Testing my camping gear on an overnight hike

My second gear test for Te Araroa Trail took me further afield than my garden, for a hike and overnight stay in Rotorua. My goals were to:

• Test my fitness over a distance of 35kms.
• Walk for the first time with a 12kg pack.
• Play with my Backcountry Navigator phone app.
• Check whether my tent was waterproof.

Before the trip, I found the appropriate map section on Backcountry...