Gregory Mountain Products will launch a nationwide speaking tour, “Exploring New Zealand: Thru Hiking Te Araroa and Beyond.”

Starting Monday, May 1 at the Santa Fe REI in New Mexico, the free speaking events will stop at 29 retail stores, a brewery and town library across 17 states. The tour will wrap up at the Denver REI on Monday, July 24.

Gregory’s brand ambassadors, Patrice and Justin La Vigne, will share photos, Te Araroa route information, New Zealand side trips, Leave No Trace advice and gear recommendations in their 75 minute presentations. Te Araroa is one of the newest long-distance hiking trails in the world. The husband-wife team has collectively hiked 12,000 miles worldwide.

At each event, participants will have the chance to win outdoor gear from the tour’s sponsors, including Gregory, Therm-a-Rest, Sawyer, Superfeet, Big Agnes, Cloudline and Backpacker Pantry.

Photo courtesy Gregory Mountain Products