Adventure 234

Mick: Hello, my name is Mick de
Zeeuw, I am 7 years old and love
hiking. I live in Putaruru and am in year
3 at Te Waotu School. My teacher,
Mrs Topping, always gives me cool
tramping, mountain or nature books
to read. I also love to play soccer
and netball. The mountains I want to
climb are Mt. Everest, Mt. Cook, Mt.
Ngauruhoe and Mt. Ruapehu. When
I am older I want to do the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.
My favourite hikes so far are the Tongariro Northern Circuit, Abel
Tasman Coastal track and the Taranaki Summit Route.
Why: I felt enthusiastic trying to do this, because last year we only
climbed Red Crater from Oturere Hut. I thought it would be fun, to
spend time away from home with my family and throw snowballs
in my dads face. I am keen to climb Mt. Everest when I’m older so
I have to start practicing.
What did you learn:
- Slow but steady wins the race
- Don’t give up, even when it gets hard
- If you want it, you can do it
What did you like the most: When I threw a snowball in dads
face and he tripped over, the snowball fight on the top of red
crater with an orc disguised as a guide.
Above: Downhill to Oturere Valley, the snow made the going down a lot easire than last year!
Left: Mick on the South Crater
Most challenging: When I hurt my foot, but I knew I had to keep
walking
Tips:
- Don’t eat yellow snow
- If you can, walk where other people walked so you don’t
sink hip deep in the snow
- Only go when the weather conditions are good and bring
a locator beacon
- Kids can do more than old people think
- Always bring lots of snacks! My favourite are snack
packs with nuts, raisins, cranberry, jellybeans and when
I’m lucky mum makes freeze balls.
- Pick up rubbish if you see it
- Don’t leave your rubbish at the hut but take it home
In my bag I always take: My sleeping bag + liner, my striped long
johns to sleep in, shorts, shirt, fleece jumper, first aid kit, down
jacket, rain gear, spare socks, crocs, a book to read at the hut/
campsite and playing cards, an emergency blanket, my snacks for
the whole trip, water, my compass and a whistle.
I really loved doing the Northern Circuit in winter, but I thought it
was more challenging than when I was climbing to the Taranaki
Summit in January. Next on my bucket list are Mt. Ruapehu
Summit, the Kepler Track, Stewart Island and the North/South
Track in the Kaimais.
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