Having already completed the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails, American Shawn Mahoney is certainly an experienced thru-hiker. Along the way he earned the trail name ‘Log Man’ because he walked the combined 12,000km carrying a 10kg, 1.5m log. 

In November 2025 he set out from Cape Rēinga to complete Te Araroa. Biosecurity standards prevented Mahoney bringing his trusty Larry the Log to New Zealand, but a local trail angel has gifted him a new one. The piece of ancient kauri is estimated to be 2500 years old and has pāua shell inlay for eyes and kauri gum and pounamu in the mouth.

Mahoney had heard other hikers talking about the TA often during his US thru-hikes. “I love travelling, hiking and carrying the log. This hike combines all three,” he said.

Mahoney previously spent six years serving in the US Air Force and often trained and ran with a log to keep fit. He then began to take his log on long hikes, and raised US$10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project for injured veterans.

On Te Araroa he’s raising money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Aotearoa. “I am a guest in New Zealand, so I felt that doing it for the host country would be better,” he said.

Carrying a log while tramping has its complications. “When I’m climbing steep rock terrain, I can usually put it up on a ledge then grab it once I’m up,” he said. “Any tight spaces like bushwhacking can be tough, but I hold it in front of me, then when I have room, I put it back on my shoulder.”

You can follow Mahoney’s adventures via @larry.the.log.