Adventure Magazine
Issue 225 Survival Issue
Issue 225 Survival Issue
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WIN 5 NIGHTS IN<br />
THE COOK ISLANDS<br />
N E W Z E A L A N D<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
SURVIVAL<br />
ISSUE 225<br />
APR/MAY 2021<br />
NZ $10.90 incl. GST<br />
WHERE ACTIONS<br />
SPEAK LOUDER<br />
THAN WORDS
STEP FURTHER<br />
FASTER<br />
it's often the little things that matter<br />
#225<br />
JOBS<br />
www.adventurejobs.co.nz<br />
www.adventuretraveller.co.nz<br />
The latest seven-day lockdown for Auckland<br />
give us more time to evaluate and appraise.<br />
No restaurants, no bars, no coffee shops,<br />
no parties, no crowds, then add in a<br />
Tsunami, to be fair, it was a tough week.<br />
Sure, I know other places in the world have<br />
it a lot, lot tougher. I am not a nay-sayer; I<br />
agree and support the government’s stand,<br />
but you did get a strong feeling of here we<br />
go again.<br />
I don’t want to take credit for this, (I heard it<br />
on the radio while driving) but a life coach<br />
was looking not at the silver lining of Covid,<br />
but of the effect. He said in his opinion,<br />
that Covid and the associated restrictions,<br />
‘concentrated’ our life experiences. That the<br />
inability to do whatever we chose, reflected<br />
against what we could do. It has given us<br />
a chance to evaluate what is important and<br />
what’s not. What we need and what we<br />
don’t. The value in walking with the family<br />
on the beach compared with dinner in town.<br />
Mountain biking your local area compared<br />
to driving to the city. Even the loss of<br />
income, people are looking and openly<br />
saying ‘how much do I really need to live’.<br />
What’s the value and loss against earning<br />
less but getting more time.<br />
Sure once the restriction are lifted, we will<br />
slowly go back to swilling ten-dollar extra<br />
soy double shot, no sugar, cinnamon lattes.<br />
But hopefully we can take forward some of<br />
the experiences we have chosen because<br />
of the restrictions forward to our unrestricted<br />
life and recall the value of a walk on the<br />
beach or the hand shake of a friend.<br />
This issue is our survival issue and when<br />
talking to some of these people a common<br />
thread is that you ‘don’t know what got till<br />
it gone’. Brodie Selene comes to mind,<br />
he finished the Coast to Coast at 16, was<br />
tramping and surfing and involved in surf<br />
lifesaving and then overnight his world<br />
disappears. I read this heartfelt story and<br />
thought if it happened to me, I could say I<br />
had a good run. But Brodie was 16, he was<br />
just getting going on life and it was ripped<br />
away from him (you can read the rest). But<br />
he talks about missing all the stuff he could<br />
do and how much value it had.<br />
Maybe looking to the future we can look<br />
and value that which we so easily take for<br />
granted.<br />
I’ll leave you with a story from a friend who<br />
lives in the USA, he is older, 75, and lives in<br />
a part of LA where there is a high density of<br />
Covid cases. Last week he got the vaccine,<br />
this week he hugged his grandchildren for<br />
the first time in a year.<br />
The little things are often the most valuable<br />
and maybe, just maybe, Covid has taught<br />
us not to take them for granted.<br />
Steve Dickinson - Editor<br />
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ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 01
Image by Graeme Murray Image provided by Seelen family Image compliments Macpac<br />
Image by Jules Domine/Red Bull Content Pool<br />
page08<br />
page 22<br />
page 42<br />
page 84<br />
#225<br />
contents<br />
08//Defying Death<br />
Aniol Serrasolses<br />
16//Godzone Chapter 9<br />
The one that nearly got away<br />
22//Rachel Māia<br />
Learning to do more with less<br />
26//Lucy Olphert<br />
If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you<br />
30//Di Drayton<br />
Turning a terrifying fall into an opportunity<br />
36//Going Solo on the Abel Tasman<br />
Sometimes you just need to be on your own<br />
42//Brodie Seelen<br />
Not content to simply survive<br />
52//Remy Morton<br />
I get knocked down, but I get up again<br />
62//Survival<br />
You thought Covid was bad<br />
84//Surviving Siberia<br />
with Bridget Thackwray and Topher Richwhite<br />
plus<br />
68. gear guides<br />
80. subs<br />
96. active adventure<br />
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02//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
we ARE climbing<br />
It's all about perspective. Godafoss waterfall, Northern Iceland<br />
BEHIND THE COVER<br />
It'a all about perspective. Aniol<br />
Serrasolses, has spent his life hunting<br />
waterfalls just like this.<br />
Goðafoss is a waterfall in the very<br />
northern remote part of Iceland, and it’s<br />
very cold.<br />
The origin of the waterfall's name is not<br />
completely clear. In modern Icelandic,<br />
the name can be read as "Waterfall of<br />
the Gods” it is impressive enough to be<br />
just that!<br />
The water of the river Skjálfandafljót, falls<br />
from a height of 12 metres over a width<br />
of 30 metres. It’s cold, it is dangerous,<br />
and that for Aniol is the attraction.<br />
The cover image is taken from the top<br />
of the waterfall, looking down as Aniol<br />
takes the drop, the other is taken from<br />
a vantage point of distance. Both look<br />
intimidating and that is the draw from a<br />
kayaker like Aniol.<br />
You can read the full story about this<br />
man’s passion in this issue on page 08.<br />
SURVIVAL BLOODY MARY<br />
When it comes to a Bloody Mary,<br />
a flavourful burst of savouriness is<br />
paramount. Snacking while drinking<br />
one is even more important so lavishly<br />
garnishing a Bloody Mary cocktail with<br />
what is on hand is influential on the overall<br />
experience. A tasty tipple to imbibe on<br />
and highly recommended especially for<br />
survival of intrepid adventures.<br />
1 jigger (60mls) Vodka<br />
3 jigger spiced tomato passata with<br />
olives, gherkins, salt, pepper, Kaitaia fire,<br />
worchester sauce - whizzed up in the<br />
bullet<br />
Shake with ice and serve over more ice<br />
in a jar with a reusable straw. Stack with<br />
an over the top garnish that includes giant<br />
stuffed jalapeno olives, sauteed prawns,<br />
an organic gherkin, and mint.<br />
Approx 6g per serve<br />
Follow Sue on Instagram: @cocktailontherock<br />
To sign up for the weekly newsletter: www.cocktailontherock.co.nz<br />
Alec McCallum sends<br />
Dr Strangelove (32) second go<br />
Photo: Tom Hoyle<br />
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06//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
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Survival<br />
DEFYING DEATH<br />
Aniol Serrasolses<br />
To defy: by definition...<br />
1 : to confront with assured power of resistance.<br />
2 : to challenge to do something considered impossible.<br />
In the adventure community you don’t have to look far to find good survival<br />
stories. Kiwi kayaking legend Mike Dawson writes for us on a regular basis,<br />
and I knew he would have been in some tight situations, so I asked him. His<br />
response straight away was ‘if you wanna talk to someone who knows how to<br />
survive talk to Anoil’. So we did!<br />
You grew up in Catalonia, Spain, not<br />
the white-water kayaking capital of<br />
the world. How did you get involved<br />
with white water kayaking? We got<br />
introduced to the sport by random luck.<br />
We used to ride our bikes to school<br />
daily, on those trips we happened to<br />
ride next to our local river, the TER.<br />
Once in a while we would happen to<br />
see a few people riding their kayaks<br />
in the rapids… My brother was super<br />
impressed and decided to join them<br />
during the weekends. An entire year<br />
passed quickly, he dropped every<br />
other sport he used to play and<br />
focused only on kayaking. By then I<br />
got intrigued as well and decided to<br />
give it a try… I was instantly hooked.<br />
I used to play waterpolo and football<br />
at the time, but I dropped both and<br />
started kayaking as much as possible.<br />
We built little trailers that we attached<br />
to our bikes so we could go kayak on<br />
our own after school.<br />
You take part in both competitive<br />
and expedition kayaking. What do<br />
each offer you and do you have<br />
a preference? I like competitions<br />
because they make me focus and train<br />
towards a goal but they’re definitely<br />
not the main reason why I kayak. I<br />
see them as another aspect of my<br />
sport, the working side of what I do.<br />
Expedition kayaking and filming is the<br />
fun part for me. The side of kayaking<br />
where I can get really creative,<br />
discover incredible locations and push<br />
the limits of the sport.<br />
White water kayaking is termed<br />
an extreme sport, filled with risks.<br />
How do you help to mitigate the<br />
risks involved in your expeditions?<br />
Whitewater kayaking at the highest<br />
level is definitely one of the scariest<br />
sports in the game. Preparation, many<br />
years of experience, making good<br />
calls, having the skills is what keeps<br />
you alive.<br />
You often kayak in remote parts of<br />
the world and even more remote<br />
rivers. What is the draw to these<br />
out of the way places? The draw<br />
is to kayak/experience places where<br />
nobody has been before. To push the<br />
boundaries of what’s possible, get out<br />
of your comfort zone so you can really<br />
see what you’re made of. To have<br />
good times with friends, to see the<br />
beautiful world we live in. “The world is<br />
a book and those who don’t travel read<br />
only one page”<br />
Even with the best preparation,<br />
white water kayaking can have<br />
some extreme consequences if<br />
things do not go to plan. Can you<br />
tell us about that? Unfortunately<br />
kayaking is a pretty nasty sport when<br />
it comes down to the consequences of<br />
messing up a line. I’ve broken my back<br />
twice, ribs and shoulders… I’ve seen<br />
a friend die. I’m very aware of what’s<br />
in play.<br />
08//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
Aniol Serrasolses descends Keyhole Falls near Pemberton, Canada<br />
Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 09
Aniol Serrasolses descends Site Zed on the Stikine River near Dease Lake, Canada<br />
Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool<br />
"Whitewater<br />
kayaking at the<br />
highest level is<br />
definitely one of<br />
the scariest sports<br />
in the game.<br />
Preparation, many<br />
years of experience,<br />
making good calls,<br />
having the skills<br />
is what keeps you<br />
alive. "<br />
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 11
When have things not gone to plan? Many times…<br />
I've been lucky to make it out alive every single time.<br />
Many friends can’t say the same unfortunately. It’s<br />
crazy because the river can be super forgiving in<br />
super extreme situations and other times it’s a killer on<br />
locations you wouldn’t think they were that bad… you<br />
need to be prepared at all times.<br />
And how do you “get back up again” after a nasty<br />
injury? You just learn and move on. You do your<br />
rehab, rebuild your confidence and don’t dwell on the<br />
negatives. Life will always keep punching you in the<br />
face, nothing can be perfect for too long, it’s all about<br />
not giving up and getting back up whatever it takes.<br />
There are few in the world who can kayak the way<br />
you do. We now get to see what it is like thanks to<br />
Go Pro dropping off a 100+ foot waterfall. But can<br />
you take us through that moment. What do you feel<br />
when approaching the edge of an abyss? Scouting a<br />
100 foot waterfall is nerve wrecking. You imagine all the<br />
possible outcomes. Your speed, your line, the impact,<br />
the hazards… everything needs to be planned.<br />
When I am approaching the edge of the abyss the<br />
nerves are gone and all my self is focusing entirely on<br />
my strokes, body posture, speed… as soon as my mind<br />
wonders somewhere else I’m fuck%&, that’s what I love<br />
about waterfalls / running big rapids. They demand all<br />
of your attention and focus. Nothing else in the world<br />
matters during those seconds.<br />
The way down is amazing.. happens really quick but<br />
the few seconds of freefall are absolutely unreal. One<br />
you’ve hit the bottom and you roll back up a feeling of<br />
excitement invades your body. It's the ultimate feeling<br />
of accomplishment, thankful for the experience and for<br />
being at the bottom of a 100 footer unhurt.<br />
What is the most challenging destination you have<br />
kayaked and what has made it so unique? The<br />
Amazon in Colombia. The river itself was mostly flat<br />
water but had some huge rapids as well. Our goal was<br />
to kayak all the way to Brazil through the Apaporis River<br />
but our trip got cut short on the 1000 km mark. We got<br />
in a situation with FARC (Frente Armado Revolucionario<br />
Colombiano) who detained us and had us captive in<br />
their camps in the jungle for a few days… luckily we<br />
were able to talk it out and they let us free after 5 days.<br />
What is the most dangerous situation you have<br />
been in and what made it so? There’s been a few to<br />
just name one… I've been in car crashes, I’ve fallen off<br />
a 30 meter waterfall blind following some mates, I’ve<br />
been locked in the Stikine Canyon, forced to jump on a<br />
class V river using my watershed dry bag as a floatation<br />
device so I could chase my kayak after a bad swim. I’ve<br />
been stuck in my kayak for over 10 minutes under a<br />
log… I’ve had plenty of swims over my life. Sometimes I<br />
feel like I have a star over my head for having survived<br />
so many.<br />
For most athletes, a sponsorship with Red Bull is<br />
the ultimate reward. Can you tell us a little about<br />
the need for sponsors in the field of kayaking and<br />
the significance of being sponsored by Red Bull?<br />
Redbull is the ultimate sponsor, specially for us who<br />
practice minority sports where there’s very little money<br />
to be made. I am one of the very few who can make a<br />
living out of kayaking and for that I am very thankful.<br />
Aniol Serrasolses during his run in the finals<br />
of the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World<br />
Championships at Oetztal, Tirol<br />
Image by Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool<br />
12//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
"The draw is to<br />
kayak/experience<br />
places where<br />
nobody has been<br />
before. To push<br />
the boundaries of<br />
what’s possible, get<br />
out of your comfort<br />
zone so you can<br />
really see what<br />
you’re made of."<br />
Aniol Serrasolses runs a set of waterfalls on the Keldua river, eastern Iceland.<br />
Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool<br />
14//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
14//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 15
RACing<br />
TALES<br />
GODZONE<br />
CHAPTER 9<br />
THE ONE THAT<br />
NEARLY GOT<br />
AWAY By Penny Simpson<br />
It was always going to be<br />
challenging.<br />
GODZone Chapter 9 was<br />
the first New Zealand North<br />
Island edition of the world's<br />
largest expedition-length<br />
adventure.<br />
When the active volcanic<br />
plateau and thermal region<br />
of Rotorua was announced<br />
as the host location at<br />
the end of Chapter 8,<br />
teams worldwide readied<br />
themselves for an adventure<br />
of a lifetime.<br />
It was a scramble to gain a<br />
racing spot with a sell-out<br />
field of 95 team spots gone<br />
in less than 24 hours.<br />
"Each year, it's a battle for<br />
teams to gain a slot, and<br />
it is the first major step for<br />
competitors on their journey<br />
to GODZone. Rotorua was a<br />
real drawcard, and everyone<br />
wanted to experience it."<br />
But the journey proved to<br />
be trickier when the New<br />
Zealand borders shut in<br />
March 2020 due to Covid-19.<br />
“We juggled like every other<br />
event in the country and<br />
eventually pushed out from<br />
November 2020 to March<br />
2021 in the hope the border<br />
situation would improve. By<br />
September, we had to wave<br />
goodbye to our international<br />
teams and settle for a<br />
Kiwi-only field with the<br />
introduction of support crews<br />
to make life that little bit<br />
easier for teams.”<br />
Five days out from the event,<br />
Auckland went into Covid<br />
Level 3 lockdown, throwing<br />
Auckland-based competitors<br />
and the event into a spin.<br />
“We had planned the event<br />
to be deliverable in a Level<br />
2 scenario,” says Bates.<br />
“Fortunately, with great<br />
assistance from the Rotorua<br />
Lakes District Council and<br />
New Zealand authorities, we<br />
could pivot enough to deliver<br />
it as nearly every other major<br />
sporting event in the country<br />
was cancelled.”<br />
GODZone Chapter 9 will go<br />
down in the history books as<br />
the one that nearly got away.<br />
Compare the size of the people to the extent of the terrain and it may give an<br />
insight into the scale of this event.<br />
16//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 17
THE ULTIMATE GODZONE:<br />
Dubbed an ultimate edition of<br />
GODZone from the get-go, Chapter<br />
9 was a real step-change for<br />
GODZone competitors given its<br />
North Island locale.<br />
“Significant native forest, some hot<br />
and cold lakes, and interesting,<br />
complex river systems,” says Bates.<br />
“The full-length course traversed<br />
666km of terrain, the longest<br />
GODZone course by far and an<br />
extremely challenging target for<br />
most teams to finish within the eight<br />
days.”<br />
“At times, teams were immersed<br />
in the bush with minimal visibility,<br />
wondering where the next exact<br />
topographical feature would<br />
emerge – at other times, they were<br />
staggered by the view. It was an<br />
epic display of this great central<br />
plateau."<br />
The highlight and surprise of the<br />
course that no-one was expecting<br />
was the Mohaka River packraft,<br />
followed by an 88km across the<br />
Kawaka and Kaimanawa ranges.<br />
“Those two stages that will no doubt<br />
live long in the memory – maybe<br />
for the incredible views and pain of<br />
over 6000m vertical of ascent,” says<br />
Bates. “Our expected winning time<br />
for the PURE event was just on five<br />
days, and that's what team Avaya<br />
achieved in world-class style.”<br />
ROUTE<br />
GODZone Chapter 9 Stages<br />
Stage 1: a 40km MTB through<br />
Whakarewarewa Forest to Western<br />
Okataina Trail and Lake Rotoiti.<br />
Stage 2: a 68km trek and pack raft<br />
between Lakes Rotoiti, Rotoehu,<br />
Rotoma, Tarawera, and Rotomahana<br />
Stage 3: a 134km MTB towards Lake<br />
Aniwaniwa, then the iconic Moerangi<br />
Mountain Bike Trail to Whirinaki trails.<br />
Stage 4: a 24km Rogaine and<br />
challenging navigation in the Whirinaki<br />
State Forest.<br />
Stage 5: a 70km MTB through the<br />
Kaingaroa Forest logging trails to Pamu/<br />
Rangitaiki Station.<br />
Stage 6: a 54km trek and packraft<br />
through the Te Iringa Track and down the<br />
Mohaka River.<br />
Stage 7: a 88km traverse across the<br />
Kaweka and Kaimanawa ranges<br />
Stage 8: A short 27km MTB on Tongariro<br />
River trail to Waiotaka.<br />
Stage 9: A 57km kayak on Lake Taupo<br />
to Kinloch.<br />
Stage 10: A 56km short MTB to Lake<br />
Ohakuri.<br />
Stage 11: a 13km packraft on beautiful<br />
little Lake Ohakuri.<br />
Stage 12: a 38km MTB through the<br />
iconic Redwoods in Rotorua to the finish<br />
line<br />
18//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 19
CELEBRITIES ON THE<br />
GODZONE PODIUM<br />
Nathan Fa’avae, Chris Forne,<br />
Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch<br />
of team Avaya clocked up<br />
their fifth win of GODZone,<br />
the world’s largest expedition<br />
adventure race, in five days<br />
four days, twenty-three hours,<br />
and 25 minutes.<br />
"The start of the race was<br />
a bit interesting because of<br />
Covid level 2 teams set off in<br />
intervals, and we were in the<br />
last wave. We just did our own<br />
thing on that first bike stage<br />
and were quite surprised to<br />
reach the front of the field<br />
pretty quickly."<br />
He said the trek was one of the<br />
big highlights of Chapter 9.<br />
“The native bush trek was<br />
incredible and a fantastic route<br />
to experience. It’s as good as<br />
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hiking goes. I was really<br />
enjoying it, but tough to have<br />
as part of a stand-alone event<br />
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The world-class team has<br />
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racing as the captain of other<br />
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Tasman, Chapter 7 Fiordland,<br />
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Survival<br />
RACHEL MĀIA<br />
Learning to do more with less<br />
Images compliments @break.theresistance<br />
I knew very little about Rachel Māia when I was asked to interview her for<br />
this issue of <strong>Adventure</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>. I knew she was from Whanganui, I knew<br />
she was a mother of three, I knew she had injured her leg rock climbing<br />
when she was just 16 years old, and I knew she had gone on to become a<br />
successful NZ para-athlete and below the knee amputee, but I didn’t know<br />
anything about Rachel as a person.<br />
However, now I feel very fortunate to have taken a look inside her world; the<br />
challenges, the trials, the heartbreak and her resolve to live her life to the<br />
fullest.<br />
Can you tell us a little about growing up and how you got into climbing<br />
when you were younger? My family moved a lot throughout my childhood,<br />
and I struggled with no real sense of belonging, to both people or places.<br />
Climbing was a sport at my second High School, when I was 16. It was a<br />
place where we all learned labels don’t apply. You were not 'a cool kid' or<br />
the 'new girl'. You were a climber. You dropped your bags at the door and<br />
climbed. We were an eclectic group that wouldn’t necessarily find ourselves<br />
sitting together at lunch time, but for the first time I felt like I really completely<br />
belonged somewhere that felt like home.<br />
How did/do you feel towards the climbing centre for being negligent<br />
in their safety equipment? It’s never really occurred to me. I don’t think<br />
about it. Life feels brutal sometimes, but I love who I have become through<br />
it all and if I went back in time, was given the same scenario and knew the<br />
outcome, I would still let go.<br />
22//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
" When you hear negative labels often<br />
enough you eventually begin to wear them<br />
like a comfortable old sweater.”<br />
" Showing up for me is learning to get up,<br />
day after day, come as I am, be fully in the<br />
moment, feel all the feels, and let it flow.”<br />
After the fall you were unable to walk<br />
for a long while, can you tell us a<br />
little bit about your recovery? Initially I<br />
had major reconstruction surgery on one<br />
ankle, including bone grafted from my hip<br />
with some gnarly metal. The other ankle<br />
was also broken, but I could weight-bear<br />
on that one to use crutches. I spent two<br />
weeks in Hospital in Christchurch then<br />
when I returned to school in Southland<br />
with two legs in below the knee casts I was<br />
determined that I didn’t need a wheelchair.<br />
I crutched 10 blocks to the school bus,<br />
missed getting a seat, and I refused to ask<br />
anyone to stand up for me, so I balanced<br />
standing on one broken foot for the 15km<br />
bus ride into town, changed to the city<br />
school bus and then went to class. By the<br />
end of the day I was too stubborn to admit<br />
it had absolutely broken me and I did the<br />
whole thing in reverse. That afternoon I<br />
let my mum order a wheelchair and I spent<br />
the next maybe three months in it. I didn’t<br />
love it but I made lots of jokes and just<br />
tried to stay positive.<br />
I had 9 surgeries prior to amputation but<br />
I was never able to claw my way back to<br />
sports like football. I was never able to<br />
tramp or explore far. Every surgery gave<br />
me back a chance at connecting with<br />
small outdoor things and being engaged<br />
with the people around me because I<br />
could join in. Then I would slowly lose<br />
that and have to go through the grief<br />
process of becoming less mobile, the<br />
anxiety of wondering if I would fully get<br />
it back, the loss of my sense of self and<br />
feeling disconnected, surgery, recovery,<br />
repeat. For nearly two decades. I asked<br />
twice for an amputation, and by the time<br />
they said yes 20 years after the accident,<br />
I could have dropped a chainsaw on it<br />
myself if the surgeon had said no again.<br />
Jokes. Maybe.<br />
You have talked about feeling a lack of<br />
inclusion in your recovery journey and<br />
the cruelty of society growing up with<br />
a disability. Can you tell us more about<br />
that. It seems to me this is something<br />
harder to survive than the injury itself.<br />
It’s easy to say “I broke two ankles at<br />
the same time.’" It’s harder to say “I feel<br />
broken”. It’s even harder still to admit<br />
that we see ourselves as ‘broken’ or<br />
‘damaged goods’ and that we need help.<br />
When you hear negative labels often<br />
enough you eventually begin to wear<br />
them like a comfortable old sweater.<br />
When I was 16 I was told by an adult, "if<br />
you were a horse, I’d shoot you myself."<br />
Later as an adult myself I heard, "you’re<br />
just a fucking cripple, I’m not attracted to<br />
you anymore." By this point I had spent 2<br />
decades letting the negative voices in my<br />
life rent space in my head. There came<br />
a point where I had to shake myself to<br />
wake up and push back. I had to decide<br />
those label’s don’t fit, choose my own<br />
internal dialogue, and challenge so called<br />
limitations. And that’s the hard, hard,<br />
road. That’s the road that leaves you<br />
feeling battered. Learning to retrain your<br />
own sense of worthiness whilst choosing<br />
not to hold on to hurt or trauma, this is<br />
by far more difficult than learning to walk<br />
again or cutting a leg off. Climbing was a<br />
place where, like when I was 16, I could<br />
drop my bags and baggage at the door,<br />
and be free to be me. No labels.<br />
You wondered if you “could you<br />
do more if you had less?” Can you<br />
explain this and what it meant in your<br />
decision to amputate. I could see I<br />
was losing years that could be spent<br />
exploring. Amputation was letting go of<br />
what can’t be fixed and moving on in the<br />
hope that a new reality, less, would give<br />
me more adventure.<br />
What was the biggest fear about going<br />
back to climbing real rock when you<br />
recently visited ? A big fear was that I<br />
wouldn’t be ‘good enough’. Coming from<br />
the world of international competitive<br />
sport climbing, performance and sending<br />
things clean the first time, no error, with<br />
the world watching and your country's<br />
pride on the line, had been the entire<br />
focus of my learning and training and<br />
I had lived and breathed that. Being<br />
able to accept ‘failure’ is not final and<br />
understanding the concept of a project<br />
outdoors was hard. Now though, hooked.<br />
Take me back!<br />
It was emotional watching the video<br />
“Back to Real Rock” of your first climb<br />
back on a real rockface. Can you<br />
explain the emotion/fears you felt at<br />
the bottom of the rock face? Frustration<br />
at myself for not making it happen twenty<br />
years ago. Fear that I wouldn’t be any<br />
good. But I felt an overwhelming sense of<br />
coming home, a whisper of new freedoms<br />
and adventures.<br />
What did it mean to get back into<br />
climbing real rock again after so many<br />
years? It was another step in proving<br />
to myself that we get to choose our own<br />
home, our own pathways, our own limits<br />
and our own labels.<br />
You said that “success is just showing<br />
up”. Can you explain what that means<br />
to you? I’ve learned I don’t have to wait<br />
until I feel ‘better’ or less battered or less<br />
pain or more confident, or less stressed<br />
or stronger or more powerful or more<br />
enduring or less fearful. Showing up for<br />
me is learning to get up, day after day,<br />
come as I am, be fully in the moment, feel<br />
all the feels, and let it flow.<br />
You are a Macpac ambassador, can<br />
you tell us what this means to you?<br />
I love that Macpac has it’s history in New<br />
Zealand. I love that my kids are proud<br />
to be a part of the Macpac family too.<br />
And I love that each time I get to put one<br />
new piece of gear on the gear shelf it is<br />
a suspense filled promise to myself to<br />
thrash it and watch it endure while I get<br />
to make memories. I love that when I<br />
compete internationally I’m taking a little<br />
part of New Zealand’s history with me.<br />
What’s your favourite piece of Macpac<br />
equipment?I don’t go outdoor climbing<br />
without the Macpac C3 Trekker poles to<br />
assist. And I am pretty much always in<br />
Eyre Tank Top either outdoors or indoors.<br />
If you could go back in time what<br />
advice would you give your younger<br />
self? I would tell her not to sit in her fear,<br />
because it goes nowhere. To trust herself<br />
more. And I would tell her she is worthy<br />
when she feels broken and worthy when<br />
she feels strong.<br />
You obviously suffered a lot for a<br />
long period of time. Did you learn any<br />
techniques to deal with that? Selftalk.<br />
I write a mantra on my mirror in my<br />
bathroom and I wake up and start the day<br />
visualising it and repeating it to myself<br />
until it feels real. No one has the right to<br />
rent space in your head, but to set those<br />
negative voices aside you do need to<br />
make the positive ones scream at you.<br />
Turn up the volume on the good stuff!<br />
Make it louder.<br />
What’s your future plans or projects<br />
you are looking forward to? The<br />
competitive climber in me still wants to be<br />
world number one in paraclimbing. And<br />
outdoors I am working on lead. This is<br />
another whole new mind bend of learning<br />
not to sit in my fear. The prosthetic foot<br />
is never a secure point of contact so<br />
clipping feels way more treacherous than<br />
it used to! But the more I use the Evolv<br />
climbing leg the more it’s beginning to<br />
feel a part of my body, not just something<br />
I wear. Climbing in many ways has<br />
been a big part of rehabilitation and will<br />
continue to be.<br />
I’m also working toward more public<br />
speaking. There is power for others in<br />
our stories and I love those opportunities.<br />
Follow Rachel @rachelmaianz<br />
24//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
24//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
Shared <strong>Adventure</strong>s<br />
IF IT<br />
DOESN’T<br />
CHALLENGE<br />
YOU, IT<br />
DOESN’T<br />
CHANGE<br />
YOU!<br />
By Lucy Olphert<br />
Poco Child Carrier<br />
Built-In Sunshade<br />
Bluesign® Approved<br />
Main Fabric 210D<br />
Nylon Dobby<br />
Deluxe Child Cockpit<br />
One-Size-Fits-All<br />
Ultrarunning—what kind of<br />
person runs 100 miles - FOR<br />
FUN?<br />
Besides chronic sleep<br />
deprivation, eating on the<br />
run, alfresco toilet stops and<br />
slogging through many many<br />
miles, ultrarunning is a form<br />
of strategic suffering - even<br />
more so when you live with a<br />
condition known as Freiberg’s<br />
infarction, resulting in a<br />
permanent fracture in your foot!<br />
It appears to go far beyond a<br />
desire to stay thin or healthy.<br />
Who are these people, and<br />
what does their radical hobby<br />
say about them?<br />
I became obsessed with these<br />
questions after losing a bet at a<br />
hen’s party 12 months ago and<br />
running a 50km ultramarathon<br />
completely untrained just four<br />
days later. Despite the odd<br />
niggle and ache, my body held<br />
up and I surprisingly had a<br />
rather good time. I came away<br />
from this experience eager to<br />
push the limits a bit further.<br />
Which is how I found myself<br />
lining up for the famed yet<br />
feared Tarawera Miler. A ultra<br />
endurance race involving a<br />
165km circumnavigation around<br />
9 of the 14 lakes in the Rotorua<br />
district before eventually<br />
returning back to civilisation<br />
some 36 hours later! In theory it<br />
sounded like an above average<br />
way to spend a weekend...<br />
“Who are these people, and what does their<br />
radical hobby say about them?”<br />
Except what conversations<br />
does one have with themselves<br />
for THAT long?<br />
Unless you've done one, it's<br />
virtually impossible to know how<br />
your mind (and body) will react<br />
to running such a long way −<br />
like you can be driving along<br />
one day and it strikes you, 'I<br />
don’t even want to drive 100<br />
miles, how on earth am I going<br />
to run that far!”<br />
So why would I want to endure<br />
such an event? Ultimately, to<br />
see if I could! I have long been<br />
inspired by those who seek<br />
to push themselves beyond<br />
their perceived limits. In ultra<br />
running, time on your feet is<br />
key. The infarction in my foot<br />
would be a huge barrier but I<br />
was weirdly intrigued to see<br />
how far I could push it.<br />
I also decided to seek out an<br />
external motivation, opting to<br />
run a fundraiser alongside for<br />
Lifeline Aotearoa, a mental<br />
health charity with a specific<br />
focus on increasing awareness<br />
and understanding of suicide<br />
prevention in New Zealand.<br />
Saturday 13th February, 2021 -<br />
It’s race day!<br />
2.15am: After a sleepless 8<br />
hours of tossing and turning it<br />
was an almighty relief to finally<br />
get cracking. The next 45<br />
minutes flew by as I donned my<br />
running costume, scoffed down<br />
some cereal, squeaked out a<br />
poop, and psyched myself up<br />
with a rousing playlist.<br />
3.00am: En route to the start<br />
line, my faithful crew in tow. I<br />
shut my eyes for the 25 minute<br />
drive, desperately hoping for a<br />
miracle power nap.<br />
3.30am: We arrive at Te Puia<br />
on schedule. I duck away for<br />
one more nervous poop before<br />
making my way to the start line.<br />
3.45pm: A powerful haka<br />
followed by a few choice words<br />
of encouragement by the race<br />
director and commentator set<br />
the tone for the gruelling day<br />
ahead. Every nerve, muscle<br />
and fibre in my body felt alive.<br />
I hug my crew one last time,<br />
switch on my head lamp and<br />
prepare for the mammoth task<br />
ahead.<br />
4.00am: The resounding blast<br />
of the horn sounds and we<br />
are off through the winding<br />
trails of Te Puia’s spectacular<br />
geothermal valley. There is a<br />
stickiness in the air and beads<br />
of sweat quickly started to roll<br />
down my face as the course<br />
shifted into single lane tracks<br />
fraught with tree roots and<br />
natural drop banks.<br />
4.45am: The endorphins have<br />
well and truly kicked in and I’m<br />
buzzing, but hold a conservative<br />
pace knowing the shallow<br />
depths of hell may try to grapple<br />
with me later in the course.<br />
5.15am: I rounded the corner<br />
to the sweet sound of bells<br />
ringing, signalling the first aid<br />
station on the course! Yippee!<br />
For those unfamiliar to ultra<br />
running, these are exactly what<br />
they sound like. Aid stations<br />
are a runner’s lifeline. They are<br />
beacons of hope that turn these<br />
long distance races into 8-15km<br />
kilometre increments. Visualise<br />
smiley faced volunteers and<br />
a smorgasbord of jet planes,<br />
potato chips, peanut butter<br />
and jam sandwiches, flat coke,<br />
bananas, oranges, electrolytes,<br />
and sometimes if you’re lucky,<br />
even pizza!<br />
This may sound like a glorified<br />
picnic but running for long<br />
periods of time burns a butt<br />
ton of calories and it is vital<br />
you keep cramming them in if<br />
you want to avoid the dreaded<br />
“runners wall.”<br />
8.30am: Despite the lack of<br />
sleep, my mind and body still<br />
feel great as I flew into the<br />
Buried Village aid station to<br />
the cheers from my kickass<br />
crew. This was the first of six<br />
compulsory checkpoints on<br />
course and the first of my five<br />
drop bags! These drop bags<br />
can contain anything you like<br />
from snacks to spare socks,<br />
shoes, treats you name it!<br />
Legend has it, ultra running<br />
guru Camille Heron stashed<br />
and smashed multiple beers<br />
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ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 27
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“If you go through life afraid of failure you’ll<br />
never attempt anything”<br />
amongst drop bags in her<br />
impressive victory of the 2019<br />
Tarawera Miler!<br />
9.15am: Not long after Buried<br />
Village I entered the Tarawera<br />
forest trail and encountered<br />
my first major blunder.<br />
Unfortunately I severely<br />
underestimated the steepness<br />
and technicality of this section<br />
and quickly found both my pace<br />
dropping back significantly.<br />
12.28pm: I arrive at Lake<br />
Rotomahana, the first of two<br />
boat crossings and a welcoming<br />
reprieve for my poor feet which<br />
were starting to suffer the<br />
effects of the 8.5 hours already<br />
surpassed.<br />
2.20pm: The heat is stifling and<br />
I’m now a sweaty, blistery mess<br />
as I stagger into Rerewhakaaitu<br />
nearly 1.5 hours later than<br />
planned but importantly, still<br />
ahead of the 4pm cut off. It’s<br />
a huge relief to see my crew<br />
and an even greater relief to<br />
plunge my feet into the ice cold<br />
foot bath they had thoughtfully<br />
prepared. My spare pair of<br />
socks and shoes also get the<br />
call up.<br />
2.45pm: It’s a brief 7km to the<br />
next station. Five minutes into<br />
this leg however I am instantly<br />
regretting the lack of cushioning<br />
in the new shoes. My infarction<br />
begins to rear its ugly head,<br />
haunting me with each step...<br />
4.00pm: I’m back into my<br />
faithful Hoka’s and bid farewell<br />
to my crew - the last time I<br />
would see them until Outlet, the<br />
third checkpoint on course and<br />
a mere 43km away! Thankfully<br />
my foot has calmed down and I<br />
now have a new buddy to keep<br />
me company. Introducing Paora<br />
Raharara aka Gumboot man.<br />
A former Black Power member<br />
who turned his back on a life<br />
of crime four years ago and<br />
decided to run the entire race in<br />
GUMBOOTS for a kids charity.<br />
Wild!<br />
After more than 12 hours on the<br />
trails, the banter with this good<br />
bugger was just the remedy I<br />
needed. My body surges back<br />
to life and we crack forward with<br />
a newfound vengeance.<br />
8.30pm: The sun is well and<br />
truly on its way out. By my<br />
calculations we are less than<br />
2km away from Puhipuhi station<br />
and what would ultimately<br />
signal the halfway mark! The<br />
wide forest trails bring with them<br />
a steady gradient, reducing<br />
my legs to jelly. I calculate how<br />
many hours I probably have<br />
left— and immediately wish I<br />
hadn’t. I know that as bad as<br />
things feel now, they will feel<br />
worse later, especially after<br />
dark.<br />
9.00pm: After what felt like<br />
a lifetime, we finally rounded<br />
the corner and crawled in to<br />
28//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
Puhipuhi. I sunk into the nearest<br />
chair whilst the volunteers<br />
spring into action, refilling our<br />
flasks, taping limbs and even<br />
giving Paora and I a brief<br />
shoulder massage!<br />
9.15pm: We are back on the<br />
trail with just 21km until we<br />
reach the Outlet. It is pitch dark<br />
by now but the heat from earlier<br />
in the day has cooled and the<br />
body is feeling good again.<br />
11.30pm: Running a 100<br />
miler race is like living all the<br />
emotions of a lifetime in one<br />
day. One minute you're on top<br />
of the world. The next minute<br />
you’re at rock bottom. Not long<br />
after we passed Titoki - morale<br />
high and just 6km from Outlet,<br />
my foot once again started<br />
to come apart. I hobbled on<br />
hoping desperately the storm<br />
would pass but at some point<br />
around midnight, I realised that<br />
things were most definitely<br />
no longer alright. I was now<br />
clocking 30 minute kilometres<br />
and limping badly. Deep down<br />
I knew that even if I kept going,<br />
the clock would catch up to me,<br />
and I would be cut from the<br />
race anyway. I urged Paora to<br />
go on. One of us had to make<br />
it to that darn finish line and my<br />
chances were looking slim.<br />
1.15am: Sadly, after 21 hours<br />
and 103km on the trail I was<br />
forced to call it a day.<br />
As gutted as I was to DNF, I<br />
have learned over the years<br />
that failure is just as much a<br />
part of the game. If you go<br />
through life afraid of failure<br />
you’ll never attempt anything!<br />
Paora crossed the finish line in<br />
35:39:39, just inside the event<br />
cut-off of 36 hours. It was an<br />
emotional moment for both of<br />
us and I will forever be grateful<br />
of this legend’s company<br />
throughout the last 10 hours of<br />
my race.<br />
This experience will be etched<br />
in my mind forever. It taught<br />
me the limits of my body and<br />
reinforced the power of the<br />
mind. The equation is relatively<br />
simple: find something that<br />
challenges you and go there!<br />
It makes life a meaningful and<br />
wild experience. For you it may<br />
not be an ultramarathon - and<br />
that’s ok. Whatever option you<br />
choose, a life highlight awaits!<br />
To donate to Lifeline visit:<br />
https://lifeline-aotearoa.<br />
grassrootz.com/fundraise-forlifeline/race-for-life<br />
Race for Life proudly<br />
supported by:<br />
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Survival<br />
DI DRAYTON<br />
Turning a terrifying fall<br />
into an opportunity<br />
by Derek Cheng<br />
It looked like a harmless ledge covered in leaves.<br />
It had been a wet day, and Di Drayton went to stand on a<br />
leafy part of the track before leaping over a wet rock. But<br />
there was nothing under the leaves except for a 15m drop<br />
into Lake Taupo.<br />
She plunged through the leaves, but seemed to slow<br />
momentarily on the steep bank. She remembers grabbing<br />
frantically at something, anything.<br />
“I just grabbed and looked at my hand, and it was just dirt,”<br />
she recalls. “Then I was in the lake.”<br />
It’s been more than 16 years since that fateful day, which<br />
may have had a more deadly outcome were it not for the<br />
swift action of her friend and the heavy pack she was<br />
wearing; the pack shouldered some of the impact and kept<br />
her head out of the water.<br />
She still broke her back and damaged her nerves in a way<br />
that severely weakened her right foot and leg - but has since<br />
become an ice and mixed climber, marathon runner, and a<br />
New Zealand representative para-climber.<br />
Climbing Spoon on Bringstinden, WI4, Senja<br />
Island, Norway 2014 - Photo Aksel Sveum<br />
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She had been rock climbing<br />
that day at Whanganui Bay,<br />
on the eastern shores of Lake<br />
Taupo, with her good friend and<br />
climbing buddy Jono Clarke.<br />
She had spent the day climbing<br />
harder than she ever had and<br />
was in high spirits, but that<br />
was all about to come crashing<br />
down.<br />
Clarke, who was about 10m in<br />
front of her, heard her scream<br />
and then crash into the lake. He<br />
ran down the steep slope after<br />
her, finding her gurgling and on<br />
her back in shallow water.<br />
“He pulled my head into his<br />
lap so that I was out of the<br />
water,” says Di, who is based in<br />
Wellington.<br />
“I had a lot of pain. I knew that<br />
I'd broken a lot of ribs and<br />
I couldn't really talk. It was<br />
actually painful to breathe.”<br />
The alarm was raised and<br />
soon a boat arrived. She was<br />
carefully lifted onto it via a large<br />
piece of wood and taken to<br />
shore, where a medic-helicopter<br />
was able to land and take her to<br />
Waikato Hospital.<br />
“They actually didn't find my<br />
back was broken for three<br />
days,” Di says.<br />
“At one point, they helped me<br />
stand up on the side of the<br />
bed, and they said, ‘Walk to the<br />
top of your bed.’ But I couldn’t<br />
move my legs. That's when they<br />
checked my back.”<br />
She had broken vertebrae in<br />
her thoracic and lumbar spine,<br />
leading to muscle paralysis<br />
which made it almost impossible<br />
to lift her right foot, or use her<br />
right calf or medial gluteal<br />
muscles.<br />
“I can’t high-step. I can’t tip toe.<br />
Anything on a high shelf, I can’t<br />
reach it.”<br />
She spent six weeks in hospital,<br />
followed by nine months of<br />
recovery at her parents’ home in<br />
Napier - firstly needing a walking<br />
frame, and then crutches.<br />
“At one point, they helped me stand<br />
up on the side of the bed, and they<br />
said, ‘Walk to the top of your bed.’ But<br />
I couldn’t move my legs. That's when<br />
they checked my back.”<br />
Describing her slow but steady<br />
progress, she says: “My walk<br />
was just to the end of my<br />
parents’ drive and back. Then,<br />
one day, I crossed the road."<br />
She returned to Wellington<br />
when she was able to walk<br />
independently and, with the use<br />
of a plastic foot brace, she was<br />
determined to try rock climbing<br />
again - if only just to use some<br />
of the new gear she had.<br />
“I thought I might not climb<br />
again, but I’d organised a<br />
friend of mine to buy me some<br />
climbing shoes while he was in<br />
Europe, and I didn't want to tell<br />
him I didn't need them.<br />
“So I had this new pair of<br />
climbing shoes, but my foot<br />
wasn't strong enough to push<br />
into the shoe. The toes would<br />
just curl up.”<br />
When she finally got the shoe<br />
on and went to the indoor<br />
climbing wall, she found she<br />
couldn’t put any weight on her<br />
right foot.<br />
“It was frustrating at the start<br />
because my foot didn’t work<br />
well. But I had all these rules<br />
about not sulking or complaining<br />
about what I used to be able to<br />
do.<br />
“It’s not worth wishing things<br />
were different because that<br />
doesn’t change anything.”<br />
Slowly she learned to use other<br />
muscles to compensate for<br />
the ones she could no longer<br />
use, and, less than a year after<br />
her accident, she returned to<br />
Whanganui Bay.<br />
“It took me three hours to pack<br />
my bag - I thought I was going<br />
to die this time. But Jono kept<br />
sending my silly text messages<br />
to make me laugh.<br />
“It was a good trip. The worst<br />
part was seeing where Jono had<br />
ran down after me, and knowing<br />
he could have easily injured<br />
himself.”<br />
Within 18 months of the<br />
accident, Di had climbed routes<br />
much harder than anything she<br />
did before her fall.<br />
“I wasn’t any stronger, but I was<br />
thinking more about how I was<br />
climbing. Previously I just did<br />
a move without thinking about<br />
it, but now I had to think about<br />
inventive ways to do moves.”<br />
Before the accident, she<br />
had also been prepping to<br />
try ice and mixed climbing,<br />
a more extreme discipline of<br />
climbing involving ice tools and<br />
crampons.<br />
She didn't want her injuries to<br />
deter that pursuit, but with an<br />
unstable leg, she wasn't too<br />
eager on the long approaches<br />
to New Zealand’s technical<br />
winter climbs. So she ventured<br />
overseas.<br />
Her ice climbing adventures<br />
took her to the US, Switzerland<br />
and Norway. And as her mobility<br />
improved over the years, she<br />
became a frequent attendee<br />
at the ice and mixed climbing<br />
festival in the Remarkables,<br />
where she has established a<br />
number of new routes.<br />
“I felt like I was more scared of<br />
what I’d miss out on if I didn’t do<br />
stuff.”<br />
One of her new winter routes,<br />
on Ruapehu, is called Nervous<br />
Connections.<br />
"Every time you achieve<br />
something, I feel like I'm a<br />
person again, and Nervous<br />
Connections is about things<br />
working again.”<br />
Then, five years ago, she came<br />
across a game-changer: a<br />
new brace that attaches to the<br />
outside of the shoe, so it doesn't<br />
touch the skin.<br />
“This makes it way more<br />
comfortable, but it’s also<br />
mechanical. When your heel<br />
strikes, it transfers energy to lift<br />
the ankle to provide spring.”<br />
First assent Nervous Connections, Ruapehu<br />
Photo by Jono Clark<br />
"Every time you achieve something,<br />
I feel like I'm a person again, and<br />
Nervous Connections is about things<br />
working again.”<br />
Di's old braces above<br />
made climbing hard.<br />
The new brace (image<br />
right) worked so well<br />
she was even able to<br />
run, completing both<br />
the Rotorua and Boston<br />
Marathons<br />
Di's climbing boot in the Turbomed<br />
Display at OTWorld Leipzeg Germany<br />
First day standing at Waikato Hospital.<br />
Photo by Ian Drayton. July 2004<br />
Running the Boston Marathon<br />
in 2018<br />
Back where it all began: Eternity Road, Whanganui bay<br />
Photo by Steve Minchin<br />
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Looking down to Ersfjord - Senja Island -<br />
Photo by Johannes Eberhard<br />
She ended up meeting with the makers of the<br />
brace while travelling in Europe, and they gave her<br />
a more aggressive version just for her.<br />
“The day I put it on, I thought, ‘I can run with this.’”<br />
So she did - firstly the 26km tussock traverse trail<br />
race in the North Island’s central plateau, and then<br />
the Rotorua marathon. In 2018, she ran the Boston<br />
marathon.<br />
Di, who is an accessibility advisor for the IRD<br />
and turns 50 next year, then set her sights on the<br />
international climbing scene.<br />
“I wanted to mix climb competitively against people<br />
with similar injuries, and there was a move to get<br />
mixed para-climbing started in Europe.<br />
“So in the meantime, I started hassling [national<br />
sporting organisation] Climbing NZ to include paraclimbing<br />
in their competitions - which they did.”<br />
She competed for three years and, in 2019, went<br />
to France for the world championships, where she<br />
came seventh in her mobility category.<br />
“It was really cool. It was the biggest overhang I’ve<br />
ever climbed,” she says of the event.<br />
“The other women in my category, especially the<br />
top three, were really amazing climbers. It's given<br />
me a really clear idea of how much harder I need<br />
to train.”<br />
But Di’s competitive climbing aspirations have<br />
been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.<br />
Never one to remain idle, she is turning her mind to<br />
other challenges.<br />
“I’d like to climb Mt Aspiring. I can now move a<br />
lot further than I used to and can do some longer<br />
approaches again.<br />
“I want to tackle some things on the bucket list I<br />
thought I’d never get to do.”<br />
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hiking<br />
TALES<br />
GOING SOLO ON<br />
THE ABEL TASMAN<br />
By Eric Skilling<br />
Sometimes you just need to be on your own.<br />
Hiking puts a whole lot of perspective back into life. Apart from living for several<br />
days with what you can carry in a backpack and experiencing the beauty and<br />
diversity of the New Zealand wilderness, there are few more enjoyable or better<br />
ways of sharing time with family and friends. Personally, I have found tramping has<br />
helped make some new friends and cemented some long-standing relationships.<br />
So tramping solo never been a priority for me, but when I was given the chance<br />
to walk the Abel Tasman track, I decided it was time to step out on my own. This<br />
track is undoubtably world famous, and visitors have raved about how much they<br />
enjoyed the unique experience. Somehow, I had always felt I was missing out, and<br />
now that I have been, I can confirm that that was true.<br />
Heavy spring rains had given the Nelson region a good soaking over the two days<br />
before I left Marahau on my way to Wairima Bark Bay, some 20km away. It was all<br />
a bit eerie with dark skies, wind gusts and a track devoid of any people, but that<br />
only added to the buzz I felt at the thought of spending a couple of days on my<br />
own. A light drizzle was to hang around for the first few hours of the trip, but the<br />
upside was that everything had that bright, varnished look, with beautifully clear<br />
streams and plenty of noisy waterfalls.<br />
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Solitude at Abel Tasman National Park<br />
Image by Tyler Lastovich
" I will always remember the bay for the<br />
glorious sunrise the next morning. The<br />
ridge to the east hid the exact moment<br />
of first-light, but moments later the sun<br />
appeared over the still, glassy bay and I<br />
got to enjoy one of the finest sunrises I<br />
can remember for a long time."<br />
It wasn’t long before I had some<br />
company even if it was only the first<br />
of many weka encounters. A family<br />
of five were crossing the track ahead<br />
of me. Dad was full of confidence<br />
and circled me a couple of times<br />
obviously expecting some tasty<br />
morsel before he decided there was<br />
nothing for him and followed his less<br />
brazen family foraging for real food<br />
on their way down the gully.<br />
Golden Sands<br />
Abel Tasman does not have the<br />
imposing rugged mountain peaks<br />
and glacial valleys of the Fiordland<br />
Parks, but the golden-sand beaches<br />
make for a quite different but equally<br />
spectacular experience. Within the<br />
first hour of the walk, I heard the<br />
slap-and-crash of waves hitting the<br />
beach. Even though I had a good<br />
eight hours of tramping ahead of<br />
me the temptation became too great<br />
and I headed down a short but steep<br />
track towards Apple Bay.<br />
That phrase “golden beaches” is so<br />
over-used but there is no better way<br />
to describe those beautiful bays. I<br />
challenge anyone to resist those<br />
clear waters – even in November.<br />
My first swim of the season.<br />
Shared with a paradise shelduck.<br />
Refreshing. Liberating. Going solo<br />
got an A+ at that stage.<br />
Each of the many bays are lined with<br />
those golden sands but each have<br />
their own unique beauty. I reached<br />
the semi-circular Anchorage Bay<br />
just after midday. By then the wind<br />
had dropped away completely, the<br />
sky was trying to clear, and small<br />
surf was gently sliding up and back<br />
along the water’s edge. I got so<br />
distracted by the serenity of it all that<br />
I completely missed the turn-off back<br />
onto the track and had to retrace my<br />
steps.<br />
Warima Bark Bay where I camped<br />
that night is different again. A<br />
small spit of sand with enough<br />
Pohutukawa, flax and other coastal<br />
plants to shade campers, a sandy<br />
beach on one side and tidal estuary<br />
on the other. I will always remember<br />
the bay for the glorious sunrise the<br />
next morning. The ridge to the east<br />
hid the exact moment of first-light,<br />
but moments later the sun appeared<br />
over the still, glassy bay and I got to<br />
enjoy one of the finest sunrises I can<br />
remember for a long time.<br />
Birdlife<br />
Native birds are thriving in the Park,<br />
and a shout-out must go to all the<br />
folks who are doing such a great<br />
job of keeping pests at bay. Project<br />
Janszoon has been going hard for<br />
well over a decade, and thanks the<br />
perseverance of those involved<br />
and many other volunteers and<br />
professionals, the native birdlife<br />
is thriving. The bush is full of the<br />
cheerful sound of robin and tui,<br />
with the regular appearance of the<br />
cheekily charming piwakawaka.<br />
One of my most blissful experiences<br />
occurred early morning at Bark Bay.<br />
I was lying back in my tent enjoying<br />
the sound of waves slapping the<br />
beach just a few metres away,<br />
when a bellbird landed in the tree<br />
just above me and began to greet<br />
the day with its unique one-bird<br />
orchestra of calls. A priceless<br />
experience. Bellbirds are few and<br />
far between but with the efforts of<br />
so many they have more hope now<br />
than they have had for some time.<br />
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The beauty of the Abel Tasman - Image by Ricardo Helass<br />
Weka are abundant. Sometimes<br />
annoyingly so. I had the pleasure<br />
of having my lunch stolen off me at<br />
Stillwater Bay, and holes pecked into my<br />
tent cover at Observation Bay. It felt like<br />
a weka or two had taken up residence<br />
at every possible stop, waiting for the<br />
opportunity to pilfer from the weary visitor.<br />
It was only thanks to the cliffs at Stillwater<br />
Bay and an almost flightless bird that I<br />
managed to recover my lunch, but the<br />
truth is I would not have it any other<br />
way. Let us face it, they were here first<br />
so just applaud their ability to adapt and<br />
take advantage of our arrival. Kaka and<br />
saddlebacks are also listed as birds to<br />
look out for, but I never had the pleasure<br />
of coming across either. Next time.<br />
Side Trips<br />
Missing the tide at Torrent Bay was a<br />
blessing as it gave me the chance to visit<br />
Cleopatras pool. A gentle walk through<br />
cool forest alongside the Torrent river<br />
leads to the rapids and several pools,<br />
and the chance of a cool, refreshing fresh<br />
water swim.<br />
The DOC brochure has several<br />
recommendations for side trips along the<br />
way, although I chose to spend most of<br />
my spare time enjoying the many bays.<br />
Most of the bays are just a short walk<br />
from the main track, and excellent stops<br />
for a break, lunch, or a swim.<br />
The Solo Experience<br />
Abel Tasman was the perfect choice for<br />
my first solo tramp. This is a genuinely<br />
Great Walk, remote enough to offer some<br />
pristine wilderness, but popular enough<br />
to make it a relatively safe place to tramp<br />
alone. It also helped that it was mid-<br />
November, with longer days and warmer<br />
seas and relatively quiet, so I got to enjoy<br />
most of the trip with only the birds for<br />
company.<br />
Going solo has its advantages. I got to<br />
walk at my own pace and took the time<br />
to appreciate everything around me. My<br />
only stops were for several swims each<br />
day and a quick lunch break which I took<br />
when it suited me. Very self-indulgent<br />
but entirely excusable. I made up time<br />
by drinking as I walked, not stopping<br />
for scroggin breaks and avoiding the<br />
regathering that always happen at the<br />
summits of each hill when sharing a walk<br />
with a large group.<br />
Personally, I found the tracks well<br />
maintained and gently graded which<br />
made it easy to pick up the pace. The<br />
recommended hiking times were easily<br />
achievable – perhaps they have been<br />
set knowing that everyone will stop and<br />
enjoy at least one of those magnificent<br />
sandy bays.<br />
But the verdict on the merits of tramping<br />
on your own – as soon as I reached<br />
civilisation I could not wait to get on the<br />
phone and post on social media to share<br />
the experiences of the previous two<br />
days. So, nah, I think shared experiences<br />
are just that much sweeter. It is no<br />
coincidence that I enjoyed the walk so<br />
much that I have since persuaded several<br />
other friends to share the experience with<br />
me in the next few months. However,<br />
don’t get me wrong, it was a memorable<br />
and unique experience, and finding<br />
myself in the same situation again I could<br />
be persuaded to go alone once more.<br />
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Thanks go to Macpac, Go Native, Keen and Jetboil.
Survival<br />
BRODIE SEELEN<br />
Not content to simply survive<br />
At 16 years old he became the youngest<br />
competitor in the Coast to Coast event,<br />
completing the 2 day individual event in<br />
14 hours and 27 minutes. He loved it so<br />
much that he signed up straight away to<br />
compete again in 2021. Little did he know<br />
that his world as he knew it would come<br />
crashing down in less than two weeks<br />
time…<br />
Brodie grew up in Tahunanui, Nelson,<br />
in a family that enjoyed spending time<br />
outdoors; whether it be camping in the<br />
summer, going on tramps, mountain biking<br />
or surf lifesaving. As a result he now<br />
loves kayaking, rock climbing and getting<br />
out in the mountains. He’s also a keen<br />
sportsman, multisporter and surf lifeguard.<br />
He’s into rowing, surfing, surf lifesaving<br />
and plays basketball, underwater hockey<br />
and volleyball. You get the picture? He’s<br />
one active outdoorsy kid.<br />
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 43
So, it was no surprise to his family<br />
when he decided to enter the Coast<br />
to Coast in 2020 and became the<br />
youngest competitor in the two day<br />
individual event. He loved the race, the<br />
comraderie, the challenge.<br />
“Growing up I have always done a lot<br />
of team sports and I was looking for<br />
a way to really push myself and see<br />
how far I can go. After talking to a few<br />
different people, one of my outdoor ed<br />
teachers mentioned the Coast to Coast<br />
and since then I knew I wanted to give<br />
it a go."<br />
After the gruelling Coast to Coast,<br />
Brodie, not surprisingly, had a few<br />
aches and pains, including a sore back.<br />
Two weeks later, when the pain was<br />
not healing, Brodie went for an MRI<br />
scan……...the news was not good.<br />
“After I had just had an MRI scan, I was<br />
rushed upstairs, and was told to skip<br />
the full waiting room and go directly<br />
to the specialist. After sitting down the<br />
specialist put his head in his hand and<br />
I think that was the first time I knew<br />
something really wasn't right.”<br />
Brodie was diagnosed with extensive<br />
cancer of the spine and pelvis.<br />
“When I was first diagnosed with cancer<br />
it didn't feel like there was much time<br />
to think that I was in trouble, the next<br />
3 weeks of testing went really fast and<br />
I was always more focused on what<br />
the next step was, rather than worrying<br />
about what was really going on.”<br />
After months of tests, diagnosis,<br />
bone biopsies and many sleepless<br />
nights, it turned out that Brodie didn’t<br />
have cancer but a very rare (one in a<br />
million) life threatening autoimmune<br />
blood disease called Aplastic Anaemia.<br />
Basically he had zero bone marrow left<br />
and with his platelet levels so low he<br />
was at risk of bleeding out. The good<br />
news was that Aplastic Anaemia was<br />
curable with a bone marrow transplant,<br />
but the family were warned that there<br />
was an 85% chance of survival.<br />
“After the final bone marrow biopsy<br />
result came back saying that I didn't<br />
have cancer I had a rush of lots of<br />
different emotions. I was thankful to<br />
hear that it wasn't cancer but I still had<br />
a concerned feeling as we were unsure<br />
of what was really going on. I think the<br />
moment I knew this would be a very<br />
hard and long road ahead was the first<br />
time I was sent down to Christchurch<br />
for further testing. One day I remember<br />
having to talk to all the doctors and<br />
specialists for 3 to 4 hours about all the<br />
different potential risks and the side<br />
effects that chemo can have and as a<br />
17 year old being told that you’re dying<br />
and that the treatment could also kill<br />
you was very confronting.”<br />
"As a 17 year old being told that you’re<br />
dying and that the treatment could<br />
also kill you was very confronting”<br />
Day of the transplant, December 11th, 2020 In hospital recovering, December 2020<br />
Brodie competing in the 2-day Individual at the 2020 Coast to Coast<br />
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"His only hope of<br />
survival was a bone<br />
marrow transplant, and<br />
fortunately Brodie’s 13<br />
year old brother, Liam<br />
was the perfect match.”<br />
With no bone marrow left and platelet<br />
levels low, his only hope of survival was a<br />
bone marrow transplant, and fortunately<br />
Brodie’s 13 year old brother, Liam, was<br />
the perfect match. So on 30th November<br />
2020, the family headed to Christchurch<br />
for Brodie to start his intensive rounds<br />
of chemotherapy (the most aggressive<br />
form there is) and on the 11th December<br />
he had his bone marrow transplant. He<br />
spent 26 nights in hospital and was finally<br />
discharged on New Years Day, the best<br />
start to a new year ever.<br />
His mum explains. “Throughout this all<br />
Brodie has been an absolute inspiration<br />
to everyone around him, taking it all in his<br />
stride, with his relentless positivity and<br />
determination. He also organised a Shave<br />
for a Cure at his school and had 28 friends<br />
and staff join him in a massive outpouring<br />
of aroha and support - collectively they<br />
raised over $27 000 for Leukaemia<br />
and Blood Cancer NZ which was pretty<br />
special.”<br />
Brodie is determined to get back to his<br />
outdoor life as soon as possible. The<br />
guys at Coast to Coast have transferred<br />
his entry for this year to 2022 so that’s<br />
something he’s looking forward to. He<br />
also just signed up to do his first half<br />
ironman this year, a year to the day of his<br />
transplant on December 11th. Then he<br />
hopes to follow this up with a full ironman<br />
the following March to help raise funds for<br />
the Bone Marrow Transplant Trust.<br />
When speaking with Brodie and can’t<br />
not help but be impressed by his positive<br />
outlook on life and he speaks with a<br />
maturity beyond his years…<br />
It looks like your recovery is going well,<br />
what do you put that down to? I believe<br />
that mindset has a huge impact on our<br />
lives. I think one of the reasons why my<br />
recovery is going well at the moment is<br />
because of the positive mindset I have<br />
towards it. Don't get me wrong, there have<br />
definitely been some very hard and tough<br />
moments but what I think has impacted<br />
me most is just taking it one day at a<br />
time, focusing on future goals and staying<br />
positive.<br />
What’s the thing you have struggled with<br />
the most? As a 16/17 year old, I wasn't<br />
planning on missing half the school year<br />
and spending my summer in hospital,<br />
I think the hardest part of being unwell<br />
has been the things I've missed out on. A<br />
year ago I would spend most of my time<br />
just outside doing things like training for<br />
multisports or going on adventures with<br />
a bunch of mates. To go from that to not<br />
being able to do anything was definitely<br />
a challenge and at times could be very<br />
frustrating.<br />
Have there been any positives come<br />
out of this? I think as hard as it can be<br />
sometimes, there has been a lot of good<br />
to come from this. The support from the<br />
community has been very humbling. In<br />
November, I ran a fundraiser for Shave<br />
for a Cure through school to raise funds<br />
for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ. 27<br />
students and staff joined me in shaving<br />
their heads at a full school assembly and<br />
in under 2 weeks we managed to raise<br />
over $27,000! In the future, I plan to do<br />
more fundraising for two other incredible<br />
organisations that I have been helped by:<br />
the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer<br />
Service and Ranui House.<br />
Brodie in the 2020 Coast to Coast is now looking forward to training for the 2022 event<br />
Brodie stoked for his first surf - 80 days after his bone marrow transplant<br />
Looking forward to getting back to the saddle<br />
It has also given me more awareness<br />
of serious health issues a lot of people<br />
go through every day. Through this time<br />
I have had the opportunity to connect<br />
with some very inspirational people, the<br />
likes of Jake Bailey and Aaron Fleming<br />
as well as the incredible team of medical<br />
professionals who have helped care for<br />
me.<br />
What adventures are you missing the<br />
most? I've always loved the water, it could<br />
be surfing, racing around in the boats<br />
with surf life saving or even kayaking but I<br />
think the adventures I've missed the most<br />
are the ones where I try something new. I<br />
love getting outside my comfort zone as I<br />
feel like it's one of the best ways to learn<br />
new things.<br />
Any advice for people facing similar<br />
challenges? I think everyone faces their<br />
own individual challenges in life. I'd tell<br />
them that no matter what, you can beat<br />
it. The saying “dream, believe, Achieve”<br />
comes to mind. There will be some hard<br />
times and it can be scary but there will<br />
always be people around you to help push<br />
you along when you need it. Coming up<br />
with a list of things you want to do when<br />
you’re well again can also be very helpful.<br />
But most of all I'd tell them that the best<br />
things in life start off with a challenge.<br />
What has this year taught you? I think<br />
it's made me realise how lucky I am to<br />
be here. It has made me appreciate all<br />
the small things so much more that I<br />
might otherwise not have appreciated as<br />
much. It's made me grateful for all the<br />
opportunities I have had and above all<br />
excited for what's to come.
IN YOUR ELEMENT IN RUAPEHU<br />
No other region compares to the depth and breadth of raw elements<br />
than Ruapehu. We’re talking about in-your-face nature that commands<br />
attention. Carved by thousands of years of ancient lava flow and alpine<br />
glaciers, the magnitude and magnificence of Ruapehu as a natural<br />
wonderland will ground you and elevate you at the same time.<br />
So as you breathe it all in, a heady mix of excitement and stillness,<br />
you realise that you are perfectly at peace with where you are in the<br />
moment. Earth, air, water, fire - the elements are calling, and this is<br />
exactly where we belong.<br />
Earth, air, water, fire –<br />
elemental gateways to<br />
awe-inspiring travel journeys<br />
Earth<br />
Treading lightly across Tongariro National Park (New Zealand’s<br />
oldest national park) it is a common thing to be humbly awed<br />
by the unsurpassed cultural and spiritual landscape of this<br />
UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site. And as you venture further,<br />
weaving through rural towns tucked between vast wilderness<br />
and enchanting forests, the grace of Papatūānuku, Mother<br />
Earth follows your every footstep.<br />
Water<br />
From ever-flowing rivers to alpine lakes and spectacular<br />
waterfalls, Ruapehu is a land with abundant waterways. A<br />
significant element that bridges people and place, seek and you<br />
shall find, a wonderful source of recreation and source of life.<br />
Jet boat to the Bridge to Nowhere<br />
A sacred natural resource and living entity, the Whanganui<br />
River became the first river in the world to be recognised as<br />
a legal person in 2017 – with guardians upholding the river's<br />
environmental, social, cultural, and economic well-being. An<br />
immersive experience like no other, take an unforgettable jet boat<br />
journey upriver to the Bridge to Nowhere with Whanganui River<br />
<strong>Adventure</strong>s. And as you wind along deep river gorges and lush<br />
canyons, surrender to the moment and absolute beauty of this life<br />
force.<br />
Chasing waterfalls at Waitonga Falls Track<br />
At 39 metres tall, Waitonga Falls is the highest waterfall at<br />
Tongariro National Park. Wind your way through a well-formed<br />
4km return track through mountain beech and evergreen<br />
kaikawaka forest. As you follow the boardwalk, you’ll pass through<br />
an alpine wetland area and weather permitting, take in some<br />
breath-taking views of Mount Ruapehu. Mirrored against the<br />
Rotokawa pools and suddenly it’s magic. Every step along the<br />
Waitonga Falls Track is – so savour the journey there.<br />
Forest bathing in Mangawhero Forest Walk<br />
A term originating from Japan, forest bathing doesn’t involve<br />
bathing in water. It’s a mindful practice immersed in the nature<br />
around you, connecting with the elements to help boost your<br />
well-being. Under a canopy of trees, let your footsteps slow and<br />
senses awaken to the sights and sounds of the Mangawhero<br />
Forest Walk in Ohakune. Bask in a lush native forest of kāmahi,<br />
broadleaf and five finger with giant rimu, mataī and kahikatea<br />
standing guard. Easily accessible from Ohakune Mountain<br />
Road, this 3 km loop track is a leisurely short walk that’s also<br />
popular with runners.<br />
Discover hidden gems at Kakahi Glowworms<br />
Something to experience after dark – intrepid travellers rise with<br />
the sun and dance in the moonlight so don’t be surprised if you<br />
start swaying at the sight of the entrancing Kakahi Glowworms.<br />
A 20-minute drive from Taumarunui, this natural wonder near<br />
the banks of the Whakapapa River can be found under a<br />
canopy of native bush and between two cliff faces, where an<br />
evening stroll becomes an ethereal experience.<br />
Fire<br />
Giver of light, bearer of heat, the fire element has a strong<br />
presence in Ruapehu, a warmth you can feel in your bones.<br />
Home to the Tongariro Volcanic Zone, fire breathes life into the<br />
triple peaks of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Ruapehu -<br />
the largest active volcano in Aotearoa.<br />
Unearth ancient lava flows at Tama Lakes<br />
An equally impressive alternative to the Tongariro Alpine<br />
Crossing, the Tama Lakes Track is a 17 km return tramp that<br />
takes about 5-6 hours to complete. With some of the oldest<br />
lava flows on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro<br />
found at Tama Saddle, traverse a jaw-dropping landscape of<br />
explosion craters, pristine alpine lakes, and volcanic terrain.<br />
Tokaanu Thermal Walk and Hot Pools<br />
Fire meets water at Tokaanu Thermal Pools. Soak in private<br />
mineral hot pools and immerse yourself in the therapeutic<br />
waters of natural thermal springs. Ranging from 39˚C to 41˚C,<br />
the private hot pools are part of a larger complex which also<br />
include an outdoor swimming pool. After a day in the elements<br />
enjoying our greater outdoors, there’s no better place to<br />
reinvigorate the senses. Pop around and enjoy the free<br />
geothermal walk showcasing bubbling mud pits and steaming<br />
mineral pools surrounded by picturesque native bush.<br />
Air<br />
Surrounded by Tongariro National Park and Whanganui<br />
National Park, the vast wilderness that sprawls across<br />
Ruapehu makes our greater outdoors a breath of fresh<br />
air. Take a deep inhale, and breathe in that crisp, clean<br />
mountain air, like sunshine for your soul.<br />
Journey into the clouds with Sky Waka<br />
Rising, reaching, towards the air up there, journey into<br />
the clouds with Sky Waka. New Zealand’s most unique<br />
gondola experience, Sky Waka takes you on a 1.8 km<br />
adventure across Tongariro National Park – one of New<br />
Zealand’s most rugged and spectacular landscapes as<br />
a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site. As breath-taking<br />
over the summer as it is a winter experience, no two<br />
journeys on Sky Waka are ever the same. From sundrenched<br />
volcanic rocks to snow-capped mountain<br />
tops, the view is definitely better at the top.<br />
Sunrise mission on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing<br />
Watch magic in the skies unfold before your eyes with<br />
a private guided sunrise hike on the Tongariro Alpine<br />
Crossing with Adrift Tongariro. A pre-dawn start means<br />
an incredible Dark Sky experience and a rare sighting<br />
of Aurora Australis if your lucky stars align. Each guided<br />
expedition is as unique as the sunrise, with each route<br />
decided on the day as you venture out into the elements<br />
for an epic sunrise on the Red Crater - topped off with<br />
an alfresco breakfast on top of the world. For those<br />
with limited time, 2-hr guided sunset tours are available<br />
year-round.<br />
Start your adventure at www.visitruapehu.com<br />
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 49
KEEP YOUR WHEELS TURNING THIS WINTER<br />
WITH ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ<br />
You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy a New Zealand winter.<br />
While colder temperatures and shorter days can make it<br />
easy to lock your bike in the garage and take up residency<br />
inside, you may be surprised to hear many of the New<br />
Zealand Cycle Trails are fully rideable throughout the winter<br />
months.<br />
Winter provides a refreshing opportunity to experience some<br />
of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes through a new<br />
lens. Mountains come alive with fresh layers of snow, and<br />
the often crisp sunny days are perfect for cycling, soaking in<br />
steamy hot pools, indulging in mulled wine and hearty food,<br />
or relaxing by a roaring fire.<br />
Of course, winter weather’s not always butterflies and<br />
rainbows, but getting outdoors sure beats sitting on the<br />
couch. This is why <strong>Adventure</strong> South NZ have launched 2<br />
new winter cycle trail trips for 2021.<br />
The Winter Alps 2 Ocean Cycle and Winter West Coast<br />
Wilderness are fully supported and include everything you<br />
need for a stress free cycling holiday. This means a support<br />
vehicle full of unlimited tea, coffee, snacks and hot water<br />
bottles is never far away and if it gets cold, a short drive will<br />
take you to your cosy accommodation.<br />
Our e-bikes make it easy to beat the early sunset, or<br />
standard bikes are available for those up for the challenge.<br />
Don't save all your adventures for summer. In the words of<br />
<strong>Adventure</strong> South NZ guides, “there’s no such thing as bad<br />
weather, just bad gear”.<br />
Winter West Coast Wilderness<br />
5 days, Christchurch to<br />
Christchurch<br />
Inclusions: All accommodation,<br />
e-bike hire, most meals, Treetop<br />
Walkway entry, experienced<br />
guides, snacks and hot drinks,<br />
transport from Christchurch<br />
(return).<br />
Price $1995pp<br />
Winter Alps 2 Ocean Cycle<br />
6 days, Christchurch to<br />
Christchurch<br />
Inclusions: All accommodation,<br />
e-bike hire, most meals, Tekapo<br />
Springs entry, experienced<br />
guides, snacks and hot drinks,<br />
transport from Christchurch<br />
(return).<br />
Price: $2295pp<br />
For more information on our winter cycle trips or 2021/2022 summer cycle<br />
trips visit www.adventuresouth.co.nz.<br />
Since 1992<br />
Since 1992<br />
DISCOVER NZ’S CYCLE TRAILS WITH ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ<br />
Fully supported Cycle Trail tours: *West Coast Wilderness Trail *Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail *Otago Central Rail Trail<br />
*Tasman Great Taste Trail...and more. E-bikes available<br />
Book online: adventuresouth.co.nz | 0800 00 11 66 | info@adventuresouth.co.nz<br />
Fully supported Cycle Trail tours: *West Coast Wilderness Trail *Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail *Otago Central Rail Trail<br />
*Tasman Great Taste Trail...and more. E-bikes available<br />
Book online: adventuresouth.co.nz | 0800 00 11 66 | info@adventuresouth.co.nz
Survival<br />
REMY MORTON<br />
"In 2019 Remy<br />
Morton crashed<br />
on a 24m jump<br />
and broke 23<br />
bones, punctured<br />
both his lungs and<br />
was told he might<br />
never walk again."<br />
Images by Graeme Murray/Red Bull Content Pool<br />
"I get knocked down, but I get<br />
up again, you're never gonna<br />
keep me down."<br />
This song could have been written<br />
for mountain biker, Remy Morton,<br />
he’s been knocked down more<br />
times than he can remember, yet<br />
he’s not learnt to take a softer<br />
approach. As we went to write this<br />
feature we reached out to Remy for<br />
some additional input - he was slow<br />
replying - he had broken both arms!<br />
Born in the Gold Coast in Australia,<br />
Remy was riding a PeeWee<br />
motorcycle by the time he was<br />
3 and started BMX riding and<br />
competing, when he was just 4<br />
years old.<br />
According to his dad, Remy always<br />
showed a no fear attitude. When he<br />
was just 6 years old he took a nasty<br />
tumble at his local BMX club and<br />
instead of quitting, simply said, “oh,<br />
I didn’t do that very well” and took<br />
his bike back up to the top to do it<br />
all again.<br />
Remy became an exceptional<br />
downhill rider, winning competitions<br />
up and down the coast of Australia,<br />
so he headed to Europe and<br />
Canada with the family, racing in the<br />
Junior World Cup series in 2015 and<br />
2016. From here he gained a raft of<br />
sponsorship and was on his way to<br />
becoming a professional athlete.<br />
It was in 2017, at Loosefest, a fiveday<br />
freeride event in Belgium, that<br />
Remy had the best day riding in<br />
his life taking some of the biggest<br />
jumps he’d ever seen. Unfortunately<br />
he overshot the landing on the<br />
final jump landing on flat ground.<br />
His friends told him that he stood<br />
up straight after signalling he was<br />
all OK, but he was very far from it<br />
and collapsed seconds later. He<br />
remembers nothing after the fall,<br />
waking up nearly a month later in<br />
hospital in Belgium.<br />
He had broken a total of 20 bones,<br />
collapsed both lungs and ruptured<br />
his kidneys, all in one single<br />
mountain bike accident. The doctors<br />
described the injuries as being<br />
consistent with falling from a threestory<br />
building and hitting the ground<br />
at 75km an hour.<br />
Remy spent the next month in an<br />
induced coma and although he was<br />
unable to remember anything after<br />
the accident, he was plagued with<br />
daydreams and nightmares. In the<br />
daytime he dreamt he was a Red<br />
Bull sponsored athlete/influencer,<br />
travelling the world riding and<br />
making big bucks. But in the nights<br />
he suffered nightmares where<br />
people were trying to murder him.<br />
The nightmares were so real and<br />
took place in “real places'' that even<br />
now he struggles to visit certain<br />
places as he is haunted by the<br />
reality of his nightmares.<br />
Right: Remy Morton in action in Queenstown, September 2020<br />
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52//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 53
"Incredibly only 11 weeks<br />
after the accident he was<br />
back in the mountain<br />
bike park and a year after<br />
the crash he was back in<br />
Europe competing.”<br />
As the doctors began to bring Remy out of the coma<br />
they warned him he would not be able to ride again<br />
and he’d be lucky if he could walk. However it did not<br />
take long before Remy proved the doctors wrong and<br />
was up and walking across the ward with the help of a<br />
couple of nurses.<br />
Unable to fly due to the damage to his lungs, he spent<br />
the first 7 weeks in hospital in Belgium before he was<br />
eventually given the all-clear to return to Australia to<br />
continue his rehabilitation in his home country where<br />
he had to relearn to walk, talk and eat.<br />
Undeterred by his prognosis, Remy set himself a<br />
goal to be back riding in 6 months’ time. This seemed<br />
incredibly optimistic, however, Remy explained. “The<br />
more positive I stay the faster I am going to heal – I<br />
think a lot of it is to do with mindset, if I’m positive<br />
about it my body will be positive about it.”<br />
9 weeks after the accident, despite still being hardly<br />
able to walk, Remy began to ride his bike up and<br />
down the beach in Surfers Paradise. Incredibly only 11<br />
weeks after the accident he was back in the mountain<br />
bike park and a year after the crash he was back in<br />
Europe competing.<br />
With a few setbacks, including another leg break<br />
while in Europe, it took a couple of years for Remy’s<br />
confidence to return fully and he knew he had to<br />
reattempt the jump that nearly killed him.<br />
So in 2019 he returned to the site in Belgium with<br />
his dad and prepared to take the jump again. After<br />
spending months preparing, he got padded up, ready<br />
to jump but decided something was not quite right.<br />
He was wearing protective clothing but knew he had<br />
no intention of crashing, so he changed into his street<br />
clothes and headed for the jump.<br />
You can’t help but wonder why anyone would want<br />
to repeat a jump that nearly took his life, but Remy<br />
realised that without overcoming this obstacle he<br />
would never be able to get back to the level of riding<br />
he wanted to achieve. Needless to say the jump was<br />
clean and the crowd went wild, so to speak, and the<br />
rest is history.<br />
In 2020, Remy picked up the Red Bull sponsorship<br />
that he had dreamt of during the days in his coma. He<br />
has just finished filming the Sound of Speed, a unique<br />
video shot in Queenstown. There is no chain on his<br />
bike and no blaring music to accompany the action,<br />
just the sound of tires on dirt. It is compelling watching<br />
and shows mountain biking in its raw beauty. Check it<br />
out here https://www.redbull.com/int-en/episodes/mtbraw-s2-e19<br />
Remy Morton performs during filming of Red Bull Sound of Speed<br />
in Queenstown, New Zealand on November 6, 2020<br />
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"I don’t want to be a<br />
competitor in the sport, I<br />
want to change the sport.”<br />
We fired a few questions to<br />
Remy about fear, risk taking and<br />
injuries...<br />
Fear – are you aware of it and<br />
how do you handle it? Fear<br />
is definitely a major issue that<br />
I have to deal with on a daily<br />
basis. Over the years it has<br />
progressively gotten worse and<br />
I definitely question myself a lot<br />
today. Although one thing that<br />
always takes any fear away is<br />
getting on my bike and riding.<br />
As soon as I’m going, it all<br />
disappears.. it’s a fine balance in<br />
trust and faith of my abilities.<br />
Is your risk taking calculated<br />
or instinct – what do you look<br />
for when making a decision?<br />
The more injuries I have the more<br />
calculated I would like to think I’ve<br />
become. To learn precision I think<br />
it takes a lot of failure... I think<br />
I’m pretty good at calculating my<br />
risk/ reward values now ha!<br />
Going downhill fast and<br />
leaping over stuff obviously<br />
does not make you fearful –<br />
does anything? Spiders, cats ?<br />
A lot scares me, but I’d prefer not<br />
to think about those options, I’d<br />
rather look ahead without those<br />
in mind, you have to believe to<br />
achieve !<br />
The old saying what does not<br />
kill you make you stronger – do<br />
you think that’s true did your<br />
major accident in 2017 focus<br />
you on your career or distract<br />
you? My bad accident in 2017<br />
changed my whole perception<br />
on life. It didn’t distract me from<br />
what I wanted to achieve but it<br />
definitely changed the direction I<br />
was going in. You never realize<br />
how much you have till it’s all<br />
taken away... The values I learnt<br />
whilst learning to eat, walk and<br />
talk again are a lesson I hope<br />
none of my friends ever have<br />
to experience, but I really am<br />
grateful that I had to go through<br />
that experience.<br />
A few decisions which were made<br />
mentally and also a few physically<br />
as certain body parts haven’t<br />
healed as well as they once were,<br />
my outlook on mountain biking<br />
still remains the same:<br />
“I don’t want to be a competitor<br />
in the sport, I want to change the<br />
sport.”<br />
Now I’m focusing on changing it<br />
a different way than I had once<br />
planned..<br />
And I’m really proud and excited<br />
for the future!<br />
Injury list<br />
Neck: c6-c7<br />
Back: t4 and compressed disc<br />
Collarbone: left x2<br />
Shoulders: shattered left in 9<br />
places<br />
Sternum: x1<br />
Elbow: left x1<br />
Ribs: full rib cage<br />
Wrists: right x2 left x1 + severe<br />
radial nerve damage.<br />
Hands: right x1<br />
Hips: left broken and dislocated<br />
Legs: right tib and fib<br />
Feet: right x1 left x1<br />
Kidney: ruptured x1<br />
Lungs: both punctured and<br />
collapsed<br />
There’s probably more haha.<br />
That’s off the top of my head :)<br />
Last thoughts...<br />
I'd like to thank my parents Lisa<br />
and Jim. And also redbull with<br />
out their support I’m not sure<br />
if I would be able to ride at the<br />
level I am today.. they helped a<br />
huge amount with my medical<br />
attention!<br />
Remy Morton in action during filming of Red Bull Sound of Speed<br />
in Queenstown, notice there is no chain...<br />
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IS IT A WALK? HIKE? TREK? OR TRAMP?<br />
There are many age-old debates<br />
still raging around the world. Which<br />
came first, the chicken or the egg?<br />
Vegemite or Marmite? Is Marvel<br />
better than DC? Cycling or walking?<br />
Should cereal be eaten with hot milk<br />
or cold? Does the map say we turn<br />
left, or turn right? World over, these<br />
questions are far and wide and<br />
often spark the most interesting of<br />
conversations and heated debates<br />
with the two or more people involved<br />
in them. I bet right now you are<br />
thinking about your answers, but is<br />
it the same as your partners, friends<br />
or colleagues, or is it a matter of<br />
personal opinion and perception?<br />
The debate over whether it is a<br />
walk, hike, trek or tramp has been<br />
a hotly contested subject in the<br />
walking community. When does a<br />
walk become a hike? Is it when<br />
the terrain is perhaps rougher and<br />
the walk harder going? In my mind<br />
the definition of a trek is the easiest<br />
to decipher – it’s something that is<br />
more remote and longer than a hike.<br />
But what was a hike?<br />
Are you confused yet?<br />
Let’s break it down according to the<br />
consensus of our outdoor travellers<br />
on what these words might mean.<br />
58//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
Walk – a walk tends to be done<br />
on defined tracks and reasonably<br />
smooth surfaces without too many<br />
obstacles in the way. Walking<br />
does not tend to need special<br />
equipment apart from a day pack<br />
with the essentials and generally<br />
walks are around regions where<br />
accommodation is readily available.<br />
Walks are shorter in duration and<br />
able to be enjoyed by any age group<br />
with relative fitness.<br />
Hike – hikes tends to be longer and<br />
harder walks that are usually on<br />
trails through the mountains or trails<br />
through bush or countryside terrain.<br />
The trails are generally visible trails<br />
but not the smooth surfaces of a<br />
walk. Hikes tend to be longer than<br />
walks and require proper equipment<br />
and footwear as terrain and trails are<br />
more rugged. Hiking tends to see<br />
you move from lower to higher as<br />
you progress and are generally more<br />
undulating than a walk.<br />
Trek – trek is used to define a walk<br />
or hike which tends to be multiday,<br />
remote, little in the form of<br />
accommodation (generally camp<br />
based) with trails that are either<br />
partially visible, or not visible at<br />
all and where altitude or other<br />
rugged terrain and crossings may<br />
be encountered. Treks require the<br />
most specialised equipment and<br />
will see you probably without a<br />
shower for days on end. Treks are<br />
generally in regions where other<br />
forms of transport other than being<br />
on foot are not possible and where<br />
you tend to carry your own gear and<br />
backpack.<br />
The most interesting of all is<br />
tramping. Seems this is something<br />
us Kiwi’s came up with to define<br />
a walk in the bush and where the<br />
Aussie’s would call it ‘bushwalking”.<br />
Tramping – elsewhere in the world<br />
it would be called backpacking,<br />
rambling, hill walking or<br />
bushwalking. Us Kiwi’s see it as<br />
walking over rough terrain often with<br />
a backpack and wet-weather gear<br />
and needing to carry equipment<br />
for cooking and sleeping. Did us<br />
Kiwi’s not like the word ‘hike’ or did<br />
we think this was a ‘walk’ but for us<br />
outdoors enthusiasts?<br />
Well we weren’t the only ones to<br />
come up with our own terms. Here<br />
are some more quirks from the<br />
walking community:<br />
Rambling – mostly used in the UK<br />
is used for walking in the countryside<br />
with many rambling clubs and groups<br />
meeting to take part in this outdoor<br />
pastime. Rambling was an outdated<br />
English expression meantime to walk<br />
without purpose, but Ramblers walk<br />
with purpose and on defined routes.<br />
Hill walking is also commonly used<br />
for walking in the mountains and hills<br />
in the UK.<br />
Nordic Walking – now I am sure you<br />
have seen them around. Walkers<br />
with sticks! It evolved from a type of<br />
ski-training out of the snowy season<br />
and seems to not only have stuck but<br />
become popular around the world.<br />
Specially designed poles give more<br />
power and support whilst walking and<br />
a great all body workout.<br />
Pilgrimage – this one is a walk with<br />
purpose. Usually it can be defined as<br />
a journey to an unknown or foreign<br />
place. A journey of discovery. An<br />
inner journey to find meaning in<br />
oneself or nature. A pilgrimage tends<br />
to be long distance, challenging<br />
the body and the mind at the same<br />
time and often leading to personal<br />
transformation and development.<br />
Whether you call it a walk or a hike<br />
just make sure it’s a GREAT one!<br />
Organised guided & self-guided walks or hikes.<br />
Bringing the New Zealand outdoors<br />
......a step closer to you!<br />
www.greatwalksofnewzealand.co.nz<br />
info@greatwalksofnewzealand.co.nz<br />
0800 496 369<br />
Most on a pilgrimage have a reason<br />
for taking part and completing it<br />
which stems deeper than simply a<br />
love of walking and the outdoors.<br />
I am sure the debate between what<br />
makes a walk a hike or a hike a<br />
tramp will be around for years to<br />
come. I didn’t set out to answer<br />
the question, rather to open the<br />
discussions next time you think about<br />
heading outdoors. Will you walk?<br />
Will you trek? Just get out there and<br />
experience nature at its best, on two<br />
feet, and take it all in no matter what<br />
you call it.
TREKKING<br />
SURVIVAL<br />
GUIDE FOR<br />
PARENTS<br />
Let the kids lead the way<br />
It's easy to keep an eye on them and<br />
watching if they are tired, falling or<br />
going in the wrong direction. Give<br />
them time and permission to take a<br />
closer look at the interesting things<br />
along the way while giving them<br />
responsibility.<br />
Set up camp<br />
If you are taking on a multiday-trip,<br />
create a fixed camp and do smaller<br />
missions each day. Staying in one<br />
place gives the children - especially<br />
younger ones - something familiar and<br />
safe to come home to every day.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
Reaching the end goal is not the most<br />
important thing. Instead, focus on<br />
keeping everyone happy here and<br />
now. Think about alternative routes in<br />
advance if the weather and wind (or<br />
bad mood) put an end to the original<br />
plans. And remember - it's not a<br />
shame to turn around in good time.<br />
It's better than risking an unpleasant<br />
experience later. Do your part to<br />
preserve the magic of the trip!<br />
Where to go?<br />
If you don't want to carry food, handle<br />
logistics and do all the planning,<br />
Wanaka based Aspiring Guides can<br />
take you and your kids on one of NZ's<br />
most memorable treks in Mt Aspiring<br />
National Park.<br />
The 4 Day Upper Wilkin trek is a<br />
great place for a family holiday with<br />
no stress. Logistics, food, planning,<br />
guiding. Everything is sorted so that<br />
you can enjoy some quality time with<br />
your kids.<br />
The beauty of the Upper Wilkin<br />
Experience is that it can cater to a<br />
range of abilities. A scenic helicopter<br />
flight gets you into the remote Top<br />
Forks Hut, where you're spending all<br />
three nights. Each day you can hike in<br />
a different direction. The Upper Wilkin<br />
is known for its gorgeous glacial lakes,<br />
dense forests, steep waterfalls, and<br />
beautiful viewpoints. There is plenty of<br />
time to stop and enjoy the scenery or<br />
have a refreshing swim in the ice-blue<br />
lakes as Lake Diana, Lucidus, and<br />
Castilia.<br />
Because there isn't a new daily<br />
camping destination, you have the<br />
flexibility to go as far and as hard as<br />
you'd like or turn back early if needed.<br />
You can even stick closer to the hut<br />
and enjoy the riverside, playtime, and<br />
good books.<br />
After exploring the Upper Wilkin, the<br />
trip ends with a fun jet boat ride back<br />
to civilization.<br />
In March and April, Aspiring Guides<br />
offer 50 percent off kids on this trek.<br />
Visit www.aspiringguides.comfor<br />
more information.<br />
equip<br />
yourself!<br />
Low Prices Everyday<br />
We know that holidays should be quality time for everybody in<br />
the family. But finding activities and trips to suit everybody is<br />
tough. And before you know it, someone is hungry and needs to<br />
run to the loo or forget the backpack. Here's a survival guide for<br />
your family holiday.<br />
By Aspiring Guides<br />
Go easy!<br />
Kiwi families like a challenge, but sometimes finding the right<br />
adventure to keep both parents and kids happy can be tricky.<br />
Will the route be too difficult? Will it be too easy? Tip number<br />
one is to go easy! You do not have to go far, cook on a stove or<br />
do a multi-day trek. Take it one thing at a time. Start with day<br />
trips, small distances and long breaks.<br />
Involve your children<br />
Start by saying, "we are going on a trip together", instead of<br />
"I will take the children on a trip". Let the children be involved<br />
in the planning. Hear their opinion on everything from the<br />
destination, activities, what to bring with you clothes, books<br />
and food to what you can do along the way. Help the children<br />
to visualize the trip for themselves before you take off. Tell<br />
them about the terrain and what will happen along the way, for<br />
example, where you can take a break.<br />
Food prep<br />
It's no secret that food, snacks and drinks have a huge impact<br />
on your own and your childrens' mood, and you generally need<br />
more than usual when you're out tramping. Plan your breakfasts,<br />
lunches, dinners and drinks, and make sure you take more<br />
than usual. Re-pack as much food as you can to save space.<br />
Breakfasts can be everything from granola, porridge with nuts<br />
to muesli bars or some fruit. If you're feeling fancy, you can<br />
prepare pancake mix in a bottle and whip it up in the morning.<br />
Wraps, sandwiches, crackers with cheese, veggies and salami<br />
are great lunch ideas, and who can say no to a warm dinner<br />
such as a stir-fry or your favourite one-pot pasta dish. Don't feel<br />
limited about cooking in the outdoors. You don't have to live<br />
off dehydrated food, and involving kids in outdoor cooking can<br />
sparkle their interest for cooking at home.<br />
Don't go hangry<br />
Make sure to bring plenty of pocket snacks. Raisins, bliss balls,<br />
fruit, nuts, muesli bars, lollies. Whatever works for you and your<br />
children. A quick snack along the way is a<br />
good distraction if your children are getting tired, and it will keep<br />
them from being hangry - and you from being at ease.<br />
"Involving your children gives them ownership of the<br />
trip and can sparkle even more interest."<br />
"Reaching the end goal is not the most important<br />
thing. Instead, focus on keeping everyone happy<br />
here and now."<br />
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equipoutdoors.co.nz<br />
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60//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
Survival<br />
AND YOU<br />
THOUGHT COVID<br />
WAS BAD<br />
Surviving a zombie apocalypse<br />
And you thought Covid was bad!<br />
I read a post recently on Facebook.<br />
‘One day in the future you will reach<br />
down into our coat pocket and pull<br />
out a little blue mask and smile to<br />
yourselves and think ‘2020 what<br />
a year’. Then you’ll put your mask<br />
back in your pocket, pick up your<br />
machete and then wander out into<br />
the zombie apocalyptic landscape’.<br />
We have all said it, ‘Covid won’t<br />
be the last pandemic, maybe the<br />
next one will be worse’, but maybe,<br />
instead of getting a cold you’ll get a<br />
thirst for blood and then be destined<br />
to wander the earth looking for<br />
flesh… let us hope not.<br />
But imagine my surprise when I<br />
found on the world CDC website,<br />
the very formal and serious ‘Center<br />
for Disease Control’, a section on<br />
Zombie Preparedness. I thought it<br />
was a joke, but - it wasn’t!<br />
The Pentagon developed a zombie<br />
strategic scenario titled, “CONPLAN<br />
8888” in 2014, and the Center for<br />
Disease Control created a guide for<br />
zombie preparedness in 2015. It<br />
is not that these governing bodies<br />
have been watching too much<br />
TV and after season seven of the<br />
Walking Dead, decided they better<br />
get ready, but they did choose to<br />
capitalise on the interest, because<br />
the emergency preparedness,<br />
whether it be zombies, Tsunami,<br />
Ebola or Covid, remains pretty much<br />
the same.<br />
There are many types of<br />
emergencies out there that we<br />
should prepare for. Even a zombie<br />
apocalypse. The first element with<br />
being prepared is that you get it<br />
done before you need it. There is<br />
no point running around trying to<br />
find a machete when the zombies<br />
are already climbing through the<br />
window. So whether it’s zombies,<br />
pandemics, earthquakes, tsunami it<br />
is better to be prepared.<br />
Top of the list should be an<br />
emergency kit. You can purchase<br />
these already made up, but it should<br />
include things like water, food, and<br />
other supplies to get you through the<br />
first couple of days before you can<br />
locate a zombie-free zone (or in the<br />
event of an any major issue it will<br />
buy you some time until you are able<br />
to make your way to an evacuation<br />
area or civil defence designated<br />
area).<br />
Below are a few items you should<br />
include in your kit,<br />
• Water (4 litres per person per<br />
day)<br />
• Food (stock up on nonperishables)<br />
• Medications (this includes<br />
prescription and nonprescription<br />
meds)<br />
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife,<br />
duct tape, battery powered<br />
radio, etc.)<br />
• Sanitation and Hygiene<br />
(Antiseptic, soap, towels, etc.)<br />
• Clothing and Bedding (a<br />
change of clothes for each<br />
family member and blankets)<br />
and we suggest a survival<br />
blanket.<br />
• Solar battery charger - For<br />
phones, radio<br />
• Important documents (copies of<br />
your driver’s license, passport,<br />
and birth certificate to name a<br />
few)<br />
• First Aid supplies (although<br />
your number is up if chewed on<br />
by one of the walking dead, but<br />
you can use these supplies to<br />
treat basic cuts and lacerations<br />
that you might get during an<br />
earthquake or cyclone)<br />
Once you have made your<br />
emergency kit, you should sit down<br />
with your family and come up with<br />
an emergency plan. This includes<br />
where you would go and who you<br />
would call if zombies started to<br />
shuffle down the street. You can<br />
also implement this plan if there is<br />
a flood, earthquake, fire, or other<br />
emergency.<br />
Identify the types of emergencies<br />
that are possible in your area.<br />
Besides a zombie apocalypse,<br />
this may include floods, tsunami,<br />
or earthquakes. If you are unsure<br />
contact your local civil defence for<br />
more information.<br />
Pick a meeting place for your family<br />
to regroup in case zombies invade<br />
your home…or your town evacuates<br />
because of a Tsunami as coastal<br />
towns did in early March this year.<br />
Identify your emergency contacts.<br />
Make a list of local contacts like the<br />
police, fire department, civil defence,<br />
neighbours to check on. Also identify<br />
a contact that you can call during<br />
an emergency to let the rest of your<br />
family know you are ok.<br />
Plan your evacuation route. Hungry<br />
zombies and be pretty determined to<br />
eat you so you need to act fast. You<br />
need to plan where you would go<br />
and multiple routes of escape, plus<br />
how you are going to get here for<br />
example it might pay to bike rather<br />
than drive.<br />
Lastly don’t be dumb. If there is a<br />
pandemic and you are asked to<br />
stay home – stay home. If there is<br />
tsunami warning do not go down to<br />
the beach to have a look – follow<br />
civil defence warnings as if they are<br />
100% correct and then hope that<br />
they are not.<br />
Get a Kit. Make a plan. Don’t be<br />
dumb. Be Prepared.
Survival<br />
IT'S NOT<br />
ALWAYS THE<br />
TOUGHEST<br />
THAT SURVIVE<br />
CAN AN<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
BUSINESS<br />
SURVIVE IN THE<br />
TIME OF COVID?<br />
The survival of adventure business and tourism in a covid world<br />
Aspiring Guides Director Vickie Sullivan (operator):<br />
In a world of cataclysmic change since March 2020 – <strong>Adventure</strong><br />
and tourism businesses have had to find a way to survive or<br />
simply disappear which is a polite word for die. But one thing we<br />
have seen is that the same tenacity that drives us to eke out a<br />
living in the adventure and tourism industry, that same tenacity<br />
has driven many to adapt, change and evolve. We asked a<br />
number of businesses linked with <strong>Adventure</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> how they<br />
were coping with the challenges of Covid...<br />
Rafting New Zealand Turangi (operator):<br />
During 2020 we sought and organised rent relief, reduced our wages,<br />
organised interest only terms on all our loans and worked really hard<br />
to maintain staff and business morale, while maintaining our online<br />
marketing presence. We foresaw the 2021 Winter season as the<br />
"crux" period for business survival. Hence, we took measures in 2020<br />
to attempt to successfully navigate this period. We personally sold our<br />
house, so we as Managers of the business had the ability to reduce<br />
our incomes if and when required. We have put our businesses base<br />
and facility on the market as we look to rescale to the demands of a<br />
reduced domestic market while also further reducing the businesses<br />
fixed overhead costs and we are currently seeking alternative income<br />
streams for the business by way of training initiatives.<br />
The saying "Adapt or Die" is very much in the forefront of our mind<br />
as we work to maintain and continue our award-winning tourism<br />
business, which ironically this year, is celebrating its 30th year of<br />
operation. God Willing, through being intelligent, resourceful and<br />
adaptive, we can see out the effects of C19. NZ will be a much poorer<br />
place if businesses like ours cannot.<br />
World Expeditions (tourism):<br />
We created a New Zealand<br />
division. We had started the<br />
process of a NZ division 2<br />
years ago, but never had the<br />
time or resource to get it up<br />
and running as we needed<br />
to create content, establish<br />
trips, research and design<br />
websites and structure for it.<br />
Covid gave us the time and we<br />
seized the opportunity to pivot<br />
our thinking and to create our<br />
NZ brand and launched it just<br />
in time for the new booking<br />
season in September 2020,<br />
not only plugging a gap in our<br />
own company, but plugging a<br />
gap in NZ trip offerings.<br />
" In just three weeks<br />
Aspiring Guides had<br />
put together a new<br />
product line, created<br />
a fun promotional<br />
video, and launched<br />
what is understood to<br />
be the country’s first<br />
ever virtual lessons for<br />
mountaineering skills.<br />
The concept was simple.<br />
Learn more now so we<br />
can play more later. ”<br />
Vickie Sullivan<br />
The first thing we did as a team was make a decision<br />
that we would take up the challenge and work hard on<br />
finding some new ideas and solutions!! Established in<br />
1990, we’ve seen a lot of changes through the years,<br />
but this was the biggest challenge we had faced in our<br />
long history. Following the announcement that the<br />
country would be ‘shutdown’ on the 26th of March 2020,<br />
the team decided on the 27th of March to start work on<br />
re-thinking how we could bring learning in the mountains<br />
indoors! In just three weeks Aspiring Guides had put<br />
together a new product line, created a fun promotional<br />
video, and launched what is understood to be the<br />
country’s first ever virtual lessons for mountaineering<br />
skills. The concept was simple. Learn more now so we<br />
can play more later.<br />
We were pleasantly surprised by how positive, receptive<br />
and supportive our clients were of the idea! The<br />
lessons are not designed to replace outdoor learning<br />
and experiences but rather spend the time in ‘lockdown’<br />
learning some of the theory behind the mountains<br />
and have some fun doing that ‘face to face’ with our<br />
experienced guides in an enjoyable and relaxed<br />
way.” Our new online courses covered avalanche<br />
theory, mountain weather, navigation, and more! This<br />
approach provided a great opportunity for our past and<br />
new clients to engage directly with our very qualified<br />
guides to upskill from the comfort of home. The online<br />
courses proved to be a great new product line and<br />
are something we will now continue into the future.<br />
However, as we can now get back out there, we all<br />
know deep down that real is better than virtual, so that's<br />
what we are doing.<br />
The future of NZ tourism may be changing, but for<br />
Aspiring Guides, one thing remains the same: a passion<br />
for taking people on adventures in amazing backyard.<br />
With the opportunity for Kiwis to tick home-turf<br />
objectives off their bucket lists, the team hope they’ll be<br />
able to share this passion with more NZer’s and make<br />
the most of 2021 and beyond.<br />
Nomad Safaris Queenstown (operator):<br />
David our Director has a quote he would like<br />
included: “I believe it is premature to be talking<br />
survival or recovery. Currently the language<br />
from the Government is increasingly negative<br />
towards a trans-Tasman quarantine free travel<br />
arrangement. Without this boost to numbers<br />
arriving in Fiordland, southern lakes, west coast<br />
and Kaikoura, survived will be used in the past<br />
tense preceded with the words, did not. “<br />
I remember the 1980s well, the early<br />
days of River Valley. White water<br />
rafting is what we then did, and up<br />
to recently, rafting was still a critical<br />
part of our business. In those days,<br />
we did not even identify with being<br />
an "adventure" business. The term<br />
<strong>Adventure</strong> Tourism had not yet been<br />
coined as an identifier for that whole<br />
segment of activities that we are<br />
now familiar with. A component of<br />
the tourism industry that presently<br />
includes rafting, kayaking, sky diving,<br />
bungy jumping, mountain biking, zip<br />
lines and much more.<br />
Driving the growth of this industry<br />
over the last three decades has been<br />
the increase in overseas tourists. A<br />
common perception for the type of<br />
customer might be that these people<br />
were all young backpacker types.<br />
While many were, this is certainly not<br />
the whole story. Instead, the adventure<br />
tourism industry's customers wanted<br />
to experience all that New Zealand<br />
had to offer. This desire often involving<br />
participating in exciting activities in<br />
beautiful surroundings.<br />
Many of the operators in the adventure<br />
tourism sphere are, or were, small to<br />
medium-sized family businesses such<br />
as River Valley. This was especially<br />
true outside of the Queenstown area.<br />
The industry has always had a certain<br />
glamour with images of people doing<br />
exciting, adventurous things at the<br />
heart of much tourism advertising.<br />
Beneath the glamour of beautiful<br />
photos, the operators were doing<br />
okay. Few fortunes were being made,<br />
but adequate livings were, while<br />
thousands of people, often young,<br />
found employment.<br />
And then the coronavirus came along.<br />
I don't have the information for others,<br />
so I can only share our experience<br />
here at River Valley. Overnight we<br />
lost between 85% and 90% of our<br />
clientele. Staff numbers, including<br />
working family members, dropped<br />
from 25 to 10 (most of the latter being<br />
working family). Income fell through<br />
the floor. Profit is a distant memory.<br />
We thanked Saint Jacinda for wage<br />
subsidies and signed up for any other<br />
government help that was on offer.<br />
Part of that offer was some help with<br />
strategic planning. I do not think at<br />
that stage any of us, except a few<br />
pandemic experts, really knew what to<br />
expect or what this new world would<br />
look like. Consequently, in retrospect,<br />
our planning was based more on<br />
tweaking our existing business model<br />
with the expectation that give it a year<br />
to 18 months, everything would be<br />
moving back to normal. Early in the<br />
planning process, we decided that we<br />
would not close or mothball our lodge,<br />
roll up and store the boats in a dark<br />
corner, or sell the horses or find longterm<br />
grazing. As much as possible,<br />
we would stay open and keep paying<br />
wages.<br />
Now is the time for an admission.<br />
We found that, other than the financial<br />
difficulties, we quite like not having<br />
hordes of people. We like having<br />
the time to spend talking to guests<br />
and having more one on one type<br />
of experiences. We like having the<br />
mental space to think about the future<br />
of River Valley. We have discovered<br />
again just what is important to us as<br />
individuals, be that family or long term<br />
staff.<br />
These quiet times have made us<br />
relook at our priorities and values<br />
and how we express them through<br />
our business. Making all these<br />
likes, values and priorities into a<br />
profitable business model will be more<br />
challenging and take some time, but<br />
we feel we are on the right track. I<br />
don't think we have had anything less<br />
than a 5-star review for months, so<br />
it would appear our guests like the<br />
change as well.<br />
Our focus now is concentrating on the<br />
niches. This is in stark contrast to our<br />
previous position of trying to be all<br />
things to all people.<br />
Having time to return to our base<br />
values has reaffirmed our commitment<br />
to mother earth, papatuanuku, and<br />
our relationships with other people.<br />
"We presently have this<br />
opportunity to remodel our<br />
industry as a force for good.<br />
Good for our guests. Good for<br />
the environment. Good for local<br />
communities, and finally good<br />
for those who own and work<br />
within those businesses.”<br />
A River Valley experience needs to<br />
stand apart from others, not above,<br />
not necessarily better, but certainly<br />
different. The ideas we have are not<br />
fixed, still being somewhat fluid, so<br />
they are subject to change as we try<br />
various plans and discard those that<br />
do not resonate. Some ideas may not<br />
withstand the passage of time.<br />
I am of the school that thinks that<br />
the tourism industry as we knew it is<br />
never coming back, and that is not<br />
necessarily a bad thing. We presently<br />
have this opportunity to remodel our<br />
industry as a force for good. Good for<br />
our guests. Good for the environment.<br />
Good for local communities, and finally<br />
good for those who own and work<br />
within those businesses. We can be<br />
regenerative. We can make things<br />
better.<br />
Will this journey be easy? No.<br />
Will this journey be worthwhile? I think<br />
Yes.<br />
Brian Megaw<br />
River Valley Lodge<br />
www.rivervalley.co.nz
Survival<br />
WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE<br />
BUT NOT<br />
A DROP TO<br />
DRINK!<br />
The average rule of thumb is that you<br />
cannot last more than 3 to 4 days<br />
without water. You can last for weeks<br />
without food, but water is the top<br />
priority. The other prime ingredient of<br />
water is that it needs to be clean. Clarity<br />
alone is not enough to assume the<br />
water is pure.<br />
Even fresh water from a tap can contain<br />
harmful nasties like microorganisms,<br />
viruses and chemicals. These nasties<br />
can either cause you to be sick within<br />
hours or build up in your system over<br />
time like the heavy metals causing<br />
issues to your health later on in life.<br />
So how can you filter/purify<br />
freshwater?<br />
There are many ways to filter/purify<br />
water on the go. Single-stage filters are<br />
one method of filtration and two and<br />
three-stage filtration is a combination<br />
of two or three methods. The more<br />
methods combined; the more harmful<br />
nasties are removed from the water.<br />
Single-stage methods.<br />
• Boiling water: (Easy to do if you<br />
have a heat source but does not<br />
remove dissolved substances,<br />
suspended sediments, or heavy<br />
metals.)<br />
• Hollow fibre: (Quick and easy<br />
to use, filters microorganisms and<br />
large particles but not viruses and<br />
dissolved substances and it can get<br />
clogged.)<br />
• UV Light: (Easy to use but runs<br />
on batteries and doesn't remove<br />
dissolved substances.)<br />
• Activated Carbon Filters:<br />
(Absorbs most dissolved substances<br />
and some bacteria but limited<br />
volume.)<br />
• Chemical Tablets: (Easy, able<br />
to do large volumes but only kills<br />
microorganisms and removes nothing<br />
else.)<br />
• Ceramic Filters: (Able to do large<br />
volumes and removes bacteria but<br />
not able to filter viruses and dissolved<br />
substances.)<br />
Water-to-Go has created drink bottles with a 3-stage filter that purifies the<br />
water. Their 3-stage filter (1 traditional and 2 nano) technologies are combined<br />
in one filter cartridge to remove up to 99.9999% of microbiological and harmful<br />
contaminants from freshwater.<br />
The three technologies that Water to go filter use are:<br />
• Mechanical filtration with a very small pore size<br />
• Activated carbon<br />
• Hydrostatic electrical charge which absorbs<br />
dissolved substances and reduces pore size<br />
even further to enable very small viruses to be<br />
trapped.<br />
Once the filter is activated you can fill it up from any<br />
tarn, stream, lake, DOC tap, or puddle and it purifies<br />
the water as you drink. Ideal for everyday use, hiking,<br />
biking, fishing, travel, and your survival kit for the<br />
day a disaster happens. The filter has been tested<br />
from labs around the globe and used by people and<br />
companies who want the knowledge that they will be<br />
protected.<br />
The bottle come in 2 sizes and 3 shapes.<br />
The Go! 500ml bottle is small and lightweight great for<br />
that urban environment. It comes with a 130l filter.<br />
In the 750ml range, the Classic and the Active bottles<br />
both come with a 200l filter. The Active is the only<br />
filter bottle that is designed for most bike drink bottle<br />
holder.<br />
All come with a flip lid to reduce cross-contamination<br />
protecting the mouthpiece and are BPA free. The<br />
200l filter is equivalent to over 266 single-use plastic<br />
bottles and works out to 20 cents a litre.<br />
Find more information at www.watertogo.co.nz<br />
66//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
Survival<br />
Gasmate High Output Cooker & Pot Set<br />
Cooking on the go. Monitor and control the<br />
temperature easily. All parts pack away into the<br />
20L aluminium stock pot, then into the carry bag.<br />
RRP $249.00<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ<br />
black diamond Stride Headlamp /<br />
Strobe Light<br />
Versatile, lightweight strobe light that<br />
attaches to any standard headlamp<br />
for rear illumination and visibility in low<br />
light conditions. It also functions as a<br />
standard headlamp or as a visibility<br />
beacon on a backpack, bike or dog.<br />
Switch between red and white LEDs<br />
with the option of solid or strobe<br />
lighting. Comes with an elastic strap<br />
for stand-alone functionality. USB<br />
recharging. 35g.<br />
RRP $69.99<br />
WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ<br />
SteriPEN Classic 3<br />
Patented handheld water purifier uses<br />
ultraviolet light to kill up to 99.9999% of<br />
all waterborne bacteria and 99.99% of all<br />
viruses. Pre filter included. Takes four AA<br />
batteries. Purifier life 8000-litres Output<br />
1-litre/90sec Weight 225g.<br />
RRP $199.99<br />
WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ<br />
water to go<br />
500ml water bottle with unique 3-in-1 filter<br />
technology that eliminates up to 99.9999%<br />
of all Bacteria, Viruses, Chlorine, Fluoride<br />
and Heavy Metals leaving you with safe,<br />
healthy water.<br />
Filter lasts for 130 Litres<br />
60 days use at 2L/day<br />
Weighs just 98 grams<br />
BPA Free<br />
Filter 100% recyclable<br />
Available in a range of colours<br />
RRP $64.99<br />
WWW.WATERTOGO.CO.NZ<br />
Edelrid Rescue Canyoning Knife<br />
Rescue and rope knife for cutting rope and<br />
webbing when climbing/canyoning.<br />
Ergonomically-shaped handle with finger<br />
hole. Light and compact.<br />
RRP $99.95<br />
WWW.MOUNTAINADVENTURE.CO.NZ<br />
ortovox Avalanche Rescue Set 3+<br />
All the top products combined into one set that can<br />
save lives in an avalanche emergency.<br />
Includes: 3+ Transceiver, Badger shovel and Alu<br />
240 probe.<br />
RRP $799.95<br />
WWW.MOUNTAINADVENTURE.CO.NZ<br />
Survival Kit Company First Aid Tramper Plus<br />
First Aid Kit for 3+ people going tramping for a few<br />
days. Contains all the essential safety products.<br />
Comes tightly packed in a sturdy,<br />
zipped case.<br />
RRP $79.95<br />
WWW.MOUNTAINADVENTURE.CO.NZ<br />
Sunsaver Super-Flex<br />
14-Watt Solar Charger<br />
Capable of charging your<br />
smartphone and USB gadgets<br />
straight from the sun, making it<br />
perfect for hiking, camping, or an<br />
emergency situation.<br />
RRP: $199.00<br />
WWW.SUNSAVER.CO.NZ<br />
water to go 750ml ACTIVE Bottle<br />
The filter is an ideal deal for hiking, camping,<br />
international travel, and emergencies, it<br />
allows you to take any non-salt water from<br />
a stream, river, or tap and filter it instantly.<br />
Once the filter is activated and your bottle is<br />
full you are ready to drink! No need to keep<br />
removing the lid and filter until your ready to<br />
fill your bottle again.<br />
RRP $89.99<br />
WWW.WATERTOGO.CO.NZ<br />
Black Diamond revolt<br />
Now running on our new modular BD 1800<br />
rechargeable battery, the Black Diamond ReVolt 350 is<br />
a powerful, versatile and rechargeable headlamp that<br />
has now been fully redesigned. The ReVolt 350 can run<br />
on standard AAA batteries in addition to the included BD<br />
1800 Battery.<br />
RRP $129.99<br />
WWW.SOUTHERNAPPROACH.CO.NZ<br />
kea kit<br />
KEA KIT is a compact, modular survival<br />
system to suit any adventure. Including<br />
everything you need and nothing you don't to<br />
help you survive and thrive in the wild.<br />
WWW.BEREDIOUTDOORS.COM/KEAKIT<br />
Sunsaver Classic 16,000mAh Solar<br />
Power Bank<br />
Built tough for the outdoors and with a<br />
massive battery capacity you can keep all<br />
your devices charged no matter where<br />
your adventure takes you.<br />
RRP: $119.00<br />
WWW.SUNSAVER.CO.NZ<br />
Outdoor Research Helium Bivy<br />
A perfect shelter for solo fast-andlight<br />
adventures. It features durable,<br />
waterproof, breathable Pertex® Shield+<br />
fabric, a clamshell opening with a No-<br />
See-Um mesh so you can breathe<br />
freely without letting the weather<br />
or insects inside and an optional<br />
single pole you can leave<br />
behind or take for overhead<br />
space. 459g.<br />
RRP $299.99<br />
WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ<br />
Black Diamond Storm<br />
Featuring a more compact design, updated user<br />
interface, and a multi-faceted optical lens design that<br />
saves battery life and provides 400 lumens of powerful<br />
light, the Storm 400 is still the burly, fully-sealed<br />
waterproof and dustproof headlamp ready for any<br />
rugged adventure.<br />
RRP $99.99<br />
WWW.SOUTHERNAPPROACH.CO.NZ
kiwi camping Rover Queen 10CM Self-<br />
Inflating Mat<br />
10cm thick mat with compressible foam that<br />
easily inflates with a 3-way valve. Generous<br />
queen size, 2010mm long and 1500mm wide.<br />
Weight 7kg.<br />
RRP $379.00<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ<br />
Rab Mythic Ultra<br />
The Mythic Ultra 180 redefines<br />
what it means to be ‘ultralight’.<br />
Using a world-first, heat-reflective<br />
fabric treatment called Thermo Ionic<br />
Lining Technology, this is premium<br />
protection for those counting every<br />
last gram.<br />
RRP $1099.95<br />
WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ<br />
exped Waterbloc Pro -5 Down<br />
Sleeping Bag<br />
Lightest water-repellent sleeping<br />
bag in the world! Welded Pertex®<br />
Quantum Pro shell, a proportional<br />
differential cut and 850 fill-power<br />
down insulation for efficient warmth<br />
even in wet and humid conditions.<br />
890g.<br />
RRP $999.99<br />
WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ<br />
exped SynMat UL Sleeping Mat<br />
(Medium)<br />
Comfort and warmth, ultralightweight<br />
and compressible.<br />
Stable baffle construction with<br />
top and bottom laminated highly<br />
compressible microfibre filling, a<br />
new anti-slip GripSkin coating and<br />
Exped's FlatValve Technology.<br />
Comes with Schnozzel Pumpbag<br />
UL (60g) for easy inflation. 183cm x<br />
52cm x 7cm. R-Value 3.3. 450g.<br />
RRP $219.99<br />
WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ<br />
nalgene Tritan Wide-Mouth Bottle – 1L<br />
A best seller, super durable and leakproof.<br />
These wide-mouth impact resistant bottles<br />
will withstand the most<br />
rugged conditions. BPA free and<br />
dishwasher safe. Hydrate or Die.<br />
RRP $29.95<br />
WWW.MOUNTAINADVENTURE.CO.NZ<br />
jetboil stash<br />
The Lightest and Most Compact<br />
Jetboil Ever. We know your dreams<br />
are big and ambitious. Which is why<br />
we designed the all-new Stash to be<br />
lightweight and compact, maximizing<br />
your pack space without sacrificing<br />
that iconic Jetboil performance. At<br />
7.1 oz or 200 g, the .8L Stash is 40%<br />
lighter than the .8L Zip.<br />
Weight: 200g | Power: 4,500 BTU/h<br />
(1.52 kW)<br />
RRP $299.95<br />
WWW.JETBOILNZ.CO.NZ<br />
jetboil fuel<br />
Jetpower fuel contains a blend of propane and isobutane.<br />
Propane provides higher vapour pressure to the<br />
fuel which means better performance in cold weather.<br />
Fuel efficiency translates to weight, space, and money<br />
savings. Since Jetboil is up to twice as efficient as<br />
conventional stoves, you can take half as much fuel on<br />
your trip, thus saving weight.<br />
RRP $7.99 - $16.99<br />
WWW.JETBOILNZ.CO.NZ<br />
kiwi camping Country Cooker Double Burner<br />
Made from high-quality cast iron with brass controls,<br />
this country cooker outputs 21,000 BTU to cook meals<br />
efficiently. Complete with 1.2m hose and QCC regulator.<br />
RRP $79.99<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ<br />
marmot Winter 650+ Fill Down<br />
Sleeping Bag (-1)<br />
The Never Winter Sleeping Bag is ideal for<br />
warm-weather camping and river trips—with<br />
added upgrades that’ll keep you comfortable<br />
even when you’re far from home. Its lofty<br />
650-fill-power-down insulation and waterresistant<br />
Down Defender treatment will keep<br />
you warm and dry in mild conditions.<br />
RRP $499.00<br />
WWW.MARMOTNZ.CO.NZ<br />
marmot Helium 800+ Fill Down<br />
Sleeping bag (-9)<br />
Remarkably light and compact, the Helium<br />
Sleeping Bag delivers impressive insulation<br />
during three-season backpacking and<br />
mountaineering treks.<br />
RRP $1199.00<br />
WWW.MARMOTNZ.CO.NZ<br />
kiwi camping Morepork 1 Deluxe Swag<br />
Designed with 2 storage vestibules and 2 entrances,<br />
porch for added shade, 320g polycotton ripstop walls,<br />
400g heavy-duty PVC floor, 5cm high-density foam<br />
mat, 12.9kg pack weight and ‘no-see-um’ mesh.<br />
RRP $499.00<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ<br />
kiwi camping Tuatara 2.5 x 2.5 Awning<br />
Offers 6.25m² of covered area for sun or rain<br />
protection. 200g polycotton canvas awning, twistlock<br />
design, adjustable height and mounts directly to<br />
existing roof rack.<br />
RRP $399.00<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ<br />
kiwi camping Morepork 1 Swag<br />
Complete sleeping system. Zip-open<br />
ventilation ports, 320g polycotton ripstop<br />
walls, 400g heavy-duty PVC floor, 5cm<br />
high-density foam mat, 7.8kg pack weight<br />
and ‘no-see-um’ mesh.<br />
RRP $399.00<br />
WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ
Gear GUIDE<br />
merrell Ridgevent Hybrid Vest<br />
Be warm and dry with a blend<br />
of 65% responsibly sourced<br />
waterproof goose down and 35%<br />
Primaloft. Your go-to layer of<br />
warmth with innovative BackVent<br />
technology that is designed to<br />
vent while wearing a pack on trail<br />
and also look smart off the trail.<br />
Available in Women’s and Men’s<br />
colours.<br />
RRP $299.00<br />
WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ<br />
Macpac Nitro Polartec® Alpha®<br />
Pullover — Men's<br />
Made to maintain warmth in the<br />
mountains, the lightweight Nitro is a<br />
versatile mid layer that works best when<br />
you’re pushing your limits. It’s made from<br />
insulation designed for the U.S Special<br />
Forces — who required superior warmth<br />
and incredible breathability for active use<br />
— and it’s available in sizes up to 2XL.<br />
Also available in a women’s style.<br />
RRP $169.99<br />
WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ<br />
marmot Featherless Hybrid<br />
Jacket<br />
The light-weight Men's<br />
Featherless Hybrid Jacket<br />
will keep you warm and dry in<br />
chilly, damp weather without<br />
weighing down you or your<br />
pack. 3M Thinsulate<br />
Recycled Featherless<br />
Insulation is made with 75%<br />
recycled loose-fill fibres that<br />
feel just as warm as 700 fill<br />
power down, but still perform<br />
in wet conditions. DriClime®<br />
Bi-Component lining wicks<br />
away moisture to keep you dry.<br />
Weight: 255.1g<br />
RRP $349.95 (some previous<br />
season colours reduced to<br />
clear)<br />
WWW.MARMOTNZ.CO.NZ<br />
Rab Nexus Pull-on<br />
Thermic stretch fleece, regular fit,<br />
flatlock seams, YKK zips, deep venting<br />
zippered chest pocket, double cuff,<br />
raglan sleeves. 270g (m), 225g (w).<br />
RRP $139.95<br />
WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ<br />
72//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
Rab Alpha Flash Jacket<br />
Polartec Alpha fabric, insulates and wicks<br />
moisture, slim fit, flexible fleece side panels,<br />
Polygiene odour control, YKK zips, zippered<br />
chest pocket, chin guard, flatlock seams, half<br />
hem drawcord. 273g (m), 201g (w).<br />
RRP $199.95<br />
WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ<br />
Rab kaon<br />
Hybrid jacket with 70g of 800-fill power RDS-certified<br />
hydrophobic European goose down in hood and body,<br />
Stratos synthetic insulation in shoulders, cuffs and<br />
hips. Ripstop nylon fabric, stitch-through construction,<br />
YKK reverse coil chest pocket, YKK front zip, half hem<br />
drawcord, stuff sack. 250g (m), 235g (w).<br />
RRP $399.95<br />
WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ<br />
merrell Moab Speed Mens Black<br />
The boot trusted by 50million feet now<br />
made into a light hiker so you can go<br />
faster. Using recycled materials in its<br />
upper and a brand new technology in the<br />
midsole to give you a lightweight ride that<br />
lasts and lessens your impact. Available<br />
in Men’s and Women’s colours. Goretex<br />
version coming soon.<br />
RRP $249.00<br />
WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ<br />
Scarpa Mescalito Approach Shoe<br />
Designed for long approaches and more<br />
technical scrambling providing comfort<br />
on extended use. Vibram® Dynamis sole<br />
with Lite Base Technology combined with<br />
a dual-density EVA midsole. Vibram®<br />
Megagrip outsole for maximum grip and<br />
traction.<br />
RRP $299.99<br />
WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ<br />
marmot EVODry Clouds Rest Jacket<br />
Thanks to the Men's EVODry Clouds Rest Jacket,<br />
you'll stay dry during multi-day rain spells at basecamp<br />
and downpours on the mountain all year round.<br />
3-layer Marmot® MemBrain® Eco fabric is waterproof<br />
and windproof, and combined with a PFC-free DWR<br />
(Durable Water-Repellent) finish and 100% seam<br />
taping, offers complete leak-proof protection.<br />
RRP $599.00<br />
WWW.MARMOTNZ.CO.NZ<br />
Macpac Amp Ultra 1.1 Running Vest<br />
A technical trail running vest for athletes and<br />
adventurers alike. Its 6-litre capacity (size M) provides<br />
ample room for a hydration bladder, extra layers and<br />
snacks, while a combination of elasticated and zipped<br />
pockets keep small items secure. Both HydraPak<br />
500ml soft bottles are included.<br />
RRP $249.99<br />
WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ<br />
Macpac Fiord 1.1 40L Hiking<br />
Pack<br />
A lightweight pack that doesn’t<br />
compromise on performance,<br />
the Fiord 40 weighs in at just<br />
1.1kg. Its combination of Titan<br />
Grid and Cordura® fabrics<br />
can handle almost anything<br />
it’s thrown at, and you can<br />
adjust its size by tightening the<br />
compression straps or unrolling<br />
the extendable top.<br />
RRP $299.99<br />
WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ<br />
merrell Whisper Rain Jacket<br />
This highly waterproof 4-way stretch jacket has<br />
a 3-layer construction and silent and soft fabric<br />
that feels as comfortable as a softshell so you<br />
have zero distractions while out in nature. Rated<br />
at 20K/20K and fully seam-sealed gives you<br />
protection against the elements. Available in<br />
Men’s and Women’s colours.<br />
RRP $399.00<br />
WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ<br />
Patagonia Women's<br />
Centered Tights<br />
High-performance, stretchy<br />
recycled polyester/spandex knit<br />
fabric provides a compression<br />
fit; wicks fast, dries quickly and<br />
feels soft, with HeiQ® Fresh<br />
durable odour control. Flattering<br />
wide waistband features hidden<br />
elastic to keep pants in place<br />
as you move, while contoured<br />
side seams are built for forward<br />
motion and allow for ease of<br />
movement, and low-profile<br />
flatlock seams prevent chafing.<br />
Fair Trade Certified sewn.<br />
RRP $139.99<br />
WWW.PATAGONIA.CO.NZ
Back Country Cuisine<br />
CHICKEN CARBONARA: A freeze dried<br />
chicken and pasta dish, served in a creamy<br />
italian style sauce. Available in small serve<br />
90g or regular serve 175g sizes.<br />
MUSHROOM BOLOGNAISE - VEGAN:<br />
Mushrooms with tomato in a savory sauce,<br />
served with noodles. Available in small<br />
serve 90g or regular serve 175g sizes.<br />
RRP $9.29 and $13.89<br />
CHOCOLATE BROWNIE PUDDING: Our<br />
take on chocolate self-saucing pudding,<br />
with chocolate brownie, boysenberries and<br />
chocolate sauce. Gluten Free. Available in<br />
regular serve.<br />
RRP 150g $12.89<br />
WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ<br />
Back Country Cuisine<br />
ICED MOCHA: Our mocha is made with<br />
chocolate and coffee combined with soft<br />
serve to give you a tasty drink on the run.<br />
Gluten Free. 85g.<br />
RRP $4.09<br />
WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ<br />
NZ'S NO. 1<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
MEALS<br />
Wherever your next<br />
adventure is about to<br />
lead you, we’ve got the<br />
goods to keep you<br />
going.<br />
Est. 1998 Back Country<br />
Cuisine specialises in<br />
a range of freeze-dried<br />
products, from tasty<br />
meals to snacks and<br />
everything in between, to<br />
keep your energy levels<br />
up and your adventures<br />
wild.<br />
backcountrycuisine.co.nz<br />
Deep creek REDWOOD: APA<br />
AIBA SILVER MEDAL 2018<br />
ABV: 5.4%<br />
A kiwi take on an American classic,<br />
inspired by the Pacific Northwest.<br />
Our everyday American Pale Ale has<br />
both classic and modern American<br />
hops with flavour and aroma ranging<br />
from pine and citrus to tropical fruit.<br />
All on top of a rich but dry malt<br />
backbone. Full of flavour. Extremely<br />
smashable.<br />
Available in all local liquor stores,<br />
supermarkets and in our online store<br />
WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ<br />
Deep creek HAZE: Hazy Pale<br />
ABV: 4.7%<br />
This juicy pale ale is full of<br />
Motueka & Mosaic hops, with<br />
a hazy base of malted barley,<br />
oats and wheat. Haze is well<br />
balanced, with low bitterness,<br />
light bodied and easy drinking<br />
with flavours of mango,<br />
stonefruit and orange. All the<br />
flavour of a Hazy IPA, but<br />
with a fraction of the alcohol<br />
percentage, making it a great<br />
sessionable alternative.<br />
Available in all local liquor<br />
stores, supermarkets and in<br />
our online store<br />
WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ
gu energy liquid energy<br />
Introducing GU Liquid Energy Gels,<br />
delivering the same portable and fastabsorbing<br />
carbohydrates as our original<br />
Energy Gel in a refreshingly light and smooth<br />
liquid form. Each 100-calorie serving not only<br />
delivers a great-tasting blend of complex<br />
and simple carbohydrates, electrolytes,<br />
and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs),<br />
it offers you an alternative form factor to<br />
fine-tune your nutrition plan and give you a<br />
powerful finish line kick just when you need<br />
it. All Liquid Energy Gels are Vegan and<br />
Gluten Free.<br />
RRP Box of 12 $47.99, single sachets<br />
$3.99 each<br />
WWW.GUENERGY.CO.NZ<br />
gu energy Roctane Energy Gels<br />
Created for demanding training and<br />
competition, GU Roctane Energy Gel stands<br />
out from original GU Energy Gel with more<br />
sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration,<br />
and even more branched-chain amino acids<br />
(leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that reduce<br />
mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage<br />
than our original GU Energy Gel.<br />
RRP Box of 24 $143.50, single sachets<br />
$5.99 each<br />
WWW.GUENERGY.CO.NZ<br />
gu energy Roctane Energy Gels<br />
Created for demanding training and<br />
competition, GU Roctane Energy Gel stands<br />
out from original GU Energy Gel with more<br />
sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration,<br />
and even more branched-chain amino<br />
acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that<br />
reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle<br />
damage than our original GU Energy Gel.<br />
RRP Box of 24 $143.50, single sachets<br />
$5.99 each<br />
WWW.GUENERGY.CO.NZ<br />
Radix Nutrition keto 400<br />
Grass-Fed Lamb, Mint & Rosemary<br />
These 400kcal meals are the ideal<br />
option for someone on a low carb<br />
diet. They feature 8g of carbs, 28g fat<br />
and 24g protein.<br />
RRP $12.90<br />
WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM<br />
Radix Nutrition performance<br />
Mixed Berry Breakfast<br />
Our Performance range is designed<br />
to enable optimal energy levels,<br />
muscle preservation, repair, recovery<br />
and mental function.<br />
RRP $8.50<br />
WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM<br />
Radix Nutrition performance 600<br />
Mexican Chilli with Organic Beef<br />
These 600kcal meals are the perfect<br />
lunch or dinner option for hikers and<br />
adventurers wanting to take their<br />
performance to the next level.<br />
RRP $14.90<br />
WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM<br />
Radix Nutrition EXPEDITION 800<br />
Plant-Based Turkish Style Falafel<br />
These 800kcal meals are designed<br />
for extreme energy requirements.<br />
They’re light weight, taste delicious<br />
and suitable in all environments.<br />
RRP $16.90<br />
WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM<br />
GMO<br />
BPA<br />
76//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
FEED YOUR ADDICTION<br />
Like a ‘perfect storm’, we have seen a dramatic growth and<br />
development in online stores over the past 5 years. Now as we are<br />
made to keep our ‘distance’, online, ecommerce takes on a whole<br />
new meaning and value. We are dedicating these pages to our client’s<br />
online stores; some you will be able to buy from, some you will be able<br />
drool over. Buy, compare, research and prepare, these online stores are<br />
a great way to feed your adventure addiction while you are still at home.<br />
Ultra lightweight running shoes, made by runners. No<br />
matter where the trail takes you, Hoka One One will<br />
have you covered.<br />
www.hokaoneone.co.nz<br />
New Zealands largest independent Outdoor and<br />
Paddle store.<br />
www.furtherfaster.co.nz<br />
Never have a dead phone<br />
again! Because now you can<br />
charge straight from the Sun<br />
with SunSaver. Perfect for<br />
that week-long hike, day at<br />
the beach, or back-up for any<br />
emergency. Check us out at:<br />
www.sunsaver.co.nz<br />
www.packraftingqueenstown.com<br />
Specialising in<br />
small group guided<br />
packrafting trips and<br />
courses from our base<br />
in Queenstown New<br />
Zealand.<br />
Bivouac Outdoor stock the latest in quality outdoor<br />
clothing, footwear and equipment from the best<br />
brands across New Zealand & the globe.<br />
www.bivouac.co.nz<br />
Shop for the widest range of Merrell footwear, apparel<br />
& accessories across hiking, trail running, sandals &<br />
casual styles. Free shipping for a limited time.<br />
www.merrell.co.nz<br />
www.adventuresouth.co.nz<br />
Whether you enjoy<br />
cycle trails, road<br />
cycling, mountain<br />
biking or walking,<br />
<strong>Adventure</strong> South NZ<br />
can help you to explore<br />
New Zealand at<br />
your own pace.<br />
Full-service outfitter selling hiking<br />
and mountaineering gear and<br />
apparel, plus equipment rentals.<br />
Specialising in ski & snowboard<br />
touring equipment new & used;<br />
skis, boards, bindings, skins,<br />
probs, shovels,transceivers &<br />
avalanche packs.<br />
www.smallplanetsports.com<br />
Whether you’re climbing mountains, hiking in the hills<br />
or travelling the globe, Macpac gear is made to last<br />
and engineered to perform — proudly designed and<br />
tested in New Zealand since 1973.<br />
www.macpac.co.nz<br />
Living Simply is an outdoor clothing and equipment<br />
specialty store in Newmarket, Auckland. Your go-to place<br />
for quality footwear, packs, sleeping bags, tents, outdoor<br />
clothing and more.<br />
www.livingsimply.co.nz<br />
Our motto is “Going the<br />
distance” and we pride<br />
ourselves on providing top<br />
quality outdoor and travel<br />
equipment and service<br />
that will go the distance<br />
with you, wherever that<br />
may be.<br />
www.trekntravel.co.nz<br />
Gear up in a wide selection of durable, multifunctional<br />
outdoor clothing & gear. Free Returns. Free Shipping.<br />
www.patagonia.co.nz<br />
Offering the widest variety,<br />
best tasting, and most<br />
nutrient rich hydration,<br />
energy, and recovery<br />
products on the market.<br />
www.guenergy.co.nz<br />
Fast nourishing freeze dried food for adventurers.<br />
www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz<br />
Stocking an extensive range<br />
of global outdoor adventure<br />
brands for your next big<br />
adventure. See them for travel,<br />
tramping, trekking, alpine and<br />
lifestyle clothing and gear.<br />
www.outfittersstore.nz<br />
Specialists in the sale of Outdoor Camping Equipment, RV,<br />
Tramping & Travel Gear. Camping Tents, <strong>Adventure</strong> Tents,<br />
Packs, Sleeping Bags and more.<br />
www.equipoutdoors.co.nz<br />
Jetboil builds super-dependable<br />
backpacking stoves and camping<br />
systems that pack light,<br />
set up quick, and achieve<br />
rapid boils in minutes.<br />
www.jetboilnz.co.nz<br />
Supplying tents and<br />
camping gear to Kiwis<br />
for over 30 years, Kiwi<br />
Camping are proud to<br />
be recognised as one of<br />
the most trusted outdoor<br />
brands in New Zealand.<br />
www.kiwicamping.co.nz<br />
Reusable, BPA free water bottles containing a unique 3-in-<br />
1 filtration technology providing clean safe drinking water<br />
from any non-salt water source anywhere in the world.<br />
www.watertogo.co.nz<br />
Our very own online store where<br />
you will find hard goods to keep you<br />
equipped for any adventure.<br />
www.pacificmedia-shop.co.nz<br />
Radix provides freeze dried<br />
meals and smoothies made<br />
with all natural ingredients.<br />
These are perfect for<br />
athletes and adventures<br />
who care about their health<br />
and performance. Gluten<br />
free, Plant-based and Keto<br />
www.radixnutrition.com<br />
options are available.<br />
Get 10% off your first order online.<br />
Excellent quality Outdoor<br />
Gear at prices that can't<br />
be beaten. End of lines.<br />
Ex Demos. Samples. Last<br />
season. Bearpaw. Garneau.<br />
Ahnu. Superfeet.<br />
www.adventureoutlet.co.nz<br />
78//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225
SUBSCRIBE<br />
TO BE IN TO WIN FIVE NIGHTS AT<br />
PACIFIC RESORT RAROTONGA<br />
IN THE BEAUTIFUL COOK ISLANDS<br />
SUBSCRIBE AT<br />
WWW.PACIFICMEDIA-SHOP.CO.NZ<br />
PRIZE<br />
INCLUDES:<br />
• Five nights in a Premium Garden Suite<br />
for two people<br />
• Free use of kayaks, snorkelling gear,<br />
beach towels and sun loungers.<br />
• Daily Tropical Breakfast at Sandals<br />
Restaurant.<br />
• Free scheduled daily activities at the<br />
Beach Hut.<br />
• Free Kids Club (for children aged 6-12).<br />
• Daily guest welcome orientation on the<br />
beach.<br />
www.pacificresort.com/adventure-nz-special-offers/<br />
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:<br />
• Travel is valid 01 November 2021 to 31 May 2022<br />
(with blackout dates from 25 Dec 2021 to 10 Jan<br />
2022}<br />
• Accommodation is subject to availability at time of<br />
prize redemption.<br />
• This prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.<br />
• International and domestic flights are not included in<br />
this prize.<br />
• This Prize cannot be combined with any live specials<br />
and tactical campaigns in the market place and<br />
cannot be booked via any travel professional or<br />
travel wholesaler.<br />
• All other expenses are the responsibility of the prize<br />
winner.<br />
• Pacific Resort Hotel Group strongly recommends the<br />
prize winner purchases travel insurance at the time<br />
of booking the prize accommodation.
TECH REVIEW: the power of protein<br />
When you think of protein powders<br />
you immediately visualize the musclebound,<br />
singlet clad, gym junkie sipping<br />
on a protein shake in an effort to get<br />
“more buff”. Protein, after all, is the<br />
building block for our bodies, helping to<br />
build muscles, tendons and a multitude<br />
of other organs.<br />
But what about the rest of the<br />
population? How important is<br />
maintaining a good level protein to<br />
the rest of us? Some of the benefits<br />
of protein include: increased muscle<br />
mass and strength, better bone health,<br />
reduces cravings, boost in metabolism<br />
and lower blood pressure.<br />
The recommended daily intake of<br />
protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kg of<br />
body weight. This equates to:<br />
60 grams for a 75kg sedentary man<br />
48 grams for a 60kg sedentary woman.<br />
But can we get enough protein from the<br />
foods we eat?<br />
The simple answer is yes, but that also<br />
depends on many factors, including<br />
appetite, age and exercise, to name just<br />
a few.<br />
Try the challenge:<br />
We were really surprised when we took<br />
up the challenge. We worked out - via<br />
Google, how much protein we were<br />
consuming in a day and then compared<br />
it to what we should be taking on<br />
board. We fell short! Try it yourself you<br />
will be surprised. While upping our<br />
protein levels each day we had a direct<br />
increase in energy, that tired feeling<br />
was gone and there was a drop in<br />
appetite.<br />
Some of the highest protein-based<br />
foods include chicken, eggs, lean<br />
meat, fish and nuts, and most of us can<br />
maintain our protein levels through our<br />
everyday diet. But if we are excercising<br />
more than normal, or our appetites are<br />
smaller than average, it can be hard to<br />
get the amount needed each day. This<br />
is where protein powders can really<br />
help.<br />
Where you source your protein from<br />
makes a difference. Animal protein and<br />
vegetable protein differ in the fact that<br />
animal protein contains all the amino<br />
acids the body requires, whereas to<br />
gain the same benefits from vegetable<br />
protein requires a little more balancing.<br />
Types of Protein powder<br />
Whey is the most common and popular<br />
protein supplement. It is a water-soluble<br />
milk complete protein, meaning it<br />
contains all the amino acids that the<br />
body requires from food. It is easily<br />
absorbed.<br />
Casein is a dairy protein, rich in<br />
glutamine, an amino acid that speeds<br />
up muscle recovery after exercise.<br />
More slowly digested and better taken<br />
at night.<br />
Soy protein is an excellent alternative<br />
to whey for people who do not eat dairy<br />
and contains all the essential amino<br />
acids.<br />
Plant based protein often contains<br />
pea or hemp protein and offer a good<br />
alternative for vegans or those with<br />
dairy or say allergies.<br />
Things to be aware of with protein<br />
powders:<br />
Some contain a high level of added<br />
sugars and therefore calories.<br />
Do not allow protein powders to replace<br />
eating healthy. They are a supplement<br />
and should be used as such...<br />
horleys EliTE<br />
Ice, Ripped, Whey, Mass<br />
Premium speciality range for<br />
competing at your best.<br />
WWW.HORLEYS.COM<br />
ROCtane protein recovery<br />
ROCTANE Protein Recovery Drink<br />
Mix helps athletes rebuild, refuel and<br />
rehydrate<br />
WWW.GUENERGY.CO.NZ<br />
ROCtane protein recovery<br />
Clean, natural NZ whey protein<br />
powder.<br />
WWW.KIWINUTRITION.CO.NZ<br />
This year’s North Island Spirited<br />
Women’s event kicked off on the beach<br />
at Matapouri, northeast of Whangarei.<br />
This increasingly popular all-women’s<br />
adventure race has run annually since<br />
its maiden event in Rotorua in 2016. It<br />
moved to Taupo in 2017, Ohope in 2018,<br />
Gisborne in 2019 and was scheduled for<br />
Hawkes Bay in 2020 before the Covid 19<br />
pandemic put the country into lockdown<br />
and saw the event cancelled.<br />
So, there was much excitement about<br />
the return of the event this year to<br />
Whangarei in early March and everyone<br />
breathed a sigh of relief when Auckland<br />
came out of their third lockdown just in<br />
time for the event to take place without<br />
restrictions.<br />
IT'S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK<br />
I am not sure what it is that makes<br />
adventure racing so much fun, but I think<br />
it's because it has so little to do with<br />
winning. Admittedly there are the teams<br />
in there who are super fit and this is “their<br />
thing” but most of the nearly 2000 strong<br />
competitors are just everyday women,<br />
drawn to get together with some mates<br />
for a day of adventure.<br />
Our team of four had been friends for<br />
over 30 years and with our combined<br />
ages totaling 215, we were in the<br />
“masters” division and for us the<br />
event was all about having fun. We<br />
had entered the “short course” which<br />
suggests a finishing time for the winning<br />
team of 3 hours. From past experience<br />
we’ve usually taken between 4-5 hours<br />
so we set expecting to make it back in<br />
Team Mis-<strong>Adventure</strong> L-R: Trudi Neill, Linda Lennon, Lynne Dickinson and Vicki Knell<br />
Images by Photos 4 Sale (www.photos4.sale / www.facebook.com/Photos4saleNZ)<br />
time for the America’s Cup racing at<br />
4pm. We should have known better…<br />
The race started on the sand dunes in<br />
Matapouri at 11am and after a short jog<br />
along the beach we found ourselves<br />
wading across the estuary to get to the<br />
kayaks on the other side. By the time our<br />
group had set off the tide was on its way<br />
out but it was still waste deep. Images of<br />
earlier teams showed them neck deep<br />
with packs held high above their heads.<br />
Crossing the finish line 6 hours,<br />
40 minutes after we started<br />
The water activities are always one of<br />
our strengths and we blasted this section<br />
in good time, ticking off the checkpoints<br />
along the way before heading to our<br />
bikes for the next leg of the race. The<br />
bike section took us up into the farmlands<br />
behind Matapouri and out to the northern<br />
beaches of Woolleys Bay, Sandy Bay and<br />
Sheltered Bay. Although hilly in places,<br />
the ride was made sweet by the incredible<br />
scenery.<br />
From here we left our bikes for the<br />
“trekking” section of the event. Searching<br />
for clues over the farmland made for hard<br />
work. We zigzagged up hills, following the<br />
ruts left by the sheep and goats to keep the<br />
cramps out of our calf muscles and quads.<br />
Before long we were back on our bikes,<br />
heading to the mystery activity, which is<br />
always one of the highlights of adventure<br />
racing and in particular, the Spirited<br />
Women’s Race. This year we had to jump<br />
fully clothed into the ocean and swim to<br />
7 buoys which each contained a letter<br />
and make a word out of them. By now our<br />
brains were a little scrambled so it took us<br />
a wee while to work out the word they were<br />
looking for was OCTOPUS.<br />
Then it was back on our bikes to Woolleys<br />
Bay and the final hiking leg back to<br />
Matapouri Beach. By the time we crossed<br />
the finish line we had been on the go for 6<br />
hours 38 minutes with the Americas Cup<br />
done and dusted for the day.<br />
Being out on the course for that long and<br />
all crossing the finish line smiling, says<br />
something about our teamwork. I read a<br />
quote that described excellent teamwork<br />
as, “when a group of people work together<br />
cohesively, towards a common goal,<br />
creating a positive working atmosphere,<br />
and supporting each other to combine<br />
individual strengths to enhance team<br />
performance.” That was us to a tee.<br />
When our results came in the following<br />
morning, we saw we had placed 14th out<br />
of 124 teams with the winning team coming<br />
in after 5 hours 31 minutes. Not bad a for<br />
a bunch of friends who were just out for a<br />
“fun day”.<br />
Anyone who has not yet done an adventure race, I would thoroughly recommend you sign up for one now. It’s a great way to stay<br />
fit, or a good excuse to get fit, and it is so much fun. The 2022 Spirited Womens’ <strong>Adventure</strong> Race will be held in the Hawkes<br />
Bay and the South Island event is to be held in Wanaka. Entries open June 1st. Check out www.spiritedwomen.co.nz<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ<br />
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 83
SURVIVING SIBERIA<br />
By Bridget Thackwray and Topher Rickwhite<br />
We began our journey into the Yamal peninsula from<br />
Salekhard, a small Siberian shipping port sitting on the<br />
polar boundaries of Russia’s Arctic Circle. Strategically<br />
positioned in the delta of the Ob river, Salekhard<br />
is completely inaccessible by car outside of winter<br />
months. The only way in or out of the Yamal region<br />
is to wait until the rivers have frozen thick, forming<br />
‘Russian snow roads.’<br />
84//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 85
Having battled our way through the<br />
scorching deserts of Northern Africa<br />
and the length of the Americas the year<br />
prior, we were feeling confident we<br />
could tackle Siberia’s snow roads in<br />
our now well-equipped Jeep ‘Gunther’.<br />
The Yamal peninsula, which translates<br />
to 'End of the World' is ranked as<br />
having the world’s most volatile<br />
weather pattern so solo driving is<br />
extremely risky. We were accompanied<br />
by a local guide called Roman and his<br />
Jeep which sat on over 20" wide tires.<br />
We carried an extra 160 liters of fuel<br />
on the roof of Gunther. This would be<br />
enough fuel to get us to and from our<br />
destination as well as some extra for<br />
our Webasto engine heaters which<br />
would keep us and our engine from<br />
freezing. Outside temperatures were<br />
fluctuating between -25C and -50C.<br />
After two excruciating days of plowing<br />
through thick snow and ice, we crawled<br />
into our camp at 3am. We were<br />
greeted by two men cloaked head to<br />
toe in reindeer hide who ushered us<br />
into their Chums for some tea.<br />
The Nenet people do not bathe during<br />
the winter months. There is limited<br />
ventilation inside the chum to prevent<br />
heat loss, so with a family of 4 living,<br />
cooking and sleeping inside the tent<br />
with their family of dogs, we were<br />
greeted with a very strong odor. With<br />
a wood burning stove in the center of<br />
the chum, the inside is a comfortable<br />
temperature. The floor of the chum is<br />
tundra earth with a few reindeer hides<br />
to sleep upon.<br />
Exhausted after our long drive, we<br />
managed to catch up on some muchneeded<br />
sleep. We found ourselves<br />
waking up in the night with the<br />
dogs inside our sleeping bags, also<br />
escaping the cold.<br />
Our time with the Nenets was spent<br />
ice fishing through the 3-meter-thick<br />
ice sheets upon the Ob River, keeping<br />
an eye on their 400+ herd of reindeer<br />
and learning about their traditions and<br />
beliefs. With their population sadly<br />
decreasing, the Nenet people and their<br />
culture will soon be lost.<br />
The Nenets live without any internet<br />
or cellular connection to the outside<br />
world, so we were completely unaware<br />
of the dramatic developments that<br />
were happening with Covid. After a<br />
week and a half in Yamal we returned<br />
to Salekhard, to find that Russia was<br />
only 4 days away from closing its<br />
borders. We received word from the<br />
embassy in Moscow, letting us know<br />
that almost all countries along our<br />
Leg 3 route had now closed their land<br />
borders. The situation didn't look<br />
good.<br />
Our only option was to remain in<br />
Northern Russia until the next winter<br />
or drive non-stop to reach Moscow<br />
and return home to New Zealand. With<br />
so much uncertainty around borders<br />
reopening, the latter option seemed<br />
much more appealing.<br />
After a 68 hour drive over ice, snow<br />
and sludge, we arrived at Moscow<br />
with a broken brake caliper, frozen<br />
headlights and a permanently<br />
damaged coccyx on Topher. We<br />
parked Gunther outside Domodedovo<br />
airport, in a long stay car park and<br />
raced our way to the first flight heading<br />
south that night. Still in our clothes<br />
from the Chums, we flew all the way to<br />
New Zealand unaware of the stench<br />
we must have been carrying from our<br />
time up north.<br />
"The Yamal peninsula, which<br />
translates to 'End of the World' is<br />
ranked as having the world’s most<br />
volatile weather pattern so solo<br />
driving is extremely risky. We were<br />
accompanied by a local guide called<br />
Roman and his Jeep which sat on<br />
over 20" wide tires."<br />
Inside one of the chums<br />
Yamal child with dead fox toy!<br />
Driving the Yamal Peninsula<br />
86//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 87
Aerial view of Yamal<br />
Since being back in New Zealand, we have been<br />
working on building our new Jeep Gladiator which<br />
we will take on future expeditions. The car is named<br />
'Roman' after our Siberian friend that guided us into<br />
the Yamal Peninsula. We hope we will eventually<br />
be able to have both Roman and Gunther in convoy<br />
to complete our world expedition.<br />
JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON<br />
The only convertible truck of its kind on offer in the world,<br />
the Jeep Gladiator is built on the rich heritage of tough,<br />
dependable Jeep trucks with an unmatched combination of<br />
rugged capability and authentic Jeep design.<br />
With inherent design cues from the legendary Jeep Wrangler,<br />
the Gladiator utilises a variety of ways to optimise ride,<br />
handling and sound characteristics while optimising fuel<br />
economy even while towing. Utilising a body-on-frame design<br />
and featuring a superbly engineered five-link suspension<br />
system, the Jeep Gladiator delivers on capability, comfort,<br />
and passenger safety - including over 70 standard and<br />
available safety features.<br />
As the latest iteration in a 40 year history of Jeep Trucks,<br />
the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon features the legendary 3.6-litre<br />
Pentastar V6 Petrol Engine, ZF 8-Speed Automatic<br />
Transmission and class leading Rock-Trac® 4x4 system.<br />
Remove the three-piece hard top roof and lightweight doors<br />
to truly enjoy your ultimate New Zealand Open Air <strong>Adventure</strong>.<br />
WWW.JEEP.CO.NZ<br />
88//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225<br />
With our new Jeep Gladiater, Roman<br />
Featuring all-new, patented FormKnit technology, the AirZone<br />
Trek’s iconic carry system offers world-class comfort and<br />
ventilation. Whether you’re feeling the heat on dusty tracks or<br />
picking up the pace hut-to-hut, the AirZone Trek helps you keep<br />
your cool.<br />
#MOVEYOURWORLD
BE PART OF WHERE<br />
THE WORLD IS GOING<br />
In our ever-changing world, imagine how empowering it would<br />
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Gaua Lake, Letas, Mt Gharat Volcano hike<br />
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Torba Province is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, just<br />
a half hour flight above Sanma Province. Torba is made up of<br />
over 15 islands, which are divided into the Torres and Banks<br />
Islands. Torba has an estimated total population of around<br />
9,500 people who are friendly, welcoming and cannot wait to<br />
show you their island home!<br />
Relatively new on the international tourism scene, Torba<br />
is Vanuatu’s best kept secret. Famous for its white sandy<br />
beaches, world-class fresh seafood, unique culture and dense<br />
rainforests, you can be sure that your visit to the northern<br />
islands will be an experience you will never forget. Each<br />
island is unique and offers its own adventure. Choose to visit<br />
Gaua, Vanualava, Motalava, Rah or Loh Island – or island<br />
hop between them all to get the ultimate Melanesian island<br />
experience!<br />
While there are no standard hotels in Torba, the island style<br />
bungalows, home-stays, tours and activities on offer are high<br />
quality and have been developed collaboratively by the local<br />
community. In fact all tourism operations in Torba are Ni-<br />
Vanuatu owned ventures! This means that when you visit these<br />
islands you can be sure that your money is returned directly to<br />
the community.<br />
Gaua is the largest and second most populous island in Torba<br />
and is known for it's stunning landscape. Boasting an active<br />
volcano, Vanuatu's largest lake and highest waterfall - it's the<br />
perfect destination if you're after an adventure!<br />
As you fly in to airport you will see the rugged coastline and<br />
dense jungle that covers most of the island - with small villages<br />
and gardens dispersed through out. The majority of the island's<br />
population live on the east coast, close to the airport, which is<br />
the perfect place to start exploring the island.<br />
The best way to see Gaua is by foot. Meet the locals and<br />
wander through nearby villages or head out on a full day or<br />
multi-day guided trek through untouched rainforests. Gaua is<br />
also home to the world famous water music. This extraordinary<br />
cultural practice is unique to the women of Gaua and is<br />
not practiced by anyone else in the world. It's an amazing<br />
experience that has to be seen (or heard) to be believed and<br />
definitely isn't to be missed!<br />
If you are looking for an adventure that offers pristine natural<br />
environments and unique Melanesian culture, Gaua is the<br />
island for you!<br />
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 91
To everyone eagerly dusting off their passport,<br />
Vanualava - Sulfur River on the way to Mt Sere'ama 2 - Image by Joel Johnsson<br />
If this last year has taught us anything, it is the value of human connection. We’ve all missed sharing good<br />
times with friends and family. And the thrill of exploring our beautiful world to meet new people.<br />
Vanualava is home to Sola, the provincial capital of<br />
Torba. Fringed by black sandy beaches and thriving<br />
coral reefs, and home to rapids, rivers, waterfalls<br />
and an active volcano, this island has far more to<br />
offer than just business!<br />
During your stay trek through old-growth bush,<br />
snorkel on coral reefs, visit sea caves or one of the<br />
nearby islands. While you are here make sure you<br />
keep an eye out for one of the resident saltwater<br />
crocodiles - decedents of the original four crocodiles<br />
who escaped a passing missionary ship in the<br />
1800s!<br />
Motalava is the island for you if you want to<br />
experience true Melanesian hospitality.<br />
The people of Motalava are a close-knit, welcoming<br />
community who mostly live-in villages along the<br />
island's coast. Away from the hustle and bustle of<br />
everyday life, the community maintains a mostly selfsufficient<br />
lifestyle getting what they need from their<br />
surrounding environment.<br />
This is the perfect destination for a home-stay style<br />
experience - learn to weave, attend a church service<br />
or go to a local nakamal, join in on the evening<br />
fishing trip and visit a family garden to help pick fresh<br />
fruit and vegetable, which will be used to create<br />
a delicious Melanesian meal for you that night. If<br />
you are lucky, you may even be able to join in a<br />
community event in the main square!<br />
The island itself is fringed by white sandy beaches<br />
and clear lagoons teeming with blue starfish and<br />
tropical fish. Coconut plantations, bright flower,<br />
thriving gardens and jungle cover the land all way<br />
to the island's highest point - Sleeping Mountain.<br />
Motalava is just like the classic tropical islands you<br />
dream of.<br />
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Rah is the smallest but most well-known island in the Banks<br />
region, thanks mostly to British photographer Jimmy Nelson who<br />
featured Rah in his Before They Pass Away series. This tiny<br />
island has a population of 90 people and sits just off the coast of<br />
Motalava. You can get to Rah from Motalava by Taxi-Canoe or by<br />
wading across the channel at low tide.<br />
Though it is located close to Motalava, Rah island maintains its<br />
own distinct culture. Most famous is the Rah Island Snake Dance,<br />
which is performed by the men in the village, accompanied by<br />
traditional drums and kastom songs. To experience more of Rah's<br />
unique culture you can visit the Rah Kastom Village, learn how<br />
shell money is made and climb the famous Rock of Rah!<br />
During your visit, you will be staying right on the beach and will fall<br />
asleep to the gentle sound of waves. You can swim, snorkel and<br />
fish straight from your bungalow and walk around the island at low<br />
tide. Your host will be more than happy to accompany you and<br />
give you a personal tour of the village!<br />
Men wearing traditional attire perform the Sea Snake dance,<br />
Ra Island, Banks Islands, Torba Province, Vanuatu.<br />
Photo: Vanuatu Tourism Office/Nicolas Jupille & Louise Levrat<br />
For more information of Torba Province, Vanuatu visit www.vanuatu.travel<br />
As things start to return to normal, we’ve made sure our welcome party is ready and waiting. The people of<br />
Vanuatu have forged many strong bonds with our close neighbours in Australia and New Zealand, and can’t<br />
wait to invite you back. Nothing makes us happier than sharing our beautiful country with friends.<br />
So please keep us on your list when international travel is deemed safe for both you and us. We know a<br />
thing or two about how to let your hair down and throw yourself headlong into the moment – something<br />
we are all longing to do. You don’t always need music to dance.<br />
From our white sandy beaches to our pristine rainforests and rumbling volcanos, we have kept it beautiful<br />
for you. All our COVID Safe Plans are also in place, to ensure you can enjoy a safe, clean and caring Vanuatu.<br />
If it’s your first time to Vanuatu, we’d love to introduce you to our kastom and culture, natural wonders and<br />
relaxed way of life. And at the end of the day, talk about it over a drink or a shell of kava. You really don’t<br />
need to go far to experience a different way of living.<br />
We would love you to answer the call of Vanuatu in 2021. We think there is no better place to find your<br />
travel groove again. From everyone at the Vanuatu Tourism Office, we wish you happy travels and look<br />
forward to welcoming you to our islands very soon.<br />
Discover our islands of adventure<br />
at vanuatu.travel
THE WORLDS BEST KEPT SECRET...<br />
Where glorious mountain peaks melt into elegant white sand<br />
beaches, the little paradise of the Cook Islands is home to<br />
Pacific Resort Hotel Group. Whether you are looking for rest and<br />
relaxation or an adventure of a lifetime, we offer the Cook Islands’<br />
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COOK ISANDS | pacificresort.com<br />
Images by David Kirkland and Cook Island Tourism<br />
ADVENTURE IN THE COOK ISLANDS<br />
The Cook Islands are renowned for many things, amongst those<br />
being one of the few countries in the world to remain COVID-19<br />
free, lush green landscapes, crystal blue lagoons, the friendliest<br />
people, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.<br />
While the borders have been closed to travellers for the past<br />
year, the people of the Cook Islands have been hard at work to<br />
ensure that the islands are looking better than ever (if possible),<br />
and that all future visitors will be well taken care of when the<br />
long-awaited travel bubble opens with NZ. In anticipation of this,<br />
we thought we would share some of the best things to see and<br />
do when you come to this little slice of paradise.<br />
Only around a four-hour flight from New Zealand, the islands<br />
have long been a favorite vacation spot for those looking for rest<br />
and relaxation or adventurous thrills. With no building higher than<br />
a coconut palm, no traffic lights, fast food or hotel chains; it is<br />
often said that the Cook Islands is like Hawaii was 50 years ago<br />
– beautiful and un-spoilt, but still with plenty to do and see.<br />
You will land in Rarotonga, the largest island of the 15 Cook<br />
Islands, and soon after arrival you can be kayaking, sipping<br />
your first cocktail or relaxing by the pool at your resort. The main<br />
island is only 32 km in circumference so there’s no traffic jams<br />
here and with plenty of activities, restaurants, bars, things to see<br />
and do, your days will be packed with adventure in the sun.<br />
One adventure that awaits hiking enthusiasts, is the Cross<br />
Island Trek spanning across the 16 km diameter of Rarotonga.<br />
The trek is one if the most rewarding and challenging of those<br />
in the Cooks and takes you from the north coast right over the<br />
mountainous centre and back down to the south coast (or vice<br />
versa) and along the way, will lead you to the top of Te Rua<br />
Manga, otherwise known as ‘The Needle’ – a 413m high volcanic<br />
point that sits in the centre of the island – perfect for a showstopping<br />
photo.<br />
Another fabulous feature of Rarotonga is the water sports with<br />
a range of activities on offer, from deep sea diving, swimming<br />
with turtles, kiteboarding, lagoon cruises, night SUP tours, and<br />
kayaking… or just grabbing your snorkel and flippers, hopping on<br />
a scooter, and finding your own fun at one of the many beautiful<br />
spots around the island’s lagoons.<br />
Only a short 45-minute flight from Rarotonga, the second most<br />
populated island is Aitutaki, considered a ‘must do’ while in the<br />
Cooks; with a lagoon so stunning it is widely known as the most<br />
beautiful in the world. Offering an array of water sports from day<br />
cruises, sailing, private charters to snorkelling. Another amazing<br />
adventure to experience is the ever-popular bone-fishing, of<br />
which excursions are offered by the many operators on the<br />
island.<br />
The Cook Islands are also considered among the best<br />
kiteboarding locations in the world, offering up perfect conditions<br />
for lessons. The trade winds passing through the Cook Islands<br />
between May to October, combined with the passing lowpressure<br />
systems in the tropical belt (and the sandbars in<br />
Aitutaki), make for ideal kiteboarding conditions for all skill levels.<br />
Between July and October, you will also more than likely find<br />
yourself whale watching as these friendly giants of the ocean<br />
pop up so say hello while migrating close to the reefs of<br />
Rarotonga and Aitutaki.<br />
Whether you are looking for an adventure or a more relaxed<br />
holiday, a picturesque beachfront resort in the Cook Islands<br />
is the ideal base for your escape. Pacific Resort Hotel Group<br />
operates three properties spread along a golden stretch of the<br />
south east coast of Rarotonga; from the family friendly Pacific<br />
Resort Rarotonga and Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa on<br />
famous Muri Lagoon, to the intimate adults only Little Polynesian<br />
Resort which rests on the shimmering shores of Titikaveka<br />
Beach. If visiting Aitutaki, it is home to the luxury 5-star Pacific<br />
Resort Aitutaki, a multi award winning property where you will<br />
find air-conditioned bungalows and villas offering uninterrupted<br />
sweeping views across the lagoon from your very own private<br />
sundeck, taking advantage of the absolute beachfront location.<br />
W: www.pacificresort.com<br />
E: reservations@pacificresort.com<br />
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