With a professional background in environmental planning and consulting Sarah brings both a high level of organisational skill and passion for the environment to her role as a guide.
An experienced hiker in the New Zealand back-country, Sarah has walked the southern section of the Te Araroa trail (a 3000km trail that stretches the length of New Zealand). As well as hiking Sarah is a keen trail runner and looks for any excuse to head for the hills.
Sarah has previously worked as a dog sled guide in Canada (musher) and currently volunteers at her local dog rescue centre.
Trail running, skiing, mountain biking, hiking (yes, guides hike for fun!), working my 'winter job' as an environmental planner, helping out with an awesome charity called Learn Active (which happens to include a lot of hiking!) and travelling as much as possible.
Remember to 'look up' - pause and appreciate the amazing landscapes you are hiking through. Also embrace the wet boots - all part of the fun of river crossings!
After walking beside and through the Fox River to the Ballroom Overhang, collecting water from the river and swimming in the river all day, we had set up our camp near the river and were just about to go to sleep when someone asked "what's that noise?" Another group member replied "do you mean the river?", with the response "what river?" I think everyone in the group laughed themselves to sleep!
I love sharing my beautiful country with people, meeting lots of great people, and helping people to challenge themselves and hopefully inspire them to continue exploring the outdoors back home. Having the mountains of New Zealand as my office isn't bad either!
This is such a tough question! Locally, I love the Port Hills in Christchurch - you can get some real adventures within 10 minutes of the city. Lake Ohau is another favourite spot, emerging through the bushline at Freehold Creek is amazing!
“Both Jessi and Sarah were absolutely amazing guides. Their local knowledge of the terrain, history and culture was limitless and their flexible approach to our group made for a thoroughly wonderful experience for all concerned. Having two guides allowed us to make some minor modifications to our itinerary based on individual requirements and preferences. This worked extremely well for our group and the girls were such great company, we were all very sad to leave them at the end. I'd go back and do another one with them in a heartbeat."
- Michelle Faithfull, February 2019, Team Leader - Inspired Adventures
“Totally professional and knowledgeable - our 8 day hiking trip with Sarah and Jessie from Hiking New Zealand was amazing from the outset. Totally organised, expansive knowledge of the country, the hikes and conditions as well as a strong connection to the environment. I can't recommend Hiking New Zealand highly enough!”
- deegee395, February 2019, Trip Advisor
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