"I hope it doesn't get so that every day blends in. I hope something special happens every day. I definitely won't take it for granted."
The planning and training for the walk has taken most of the year. She has used her experience of organising community events to ensure no detail is missed out, including pre-packing ration packs that will be dropped off along the way.
She will be self-sufficient most of the time, pitching a tent at campgrounds for most of the initial 30 days in Northland, though she has a motel booked for when she arrives in Auckland next month.
Tides have dictated her 5am start.
"I'd rather that than have to scramble over too many rocks and wade. It doesn't feel like summer's hit yet but I'm going to be exposed all the time, so I want to minimise getting my feet wet."
She will be carrying a 10kg pack - plus food and water - which will contain all the clothes, equipment and first aid equipment she will need for the walk. She has made up food packs to be given to her at various stages of the trail. These each have four days' worth of food.
"Walking with others will be a highlight," she said.
"The variety is going to be awesome and I've a couple of times when there will be a group of us. I know I'm going to have wet feet and there will be hard times, but it will be worth it when I see an amazing view."
She said she planned to update her blog and newsletters along the way and hoped to compile a book with stories from the experience. She plans on walking the South Island next year.
