Araroa by Mark Watson second edition 2026 cover

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Alaska to Patagonia 16 countries 🌎 16 photos La Alaska to Patagonia 16 countries 🌎 16 photos Last weekend (June 6) marked 10 years since we set out to bikepack from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina - a journey of 52,500km through 16 countries. That incredible ride absorbed a seven year block of our lives, with four years on the road, interrupted by a nearly three year pause in NZ during the pandemic. So it's not too hard to believe that it's been a decade since we started. But it does leave us itching to get on with something else epic, because time doesn't stop and our American Cordillera traverse rewrote our priorities for how we live and what's important. Life hasn't been quite the same since! Thanks to everyone who's followed the story ✒ 📷 and to the brands we work with who've loyally gone the distance 🙏 @revelatedesigns @otsocycles @wolf_tooth_comp @bigagnes_ @gearshopnz @biomaxa @we_are_sungod #bikepacking #alaskatoargentina #alaskatopatagonia #alaskatoushuaia
On Sunday afternoon, March 15, Hana and I were the On Sunday afternoon, March 15, Hana and I were the second team to finish Tour Aotearoa 2026, in a time of 17 days, 6 hrs, 27 mins. Hana rode the inaugural event a decade ago, in 2016, and this time finished 2.5 days faster. It's been a real blast and we've left a trail of blurred memories behind us as we've cycled just under 3000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff, but the things that really stand out are the great people we've met along the way, the small Kiwi towns one might not otherwise visit, and all the keen people out there following the Kennett Brothers amazing Tour Aotearoa creation whether part of the event or not. It's also impressive to see how much more cycling infrastructure is in place to make riding in NZ safer and more fun. 34 years ago, only a year after we got together, Hana and I cycled all over the North Island including right to Cape Reinga on our first cycle tour. There was a lot of Northland I hadn't seen since, so it was a pleasant nostalgia trip to return. I also feel quite stoked to have joined the small club of people who have completed both the TAs: Te Araroa in 2015 (photo 5) and now Tour Aotearoa. What a way to see NZ! Our @otsocycles Fenrir Stainless bikes with @wolf_tooth_comp parts and @revelatedesigns bags have been perfect tools for the job, along with tyres and other kit from @gearshopnz Thanks also to @we_are_sungod @biomaxa @bigagnes_ #touraotearoa #touraotearoa2026 #bikepacknewzealand #bikepackinglife
🚴🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏼 Don't miss the @gearshopnz March Giveaway 🚴🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏼 Don't miss the @gearshopnz March Giveaway - you could win over $900 worth of bikepacking kit! Check out @gearshopnz to enter or follow the link in bio ⚡ Photos from the Pisa Range, Central Otago, New Zealand.
In 2015 I through hiked Te Araroa from Cape Reinga In 2015 I through hiked Te Araroa from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Tomorrow (Feb 26) is kickoff for linking the 3000km between those two destinations a bit more quickly! I'll have company too, in the form of @beinghana and around 200 others taking part in the 10th anniversary Tour Aotearoa. Hana rode the inaugural event back in 2016, a few months before we began our four year Alaska - Ushuaia ride. I'm riding my @otsocycles Fenrir Stainless, set up with @revelatedesigns bags and some @wolf_tooth_comp components inc their beautiful new CTRL pedals. Thanks to @gearshopnz for tons of support with other gear @biomaxa @we_are_sungod @gearshopnz #touraotearoa
Cover photo and Unpacked article lead photo for th Cover photo and Unpacked article lead photo for the November issue of @wildernessmagnz Featuring & covering the new Hubba Hubba HD. #wildernessmagazine #canterburynz #porthillschristchurch #outdoorphotograpy
Here's a few more of my favourite shots from Tour Here's a few more of my favourite shots from Tour Te Waipounamu 2026. Captured in the Canterbury section from Hurunui River North Branch down to the Two Thumb Range. 👉 Link in bio for the story behind the photos. #tourtewaipounamu #bikepacknewzealand #bikepackingrace @tourtewaipounamu
For this year's Tour Te Waipounamu bikepacking rac For this year's Tour Te Waipounamu bikepacking race I was behind my camera lens, rather than my handlebars. I spent 4.5 days covering the Canterbury section of the race, from Hurunui River North Branch to Benmore Dam. I had an absolute blast being close to some of the action and walking and riding into some beautiful spots on the course. Already damp conditions with more surface water than usual were made extra difficult by extensive rainfall up to the morning of day 3 of the race, which rose rivers to hazardous levels and tested riders decision making and gear. There was lots of drama throughout the field and exciting races for both mens and womens podium spots. 👉 Gallery and story on my blog - link in bio. @antonmcgeachen @ospreyimagery and @samisauri covered the race too. @tourtewaipounamu #tourtewaipounamu #bikepackingrace #bikepackingnewzealand
🎉 Announcing the second edition of TE ARAROA - Wal 🎉 Announcing the second edition of TE ARAROA - Walking New Zealand's 3000-km trail, in-store now. Back in 2015 I spent nearly six months thru-hiking and photographing Te Araroa, documenting the unique view of New Zealand that the trail presents along its circuitous corridor. Te Araroa traverses a huge diversity of terrain and forest types, crossing beaches and mountains, towns, cities and rural back blocks. To capture a range of seasons, I began later than most - commencing at Cape Reinga in mid January and finishing at Bluff on the 8th of July. That year roughly 350 people began the hike which now has thousands starting it annually, so I met very few other hikers and had huts to myself most of the time. My partner Hana joined me for about a third of it and features in many photos, including the new cover. For this soft-cover edition, as well as a new cover photo and over 30 new inside photos, we've updated the text and maps to reflect the changes of 11 years and made tweaks to the layout and many of the existing images. 📚 Available in book stores from Feb 12 or via upstartpress.co.nz, or contact me directly to order. 224 pages, 350+ photos, $49.99 ex postage. #teararoatrail #teararoa #hikinginnewzealand #thruhiking

© 2026 Highlux Photography. Mark Watson

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