Adventure Magazine

adventure 

where actions speak louder than words 

where actions speak louder than words 

ISSUE 243 

Apr/May 2024 

NZ $11.90 incl. GST 

SURVIVAL 

INCREDIBLE TALES OF SURVIVING NATURES FURY

Pure 

joy 

comes 

to 

those 

who 

hike. 

The roll of the dice 

We had recently returned from Hokkaido, Japan when we heard 

the new of Isabella Bolton and Joshua Sellens. 

Sadly as these pages went to print two young Kiwis, Isabella 

Bolton, 21 And Joshua Sellens 33, lost their lives in an avalanche in 

Japan on Mt Yotei in Hokkaido. Both were experienced riders and 

both knew the area well. 

Coincidentally, this issue of Adventure is about surviving; about 

keeping safe and making the right decision. Survival is all about 

taking precautions, mitigating risks, making good choices, and 

weighing up all the danger factors. But at the end of the day, no 

matter how careful you are, how risk-averse or cautious you are, 

sometimes you are just unlucky. 

There is a full feature on social media misadventures on page 30, 

now I am sure those people didn’t put their hands up to get killed, 

but if you hug a wild leopard or hang by your fingernails from the 

72nd floor, you are not being cautious nor risk averse. 

But, if you have checked the conditions, examined the terrain, taken 

good advice, and gone with experience and the right gear, then 

sometimes, when things go wrong it is just the roll of the dice and 

sometimes chance does not go your way. 

Adventure sports are about reward; that is why we do them; the thrill, 

the excitement, and the fun, but there is a risk, and sometimes, risk 

catches up with you through no fault of your own. 

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost 

loved ones in Japan, and cliche as it sounds, doing what they loved. 

Steve Dickinson 

Editor 

Mt Yotei, Hokkaido 

SIDE NOTE: This issue many of the stories 

are supplied by people who were in the 

moment, doing their best to survive, so some 

of the photos may be a little blurry, others a 

little shaky - as you read through the pages, 

keep in mind the photographers had other 

things on their minds... 

Men’s 

Women’s 

All New: Moab Speed 2 

The future of hiking. 

merrell.co.nz 

| | |

We Are Every 

Hard-Won 

Summit 

BEHIND THE COVER 

25 year old Tom Mahuta Robinson 

embarked on an extreme adventure when 

he set out to design, build and row across 

the Pacific Ocean. 

He spent a total of 265 days at sea in 

complete isolation, travelled thousands of 

miles and experienced incredible highs. 

He also experienced his fair share of 

challenges. This photo was taken as he 

documented his journey. 

For the full story, see page 10 

EDITOR & ADVERTISING MANAGER 

Steve Dickinson 

Mob: 027 577 5014 

steve@pacificmedia.co.nz 

ART DIRECTOR 

Lynne Dickinson 

design@pacificmedia.co.nz 

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These excerpts can be found on the Adventure traveller website www.adventuretraveller.co.nz 

TURTLE SEASON ON NINGALOO REEF 

Down on the shoreline in the moonlight, tiny waves are rippling 

around a rock. Suddenly the rounded lump shifts forwards, and 

then again. Not a boulder after all but a mature female green turtle 

hauling her 150kg body out of the ocean. Lumbering up the beach, 

leaving a trail like a tractor tyre, she’s searching for the best nesting 

site. Her in-built GPS has led her back to Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu), 

possibly to the same beach on which she herself hatched from an 

egg decades ago. 

we ARE tramping 

From November to March, this scene plays out night after night 

along Ningaloo Reef. For lucky humans who have witnessed this 

miracle of nature, it’s simply unforgettable, and for the best chance 

of a turtle encounter, it pays to join a professionally guided tour. 

During turtle nesting season, Exmouth Adventure Co. operates a 

Summer Sunset Turtle Watching Tour . 

ALASKA PLUNGES INTO DEEP FREEZE WITH 

TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW ZERO -40 

In March, much of Alaska plunged into a deep freeze, 

with temperatures dipping as low as -40 degrees 

Fahrenheit in some places. Anchorage is seeing 

some of its coldest temperatures in years as the 

mayor of the state’s largest city opened warming 

facilities for those who are homeless or who don’t 

have reliable heating. The extreme cold in some 

areas caused heating fuel to thicken, breaking 

heaters, and in Anchorage, the roofs of at least two 

businesses collapsed under the weight of the snow. 

Meanwhile, Alaska’s capital, Juneau, set a new 

January snowfall record of more than 6.5 feet. 

RUN10023 

NIUE’S HIKULAGI SCULPTURE PARK: 

A GLOBAL MICROCOSM 

Sitting incongruously in the middle of the natural rainforest of 

the Pacific Island of Niue is a physically small but conceptually 

monumental treatise on global environment concerns, the Hikulagi 

Sculpture Park. Artist Mark Cross explains why this remote island 

sculpture park is of international relevance. 

The Hikulagi Park was established in 1996 by members of the then 

Tahiono Arts Collective, a small group of artists and art enthusiasts 

who had returned to their Pacific home, countering the trend of 

urban drift that has devastated many rural and island populations in 

the Pacific. 

In the case of Niue, much of the land was abandoned after having 

been rendered largely infertile by naive colonial horticultural 

methods. The artists saw this land as a tabular rasa, a blank canvas 

where they could produce works of art that not only enhanced 

the land but also spoke of the very cause of its infertility. Several 

acres of such land south of the eastern village of Liku were at the 

artists’ disposal and, while being ideal for the purpose of the artists’ 

environmental concerns, it was also ironically surrounded by the 

pristine rainforest which once covered the now degraded land. 

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These excerpts can be found on the Ski & Snow website www.skiandsnow.co.nz 

STAY IN BOUND - MASS RESCUE 

On January 20th, a backcountry rescue unfolded near 

Vermont’s Killington ski resort, involving 23 skiers and 

snowboarders caught in freezing temperatures. The group, 

primarily front-side resort participants, made an ill-fated 

decision to venture into the backcountry from Killington 

Resort, ignoring warnings and heading beyond designated 

boundaries near the Snowdon Six Express lift. 

Descending into Brewers Brook, a steep gully with powder 

accumulation, the group reached the bottom only to face 

a challenging 2.5-mile trek over steep and icy terrain. 

Lacking essential touring equipment like climbing skins or 

splitboards, they became exhausted, cold, and disoriented. 

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THIRD PLACE FINISH FOR FINN BILOUS 

AT FINAL STOP OF THE 2024 FREERIDE WORLD TOUR 

Finn Bilous (Wānaka, 24) has finished in third place at the final 

stop of the 2024 Freeride World Tour, held on the formidable Bec 

des Rosses in Verbier, March 2024. 

Bilous put down an incredible run, including a gnarly 360 over the 

Hollywood cliff and a huge cross-court 360 on the super exposed 

face, impressing the judges and delighting the huge crowd 

gathered at the bottom. 

Search and Rescue coordinator for the Vermont State 

Police, disclosed that despite being in the backcountry, 

the individuals were not experienced in such terrain. With 

growing severity, 21 skiers and snowboarders, including 

six children, initiated multiple distress calls to 911. This 

prompted a daring rescue mission, highlighting the critical 

importance of preparedness in the unpredictable Vermont 

backcountry. 

When asked about throwing the 360 off the Hollywood cliff, Bilous 

explained; “We came here last year, looked at this face for a whole 

week and never got to ski it, so it has been percolating away in the 

back of my brain. Conditions lined up this year and I had to do it. I 

am glad it worked out, it was pretty scary with the flat light in there 

and punchy snow but I am stoked with how it turned out.” 

The men’s categories dropped in from the very top of the Bec 

des Rosses for the first time since 2018, providing some of the 

most technical and exposed terrain in any freeride competition 

on the planet. The conditions on the face over the last five years 

have been challenging, rendering the top of the mountain unsafe 

for freeride competition so lower start positions have been used 

instead. However, the snow and weather conditions aligned, 

making for an incredible display of riding from all the athletes. 

KIWI SPEED SKIER TAWNY WAGSTAFF CLAIMS FIRST 

WORLD CUP PODIUM OF HIS CAREER 

Tawny Wagstaff (Methven) has claimed the first speed skiing 

world cup podium of his career with a third place finish in 

Vars, France. This result also marks the first speed skiing 

world cup podium for a New Zealand athlete since FIS record 

keeping started in 2002. 


Wagstaff reached a mind-boggling speed of 212.61Kph to 

secure the bronze medal. He was just 1.9Kph behind sixtime 

speed skiing world champion Simone Origone of Italy 

who took the win. Simon Billy of France rounded out the 

podium in second place. 

Wagstaff said, “I am very happy, I have put a lot of work 

in over the last year so it is nice to see the rewards of my 

efforts. The course was in excellent condition with light 

winds. The top guys are something else, legends at what 

they do, generally only 1-2Kph separates the podium so 

can be very close.” 

Remaining calm before each race, knowing he is going to 

travel at incredibly high speeds, is an art. He explained; “I 

rely on many coaching techniques, deep breaths, being in 

the moment and trusting what I’m good at, it’s a challenge 

but what I live for. Taking in the intensity, it’s not often in life 

we can have this feeling so I make the most of it.” 

Wagstaff is also the current New Zealand speed skiing 

record holder. He clocked an incredible speed of 

248.61Kph in March last year at the same venue as today’s 

podium success. 

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SURVIVAL 

the best laid plans 

of mice and men 

Images and text supplied by Tom Robinson 

Tom Mahuta Robinson is a 25-year-old adventurer 

and boatbuilder from Brisbane, Australia. In 

2022, aged 23, Tom set off from Peru, in a boat 

he designed and built, on his most ambitious 

adventure yet - to become the youngest person 

ever to row the Pacific Ocean. 

For the next 14 months Tom experienced the 

highs and lows of extreme adventure, facing many 

challenges along the way. He spent a total of 265 

days at sea in complete isolation, as well as many 

months living in harmony with the inhabitants of the 

remote islands he visited. The journey ended in a 

dramatic rescue off Vanuatu - Tom survived to tell 

the tale, break a world record as the youngest to 

row the Pacific, and share his story with you... 


A hat and sunglasses were essential, except when the camera was running

Tom training on the Brisbane River 

It was my fourth day at sea since departing Luganville, Vanuatu, on the last leg 

of my journey across the Pacific. I was hoping to make landfall in Australia in 

approximately 50 days. I was settling into what I knew would be a wet and bumpy 

passage back home, with Vanuatu experiencing its windiest season in over five 

years. 

All day I had been rowing quite comfortably, Maiwar (The boat, ‘Maiwar’, named 

after the Aboriginal name for the Brisbane River, is 24’ long (7.3m), 6’ wide (2m), 

and weights over one ton when fully loaded) was making her way westward at a 

good rate of knots and I had stayed basically dry while rowing with the 20 knot 

south-easters on the beam. 

At about 4:00pm local time I hung up the oars a little early and retired to the cabin 

to do a bit of navigating and prepare for dinner. As usual, I had been in the nude 

most of the day, as chafe is always an issue and, in those conditions, it only takes 

a few days to run out of dry clothes. Once inside the cabin I contemplated closing 

the hatch, but decided against it, as the conditions were relatively benign – (not a 

single wave had come aboard all day), – a fateful error of judgment. 

I was sitting on my bunk, looking out the hatch, and then, in a split second, my whole 

world was turned upside down. My view turned from blue sky to blue water, a huge 

crashing sound was heard, and Maiwar was capsized like a bath toy. 

There was no time for fear or even a thought, it all happened so quickly. The next 

moment I was holding my breath, I looked around me in complete shock, identified 

the open hatch, swam through it and made my way under the boat, through the 

afternoon-light pierced blue water and came up to the surface, gasping for breath 

as I grabbed onto the gunwale of an upturned Maiwar. 

My first thought was “Oh my God, it’s happened, the worst possible scenario has 

just become my reality”. I scrambled onto the upturned hull and took stock of the 

situation. 

His boat, Maiwar, under construction. 

Exploring the Penrhyn/Tongareva lagoon. 

By this stage it was getting dark, and I knew 

that of the two emergency position indication 

beacons (EPIRBS) I had on board, at least one 

would already be going off, due to a fault with the 

mounting bracket, and there would be no way 

to turn it off; whether I wanted help or not, my 

distress signal was going out to the world, and 

there was nothing I could do about it. 

I then re-entered the water and grabbed a heavy 

line, tied it to the rowlock on the starboard side 

of the boat, and climbed back on top of Maiwar. I 

then began to lean outboard with all my weight in 

an attempt to right the boat. 

The naked rower 

"OH MY GOD, IT’S HAPPENED, THE 

WORST POSSIBLE SCENARIO 

HAS JUST BECOME MY REALITY" 

12//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#243 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ//13

" JUST AFTER DARK THE FULL 

GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION 

BEGAN TO SINK IN, DOUBT 

STARTED TO CREEP IN, AND THE 

THOUGHT OF MAKING IT OUT 

ALIVE SEEMED VERY SLIM INDEED" 

After a few tries I quickly realised that it was not 

going to happen before darkness set in, as by 

then it would be too dangerous to attempt anything 

further. 

I then tied the heavy sea-anchor line across the 

boat with enough room for a loop around my waist. 

In rapidly fading light I swam back under the boat 

and removed one of the EPIRBS from its holster 

and attached the lanyard to my wrist. 

For the next 14 hours I clung to the bottom of the 

boat, one hand gripping the keel, the other holding 

onto the EPIRB. Sometimes it took all my strength 

not to be washed off the boat by breaking waves. 

Just after dark I began to realise the full gravity 

of the situation, doubt started to creep in, and the 

thought of making it out alive seemed very slim 

indeed; it was not a good headspace to be in. 

Before too long, I came to grips with my situation 

and began to make plans. I decided to stay atop 

Maiwar for the night, then, on daybreak, try once 

again to right the boat, this time by moving stores 

around and flooding certain sections of the hull. I 

was quite confident I would be able to right the boat 

and continue on. The morning would also bring the 

chance to get to the food and water stored onboard. 

But before any of this I had to survive the night. 

I kept my chin up, and tried to make the most of 

a less than ideal situation. The way I looked at it, 

the worst possible thing that could have happened, 

had happened, so things could only get better from 

there on in. 

I began to sing: S.O.S by ABBA played on 

a continuous loop for a few hours while I 

contemplated my situation. I began to feel 

remarkably positive about the whole ordeal, and 

couldn’t help but smile in the face of adversity. If 

it was adventure I was looking for, I had certainly 

found it! 

As the night wore on, and on, and on, I came to 

terms with the fact that it would probably be the 

longest night of my life. I shuddered at the thought 

of a seemingly endless night still ahead of me. 

With all the hardship I was facing, the worst by far 

was the cold. Not since rowing up the South American 

coastline 14 months earlier, had I felt the need to 

wear a jumper or wrap myself in a sleeping bag, 

and there I was, stark naked and shivering through 

the night. Of course, the best remedy for physical 

discomfort is a strong mindset, and if there’s one thing 

that a rogue wave couldn’t take away from me, it was 

my strong mind and positive outlook. 


Tom entering Penrhyn/Tongareva lagoon after 160 days at sea 

Finishing touches 

Tom anchored in Pago Pago Harbour, America Samoa; 11 months after departing Peru. 

I thought warm thoughts, imagined a 

bonfire on Maiwar’s bottom, and relished 

the few times I was able to urinate on 

myself. But mostly I kept my mind active to 

distract my senses from the hardship that 

surrounded me; really no different from 

what I had been doing for the past year. 

And then, before I knew it, a faint blue 

appeared in the east. I couldn’t believe 

it. Already, the night was over, and soon 

enough, the sun would rise and warm my 

body, the day would begin, and my lot 

would improve. The longest night of my 

life had been shorter than I had expected. 

About an hour later, just as the sun 

began to rise above the eastern 

horizon, a black silhouette appeared 

on the horizon. A Ship!. I cried out for 

joy; safety was coming, and it was all 

going to be alright. The giant Auckland 

based cruise ship the Pacific Explorer, 

responded to my call for help. The cruise 

operator Carnival Australia diverted 

the cruise liner north of its course from 

New Caledonia to Vanuatu, and I was 

rescued just before 7am. 

Even after being rescued, the 

strangeness of the whole situation has 

not yet left me. The lens through which 

I view the world is still slightly refracted, 

but one thing has become very clear 

indeed: It was all worth it, every last 

minute, and to lament even a single 

moment would be an equally fateful error. 

Of the handful of people I have seen 

since my return, they seem to meet me 

with a melancholic smile, the corners of 

their mouths turn down and their eyes 

say sympathy very softly. 

Sympathy! Sympathy? Sympathy be 

damned! I made a mistake and I paid 

the price. So what if the ending was not 

how I expected? 

When I departed Peru 14 months 

ago perhaps it was not clear, even to 

myself, why I was rowing across the 

Pacific, but since then it has become 

well and truly clear. It wasn’t about the 

final destination; fame and glory can go 

the way of sympathy. They can all be 

damned. 

I went out into the Pacific chasing 

adventure, proper old-fashioned seatof-the-pants 

adventure. I went out into 

the Pacific to test myself, to challenge 

myself, to come face to face with the 

raw elements of man and nature; to 

learn what I could endure, how strong I 

was, how far mother nature could push 

me – where the limit lay. 

I went out into the Pacific to explore, 

to taste a different way of life, to live 

purposefully, traditionally and above all, 

happily. 

Success can be measured any way you 

like, indeed it’s one of the true beauties 

of life. Make it what you will, but above 

all, take away from it what you will. 

Before this journey of mine began I had 

no idea just how adventurous it would 

be, just how fulfilling, how beautiful, how 

hard, how torturous and how exciting it 

would all be. 

Real adventure is not a thing of the past, 

I discovered for myself that it’s still out 

there, alive and well, the ripe fruit are 

there for the picking. 

So do not lament for what could have 

been, for what went wrong and for what 

was expected. Do not frown. Please, 

rejoice with me. 

If there is one thing I have heard over 

and over again, it’s that those of you at 

home have enjoyed living this adventure 

vicariously through me, perhaps a rare 

chance to follow me through the far 

reaches of the earth and mind, where few 

ever go. And now, I look back on what 

has been, on every moment of despair 

and joy, and everything in between, and 

I cannot help but smile. I’m back home, 

an immense weight has been lifted off 

my shoulders, a weight I have carried for 

many years, and I cannot help but rejoice. 

Rejoice for what has been and for what is 

yet to come in life. 

In a short note I must, of course, thank 

the thousands of people around the 

world who have supported me 

" BEFORE THIS 

JOURNEY OF MINE 

BEGAN I HAD NO 

IDEA JUST HOW 

ADVENTUROUS IT 

WOULD BE, JUST 

HOW FULFILLING, 

HOW BEAUTIFUL, 

HOW HARD, HOW 

TORTUROUS AND 

HOW EXCITING IT 

WOULD ALL BE. " 

on this journey. It is only through the 

kindness, generosity and love of so 

many individuals that my adventure was 

successful. 

I cannot thank enough my family who 

supported me tirelessly from the very 

beginning, and who had a bit of a scare 

last week. .I would also like to apologise 

to the passengers whose holiday was 

interrupted by my situation. 

To the Australian Maritime Safety 

Authority, MRCC Noumea and all the staff 

of P&O Pacific Explorer, without your help 

I simply would not be writing this. 

After returning for an expedition to 

Papua New Guinea Tom Mahuta 

Robinson is now back in Brisbane, 

writing a book about his journey. 

Follow Tom: 

Instagram: tom_mahuta_robinson 

Facebook: Tom Mahuta Robinson 

Website: tomrobinsonboats.com 


SURVIVAL 

Biblical Weather 

on the Routeburn Track 

Words and images by Gary Chesters 

The changing faces of Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track 

Even a little rain can make a big difference 

In the wild expanse of Fiordland, where rain is 

as common as sunshine, surviving a hike without 

a downpour is akin to winning the lottery. With 

over six meters of rainfall annually, and nearly 

200 rainy days, staying dry is a rare luxury. Yet, 

amidst the damp, there lies a silver lining—the 

rain unveils breath-taking waterfalls unseen in 

drier times. 

But nature's whims can turn from blessing to 

curse with very little warning. In January 2024, 

relentless rains, exacerbated by global warming, 

unleashed chaos across New Zealand's southern 

reaches. Torrential downpours submerged the 

land, triggering floods and creating landslides, 

wreaking havoc on iconic trails like the Routeburn 

and Milford Tracks. 


Among those caught in the maelstrom weather bomb were 

Queenstown locals, Gary Chesters and his hiking companion, Dale 

Le Maitre. What began as a gentle drizzle soon escalated into a 

deluge of biblical proportions, prompting an urgent need for not just 

a Plan B but a Plan C. 

Gary's first-hand account, shared through social media, painted a 

vivid picture of their journey; from carefree days by the clear blue 

rivers to the heart-stopping reality of navigating nature's fury. 

In the serenity of rivers and the security of marked trails, you might 

find solace. Yet, when nature unleashes her wrath, even the most 

serene landscapes become treacherous. We reached out to Gary, 

eager to hear his tale first hand of survival amidst the ferocity of an 

extreme weather event. 

"GARY'S FIRST-HAND 

ACCOUNT, SHARED THROUGH 

SOCIAL MEDIA, PAINTED 

A VIVID PICTURE OF THEIR 

JOURNEY; FROM CAREFREE 

DAYS BY THE CLEAR BLUE 

RIVERS TO THE 

HEART-STOPPING REALITY 

OF NAVIGATING NATURE'S 

FURY." 

Gary taking a dip on the Routeburn track only weeks 

before

GARY'S STORY 

“In the middle of January, 2024 we started off 

on the Routeburn and embraced the gentle 

drizzle, “just another day in the mountains” I 

thought. But things were about to change. 

Our original plan was to hike up to the high 

point and go off-trail camping to the Valley 

of the Trolls, but with the weather less than 

ideal we opted for option B, an overnight at 

Routeburn Flats Campground, only an hour 

and a half from the carpark at the start of the 

Routeburn. But what we really needed was a 

plan C – what to do in an emergency. 

We could sense that the weather was going 

to deteriorate so set up camp and braced 

ourselves for a rough night, totally unaware 

of the enormity of the situation ahead. At 

around 2am the rain hit and we hunkered 

down in our tents, but the rain was relentless 

and heavy. In the dark it’s hard to know what 

is happening outside but I have to admit that 

thoughts of the river breaking its bank and 

flooding our tent sight in the pitch black of 

night did pass my mind and we got very little 

sleep after that. 

There was a certain relief when day broke, 

but it did not stop the rain from falling. 

Eventually it subsided and we assumed we 

were through the worse of it so ventured 

on a side trip up to the Routeburn Falls, 

a couple of hours up. It didn’t take long 

before the rain returned and once again it 

poured, torrents of water cascaded down the 

mountains transforming the serenity. 

As we returned to the flats the mountains 

seemed to reach saturation point and 

everything just let go! There were waterfalls 

popping up everywhere and the Routeburn 

River changed in front of our eyes. One 

minute it was a peaceful river, the next a 

raging torrent with now angry brown dark 

streaks gushing in its wake. The river 

became its own creature. 

At first we watched in awe, mesmerized 

by the transformation, until a feeling of 

seriousness overcame us. It was now rising 

30cm every 15 minutes with no signs of 

slowing down. It was at this point that I 

glanced over at my tent to see it was now 

underwater. The next minute the river broke 

its bank and engulfed the flats campground. 

Excitement, and maybe a splash of 

adrenaline got the better of me. My plan 

was to retreat to higher ground, batten down 

the hatches and watch the show unfold. 

However, after a quick back and forth with 

my hiking buddy, the consensus was to pull 

the pin and get out of there. In retrospect, a 

more sensible move. 

The track from Routeburn Flats back to the main entrance soon began to disappear 

"AT FIRST WE WATCHED IN 

AWE, MESMERIZED BY THE 

TRANSFORMATION, UNTIL 

A FEELING OF SERIOUSNESS 

OVERCAME US. " 

After talking with the park ranger we figured out a 

turnaround section in case things got really bad, and set 

off back to the carpark. It was here the chaos began. 

Water was trying to breach everywhere, flowing with 

brutal force across the hiking trails and access points. 

At one point, knee-deep in what was now a fast flowing 

river, boulders struck our feet and the reality of the 

situation we were in hit us. We had just exited the 

turnaround point when a huge log washed through 

the area where we had stood moments before. A few 

seconds earlier and it would have crushed us. 

We pressed on and based on the park rangers 

information, hoped that we were past the worse of it. 

Adrenaline surged through me, I was excited, worried, 

happy, scared, every feeling possible, all at once. 

Finally we saw the bridge, the last point of crossing and 

breathed a sigh of relief that the bridge was still intact. 

With the amount of water flowing and the sheer force 

of it we really didn’t feel safe until we crossed that last 

bridge. 

We later found out that over 300mm of rain had fallen in 

a 48 hour period. 

The mountains are truly an untamed beast; not 

having the right equipment and knowledge in such 

environments can be fatal, and sometimes is. These 

tools and an experimental mindset are essential as 

the weather can, and sometimes does, change for the 

worst.” 

ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ//21

FLASH FLOODS CLAIM MORE 

LIVES EACH YEAR THAN ANY 

OTHER EXTREME WEATHER 

EVENT. 

Trickling streams turned into waterfalls 

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP 

SURVIVE. 

1.PLAN AHEAD: 

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH NATIONAL 

WEATHER FORECASTS AND IF THE 

RISK OF FLASH FLOODING IS HIGH, 

POSTPONE YOUR TRIP. 

2.KNOW YOUR ROUTE: 

UNDERSTANDING THE ELEVATION 

AND TOPOGRAPHY OF YOUR 

DESTINATION IS VITAL. KNOW THE 

HIGH GROUNDS AND ALSO BE 

AWARE OF FLOOD PRONE AREAS. 

3.PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR 

SURROUNDINGS: STAY VIGILANT AND 

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU 

NOTICE A DRY RIVERBED FILLING 

WITH WATER OR IF STREAMS AND 

RIVERS TURN MUDDY OR CLOUDY. 

Walking the "track" moments before a large boulder came through right where we had once been 

Below: Routeburn Falls in full flow 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH GARY 

Things obviously got scary there for 

a while, how did you cope having to 

make serious decisions? There are a 

few points where I stopped to come back 

to myself, 3 deep breaths, grounded 

myself before making a decision. I think 

that’s quite important as sometimes, we 

just make decisions without really coming 

back to ourselves mindfully. So, rather 

than reacting, acting from that place of 

more calmed state of mind. 

What’s some lessons you have learnt 

in life that have helped you in this 

situation? Whilst learning myself to 

become a dive instructor and rescue dive 

instructor I learnt how to imagine a series 

of the worst case scenarios happening. 

The secret is to not to dwell on them as 

they can manifest, but if you prepare 

yourself mentally if the worst does happen 

you're already prepared. Then, rather 

than reacting with fear, you can react from 

a more grounded position. 

What do you think was the best 

decision you made? To stay calm - 

acting not reacting. In regard to the actual 

decision, it was a team-made decision 

to go. I believe it was the right one in the 

end. 

What, if any, was the worse decision 

you made? Crossing the last river - 

where the log nearly hit us. In the end, it 

was the right move on both counts but it 

could have been very different. In such 

times, having a calm head makes all the 

difference and that comes with experience 

and time. 

What advice would post-trip Gary give 

pre-trip Gary? Nothing really. I feel I 

had all the right kit and the experience. 

(maybe pack more food). 

How has this trip affected any future 

trips or planning? The weather changes 

even surprised me, I think always hope 

for the best, but plan for the worst. And 

remind myself, regardless, that indeed - 

things can change, and do sometimes. 

The downside to experience is if not 

checked, the experienced hiker/trekker 

can become complacent. 

Any other tips? It’s great practice to take 

some form of emergency beacon/ SOS 

device in case things get really dicey, so 

you can contact emergency services. And 

it’s always great to hike with a buddy and 

a lot safer. 

Having the right equipment is essential. 

An old mountain guide told me to always 

pack a headlamp and rain jacket, 

regardless of the weather. That way, if 

you’re by yourself and you fall or get 

stranded, you can see, and other people 

can see you. You can also stay dry and, to 

a degree, warm when layered. They don’t 

weigh a lot, and they could save your life. 

22//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#243

SURVIVAL 

Free solo. 

Calculated risk 

or a tragedy 

waiting to happen? 

Words and images by Derek Cheng 

The monitor-sized block that almost swept me from 

the ridge of the Evolution Travers in the Sierra Nevada, 

California. 

The handhold that broke and nearly ejected me 

towards oblivion on the southern flanks of Mount 

Robson, Canada. 

The panic that engulfed my friend who, climbing 

ropeless in the Wyoming’s Cirque of the Towers, had 

to compose herself to avoid being swallowed up by the 

gaping, exposed nothingness reaching for her ankles. 

The giant rock block that I dislodged but managed 

to catch on my knees, which would have otherwise 

eviscerated the four climbers below me in Canada’s 

Bugaboo mountains. 

There’s been a lot of debate about the rights and 

wrongs of free soloing, especially in light of the 

publicity of Alex Honnold’s scarcely believable free solo 

of El Cap in Yosemite. 

Discussions among climbers traverse whether it should 

be done at all, given the obvious risks, and if so, how. 

This isn’t a treatise imploring you to go out and try it, 

but rather an exploration of the rationale. 

Keenan Waeschle at dawn on top of 

one of the nine peaks that make up the 

Evolution Traverse 


Much of the public perception is 

misguided, casting free soloists as 

adrenaline junkies who test themselves 

in the most extreme way possible. This, 

in my experience, has no basis in truth. 

You don’t simply take a fancy to a line 

and decide to jump on it without much 

thought. 

Most free solos are likely to be 

on grades where a fall—and any 

adrenaline—is highly improbable, or on 

routes you’ve climbed so many times 

that you’re on auto-pilot. Even Honnold 

spent two years climbing Freerider 

(5.13a/28) with a rope before he 

committed to trying it ropeless. 

And while there is definitely a rush, 

it’s nothing like the pulsing feeling 

of throwing for a 50/50 move when 

you’re under lactic acid attack and your 

forearms are bulging out of your skull. 

If you’re doing that and ropeless, then 

you’re truly mad. 

Instead it’s the most potent climbing 

flow, a total immersion in a zone that 

so enriches every pore and heightens 

every sense. The unique circumstances 

command your attention. You have 

no option but to master your fear and 

deal with anything that may or may not 

happen, from negotiating brittle rock to 

strenuous moves above a potentially 

lethal fall. 

Mastery in such a high stakes game 

can deliver a feeling akin to the 

transcendental. 

But, for me, this was the light at the 

end of a very long tunnel. For years I 

viewed free soloing, like most climbers, 

as simply too risky to even consider. 

Then one afternoon in the Pines—the 

campsite in the climbing haven of 

Arapiles, Australia —I was party to a 

conversation with far more experienced 

climbers about the virtues of simulclimbing. 

“You are basically soloing but in a safer 

way and with a bunch more gear,” one 

older, grislier climber was saying. “And 

it can be an essential skill if you’re in 

an alpine environment and trying to 

minimise the time exposed to objective 

hazards. In the mountains, with potential 

avalanche terrain or incoming storms, 

speed is often safety.” 

Arapiles, with its abundance of easy 

multi-pitch climbs, was the perfect place 

to try simul-climbing. 

This happens when two climbers are tied 

into a rope, but instead of one person 

belaying as the other climbs and places 

climbing protection to guard against a 

fall, they both move up at the same time. 

A fall from either climber will likely pull 

the other one off the wall, but as long as 

there are at least two pieces of protection 

between the climbers (in case one of 

them fails), the falls shouldn’t be fatal. 

It all depends, of course, on where you 

place the protection and how far the 

leader might be above the last piece. 

But in general, if done well, it’s safer 

than soloing but still much speedier than 

when the leader climbs and their partner 

belays. 

A buddy and I spent that afternoon 

simul-climbing, knocking off five multipitch 

trad routes in a few hours. It was 

exhilarating to move so quickly across 

so much rock. 

Comfort levels commonly expand as 

a challenging activity becomes more 

familiar. Several more simul-climbing 

days on grades no harder than 12 

peppered my Arapiles season, and the 

more familiar I became, the more my 

gear placements tended to become 10 

metres apart, rather than every third 

metre. 

Still, the thought of climbing ropeless 

was terrifying and, when a bunch of 

friends gang-soloed up Tiptoe Ridge (5), 

I stayed behind. 

Simul-climbing, however, became an 

essential tool in the alpine toolbox. 

One of the first occasions was in the 

Cirque of the Towers. An early start saw 

me and my friend at the base of the 

350m-high northeast face (5.8, 15) of 

Pingora, one of the 50 Classic Climbs of 

North America, with a double rack and a 

50m-half rope. One simul-pitch later, we 

were on the summit. 

The neighbouring peak, Wolf’s Head, 

also has one of the 50 classics, and we 

rappelled over to it and solo scrambled 

up the fourth class terrain at the base 

of the East Ridge (5.5/12). When it 

steepened, we tied in and simul-climbed 

to the top. 

"MUCH OF 

THE PUBLIC 

PERCEPTION 

IS MISGUIDED, 

CASTING FREE 

SOLOISTS AS 

ADRENALINE 

JUNKIES WHO 

TEST THEMSELVES 

IN THE MOST 

EXTREME WAY 

POSSIBLE." 

Mitch Woodward soloing Agamemnon, the classic grade 11 climb at Arapiles, Australia 


The truth is that you’ve probably done 

some free soloing if you’ve ever done 

any alpine routes. It is rare to rope up for 

any and all mountain terrain. Some will 

be comfortably ropeless while crossing 

glaciers on well-trodden boot tracks, or 

scrambling up non-technical approaches, 

or climbing more technical rock. 

I was still very cautious the first time I 

ended up soloing technical terrain. It was a 

300m-long corner system called Joy (5.6, 

13) on Mt Indefatigable in the Canadian 

Rockies. We intended to climb it as a party 

of three, but I decided to start soloing up to 

take photos of my friends from above. 

I wore a harness with a half-rack of cams 

so I could build an anchor, sit on gear 

and wait for a rope if I was in any way 

uncomfortable. But I didn’t end up needing 

them. 

When I topped out, I was acutely aware 

of the awesome tremendousness of the 

experience. 

I slowly branched out. The trade route 

on Sir Donald, a gorgeous 5.4/12 line up 

the northwest ridge, takes a whole day if 

pitched out, but is a casual few hours as a 

solo. And a fine one it is, with mostly easy 

scrambling and huge holds wherever the 

terrain steepens. 

A bluebird day accompanied me from 

Irene’s Arete (5.8/16) up Disappointment 

Peak, in Grand Teton National Park, to 

Exum Ridge (5.7/15) on the majestic 

Grand Teton. 

The Sierra Nevada has so many peaks 

that there is literally no limit to potential 

link-ups. One of the most popular is 

combining the southeast buttress of 

Cathedral Peak (5.6/14) with Matthes 

Crest (5.7/15), a nearby mile-long fin of the 

most exquisite granite. 

Soloing eventually became an integral part 

of trying alpine traverses or grand link-ups, 

one of the most memorable being a fourpeak 

day in the Canadian Bugaboos. It 

started with simul-climbing most of McTech 

Arete (5.10a/18) to the top of Crescent 

Spire, simul-climbing the first three pitches 

and then soloing the rest of the northeast 

ridge of Bugaboo Spire (5.8/16), soloing 

the west ridge of Pigeon Spire (5.4/12), 

and then pitching out the harder sections 

of the ultra-classic Beckey-Chouinard 

(5.10d/20) on the South Howser Tower. 

It was on this latter peak that I dislodged a 

huge block with my hand, but managed to 

catch on my knees before gently dropping 

it on a ledge. It would have flattened one 

or all of the four climbers below me. The 

immenseness of the narrowly-avoided 

consequences was written all over the 

open-mouthed, eye-bulging face of the 

climber next to me as he belayed his 

leader above. A quick reminder of how 

easily things can go wrong. 

Similarly tragic consequences were 

narrowly avoided during our traverse of 

The Cirque of the Towers, in Wyoming, 

which ticks 12 summits. My diminutive 

friend Cat didn’t have the wingspan to 

comfortably reach a good handhold 

above a gaping abyss of nothingness. 

She started to panic, couldn’t reverse the 

move, and I quickly moved towards her 

intending to offer her my outstretched 

hand. Just as I could reach her, she 

committed to the move and avoided what 

would have been a deadly fall. 

And on the Evolution Traverse, a spine of 

granite crossing nine peaks (5.9/17) and 

with more than 3000m of elevation gain 

and loss, I narrowly dodged the firing line 

several times as my movement wobbled 

titanic boulders. 

Once my weighty heft broke off a foot 

nubbin, throwing me gracelessly onto a 

ledge. Luckily it was only a metre below 

me, and a mildly sore bottom was the only 

consequence. 

Towards the latter peaks, I leapt from one 

rock and landed on a lichenous boulder 

that instantly dismissed my footing, forcing 

me to throw down my upper body in a 

desperate bid for purchase. Each time I 

emerged with nothing more than a scratch. 

Pause, breathe. Reset, continue. 

The final two peaks offered the best 

climbing: excellent rock, steep climbing on 

solid holds, and a jubilant anticipation that 

grew with each step. 

I spent the following days eating burgers, 

soaking in hot pools, and contemplating 

the pros and cons of free soloing. Every 

discipline of climbing has an element of risk, 

and every climber makes an assessment 

based on experience, temperament of the 

day, objective hazard of the route, etc. One 

climber’s epic free solo is another’s casual 

outing in approach shoes. 

"TOO RECKLESS? 

THAT DEPENDS 

ON ALL THE 

ELEMENTS IN 

THE EQUATION, 

AND ONE OF 

THE BIGGEST 

ELEMENTS IS 

‘YOU’. ANOTHER 

IS RANDOM, 

INDISCRIMINATE 

LUCK." 

The Evolution Traverse, a spine of granite crossing nine peaks (5.9/17) and with more than 3000m of elevation gain and loss, where I narrowly 

dodged the firing line several times as my movement wobbled titanic boulders. 

Many climbers choose their routes because of the risk 

factor. That is, they are aware of what lies ahead and 

willingly embrace it. 

Sometimes catastrophe strikes. I’ve narrowly avoided 

one of my own when I was hit by rockfall that broke 

several bones in my face, neck and back. Just last 

month a friend - a highly skilled and experienced 

climber - fell to his death while soloing one of the 

smaller granite walls above Yosemite in California. 

Does that make it reckless? Probably. Undoubtedly more reckless 

than sitting at home watching TV. But if we never did any activity 

that might end in injury, we would never do anything. 

Too reckless? That depends on all the elements in the equation, 

and one of the biggest elements is ‘you’. 

Another is random, indiscriminate luck. You could be the most 

prepared person in the history of the world and be swallowed in a 

freak rockfall, or the world’s most careless gumby and come home 

completely unscathed. 


SURVIVAL 

the fatal 

pursuit of 

social media 

stardom 

"FROM DAREDEVIL 

STUNTS TO 

DANGEROUS 

CHALLENGES, THE 

QUEST FOR 

ONLINE 

VALIDATION 

HAS CLAIMED 

NUMEROUS 

LIVES." 

In the age of social media, the quest for attention and validation and click bait 

income has led individuals to increasingly extreme activities in the pursuit of viral 

fame. The allure of likes, shares, and comments has driven some to engage in 

dangerous stunts and challenges, resulting in tragic consequences. The morbid 

question that looms over this trend is, how many people have lost their lives in 

the relentless pursuit of the perfect social media post? 

The statistics surrounding fatalities linked to extreme activities for social media 

content are alarming. From daredevil stunts to dangerous challenges, the quest 

for online validation has claimed numerous lives. Despite the evident risks, the 

temptation to go to more extraordinary lengths for that perfect shot or video has 

proven fatal for too many. 

One of the primary culprits behind these tragedies is the constant pressure to 

outdo previous feats and create content that stands out in an oversaturated 

online landscape. Social media platforms, while providing a platform for selfexpression, 

can also inadvertently fuel a culture of one-upmanship, pushing 

individuals to push safety boundaries for the sake of engagement. 

Whether it’s cliff diving, hugging a lion, or participating in a cliff edge selfie. The 

desire for a moment of internet fame blinds them to the potential life-threatening 

outcomes. 

This trend has prompted discussions on the ethical responsibilities of both 

content creators and platforms. Social media influencers face scrutiny for their 

role in glamorising risky behaviour without adequately emphasising the potential 

dangers. 

A simple warning on a video of someone plummeting to their deaths is not is 

discouragement but more of an appetiser. 

The toll of lives lost in pursuing social media stardom is an unfortunate reality. 

How you curtail this trend without impeding personal freedom, it is right to 

say ‘Well its their choice’ and it is, however, the impact of one-upmanship, in 

particularly with youth, (and those dealing with youth know the impact of social 

media) should there not be a more concentrated effort to limit the impact from the 

platforms where they post, or is that threatening free speech? 

WOULD BE GOOD TO 

HAVE SOME NUMBERS 

HERE OR SOME OTHER 

STATISTICS SUCH AS 

GRAND CANYON SELFIE 

DEATHS AND OTHER 

STUFF 

WU YONGNIN 

Wu Yongning went out to do what he loved 

best - scale a skyscraper without safety 

equipment and film himself dangling off its 

roof by his fingertips. 

What happened next almost seems 

inevitable - the Chinese climber fell, 

plunging 62 storeys to his death. 

Beijing News investigation found that 

Mr Wu had posted more than 500 short 

videos and livestreams on Huoshan, 

garnering a million fans and earning at 

least 550,000 yuan ($126,000). 

Huoshan had prominently promoted his 

videos as recently as June. The last being 

a shocking clip of what appeared to be his 

final moments, his fatal attempt to scale a 

building in Changsha city. 

LUCKY ESCAPE 

A woman was mauled by a 

jaguar in Arizona after entering 

a zoo enclosure to take a selfie. 

She luckily received 

non-life-threatening injuries. 


SOFIA CHEUNG 

32-year-old influencer Sofia 

Cheung died after slipping and 

falling 5 meters in the Ha Pak Lai 

nature park, while she was taking 

a selfie with friends at the edge of 

a waterfall. Her Instagram account 

featured photos of her outdoor 

adventures, including scaling cliffs 

and mountaintops. 

32-year-old influencer Sofia 

Cheung died after slipping and 

falling 5 meters in the Ha Pak Lai 

nature park, while she was taking 

a selfie with friends at the edge of 

a waterfall. Her Instagram account 

featured photos of her outdoor 

adventures, including scaling cliffs 

and mountaintops. 

A 46-year-old Chinese tourist died 

after falling into the sea while taking a 

selfie on a cliff at Devil's Tears on Nusa 

Lembongan, off the coast of Bali. 

Six members of the same family drowned at 

Ramdaha Falls in Chhattisgarh. Two teenage 

sisters attempted to take a selfie but slipped 

into the water. Four other relatives tried to 

save them but they all drowned 

PATRICK WARD 

A New Zealand tourist fell to his death from a 

moving train on the World War II “death railway” in 

Kanchanaburi province in western Thailand. 

Patrick Ward, 45, had come with a group led by 

a tour guide from River Kwai bridge and rode 

the train yesterday to see the death railway, also 

known as the Thai-Burma Railway. 

Ward opened a door of the train and tried to take 

a selfie to show the view outside but he slipped 

on the steps at the door and fell to his death. 

The tour guides had warned travellers not to lean 

out of the carriages, which have open spaces 

where they connect. Doors can also be opened 

for passengers to sit on the steps and they can 

also lean from the windows. 

REMI LUCIDI 

French daredevil Remi Lucidi died after 

falling from the 68th floor of a Hong Kong 

skyscraper, according to reports. 

The 30-year-old, known as “Remi 

Enigma” on Instagram, lost his footing 

outside a penthouse apartment at the 

721-foot-tall Tregunter Tower, 

After gaining access to the high-rise by 

telling a security guard that he was there 

to visit a friend on the 40th floor, Lucidi 

made his way to the top floor, according 

to Sky News. 

Lucidi was seen on surveillance camera 

exiting the elevator on the 49th floor and 

again on the staircase to the top floor, 

where a door had been forced open. 


SURVIVAL 

Organic evolution 

the essence of 

business Survival 

Adventure Magazine and Media has been involved with Nick 

Montague -Brown and Outdoor Action for over 20 years. In a world 

where adventure retailers are being gobbled up by consumer giants 

and evaporating like early morning dew under the withering heat 

of corporation expansion. Outdoor Action not only survived but has 

developed and expanded. Now twenty years down the adventure retail 

road this is their story: 

Where did it all start? Purchasing 

Outdoor Action wasn’t exactly an 

impulsive decision. At the time, we 

were residing overseas in Brazil, deeply 

engrossed in the preparations for our 

wedding, seeking a fresh challenge. Our 

search for new opportunities led us to 

explore various business listings online. 

That's when we stumbled upon Outdoor 

Action. With a lifelong passion for the 

outdoors and a history of adventurous 

pursuits, this opportunity struck a chord. It 

presented a seamless blend of business 

and pleasure. 

What was it like in the beginning? 

They were intense and long, starting our 

days at 6:00 am and often not finishing 

until midnight or later, seven days a 

week. This routine continued for almost 

the first year. We were deeply immersed 

in understanding the local New Zealand 

outdoor industry and building relationships 

with customers and suppliers. There 

were mistakes, or as I prefer to call them, 

'learning curves'. But with each challenge, 

we grew more knowledgeable and 

adaptable, a process that still continues. 

After being in the adventure retail 

business for over 20 years what are the 

key elements to business survival? 

Celebrating 20 years in the adventure 

retail sector, Outdoor Action's 

longevity is rooted in unwavering 

customer satisfaction, honesty, and 

trust. Communication is key, ensuring 

transparency with customers, suppliers, 

and partners alike. Our ability to make 

tough decisions and build a dedicated 

team underpins our success. These 

core principles have guided us through 

two decades and promise a future of 

continued adventure and exploration. 

Was there trepidation at losing the 

retail store and going online only? 

Certainly, transitioning to an online-only 

model was a risk, as with any major 

business decision. In business, there 

are no guarantees; success requires 

hard work, passion, and dedication, and 

sometimes even those aren't enough. 

We had our concerns, but our belief in 

ourselves and the positive feedback from 

both new and long-standing customers, 

who assured us they would continue their 

support, gave us the confidence to move 

forward. 

"IN BUSINESS, THERE 

ARE NO GUARANTEES; 

SUCCESS REQUIRES 

HARD WORK, PASSION, 

AND DEDICATION, AND 

SOMETIMES EVEN THOSE 

AREN'T ENOUGH." 

With the transition from bricks and 

mortar what is the key to the survival 

of an online store? As we've embraced 

a fully online presence, it's important 

to note that we're not newcomers to 

the digital space. Our journey online 

has been concurrent with our physical 

store operations, providing us with a 

wealth of experience and insights that 

have been invaluable in our transition. 

This longstanding familiarity with the 

online world has been a key factor in 

understanding what it takes to succeed 

digitally. 

A user-friendly and easily discoverable 

online store is essential, supported by 

our efforts in organic search and targeted 

advertising. This ensures a frictionless 

shopping experience from discovery to 

purchase. 

Our commitment to delivering on our 

promises has always been a bedrock of 

our reputation, addressing any issues 

quickly to ensure customer satisfaction. 

Moreover, balancing competitive pricing 

with the sustainability of our business is 

crucial. We strive for a pricing strategy 

that's both smart and fair, enabling 

customers to make informed decisions 

with confidence. 

In essence, our enduring online presence 

has not just been about survival; it's been 

about leveraging our experience to build 

trusted relationships and guide our store 

towards sustained success in the digital 

marketplace. 

Transition from brick and mortar to 

fully online what was the biggest 

mistake you made? Transitioning 

from brick-and-mortar to a fully online 

model didn't come with what I'd call 

mistakes, thanks to extensive planning 

and research. There were challenges, 

of course, but they were all within our 

realm of expectation. We were wellprepared 

for the financial demands of 

running an effective online adventure 

store, understanding that it would surpass 

the costs of operating a physical store in 

complexity and scale. 

Perhaps the most unexpected aspect 

was the need to retrain our team. Many 

had joined us with retail environments in 

mind and found themselves navigating 

a significantly different landscape 

in an office setting. This shift led to 

some turnover as we moved towards 

assembling a team dedicated entirely to 

ecommerce. It was a transition that, while 

challenging, ultimately shaped the robust 

and specialized team we have today. 

The journey taught us that success online 

isn't just about cutting costs; it's about 

strategic investment in the right areas— 

digital marketing, logistics, and team 

development. These investments have 

been essential in refining our approach, 

allowing us to better serve our adventureseeking 

customers and thrive in the digital 

marketplace. 

Transition from brick and mortar to 

fully online what was the biggest 

positive surprise you found? 

In navigating our transition from brickand-mortar 

to a fully online platform, I 

wouldn't say I encountered surprises 

in the traditional sense. This was 

largely because we embarked on this 

journey with thorough research and 

meticulous analysis. We didn't leave 

room for surprises; instead, we came 

in fully prepared, armed with insights 

and strategies to ensure a seamless 

shift. Our philosophy has always been 

to strive for perfection but plan for the 

worst. This approach empowered us to 

anticipate challenges and devise solutions 

proactively, turning potential hurdles into 

opportunities for growth and innovation. 

The smoothness of this transition 

reaffirmed the value of preparation and 

strategic foresight in business, highlighting 

the strength of our team and the 

robustness of our planning processes. 

"OUR PHILOSOPHY HAS 

ALWAYS BEEN 

STRIVE FOR PERFECTION 

BUT PLAN FOR THE 

WORSE." 

Specific brands survive and some 

do not in your opinion are their 

specific basics that a brand needs 

for longevity? In my view, the bedrock 

of a brand's longevity is unequivocally 

quality. There's a saying by Henry Royce, 

the British engineer, which encapsulates 

this belief perfectly: "The quality will 

remain when the price is forgotten." This 

philosophy is something we hold dear at 

Outdoor Action. We live by the rule that 

if we wouldn't use a product ourselves, 

we won't sell it. This commitment to 

quality has guided our selection of brands 

over the years. We've carried a wide 

range of brands, but we've been quick 

to cut ties with those that resulted in an 

excessive number of warranty claims and 

quality issues. It's a clear indicator to us 

that quality isn't their priority. From our 

experience, brands that fail to prioritize 

quality, to put it simply, don't make the cut 

in the long run. Ensuring the products we 

offer embody quality not only aligns with 

our values but also builds trust and loyalty 

among our customers, cementing our 

place and the brands we support in the 

market for the long haul. 

Why start bringing in your own 

brands? Our goal was clear: to offer 

high-quality products at competitive prices 

to Kiwi adventurers. Introducing our 

own brands became a strategic move to 

achieve this objective. It allowed us to go 

the extra mile for our customers, ensuring 

the perfect balance between quality and 

value. By having more control over our 

product offerings, we could provide a 

tailored experience that met the needs of 

our outdoor enthusiasts. 

Mountain Equipment stands out with 

its 65-year heritage. Although it had 

been in New Zealand for some time, its 

representation had faltered in the years 

before we took over, with a mismatch in 

product offerings. We saw the potential to 

realign and reintroduce these high-quality 

brands to Kiwi adventurers in a more 

relevant and effective way. 

What advice would today Nick Montague- 

Brown give Nick who was just starting 

off twenty years ago? Firstly, embrace 

patience. Building Outdoor Action is going 

to be a long journey filled with both triumphs 

and setbacks. Each challenge is a lesson in 

disguise, shaping you into the leader you'll 

become. 

Be adaptable. The landscape of our 

industry will change faster than you can 

imagine. Your ability to pivot and embrace 

new ideas will be crucial to staying relevant 

and successful. 

Invest in relationships. The connections you 

make with customers, suppliers, and your 

team are the backbone of this business. 

Trust and respect in these relationships will 

carry you through the tough times. 

Don't forget about your team. They're your 

greatest asset. Hire people who share your 

passion and vision, then trust them to bring 

those to life. Their growth is your business's 

growth. 

Lastly, hold onto your passion for adventure 

and the outdoors. It's why you started this 

journey. That genuine love is what makes 

Outdoor Action resonate with so many 

people. 

To the younger me, know that this 

adventure is as much about your personal 

growth as it is about the business. Keep 

these pieces of advice close and enjoy the 

journey ahead. 


SURVIVAL 

failure in the 

name of safety 

Words and Images by Guy Cotter 

Back in 2018 we ran a story written by then CEO of 

Adventure Consultants, Guy Cotter. This is possibly one of 

the most relevant pieces of writing and advice from one of 

New Zealand's most successful and competent adventures, 

as relevant today as it was when he wrote it... 

If you’re going to be a 

mountaineer you’ve got to 

make peace with the fact that 

you are going to be a failure, 

repeatedly. Over the course 

of your climbing career you 

will attempt climbs you won’t 

get up because you’re (pick 

one or more) too scared, too 

weak, too slow, too fast, too 

early, too late, too tired, too 

hungry, can’t see, chose the 

wrong partner, wrong clothes, 

you’re hungover, forgot the 

crucial equipment, brought too 

much equipment, brought too 

little equipment, toilet paper 

got wet, weather was too/hot/ 

cold/wet/dry/windy, chose the 

wrong day/season/time of life 

and so on. 

In fact, the list of excuses 

for your upcoming string of 

failures is almost endless 

and over the course of your 

climbing career you use the 

entire spectrum of defences 

to explain how useless you 

really are. 

But we all know that in 

climbing these failures are 

justified, right? After all, the 

argument goes, we do have 

to fail at times in the name 

of safety. There is certainly 

no argument about that. We 

must be prepared to change 

our plans or back off a climb 

when the level of risk is too 

high. There are simply times 

when there is no doubt about 

the level of risk we are facing 

that makes retreat imperative, 

such as, a storm that drops 

lots of snow and creates an 

avalanche hazard that you 

can’t sit out until it stabilises, 

and you simply have to leave. 

But there are the other times 

when you’re just having a bad 

day, or you decide you hate 

your climbing partner and just 

cannot spend another moment 

with them or you have some 

other doleful reason to fail. 

Now you may not feel like 

returning to the pub/hut/basecamp 

and admit you backed off 

because you are so lame and 

that’s when you pull out the 

safety card. No one is going to 

criticise you for that because 

safety is paramount, and you 

can sometimes even convince 

yourself that your pitiful lack of 

willpower was actually justified 

for safety reasons. 

But, there are times when 

being a lame useless 

paranoid failure is exactly the 

right call even though you 

can’t properly explain your 

rationale. I’ve had many an 

experience (while failing) 

when I’ve not been able to 

articulate my reasoning and 

that `things just didn’t seem 

quite right. And yes, I have 

used a fair portion of the 

aforementioned excuses to 

justify my fallibilities. 

In fact, I’ve failed so often that 

I’ve got myself to a stage in 

life where I don’t mind failing. 

If there is a route that is too 

hard for me and I’m simply 

not good enough to climb it 

then I’m good with that. I’m so 

good at failing that my sense 

of self-worth is not destroyed 

by the thought of other people 

criticising me when I do fail. 

Now I can even apply this 

apathetic approach to the 

rest of my life and while 

I’m surrounded by type A 

personalities who are still 

stuck in the ‘80’s using jargon 

like ‘goal setting’ I’m blissfully 

living life without concern that I 

might be exposed as a failure 

because in reality I’m really 

accomplished at it! 

This revelation has been 

spawned through events 

that occurred to me in the 

course of my climbing career. 

I recall once when I was an 

aspirant guide I turned back 

on an ascent of Mt Cook 

while other guides were still 

continuing onwards, and they 

successfully summited. While 

they were comfortable, I was 

completely uncomfortable 

with the conditions, in my 

view it was too warm, and I 

couldn’t say to myself that if 

I continued with the ascent, 

that I was making the right 

decision with the information 

I had at hand. My poor client 

was devastated and quite 

rightfully made a complaint to 

the guide company and at the 

time I felt terrible about the 

whole thing. 

Just three years ago (now 

8 years) a similar event 

occurred on Mt Manaslu in 

the Himalayas. A storm laid 

down a heap of snow and the 

forecast was indicating an 

oncoming frontal system that 

would hit us after only three 

clear days. This didn’t give 

us enough time to give the 

snow slopes leading to high 

camp time to settle before we 

would be forced to have our 

Sherpa team climb the slope 

to stock the camp in time for 

us to follow the next day and 

summit the day after. 

A golden rule of snow 

safety tells us that 90% of 

avalanches occur during or 

the day after a storm. My 

experience in the Himalaya 

has shown me numerous 

times that the most dangerous 

time is the day following a 

storm when the sun has been 

on the slope only a short time. 


Making a decision whether to summit Manalsu straight after a storm can be a tricky one. 

"THIS WAS A SLOPE 

THAT WAS KNOWN TO 

AVALANCHE, IT SLID IN 2012 

AND 11 PEOPLE DIED, THE 

LIKELIHOOD OF AN 

AVALANCHE WAS HIGHEST 

THE FIRST DAY 

AFTER THE STORM. 

IT WOULDN’T BE TOO MUCH 

OF A PUSH TO SUGGEST 

THAT THE FACT NO-ONE 

DID DIE WAS MORE LUCK 

THAN SKILL (AND AGAIN, I 

WAS TRULY THANKFUL FOR 

THEIR LUCK)." 

There were a large number 

of groups on Manalsu that 

season and there was a lot of 

pressure to get to high camp to 

summit before the next storm 

that was forecast to arrive 

in a few days, which would 

shut the season down due 

to extremely high winds. As 

leader of that expedition I had 

a choice; I could break my own 

rules and send the Sherpas 

up that slope the day after 

the storm, or I could make a 

safety conscious choice, even 

if I wouldn’t be too popular for 

making it. 

We knew that other teams 

would be on that slope next 

day and there was a chance 

nothing would go wrong, and 

that people would get up that 

slope safely and then go on 

to summit. I told my team 

that I was going to look either 

like a sage in their eyes next 

day if people got avalanched 

on that slope, or an overly 

conservative failure if nothing 

occurred. Well, as it turned out, 

it was the latter. No avalanche 

took out the climbers on that 

slope and no-one died. I was 

very thankful for that outcome. 

But, and here is the guts of 

it, this was a slope that was 

known to avalanche (it slid in 

2012 and 11 people died) and 

the likelihood of an avalanche 

was highest the first day after 

the storm. It wouldn’t be too 

much of a push to suggest 

that the fact no-one did die 

was more luck than skill (and 

again, I was truly thankful for 

their luck). 

However, the question in my 

mind was whether people were 

still climbing this slope due to a 

fear of making a conservative 

call, or because they had no 

idea of what they were doing, 

or because they had more 

information about the state 

of that slope at the time and 

therefore knew more about it 

than I did? 

(I’m certainly happy to admit 

failure and learn something) 

I will never know the exact 

answer to that question and I 

suspect there were numerous 

differing reasons behind their 

decisions. 

Fast forward a couple of years 

and we are on Dhaulagiri 

making our summit attempt. 

The forecasts were projecting 

winds and snow, but our 

physical observations gave us 

no confidence in the forecasts, 

so we climbed to high camp in 

good weather. Our following 

summit day was flawless, 

resulting in our entire climbing 

team reaching the summit. 

Elation at making the summit of Dhaulagiri 


"SUCCESS IS THE 

OUTCOME I ALWAYS 

AIM FOR BUT WHEN THE 

STARS ARE NOT ALIGNED, 

AND THE SIGNS ARE 

CLEARLY INDICATING 

ONE SHOULD BE 

OPERATING ON THE 

RIGHT SIDE OF CAUTION 

IT’S A NO-BRAINER" 

A heap of snow and a frontal system, what would you do? 

The comparison in outcome 

between these two 

expeditions was palpable. As 

climbers we have to always 

be prepared to make safe 

calls. The irony is that if we 

always make calls that are 

too conservative, we’ll never 

get up anything. I know 

climbers who always pull the 

safety card and have never 

succeeded on anything. 

Sadly, I’ve also known plenty 

who perished because 

`conservative’ wasn’t in their 

vocabulary. 

The art is when to know to be 

conservative and when not to. 

There is no exact answer to 

this, accidents do just happen 

in the mountain environment, 

but as a minimum we should 

at least be observing the 

rudimentary and very basic 

rules around safety. There 

is an issue when people 

ignore or don’t know those 

rules around safety. Doing it 

once and getting away with 

it shouldn’t’ make you think 

you made the right call. Do 

it repeatedly and you will 

certainly get spanked. 

There is no better measure 

for assessing hazard than 

your own observations 

and a developing healthy 

respect for history. Carefully 

observing what is occurring 

around you at all times will 

reveal clues as to what is 

changing in a positive or 

negative way. Changes in 

temperature, sunshine and 

clouds, wind direction and 

strength, precipitation, snow 

texture and loading as well 

as heuristic factors, will all 

have an effect on the potential 

outcome of decisions you 

make and you will be better 

equipped to make judgement 

calls if you stay tuned in to 

these phenomena. There 

are often clues as to what 

hazards you are exposed to 

if you observe closely what is 

going on around you. Always 

have an opinion about what 

will happen next and reflect 

afterwards whether your call 

was correct or not. 

The historical data you want 

to know is whether there 

have been incidents on 

this slope/face/mountain/ 

similar situation, as the most 

ignominious failure is to repeat 

an event that has occurred 

previously and could have 

been avoided had you used 

that history to structure your 

own campaign. Recent history 

is important too, keep track 

of what layers have been 

laid down in the snowpack 

through snowfall, humidity 

and wind events while you are 

there and try to find out what 

happened before you arrived. 

Failure is a relative term. 

In this age of expeditioning 

there are people that have 

climbed several of the world’s 

highest mountains who have 

succeeded on every climb 

they have undertaken due to 

them training appropriately 

and the efforts of experienced 

expedition operators to 

ensure their groups are 

successful. This trend has the 

potential to develop a cadre 

of mountaineers who do not 

know failure and therefore 

may not be able to appreciate 

the need for it at times. 

I always respect the effort 

and outlay for someone to 

be on a big mountain and I 

am fully aware that failure is 

painful and depressing after 

committing so much. Success 

is fantastic and should always 

be the end goal. It is the 

outcome I always aim for 

but when the stars are not 

aligned, and the signs are 

clearly indicating one should 

be operating on the right side 

of caution it’s a no-brainer – 

the crux of it is that you have 

to know what those signs are 

to be able to make those calls. 


SURVIVAL 

surviving 

the 

olympics 

Words and images by Steve Dickinson 

Adventure Magazine has a long 

relationship with the legendary surf 

break in Tahiti, called Teahupoo, 

going back over 20 years. The 

choice of Teahupoo as the venue for 

the Paris Games surfing event has 

sparked debate about the venue's 

appropriateness and athlete safety. 

With its reputation as one of the world's 

most ‘challenging’ waves, Teahupoo 

presents unique challenges for both 

organisers and competitors. 

Teahupoo has been part of surfing 

history. This Tahitian reef pass is etched 

in every surfer's mind from Laird’s 

Hamilton’s “Millennium Wave,” to the 

“Code Red” madness in 2011, Surfers 

have died here, and many more have 

been injured; on a big day with the 

right conditions it is one of the planet’s 

most amazing surfing spectacles. And 

all this happening in a tiny, incredibly 

picturesque village, surrounded by 

mountain at the end of the road on 

Tahiti Iti. 

When considering Teahupoo suitability, 

it's essential to understand the breaks 

unpredictable conditions. The chances 

of encountering ideal surf conditions 

during a predetermined four day 

waiting period are slim, even in the 

peak season. Unlike more versatile 

surf spots like Huntington Beach even 

Sunset Beach, Teahupoo demands 

specific criteria to be considered 

suitable – minimum 10-to-15-foot wave 

faces, light off-shore winds. Anything 

less than perfection won't meet 

Teahupoo standards. 

42//WHERE Code Red 2011 ACTIONS one of SPEAK the most LOUDER memorable THAN days WORDS/#243 in surfing history 


It was so big it was like being in a cartoon 

At Teahupoo, surfing success is measured by one metric: riding 

barrels. Turns and cutbacks will get scored, but it's epic barrels or 

nothing. 

Considered by many the King of Teahupoo, local legend Raimana Van 

Bastolaer, when we asked about the Olympics in Teahupoo replied, “I 

think some will charge, some will stay on the side if it’s a big size wave 

… but we never know. Some will push themselves.” 

What about the competitors from all those “non-major” surfing nations, 

many of which will be facing this wave for the first time? Some will have 

qualified for this event by the ISA (International Surfing Association) 

heats held on four foot messy beach breaks. Is it sensible to put those 

athletes in such a risky situation before the world where the result of 

pushing yourself could be faceplanting on the coral reef? 

"REGARDLESS WHETHER THE OPTION TO 

HAVE THE OLYMPICS AT TEAHUPOO IS 

WISE, IT NEEDS TO BE MENTIONED THAT 

TAHITI AND HER ISLANDS HAVE SOME 

OF THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL 

WAVES IN THE WORLD; BEACH BREAKS 

AND REEF BREAKS WITH CRYSTAL CLEAR 

WATER ALL SET AMONGST BREATH 

TAKING SCENERY." 


Make our island adventure 

playground your next stop 

And experience the world’s most welcoming adventure holiday 

Local Michele Bourez at Teahupoo at its best 

In twenty years of turning up for the WSL event at Teahupoo, 

which has a two-week waiting period, it has been good half 

a dozen times and epic twice. Let’s say that against all odds, 

the four-day-only waiting period allocated for the Olympics, 

produces some ‘epic’ Teahupoo; twenty-foot barrels out of 

the west. The real deal Teahupoo. What will happen then? 

With billions being earned for advertising rights, would the 

organisers deem it too dangerous and cancel? 

The view at the end of the road is spectacular 

"TEAHUPOO MEANS 

WALL OF SKULLS; LET'S 

HOPE THAT IS NOT AN 

OMEN" 

Despite these challenges, the Paris Olympic surfing event 

boasts familiar names from the Championship Tour (CT), 

professionals. A lot of big names have qualified to represent 

their country and will perform regardless of the conditions. 

But the Olympics should be different from another WSL 

event where the same professionals battle it out month on 

month. The Olympic Games motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius – 

Communiter” - “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”- part of 

that togetherness is surely a level playing field for all. 

The decision to host the Paris Games surfing event at 

Teahupoo raises valid concerns over the environmental 

impact both on land and on the reef of the location and 

screams the even bigger question of its suitability, fairness 

and safety for the athletes. 


Now, it's just a case of waiting and seeing what Mother 

Nature serves up. 

Worryingly Teahupoo means “Wall of skulls”, let’s hope that 

is not an omen. 

© Grégoire Le Bacon

SURVIVAL 

Testing Times in the 

Braeburn Range, 

Nelson Lakes 

Words and images by Eric Skilling 

Enduring a brutal storm in the middle 

of the night, collapsed tents, falling 

off a log into a stream, getting lost, 

unwelcome encounters with wasps, 

eels the size of pythons, a seconddegree 

burn injury, hitting the proverbial 

wall, and - a first for me - unwanted, 

uncomfortable, and unnecessary interpersonal 

conflict. 

Reaching the more remote Mole 

Saddle was an eventful five-days. A mix 

of rugged, steep, and overgrown paths, 

beautiful clear rivers and streams, 

magnificent views, vocal native birds, 

backcountry huts full of history and 

character, and secluded, peaceful 

camp sites. We also finished with the 

warm glow of comradeship that comes 

with shared adversity. This really was 

an adventure for the ages. 

Mandy and Ajay negotiating the narrow track to D'Urville Hut 


1100 

1000 

900 

800 

Roberts Road to Speargrass Hut 

3 hours. Easy 

Stepping out from the carpark and 

into the stillness of native beech 

forests must be the perfect start 

to a 5-day trip. Lined with mosses 

and lichens, the path meanders 

past gullies filled with raucous 

waterfalls, and a canopy providing 

welcome relief from the summer 

sun. Speargrass Hut, a favourite 

of mine, and thoughtfully placed 

in the gently sloping valley under 

the imposing scree-covered slopes 

of Roberts Ridge. A couple of us 

chose a pleasant campsite in the 

regenerating forest nearby, with the 

company of an inquisitive weka. 

"AN HOUR LATER, 

AFTER SEARCHING, 

WADING THROUGH 

WATER UP TO OUR 

WAISTS AND MUD 

UP TO OUR KNEES, 

AND A BIT OF BUSH- 

BASHING, WE ENDED 

BACK WHERE WE 

STARTED." 

1200 

1000 

900 

600 

Speargrass Hut to D’Urville Hut 

8.5 Hours, 22km. Tougher 

Day two was a big step up. The elevation 

profile gives no indication of challenges we 

faced that day. Firstly, one of our members - 

for no apparent reason - suddenly ran out of 

energy, or “hit-the-wall” as they say. Luckily, his 

legs turned to jelly close to Sabine hut. Once 

there he was able to use the radio telephone 

and arrange a water-taxi trip to D’Urville Hut. 

We left him enjoying the company of other 

trampers, and the rest of us continued onto 

D’Urville hut. 

Spirits were high as we left Sabine Hut - our 

colleague was in safe hands, and the track 

ahead was wide and well graded. Reality 

hit soon after diverting off the route to Blue 

Lake and crossing the clear waters of the 

Sabine River. 

Within minutes we confronted washouts, 

drop-offs, and missing markers. Finally, we 

crossed the two bridges marked on the map, 

close to the D’Urville River and the hut. Any 

joy was short lived as we came across yet 

another waist-deep stream, spanned by a 

large log. I confidently stepped onto the log 

and edged my way across, calling for Antz to 

document this marvellous feat. Less than a 

metre from reaching the other side, I looked 

back to see who was following, which began 

a slow-motion tumble into the deepest 

section of the stream. Apart from dented 

pride I was disappointed to find Antz had 

failed to record the incident for prosperity. 

It was a relief to exit the forest and step onto 

the rocky river flats of the D’Urville river. 

Antz noticed a marker nailed to a large piece 

of driftwood lying in the centre of the flats 

- we headed towards it. An hour later, after 

Above: Another waist deep stream spanned by 

a large log allowed a dry crossing for most. 

Right: Chris on the Upper Sabine 

Image by Annette 

searching, wading through water up to our 

waists and mud up to our knees, and a bit 

of bush-bashing, we ended back where we 

started. 

Remarkably an eagle-eyed Mandy somehow 

spotted a yellow marker on the true-left of 

the river, hidden in amongst grass taller than 

herself. A little later we arrived at D’Urville 

Hut just in time to greet the water-taxi at the 

jetty. 

Antz then dropped his pack, stripped off 

boots and shirt and headed for a refreshing 

plunge off the jetty. Just as he was about to 

step off the edge, he noticed dark shapes 

in the water. Almost a dozen fat, black, 

metre-long eels slithered into view. He 

retreated. Later we learnt that another party 

had taken the plunge and will forever bear 

the scars from bites to the leg, finger, and 

embarrassingly, the butt. 

The day’s dramas did not end there. The 

contentment of the evening meal was 

shattered when a pot spilled, splashing 

Jacqueline’s thighs with boiling water. 

Thankfully, she was wearing woollen 

thermals which withstood the worst of the 

scalding liquid. Jacqueline is also a qualified 

nurse, with a fully stocked first-aid kit. 

Regardless, she coped with the pain and 

blisters amazingly well over the next few 

days. 

Lastly, the people conflict. It is not cool to 

arrive late, move someone else’s pack off 

a bunk, and claim the bunk for yourself. 

It is even less cool to then claim an extra 

mattress alongside yours for your gear. Hut 

etiquette 101 - be cool by acting respectfully 

or expect conflict. 


700 

650 

600 

550 

500 

450 

D’Urville Hut to Tiraumea Hut 

3 hours. A short day 

That night it began to rain. Initial plans to conquer Mt 

Misery were always going to be under review after the 

tortuous journey the day before, but when we heard the 

summit-track described as “rubbish!”, and the return 

times were “at least 9 hours” without the rain, we settled 

on a more modest target of Tiraumea Hut. 

After leaving the riverbed the track climbs steeply for 

about 250 metres into a beautiful beech forest. From 

there we meandered gently downhill to the hut. It helped 

when the wind began to drop with the rain easing to 

passing showers and bouts of warm sunshine. 

Tiraumea Hut is a classic backcountry hut, nestled on 

a grassy flat fifty metres from the river, and surrounded 

by lush forest. A sign over the door proudly announces, 

“Built in 1961; R Sutherland and R Osman”. Despite it 

being well maintained, it was also clear from the visitors’ 

book that this dwelling has sheltered very few. 

1200 

equip 

yourself! 

1000 

900 

600 

Tiraumea Hut to Mole Saddle 

5 hours. Quite tough but not a long day 

Once again, the elevation profile does not do justice to 

the steep, leg-aching ascent shorty after leaving the hut. 

More dense podocarps and beech dominate this narrow, 

up-and-down route, with some steep and rocky gullies to 

scramble around. 

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equipoutdoors.co.nz 

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Experience had taught us to identify the black beech 

favoured by invading wasps, but alas, the narrowness 

of the track led to inevitable close encounters. Both 

Mandy and I suffered their wrath this day after invading 

the territories of these unwelcome colonists. Personally, 

I did not have any longer-term effects from the attack, 

but Mandy endured painful swelling despite using 

antihistamine cream and taking a tablet. 

It was also my turn to hit-the-wall. Quite suddenly I 

found my heart rate reaching anaerobic levels at the 

slightest effort. I struggled on, thanks to the help and 

encouragement of the others, but it was a huge relief 

when we walked out above the bushline into sunshine 

and the alpine grasses below the Mole Saddle. 

And what a sight. To the northeast - over Mt Misery - the 

horizon dominated by the ragged peaks of the Cedric 

range. A brilliant white speck of ice marked the 2278 

metre Mt Hopeless, its summit clothed in a small blanket 

of passing cloud. Ahead of us the scrub covered Ella 

range hid all further views east. To the southwest the 

Matakitaki River was a meandering ribbon of silver in the 

afternoon sun. 

Deciding to camp where we stood was an easy decision 

- just below the saddle at about 1300 metres. We took 

full advantage of a gentle breeze and bright sunshine to 

dry out soggy gear, enjoy the views, and dine together 

under the backdrop of the surrounding mountains. 

"QUITE SUDDENLY I 

FOUND MY 

HEART RATE 

REACHING 

ANAEROBIC LEVELS 

AT THE SLIGHTEST 

EFFORT." 

The Storm – 10 hours. Tough 

Very wet and very windy 

An advantage of camping high is the 

spectacular views. A disadvantage is exposure 

to the elements. Around 11pm I was woken by 

a sudden gust and the staccato of raindrops 

on my tent. Within an hour Antz was adjusting 

pegs, guy ropes and pole attachments as his 

tent was laid flat by gusts of wind. 

Another tent had lost all its pegs and was 

flapping like a flag in a hurricane. That 

occupant emerged dazed, damp, and 

disorientated, but within minutes she was cosily 

bundled in the tent of her knight-in-shiningthermals. 

Ajay’s chivalry is now legendary. I 

must make a plug for my single-person Macpac 

Microlight which kept me dry and warm all night 

despite the battering. 

1400 

1200 

1000 

900 

600 

Jamieson Track 

3 hours. Easy 

Unsurprisingly, we were all up before 6am, packed and 

heading down the small stream that was once the Jamieson 

track, and the shelter of the mature beech forest. Fortunately, 

the storm eased within an hour, leaving us with genuine joiede-vivre 

as we congratulated each other after crossing the 

farm fence at the end of the track. 

This trip had exceeded everything I expected, but also left me 

promising to be back - there is so much more to explore and 

enjoy out here. 

I prefer to use Jetboil, Backcountry and Macpac product, 

especially Macpac Tents. 


SURVIVAL 

Surviving the 

worlds scariest lifts 

Words and images by Phil Clark from Mad About Travel 

Skiing is one of the best pass times ever and 

over the years it has offered me some incredible 

experiences. Throughout the world ski resorts all 

have a few things in common, mountain scenery, 

fast paced action, downhill thrills and scary lifts! 

Often to get to some of the best terrain you need 

to brace yourself for a frightening ride! Braving 

your fears is one of the best things about skiing, 

people face fear in many ways. Riding lifts which 

frighten the bejesus out of you just piques your 

experience and makes the reward even better. 

Here are some of the most epic ski lifts I have 

found throughout the world. 

NEW ZEALAND 

Craigieburn, Southern Alps – Located on the 

way to Arthurs pass this club ski field has some 

of the best two natural powder bowls in the South 

Island of New Zealand. It also has one of the 

wickedest “Nut Cracker “ rope tows. Fast and 

unforgiving the technique is to ski up to the rope, 

flip your “nut cracker” onto it, and hang on! In 

about 8 minutes you will be at the top about to ski 

some of the best powder in NZ. 

Treble Cone, Wanaka – Now a part of history 

the Saddle T Bar was one of the sickest jokes the 

NZ ski industry decided to play on unsuspecting 

skiers and boarders. Traversing an exposed, 

rough, ice strewn off camber ridge the T bar 

naturally sorted the gifted from the ordinary. If you 

could ride the Saddle T Bar then you could ride 

the epic natural half pipes and powder of Treble 

Cones saddle. Replaced by a chair running on a 

much more sensible route the terrain is still epic 

and still sorts the gifted from the ordinary. 

EUROPE 

Meribel, France – Known locally as “The Fridge” 

and “The Freezer”, “The Plan Des Mains” and 

“Cote Brun” are two of the highest lifts in the 

Three Valleys mega ski resort in France. They 

link Meribel with Val Thorens which is at 3500m. 

These north facing chairs catch all the wind, 

snow and blizzard conditions. As I found out 

when running a chalet in Val Thorens, they are 

the only way home after a long day of skiing the 

incredibly long runs or the Three Valleys and 

they are COLD! A hot Vin Chaud is vital once 

these lifts have been experienced on a freezing 

December afternoon. 

Aigle du midi tram in Chamonix 

Pizza Box Niseko 

Chamonix, France – The Valley Blanche is one of the worlds longest 

ski runs which starts at 3800m and travels over 17km’s over an active 

glacier. In order to access this run you need to take a few brave pills! 

First there is the tram which climbs 2317m from the town to the top 

of a needle peak. Then there is the arete ridge from the peak to the 

glacier, so you don crampons, get the rope out and abseil down the 

arete. Finally there is the 17km’s of glacier to ski, preferably without 

falling down a bottomless crevice! Best completed with a guide, for 

every avid skier this is a must do experience! 

JAPAN 

Furano, Hokkaido – The H1 link chair from Kitanomine to Furano. 

This chair goes flat, then down, then up and up and up! Linking the 

two resorts of Furano it shows you some of the most epic off piste 

terrain in Furano. 

Niseko, Hokkaido – The two infamous Pizza box chairs of Niseko, 

“The King lift” and the “Wonderland Chair”. Literally like sitting on a 

pizza box these single seat chairlifts have no safety bar, no friends 

and are right at the top of the mountain so they rock like a 70’s 

hipster. They do access some of the most epic powder bowls in the 

WORLD. So they have to be ridden! 

"IN ORDER TO ACCESS THIS RUN YOU NEED 

TO TAKE A FEW BRAVE PILLS! FIRST THERE 

IS THE TRAM WHICH CLIMBS 2317M FROM 

THE TOWN TO THE TOP OF A NEEDLE 

PEAK. THEN THERE IS THE ARETE RIDGE 

FROM THE PEAK TO THE GLACIER...FINALLY 

THERE IS THE 17KM’S OF GLACIER TO SKI, 

PREFERABLY WITHOUT FALLING DOWN A 

BOTTOMLESS CREVICE! " 


Experts at adventure travel since 2000 

"where clients become friends" 

Mammoth Mountain 

USA 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming – The Aerial 

Tram runs from the base of Jackson 

Hole to the summit of the Grand Tetons 

4,139 feet high in 12 minutes. While 

you’re on your way up a helpful lifty 

runs a safety briefing telling you all 

about how the ungroomed advanced 

offpiste black terrain you’re about to 

encounter, is absolutely not suitable for 

beginners or even intermediate skiers. 

Once you’re up there you can agree 

with them while poking your nose into 

the vertical entrance to Corbets Couloir. 

The 360 degree views of the Grand 

Tetons really are amazing, and the ski 

down even better. 

Mammoth Mountain, California – 

The famous Chair 23 runs straight up 

Scottys face to the summit ridge. You 

get a birds eye view of this double black 

face while sitting on a rocky fixed grip 

slippery plastic chair seat WITH NO 

SAFETY BAR! Its truly frightening but 

the run is worth it! 

Big Sky, Montana – The Lone Peak 

tram has just been replaced so it’s not 

quite as daunting as it was when you 

could only fit four people in it. This 4612 

foot long tram ride deposits you on the 

teeny, tiny tip of Lone Peak. DO NOT 

FALL OVER as you’re putting your 

skiis on, cause you won’t stop until 

you reach the bottom! The exposure of 

the mountain peak is something else, 

the easiest way down is a long, steep, 

black diamond run down Liberty bowl. 

If it’s too much, you can look at the 

view, take some photos and take the 

tram back down. 


"YOU GET A BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THIS 

DOUBLE BLACK FACE WHILE SITTING ON A 

ROCKY FIXED GRIP SLIPPERY PLASTIC CHAIR 

SEAT WITH NO SAFETY BAR! ITS TRULY 

FRIGHTENING BUT THE RUN IS WORTH IT!" 

CANADA 

White water, British Columbia - Not 

so much frightening, as quaint, White 

water ski resort has four chair lifts and 

a handle tow for beginners. These are 

some of the oldest lifts I have seen still 

running! 40 years young and locally 

owned, they brought used chairlifts to 

keep costs down. Later in a world of 

modern express detachable chairlifts, 

they brough a couple of great value fixed 

grip lifts. White Water’s very first point of 

their mission statement is “Making the 

experience affordable” I applaud this 

resorts sentiment, and on top of this, the 

resort is AWESOME! Whitewater sits in a 

natural powder valley and gets some of 

the best powder I have ever skied in, the 

local town of Nelson is pretty wicked too. 

Big White, British Columbia – The 

Cliff chair at Big White is well named, 

climbing a double black powder bowl, 

the chair starts out mellow and then 

climbs almost vertically over a rocky bluff 

which precedes the 1km long Parachute 

Bowl . The Cliff chair gives you a hairraising 

view of the terrain you’re about 

to shred. One of the highest mountains 

in the Okanagan, Big White has some of 

the best powder bowls in the area. 

Portillo, Chile 

SOUTH AMERICA 

Portillo, Chile – Located in the Andes right 

on the border between Argentina and Chile 

this small steep ski resort has discovered that 

ski lifts tend to get wiped out by avalanches 

if you leave them in place in big storms. So 

the invented a removable 6 person T bar. 

Randomly this lift works incredibly well, 

but it’s a fine line between white knuckle 

terrifying and exhilarating! The Va-et vient 

(sling shot) lifts fire you up the mountain at an 

unprecedented pace, rewarding you with a 

long powder run down. 

There is one thing in common with all these frightening lifts - they access the most 

amazing powder and terrain! The moral of this story, take your brave pills, harden up and 

enjoy some of the best terrain the world has to offer you. 

For more information contact: www.madaboutravel.co.nz 

"We live what we sell" 

0800 623 872 

info@madabouttravel.co.nz 

madabouttravel.co.nz

trekking himilayas 

Led by Robert Bruce 

In late December to January 

2024 a large group of New 

Zealanders, hosted by Got To 

Get Out founder Robert Bruce, 

successfully trekked to Mt 

Everest Base Camp in Nepal. 

Most of the group achieved 

their goal of trekking to a height 

of 5364m above sea-level in 

the middle of Nepal winter. At 

the higher altitudes the group 

endured temperatures down 

to -20 overnight and -15 in the 

day, utterly freezing conditions. 

This is the fourth time Robert 

has taken a large group of 

Kiwis to the foot of the tallest 

mountain on earth, his fifth time 

guiding in Nepal having also 

guided the Annapurna Circuit. 

This trip marks the 10th year 

anniversary of his founding Got 

To Get Out. He always returns 

in Nepal winter, New Zealand's 

Christmas holidays. 

Robert came up with the idea 

of getting people 'outdoors 

and active' after his first trip to 

the Himalayas in 2014 after 

leaving the corporate world to 

instead start a social enterprise 

that gets people active. As well 

as hosting nearly 1000 ‘micro 

advenures’ in New Zealand 

since, he has been particularly 

passionate about enabling and 

leading what he calls ‘the Kiwi 

‘rite of passage’ to Basecamp. 

This particular trek, compared 

to any other in New Zealand 

or Nepal, feels very significant 

thanks to the strong kiwi 

connection of Sir Edmund 

Hillary. “‘Sir Eds’ legacy 

feels ever-present in the 

Khumbu region, with various 

monuments, statues, bridges 

and buildings named in both 

his and Tenzing Norgay's 

honour. For trekkers landing 

in Lukla from Kathmandu (the 

very beginning of the trek to Mt 

Everest), the first thing you see 

is the name on the terminal 

‘Tenzing Hillary Airport’. Some 

call this the most dangerous 

airfield in the world, but ‘most 

thrilling’ is a better description, 

as you come in to land on a 

tiny, steeply angled airfield 

seemingly carved out of the 

side of the hill. The story goes 

that Sir Ed rounded up the 

Sherpa people and literally 

stomped the earth flat with 

their feet, walking up and down 

the hill to form the first version 

of the runway. 

"SOME CALL 

THIS THE MOST 

DANGEROUS 

AIRFIELD IN THE 

WORLD, BUT 

‘MOST THRILLING’ 

IS A BETTER 

DESCRIPTION" 

The trek to basecamp is 

around 120 km return. Trekkers 

only walk around 10km per day 

though some day are longer, 

with a gradual ascent that 

some days are steeper than 

others. Walkers ascend around 

500m of vertical elevation a 

day. The usual walking time is 

around 8 hours a day, split in 

two before and after lunch. The 

relative short days of walking 

(compared to say, hiking Te 

Araroa in New Zealand) is 

important to not ascend too 

quickly and risk getting altitude 

sickness, and also to walk 

within daylight hours as it gets 

very cold when the sun begins 

to fall behind the towering 

7000 and 8000+ meter peaks 

flanking the valley you are 

ascending. 

The terrain of the trek is 

somewhat similar to Tongariro 

Crossing in New Zealand; the 

trail is basically dry, rock-hard 

compacted earth, interspersed 

with rock steps. Not technical 

at all, but a long slow trudge. 

The route was originally 

developed to facilitate trade 

between Tibet/ China and 

Nepal, so the trail has been 

designed with yaks in mind, 

and is still used for them. The 

trail is the perfect width for 

a large herd of yaks to pass 

through in single file, and never 

too steep for them to continue 

their long heavily laden trudge 

uphill. Walkers need to give 

way to yaks, and get out of 

their way! 

There are no roads in the 

Himalayas at all, so the only 

way produce and supplies can 

get delivered cost effectively 

is on the backs of animals, 

or people. Helicopters can 

bring supplies in, but it is very 

expensive. So daily, herds of 

mules, cows and at higher 

levels yaks trundle past daily, 

kicking up huge clouds of dust. 

It’s important to keep your 

mouth covered to avoid getting 

it into your lungs. 

Each day on the trail, hikers 

stay in tea houses, and 

these become your ‘home 

away from home’. The tea 

houses are another relic of 

the trade route from Tibet to 

Nepal, conveniently perfectly 

positioned to provide rest for 

weary Sherpa who would stop 

to rest and have tea, during 

their immensely long trade 

journeys. Today, there are 

multiple tea houses in each 

little village you come to, that 

serve a wide array of food and 

drink and accommodation. 

Western food options like 

pasta pizza and chips are 

available, but it’s nice to have 

local cuisine. Almost every 

meal is vegetarian, it’s not 

recommended to have meat in 

the Himalaya, without knowing 

how it was transported or 

stored. Power is unreliable 

and so refrigeration is not 

confirmed. 

On arrival at Basecamp the 

Got To Get Out group cheered 

each other, and celebrated 

their huge effort. Some of the 

group waved New Zealand 

flags, ate their favourite foods 

brought all the way from home, 

and of course took many 

photos standing on the famous 

rocks and boulders at base 

camp with the Khumbu icefall, 

and Everest in the background. 

Some photos show the 

kiwis standing in front of 

the infamous Khumbu 

icefall, where most Everest 

climbing expeditions begin. 

Mountaineers have to cross 

ladders placed precariously 

over huge constantly moving 

ice slabs, before attempting 

Mt Everest. It’s considered 

some of the most dangerous 

mountaineering in the world, 

and features heavily in films 

and documentaries. 

At this time of year the barren 

frozen surface resembles 

more of a moonscape, again, 

somewhat similar to the 

Tongariro Crossing. Not a 

single tent can be seen, only 

rocks and ice. And it’s very 

clean! People always ask ‘are 

there bodies and rubbish up 

there?’. The answer is that 

basecamp and the walking 

route through the Khumbu is 

very clean. Concerted efforts 

over the years have ensured 

that the tourism experience 

is very good and rubbish is 

removed. 

Higher up on Everest, yes 

apparently there are bodies 

that simply can’t be removed 

but mostly covered by snow 

and ice other than perhaps a 

boot sticking out visible. These 

days Sherpa are incentivised 

to bring rubbish down off the 

mountain, and it can create 

good income for them to 

remove unused bottles and 

other waste, so it has been 

cleaned up considerably. 

Only the very tip of the summit 

of Mt Everest can be seen from 

Base Camp. So the best views 

of Mt Everest is very much on 

the days approaching it, or 

from Kala Patthar 5644m, the 

viewing point some choose 

to do before departing Gorek 

Shep (the highest camp) on 

the last day before turning 

around. 

The weather this year was the 

best group leader Bruce had 

ever seen since first visiting ten 

years ago. The sun was high 

each day, skies blue with white 

7000 and 8000m peaks all 

around. Bruce said he hoped 

the mild conditions were not 

a sign of a region warming 

up, as prior trips had reached 

lows of -30 at Basecamp. -16 

at Basecamp was warm in 

comparison and with no snow 

on the ground, it was quite a 

contrast from prior years, 

The total size of the expedition 

each day was actually over 

25 individuals, with expert 

Nepalese trekking guides and 

porters included in the count. 

The kiwis he brings each year 

have an excellent relationship 

with the Nepalese guides, 

some of whom he has trekked 

with three or four times. The 

local guides and porters very 

much appreciate the spending 

(money) and work they get in 

their down-season, with some 

walking many days from their 

lowland farms, especially to 

join the annual Got To Get Out 

treks. 

This year, as with prior trips, 

some of Roberts' group 

encountered challenges linked 

to altitude sickness. Just 

walking daily in extreme cold 

conditions and being in a dry 

dusty environment can lead to 

various chest and lung issues. 

This year one guest got sent 

home via helicopter quite early 

in the expedition from Namche 

Bazar (the ‘Sherpa capital’) at 

3440m above sea level. This 

Kiwi hiker contracted a chest 

infection after just three days 

walking, so after consultation 

with the doctor on the trip, and 

along with Nepalese guiding 

staff, the decision was made to 

send the patient to a purpose 

built trekkers hospital in 

Kathmandu via helicopter. 

Another guest did make it to 

Everest Base Camp before 

being diagnosed with HAPE 

(high altitude pulmonary 

edema) so also needed to 

descend via helicopter. 

Both made a full recovery, but 

it further illustrates the risk and 

challenges of embarking on 

this adventure. It is not for the 

faint hearted. The main issues 

trekkers face are chest (lung) 

infections, hard to breath, 

intense headaches, sore 

throat, loss of appetite, and 

fatigue. If walkers can endure 

all of that, they make it to their 

goal of Mt Everest Base Camp. 

“The choice of guiding in the 

winter season in Nepal is 

strategic”, says Bruce. 

In peak climbing and trekking 

seasons (around May for 

climbing, November for 

trekking) the tea houses, 

accommodation and flights 

in-and-out of the Himalaya 

are very full. In winter when 

he travels, less people are 

willing to brave the colder 

temperatures and so the 

trails are nearly empty. These 

conditions are perfect for 

Got To Get Out to bring large 

groups of Kiwis, who tend 

to be available during their 

Christmas holidays, eager to 

attempt the 'rite of passage' to 

follow the footsteps of sir Ed, 

and tick Basecamp off their 

bucket list. 

This year, Robert and Got To 

Get Out plans to host more 

international expeditions to get 

Kiwis outdoors on overseas 

adventures. He has in mind 

the Machu Picchu Inca trail in 

Peru, Mt Kilimanjaro summit 

in Africa, and of course a 

return to what he now calls 

the unofficial home of his 

social enterprise - Mt Everest 

Base Camp for New Years 

2025. Details will follow via his 

social media when tickets are 

available. 


what values matter most to them. 

I think this correlates with the time 

they spent either alone or with others 

walking in the bush, floating down 

rivers or paddling on the ocean.” 

He hopes to inspire and empower 

people to explore the natural 

environment as a way of improving 

mental health. 

Ocean conservation is also an 

important issue for the boys. Like 

many Kiwis, the four grew up on 

the coast, nourished by the sand, 

salt and the waves. The ocean was 

instrumental in their childhoods and 

continues to play a guiding role 

now. For this reason they believe 

it is essential we preserve and 

protect our ocean for the future. 

Funds raised will also go to Live 

Ocean which supports exceptional 

marine scientists, innovators and 

communicators to champion and 

improve the health of our coastline 

and marine ecosystems. 

The team understands the 

magnitude of the challenge ahead of 

them. Attempting to kayak +2000km 

along the coastline, with variable 

winds, weather, temperatures and 

ocean conditions is nothing to 

take lightly. “This will undoubtedly 

be one of the most physically and 

mentally demanding trips we have 

attempted”, Drew reflects, “but that 

is what excites me, the challenge is 

why we are attracted to it.” Training 

and preparation are key for the boys 

to make sure their bodies and skills 

are in top form before they set off. 

Spread across the country, the team 

have been preparing individually 

for the trip. Running guided tours, 

Cared, Kurt and Connor are out 

paddling most days for work, 

however all jump at an opportunity 

to paddle further afield in their own 

time. Drews’ preparation on the 

other hand, has him on the water 

most mornings and afternoons, 

spending as much time in the kayak 

in between work. 

A journey of this nature is made 

easier with support. A few generous 

sponsors have already got on 

board to help the boys out with the 

expeditions; NMIT has lent them 

the use of four kayaks and Chris 

from Kayak HQ in Nelson, a huge 

advocate for mental health, has 

generously assisted the four boys 

with some CKER paddles, transport 

of the kayaks, and other sea 

kayaking gear. 

The boys welcome every little bit of 

new support, whether that means 

following them on Instagram or 

Facebook, spreading the word, 

contributing to their Givealittle or 

supporting through some kind of 

sponsorship. You can contact them 

through their email or their socials. 

paddl4purpose@gmail.com 

@paddleforpurpose 

paddle for purpose 

In March, four kiwi boys embarked on a 

three-month kayak journey from Cape 

Reinga to Wellington down the east coast 

of the North Island (about 2200 km). 

The team is made up of three Stewart 

brothers, Kurt, Connor and Drew, all 

originally from Whangarei, and a close 

friend, Cared Blackham, from Eastbourne, 

Wellington. 

Drew, the youngest of the Stewart 

brothers, had the idea to navigate the east 

coast of the North Island by kayak after 

completing the South Island portion of the 

Te Araroa Trail back in 2019. He felt that 

walking the North Island portion of the 

Trail would miss the North Island's true 

beauty: its coastline. 

Drew’s wild idea was a seed planted with 

his two older brothers, Kurt and Connor, 

and now four years on, that seed is 

starting to bear fruit. In the intervening 

years, Drew studied Environmental 

Planning at the University of Waikato, 

and began working as an environmental 

consultant. Meanwhile, Kurt and Connor 

completed an adventure tourism diploma 

at Nelson Marlborough Institute of 

Technology (NMIT), which is where they 

met Cared, who was stoked on the idea of 

an epic kayak trip down the North Island 

coastline. Kurt, Connor and Cared are 

all now kayak guides working across the 

country in Wanaka, Whangarei and Abel 

Tasman respectively. 

None of the four have undertaken a sea 

kayak expedition of this magnitude, and 

with all living in separate locations in 

Aotearoa, planning and preparation has 

been no easy task. But each of them are 

committed to the journey. 

A key driver for the boys is using the trip to 

make a positive contribution to two things 

that mattered to them most; the health of 

people and the environment. “These two 

go hand in hand for us. Exercise in and 

on the water, bush and mountains has a 

massive positive effect on my physical 

and mental wellbeing, as well as for many 

others. I think that a lot of people have 

forgotten or are yet to discover this”, Kurt 

says. Through their Givealittle campaign, 

they are hoping to make a positive 

impact on mental health awareness and 

marine conservation. The Mental Health 

Foundation of NZ and Live Ocean are 

both charities supporting causes close to 

their hearts. 

Having experienced their own mental 

struggles and watching friends and family 

also navigate the choppy waters of mental 

health, they would like to help make this 

process easier and more accessible by 

supporting the Mental Health Foundation 

of NZ. They hope to inspire others to start 

their own journey towards an improved 

wellbeing and to help remove some of 

the stigma around getting support for 

mental health. They believe the simplicity 

of nature can take us away from all the 

stresses that follow us day-to-day, and 

that time and exercise in the natural world 

can help heal the mind, body and soul. 

The four boys have all found that getting 

out into the natural environment has 

helped them grow, explore their identity 

and find solace. Cared realised the 

importance of being active out in nature 

while studying at NMIT/Te Pukenga. The 

personal development he saw in himself 

and his peers was eye opening. “I saw 

friends develop a sound understanding of 

their own personal identity and discover 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

TREK. CLIMB SKI.REPEAT 


WANAKA, NZ | WWW.ASPIRINGGUIDES.COM | +64 27 301 0466 | INFO@ASPIRINGGUIDES.COM

"DAVID 

ATTENBOROUGH 

WOULD DEFINITELY 

BECOME AROUSED WITH 

THIS ONE. YOU SCALE 

A COUPLE OF ALMOST 

SHEER CLIMBS AND 

CLAMBER UP BESIDE A 

WATERFALL." 

the goat 

New Zealand’s toughest 20k trail run 

Words by Nick Laurie 

January 20th and it was time to test out just 

how hard the hardest 20k trail run actually 

is. I had entered when I was training for the 

Kepler Challenge(60k) and 20k seemed like 

a small training run to me. My plan was to 

dominate the Kepler and then do a couple of 

trots after Christmas and be ready for a great 

showing at this ‘fun-run.’ Oh how wrong could 

I be. 

Firstly, I did not dominate the Kepler. I had my 

arse handed to me on an unrelenting course 

and underestimated the recovery that was 

needed after such an effort. I would go for 

a run and at any sign of a hill it was almost 

like a PTSD reaction and my mind would 

give it the big nah. Straight after Christmas 

I was able to put my big boys’ pants on and 

had a couple of good 15-25k sessions at 

Wenderholm and on the bush reserves of 

Auckland’s North Shore. There are some 

really cool trails in Albany, Glenfield and 

Birkenhead. Thanks Auckland Council. 

All prepped and primed I was set for an 

impressive showing down at Mt Ruapehu. 

The GOAT is an event that has been going 

20 years and, in our race, celebrated it’s 

10,000th finisher. It follows the Western 

round alpine track from Whakapapa to Turoa. 

It is approximately 20k long, has 1168m 

ascent and covers terrain that includes lava 

flows, scoria fields, mountain beech forest, 

tussock grasslands and alpine herb fields. 

David Attenborough would definitely become 

aroused with this one. You scale a couple of 

almost sheer climbs and clamber up beside a 

waterfall. 

As with every one of these missions, gear 

selection is very important. Being an alpine 

event there was a list of compulsory gear 

that every competitor had to take with 

them. I must say that this was very strictly 

policed with one of the most rigorous gear 

inspections that I have ever experienced. 

This team should be sent to Mt Eden jail - no 

contraband would get past them. I arrived 

pretty late to registration, and I think that 

they had already had a laugh hours earlier, 

so when I offered to show them my whistle I 

just got the stupid boy look. They were big on 

having a seam sealed jacket a proper long 

sleeve thermal top and an emergency bag, 

not blanket. I picked up my lucky number 309 

and went back to our Air BNB. 

"I DID NOT DOMINATE 

THE KEPLER. I HAD MY 

ARSE HANDED TO ME 

ON AN UNRELENTING 

COURSE AND 

UNDERESTIMATED THE 

RECOVERY THAT WAS 

NEEDED AFTER SUCH 

AN EFFORT." 

We discussed what gear each of us would 

be using tomorrow and each had a fuelling 

strategy. The first call was shoes. Some of the 

lads had done it before and had visions of a dry 

track and selected their footwear accordingly. 

I chose to run in the Asics Trabuco Max shoes 

that I had got for Christmas. I wanted to use 

these because they had extra cushioning and 

were nice and grippy, with rain expected. They 

were great drainers as well which is important 

when going through water. You don’t want 

waterproof shoes otherwise you end up carrying 

2 buckets of water strapped to your feet. The 

next important thing to spend some money on 

is socks. I got myself a pair of thorlo trail socks. 

Great cushioning, non blistering and they had a 

firm band above the ankle which kept heaps of 

trail debris out. 

We all had our individual fuelling strategies. 

I had trained with the plan of a gel and an 

electrolyte capsule every hour. I knew that I 

would need 1.25l and decided to take 1.5l just in 

case. There were no aid stations on the course 

as it is very remote. The golden rule here is 

don’t try something new on race day. One guy 

tried out a new brand of gel and paid the price 

with a crampathon. I personally liked the GU 

band as they were easy to swallow and easy on 

the gut. 

We got one of the wives, thanks Sandi, to rise 

early and drive us to the start. She hung around 

and took some epic video of us all looking at our 

best as we ran the first 1.75k down the sealed 

road to the track. Everyone says to save your 

quads on this sealed downhill stretch, but I say, 

don’t listen. It is the best surface that you will 

have all race so unleash the inner Kenyan. It’s 

also the only time that you will want to check 

your Garmin. The rest of the kilometre splits are 

deeply disappointing. 

We were penned off into seeded groups of 50 

and set off at 3-minute time intervals. It was 

quite cool to watch the top guys take off. I 

remember seeing this couple in matching his 

and her outfits with the top seeds and I thought 

oh how nice they have let a couple of tourists 

have a nice experience. The, “her” finished top 

woman and the “him” finished 3rd overall. They 

were world orienteering champs! The seeding 

worked well because we were soon onto single 

track, and you didn’t want to be barging or 

holding people up. 


RIDE, RELAX 

& REPEAT 

Explore scenic Rotorua 

with our Mountain 

Biker package 

starting from $279! 

"I REMEMBER STANDING 

UP ON ONE SECTION 

OF THE WATERFALL 

AND FEELING A BIT 

LIGHTHEADED. I WAS 

SURPRISED NOT TO SEE 

FELLOW COMPETITORS 

HURTLING TO THEIR 

DEATHS." 

I remember standing up on one section of the 

waterfall and feeling a bit lightheaded. I was 

surprised not to see fellow competitors hurtling 

to their deaths. Apparently, the top competitors 

come and scope these rockfaces out during 

training and work out the most efficient way up 

them. My tactic was to follow the guy in front of 

me. I knew that the last 1.6k was going to be up 

a sealed road and I was relishing getting to that 

and running like the chariots of fire movie up to 

the red-carpet finish. 

Book Now: 0800 538 466 

237 Fenton Street, Rotorua 

"I HAD A 

NEWFOUND 

ADMIRATION 

FOR SIR EDMOND 

HILARY AS HE HAD 

TO RELENTLESSLY 

CLIMB LIKE THIS 

FOR WEEKS AT A 

TIME WHILE I WAS 

STUFFED DOING 

IT FOR 3 HOURS." 

After the beautiful downhill sealed section, it was on to the 

shitty trails. It was raining and the ruts turned into muddy 

creek beds. It was hard to get any footing and for most of it 

running was out of the question. It was an obstacle course. 

I can remember the person in front of me trying to avoid 

the first few puddles and rivers but after about 30 minutes 

everyone was just covered in mud. I came up to a guy 

towards the end of the race who looked nice and clean and 

asked how he had managed to dodge the mud. He said at 

the last river he had just had a lie down and a wash! 

I felt fresh throughout the first half of the race and went a 

hard as I could. There were 3 guys that I used to row with, 

and my goal was to catch them. I caught one of them by 

halfway but when the terrain opened up a bit I literally hit 

the wall. I opened the after burners and started to run a 

bit harder but with the fatigue from the obstacle course I 

wasn’t lifting my feet as best I could. I kicked a rock and 

went over face first. This was not only embarrassing but 

very depleting. The shot of adrenaline was a waste of 

energy and was sapping. 

I fell on 5 occasions and got pretty fucked off! This is 

where I could do better if I ever come back. I need to work 

on my agility. I remember seeing the 10k marker and 

thinking that they had got that wrong. Surely, we were at 

20! 

C 

M 

Y 

Let us take you on 

a great adventure... 

The last section of the race is on a steep sealed 

road and is affectionately known as Mama’s 

Mile. So named because at this stage you just 

want your mum. I had my goal to run this section 

but after about 20m I worked out that that was 

the dumbest thing that I had ever thought of. If 

I had have run a bit more of this section instead 

of power walking, I would have placed top ten 

in the very old person’s section. Maybe next 

time. It was steep and I had run out of why. I 

finished 4h and 50 secs- didn’t get my 4h goal 

either. Maybe next time. The winner came in at 

1h55. His Dad has won the race 8 times and 

finished second at 1h58 to the prodigy. I can’t 

comprehend how these guys do this so quickly. 

A member of our group, Watti, won the real race 

(over 60s) in 3h11 and I had the fastest 1st k in 

the group 4m15secs. 

Sarah asked me would I come back? It’s a race 

that requires agility which is not my skillset, but 

it is a test of grit. I do these things to impress 

myself and if I can get going a bit faster and 

not fall so much perhaps, I could crack the 4h 

barrier. 

See you next year GOAT. 

In the second half of the race, we had to scale a very 

steep hill section on hands and knees and then at 

17k there was a rock waterfall that we had to climb. I 

commented to a fellow competitor that I had a newfound 

admiration for Sir Edmond Hilary as he had to relentlessly 

climb like this for weeks at a time while I was stuffed doing 

it for 3 hours. 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

www.alpinerecreation.com

Fishing 

pivotal moments 

that change everything 

Words and images by Matt Butler 

In my teens I began to explore 

a bit further from home 

From a young age, I have always had 

an innate draw to the outdoors, any 

chance I could get I would prefer it was 

spent outside. But everything changed 

when at 12 years old, I was introduced 

to fly fishing after my mother sent me 

to a fishing club on my own one night. 

That night, something just clicked. It felt 

like this is what I was supposed to be 

doing and I was going to pursue it at 

any cost. 

I got my first rod for my 13th birthday 

and with no tuition or guidance it took 

me 3 years to catch my first fish. I did 

everything I could to get better, I read 

books, bought gear and joined the 

fishing club. But being the youngest in 

the room by at least 4 decades, it was a 

tough crowd. 

It’s ironic that any seasoned fly 

fisherman will say that a day on the 

water is not about catching fish, it’s 

about the experience and opportunity. 

Because at a young age this is how I 

felt, I was just happy to be out there. 

Over the coming years, I used to get 

out to the river after school and go on 

the odd weekend trip to some far away 

destination. That was until I moved 

up to the big smoke to launch my first 

business. These years were spent 

toiling away with little thought to much 

else, although the dream was to one 

day be free to fish every day. 

This moment came sooner than I 

thought, when I decided to liberate 

myself from the city and move south 

to Wanaka, New Zealand to pursue 

my burning desire to fish. My lack of 

water time in the previous few years 

showed, as I struggled to get my first 

south island fish. But it was the ability to 

see the trout in the water that changed 

everything. 

Observation was now my number 

one priority. Rather than jumping in 

to catch a fish, I would often sit and 

just watch, seeing how it fed and 

reacted to external influences. I would 

then calculate my approach and 

methodically go about catching it. At 

times I would even set up a camera 

to film myself in the process for later 

review. 

All of this waiting, watching and 

analysis paid off as I quickly mastered 

my game and it wasn’t long until I 

charged in with confidence. Eventually 

getting to the stage where I felt I had 

the skills to teach others. 

I had done so much fishing on my own 

over the preceding year and I felt some 

company would be much appreciated. 

So, I decided to try becoming a guide. I 

was a bit hesitant and unsure at first, but 

I backed myself to figure it out on the go. 

My first ever day guiding was spent 

in a helicopter flying all over South 

Westland with a couple of American 

billionaires. I had never been in a 

helicopter before so it was mind blowing 

and I was more than glad to have a 

senior guide accompanying me and 

showing me the ropes. 

Cicada snack! 


Moments like this are what inspire my work at KEA Outdoors 

This trip turned out to be life changing. At this 

point, guiding was just a temporary dabble for 

me. But it was what one of the billionaire clients 

said to me that changed the course of my life for 

the next 5 years. 

Sitting down on a rock to take a rest, I asked 

the 80+ year old mogul, “if you could go back in 

time, what would you change”. Without hesitation 

he replied, “I would have enjoyed my youth and 

not tried to get rich quick, you have your whole 

life to make money”. As someone with ambition 

in business, this struck deep to the core of 

everything the world had told me. ‘Work hard, 

sacrifice and enjoy life later’ was the motto of most 

entrepreneurs. But it was on that day that I made a 

choice, I was going to do what I loved for the next 

5 years until I was 30, then get back into business. 

The following 5 years were some of the most 

exciting of my life as I spent up to 200 days 

guiding on the water during the NZ summer and 

then spent all my winter exploring and fishing 

across the northern hemisphere. From tarpon in 

Florida, to Salmon in Norway, Trout in Ireland and 

Roosterfish in Mexico, I had the time of my life. 

With the deadline of my 30th birthday 

approaching, I knew it was time to make a 

change. However I was having such a wild time 

it was hard to consider what was next. Then 

overnight, that all ended… 

We all have our own story of what happened to our 

lives during the pandemic and we all experienced 

it in different ways. For me, it was the stop gap my 

life needed to move forward. Overnight, our borders 

closed to the world and I lost 99% of my work 

indefinitely. My northern trip was canceled and I had 

time on my hands, too much time. 

But, rather than squander it I decided to take this 

opportunity to make another drastic change and 

start a business I could build into the future. This 

was the birth of KEA Outdoors, an outdoor gear 

brand that creates gear inspired by my days as a 

guide but for the everyday adventurer. 

The purpose of the gear ties directly back to my 

frustrations when spending hundreds of days a 

year outdoors. Initially this was in the first aid/ 

survival category but has now grown into a wider 

product range and a brand with global reach. 

Now I find myself at a turning point once again. 

This new endeavor has sparked a new passion 

for me in creating great gear for others. It has 

been a challenging but rewarding journey as I 

built the business mostly on my own. 

But things are about to step up, as it’s now time 

to lean on the success to date and take things 

to the next level. We are building a brand that is 

taking on the stale outdoor gear industry, from 

little old Wanaka, New Zealand. 

That’s why we are offering the opportunity to 

those that believe in our story to become part of 

this journey and to own a piece of KEA Outdoors 

through our Equity Crowdfunding Campaign, 

launching in April 2024. 

This is a unique opportunity to join an exciting 

kiwi brand taking on the world and we would love 

to have you on board. You can learn more at 

www.keaoutdoors.com 

It’s been a wild journey over the past 20 years as 

fly fishing and the outdoors has shaped my life in 

a way I could neve have imagined. The biggest 

take away for me is that leaning into change can 

foster great things, you just need to take the dive! 

"SITTING DOWN ON 

A ROCK TO TAKE 

A REST, I ASKED 

THE 80+ YEAR OLD 

MOGUL, “IF YOU 

COULD GO BACK IN 

TIME, WHAT WOULD 

YOU CHANGE?” 

WITHOUT 

HESITATION HE 

REPLIED, “I WOULD 

HAVE ENJOYED MY 

YOUTH AND NOT 

TRIED TO GET RICH 

QUICK, YOU HAVE 

YOUR WHOLE LIFE 

TO MAKE MONEY” 

The all-new fourth generation Helios is the culmination of a seven-year 

quest to achieve precision beyond all previous limits of your imagination. 

IT’S WHERE ACCURACY COMES ALIVE. 


STAYING 

SAFE 

Xtorm Xtreme Solar Panel SolarBooster 

21W $399.00 

Overload protection and temperature 

control 

Auto Power Management to prevent 

overheating 

No internal battery 

Charges 2 devices at the same time 

21 Watts SunPower® Panel 

WWW.OUTDOORACTION.CO.NZ 

Xtorm Xtreme Rugged Power Bank 20.000mAh $199.00 

High Capacity 20.000mAh for multiple device 

charges 

Shock-resistant and water resistant 

Recharge your phone at least 4 times 

Emergency Flashlight 

4 USB outputs 


KEA SURVIVAL KIT GEAR PACKS $40.00- $50.00 

KEA Gear Packs are built for purpose and contain all the 

essential gear required to pack or refill your outdoor survival kit. 

WWW.KEAOUTDOORS.COM 

Xtorm Xtreme Rugged Power Bank 

10.000 mAh $129.00 

10.000mAh internal battery 

Charges 3 devices at the same time 

Integrated flashlight 

Water resistant 

Recharge your phone at least 2 times 

3 USB outputs 


Xtorm 20W Fuel Series 4 Solar Power Bank 10.000 

mAh $109.95 

10.000mAh battery 

20W USB-C PD output 

2x USB output 

Built-in SunPower® Solar Panel 

Splash-proof (IPX4) 

Powerful integrated LED flashlight 


KEA kit $80.00 (GO) - $120.00 (XL) 

KEA KIT GO & XL are Outdoor Survival 

Systems to help pack essential safety gear. 

GO for on the move and the XL for vehicle/ 

basecamp 

WWW.KEAOUTDOORS.COM 


Kiwi Camping Medium Duffle Bag 60L $139.00 

Rugged, durable and designed to withstand 

the toughest adventures. The new Kiwi 

Camping duffle bag comes with detachable 

padded backstraps convert to the duffle into 

an expansive backpack. 

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ 

STAYINGAFE 

Rab Emergency Group Shelter 2 $139.95 

Made with lightweight and windproof polyester fabric, 

this emergency shelter is suitable for 1-2 people and 

includes waterproof seats and weather-resistant 

ventilation windows. 

WWW.OUTFITTERS.CO.NZ 

Rab Trailhead Bivi $269.95 

Lightweight and waterproof, this bivi offers great 

protection from the elements with a MVTR rating of 

10,000 g/m2/24h. To use alone or under a tarp. 


Rab Siltarp 1 $229.95 

Strong, seam free, ultralight, and waterproof, the 

Siltarp offers a great shelter and a variety of setup 

options with a central lifter point. 


Rab ARK Emergency Bivi $19.95 

Made with lightweight PE, the ARK 

Emergency Bivi is wind and waterproof 

and reflects body heat to keep you safe 

in emergency situations. 


EXPED WINTERLITE -5 DOWN SLEEPING BAG 

$699.99 

Designed for cold-weather 

mountaineering and harsh 

environments. Water-repellent, 

breathable, windproof, 

lightweight shell with 540g of 

800-fill power goose down 

insulation. Differential cut, 

adjustable draft collar, 3D foot 

box. 1070g 

WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ 

Gasmate Turbo Butane Stove & Pot 

Set $149.00 

For quick boiling when you 

need it! A super lightweight 

aluminium stove with quick 

boil technology, piezo ignition 

and accessories all packaged 

in a handy mesh carry bag. 

WWW.GASMATE.CO.NZ 

Kiwi Camping Matai Pro -5°C 

Sleeping Bag $109.00 

Matai Pro -5°C boasts 

a rectangular design 

providing ultimate warmth 

in cold temperatures, 

with generous width and 

height for added comfort. 

Features include a ripstop 

shell, inner pocket, 

adjustable hood, and YKK 

zips. 


kiwi camping Rover Lite 3CM Self-Inflating Hiking Mat $99.99 

Compact to pack and carry, the Rover Lite selfinflates 

in minutes. The tapered design can fit in a 

sleeping bag for maximum comfort on adventures. 


EXPED ULTRA 7R MUMMY SLEEPING MAT 

$369.99 (MEDIUM) 

Lightweight, supportive mat 

insulated with responsiblysourced 

down insulation for 

comfort on your adventures 

year-around. Compact packed 

size, a recycled 20D ripstop face 

fabric and 9cm-thick chambers 

with fatter chambers at the sides 

to reduce the chance of rolling 

off. Certified carbon neutral by 

myclimate. RV 7.1, 620g 


Vango F10 Xenon UL2 Tent $699.99 

Stable two pole 4-season tunnel design that is easy to pitch, lightweight and 

packs up small. Features a large vent over the door for airflow and stopping rain 

getting into the inner with an open door, a front vestibule, high quality, lightweight 

Yunan poles, and a fast-pack bag. 1.9kg (packaged weight) 


Kiwi Camping Weka 2 Hiker Tent $349.90 

Kiwi Camping's most popular hiker tent 

with double-sided entry, sturdy vestibules, 

and a user-friendly design. With a fly that 

handles rain and snow, the Weka 2 is 

perfect for hiking adventures. 


Kiwi Camping Mamaku Pro -5°C 

Sleeping Bag $129.00 

Mamaku Pro -5°C offers 

ultimate warmth with 

lightweight, compact design 

and silvertherm lining for heat 

retention. Ideal for outdoor 

adventures with ripstop shell, 

inner pocket, and YKK zips. 



ZEROFIT Heatrub move $109.95 (AUD) 

Baselayer, Thermal 

The Move features a 45% polypropylene 

inner / hollow polyester shell that work in 

tandem to regulate body temperature, so 

as you work harder for longer, you don’t 

overheat in the conditions. 

WWW.ZEROFIT.COM.AU/PRODUCT/ 

HEATRUB-MOVE/ 

ZEROFIT Heatrub Ultimate $129.95(AUD) 


The award-winning Heatrub Ultimate 

is best-in-class baselayer that uses 

enhanced Heat Threads inside the 

garment that are activated through 

movement, gently brushing against the 

skin to generate positive warmth instantly. 


HEATRUB-ULTIMATE-UNISEX/ 

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie $399.99 

Ultralight and packable, featuring VerticalX 

SuperStrand insulation that is just as soft, light 

and lofty as 700-800 fill power down thereby 

giving you the best of both down and synthetic 

insulation. Ripstop nylon shell and lining for 

abrasion, water and wind resistance, a quilting 

pattern that reduces stitching and creates an 

uninterrupted flow of warmth and it stows in its 

own pocket. Available in men’s and women’s 

hoodie and jacket versions. 309g (men’s large) 


ZEROFIT Heatrub Ultimate Leggings $129.95 (AUD) 


The Ultimate Leggings are made from 

the same material as the award-winning 

Heatrub Ultimate baselayer. The 

leggings are comparable to fleece lined 

overtrousers, but with the added benefit 

of ease of movement. 


ULTIMATE-LEGGINGS/ 

bear cottage Possum Merino Wool Ombre Throw $195.00 

A unique and luxurious blend of NZ possum 

fur and pure NZ merino lambswool. A beautiful 

luxurious Multi Tone Throw – so versatile, so 

light and ever so warm. 

35% Possum Fur, 55% Merino Lambswool, 

10% Mulberry Silk. 

Measurements approx: 1.24m x 1.71m 

WWW.BEARCOTTAGE.CO.NZ 

ZEROFIT Heatrub neckwarmer $49.95 (AUD) 

Adventure Wear, Thermal 

The Neck Warmer uses the same ‘heat 

threads’ that feature in the award-winning 

Ultimate baselayer, which has been 

independently proven to be five times 

warmer than a standard product. 


HEATRUB-NECKWARMER/ 


FIRM OOTING 

Merrell Moab 3 Womens Oyster/Chalk $259.00 

The Moab 3 (Vent) Hiking Shoe - With the 

inclusion of a premium Vibram outsole, the Moab 

3 is built for any terrain or elevation Australia has 

on offer. For over a decade, the Merrell Moab 

has been the choice of hikers when a choice 

needs to be made, making it the bestselling 

hiker in the world. Famous for its out-of-the-box 

comfort, durability and all purpose versatility, its 

predecessors have enabled 25million people 

to step further outdoors. Moabs 3rd version 

features a new more supportive insole, a softer 

more cushioned midsole, a grippier Vibram 

outsole, and partially recycled fabrics. 

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ 

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Gore-Tex Mens Beluga / Womens Black $379.00 

The Moab Speed 2 represents Merrell's latest 

advancement in hiking. Combining the expertise and 

trail experiences of the renowned Moab hiking boot with 

cutting-edge innovations from avid hikers worldwide, this 

upgraded generation of hiking shoes sets a new standard 

in outdoor footwear. 

• Padded collar 

• Bellows tongue keeps out debris 

• Protective and abrasion resistant synthetic heel and 

toe cap 

• Dual heel and tongue loops for ease of entry as well 

as carabiner compatibility 

• Cleansport NXT treated for natural odor control 

• Lightweight FlexPlate technology provides 

torsional rigidity, lateral stability, and forefoot 

flexibility 

• FloatPro Foam midsole for lightweight comfort that 

lasts 

• Vibram TC5+ outsole provides exceptional traction 

for outdoor multi-sport activities, formulated 

exclusively for Merrell 

• Vibram traction lugs specifically designed to increase 

traction and shed debris with each step 

• Nylon ripstop and TPU upper 

• 100% recycled laces and webbing 

• 100% recycled breathable mesh lining 

• 100% recycled mesh footbed cover 

• 50% recycled removable EVA foam footbed 

• Vegan-Friendly 

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ 

SALEWA ALP TRAINER 2 GTX $429.90 

The Alp Trainer 2 GTX has a suede leather and 

stretch fabric upper with a protective rubber rand for 

protection against rock, scree and debris. Featuring 

a GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort lining for optimal 

waterproofing and breathability. The EVA midsole 

provides superior cushioning and excellent comfort 

for a technical shoe. Climbing Lacing right to the 

toe allows for a more precise fit, while the Vibram® 

Alpine Hiking outsole covers a wide spectrum of 

mountain terrain. 

Fit: STANDARD / Weight (M) 470 g (pictured) 

(W) 370 g 

WWW.BOBO.CO.NZ/SALEWA 

SALEWA puez knit mid ptx $499.90 

The first hiking boot with Salewa Alpine Hemp. 

It has an abrasion-resistant knitted nylon and 

ripstop polyester mid-cut upper, with hemp and 

recycled polyester laces. Reinforced with an 

external toe cap and 360°protective rubber rand, 

it also features our PFC-free waterproof and 

breathable Powertex® membrane. At the heart of 

its construction built into the dual density Alpine 

Hemp and EVA midsole, is the new Salewa 

Edging Plate II, a special thermoplastic frame 

that runs the entire length of the boot, offering a 

combination of enhanced flex, and rebound for 

long-lasting hiking comfort. The Pomoca Alpine 

Trekker outsole offers excellent grip and traction 

in technical terrain. 

Fit: STANDARD / Weight (M) 480 g 

(W) 385 g (pictured) 


SALEWA pedrok pro mid ptx $459.90 

We designed the Pedroc Pro Mid PTX to offer 

a lightweight, versatile, and protective technical 

shoe with a mid-cut upper to cope in a wide range 

of scenarios from mixed mountain terrain to city 

streets. The SALEWA® 3F system and Ankle 

Protector system provide additional support and 

stability, while an abrasion-resistant double ripstop 

upper with TPU rand provide enhanced protection. 

Weather protection and breathability are provided 

by our sustainable Powertex® PFC-free waterproof 

membrane. The EVA midsole delivers optimal 

rebound, and the Pomoca Speed Hiker Pro outsole 

has a multi-directional lug pattern that works well on 

mud, grass and rock. 

Fit: STANDARD / Weight: (M) 390 g (pictured) 

(W) 290 g 


Anatom Q4 Torridon B2 Mountain Boots $549.00 

For 4-season trekking, rock scrambling, glacier 

travel and winter walking adventures. Full rubber 

rand and the finest quality leather to withstand 

frequent use and provides excellent ankle support 

plus the right flex and torsional support for 

confidence over technical terrain. Tri-Aria 3-layer 

Membrane System, Vibram® Sorapis outsole. 


SALEWA mountain TRAINER 2 MID GTX $649.90 

Introducing the next generation of our bestselling, 

robust and reliable alpine trekking boot. This hardwearing 

suede leather classic with a full 360° 

protective rubber rand is even lighter and more flexible. 

Equipped with a waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® 

Performance Comfort membrane, a dual density 

expanded PU midsole that offers a good balance of 

cushioning and stiffness, and the self-cleaning Vibram® 

WTC 2 outsole is engineered for improved grip and 

traction in a wide range of conditions. 

Fit: STANDARD / Weight (M) 600 g (W) 470 g (pictured) 


SALEWA ORTLES light MID ptx $659.90 

This lightweight, comfortable mid-cut boot is both 

technical and agile. The Pomoca Alpine Light outsole 

ensures increased grip and traction in varied terrain. 

The Ankle Protector System wraps the foot, providing 

stability and protection from rock and scree. The 

Edging Plate technology blends targeted stiffness for 

edging stability and enhanced climbing performance 

with balanced flex and rebound for hiking comfort. 

The tough nylon fabric is reinforced with high-tenacity, 

abrasion-resistant, protective TPU stitching and film. It 

also features our PFC-free waterproof and breathable 

Powertex® membrane, and the elastic gaiter keeps out 

trail debris and grit. 

Fit: STANDARD / Weight (M) 575 g (pictured) (W) 425 g 



Review 

"Moab 3 features a new more 

supportive insole, a softer 

more cushioned midsole, and a 

best-in-class Vibram® outsole." 

THE WORLD’S 

WARMEST BASELAYER ® 

Designed in Japan, made for the outdoor world, Zerofit unisex baselayers are game-changing products for adventurers who 

refuse to let colder temperatures stop them from enjoying the hills, mountains, lakes or forests. 

Created by a passionate team of innovators and baselayer specialists, the Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate is the most technically 

advanced baselayer on the planet and completely different to any other product you’ve ever worn before. 

Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Boots 

Reveiw by Eric Skilling 

The sign read “Track now open. Caution Advised. Condition 

of track itself very rough.” This had to be the perfect place to 

test a new set of boots - lots of exposed tree roots, steep in 

places, and steady rain to make it a bit muddy and slippery. 

I packed several books and a few litres of water into an old 

canvas Macpac Genesis and headed off. 

It was not long before I had gained full confidence stepping 

down the steep, slightly muddy and root-bound track. This 

is hardly surprising - Merrell is hardly a start-up in the 

adventure footwear industry and these boots have been a 

top-selling model for over a decade. 

"With a notably stiffer 

sole, the boots promised 

durability and great 

support on rougher terrain 

such as scree slopes." 

With a notably stiffer sole, the boots promised durability and 

great support on rougher terrain such as scree slopes, while 

sacrificing a little control boulder hopping across streams. A 

mid-cut with an official weight of 1kg, they felt ideal for both 

single and multi-day tramping. 

"By the 

time I had 

emerged out 

of the bush 

and mud, 

and onto 

the beach, 

I had every 

reason to 

feel assured 

that I could 

rely on these 

Moab boots 

during future 

multi-day 

excursions." 

The all new Moab 3 features a new more 

supportive insole, a softer more cushioned 

midsole, and a best-in-class Vibram® 

outsole. Our newest generation is the most 

environmentally friendly Moab ever, utilizing 

recycled materials in construction. The Moab 

3 Mid WP features a waterproof membrane to 

keep your feet dry. 

Features 

• Waterproof membrane seals out water 

and lets moisture escape 

• Pig suede leather and breathable mesh 

upper 

• 100% recycled laces and webbing 

• Bellows tongue keeps out debris 

• Protective and abrasion resistant rubber 

heel and toe cap 

• 100% recycled breathable mesh lining 

• Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable 

contoured footbed with reinforced heel 

cushioning for medium support 

• Molded nylon arch shank 

• Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs 

shock and adds stability 

• Super Rebound Compound provides 

durable shock absorption to help reduce 

torque and allow for a smooth transition 

into the midfoot 

• Vibram® TC5+ outsole technology gives 

you confidence with every step from 

mountain trails to city streets. Made 

exclusively for Merrell, Vibram® TC5+ 

delivers all-around grip, traction, and 

durability designed for every day wear. 

• Lug: 5mm 

• 2lbs-3.25oz, 1000g 

WHAT MAKES IT SO GOOD? 

1. It’s five times warmer than a 

standard baselayer 

That is quite a claim, but it’s a fact. Tested at the 

iconic Boken Institute in Osaka, the Heatrub 

Ultimate baselayer recorded a Heat Retention 

Rating of 0.78; a standard baselayer would have 

a rating of between 0.1 to 0.14. And for reference, 

a jumper would typically have a rating of 0.3. The 

Ultimate performs best in a temperature range 

of -10° Celsius thru 10° Celsius – so even in the 

coldest of conditions, it has got your back. 

2. Instant warmth the moment 

you put it on 

A standard baselayer traps body heat between 

your skin and the material, so it takes a little time 

before you feel the benefits. With Zerofit, five 

separate fabrics, along with a patented knitting 

process, create instant warmth as soon as you 

pull it on. We don’t engineer our products with 

compression for heat as a technology, unlike 

other brands. The unique fabric mix means you 

don’t need the tightness in order for it to work, 

making it super comfortable too. 

ZEROFIT HEATRUB MOVE - 

ADAPTABLE WARMTH ON THE GO 

The Ultimate baselayer is perfect for the 

coldest of conditions, but it is 

complemented by the Heatrub Move 

($109.95), which is twice as warm as a 

standard baselayer and ideal for milder 

temperatures of between -5° thru 12° 

Celsius. It features a 45% polypropylene 

construction on the inside of the 

baselayer and a hollow polyester shell 

that combine for ‘Adaptable Warmth’, 

keeping you cosy when you’re at a 

standstill yet regulating temperature and 

ensuring you don’t overheat as you move. 

The construction removes sweat from 

the skin and evaporates it off the surface 

of the baselayer quickly, so that nasty 

feeling of ‘cold sweat’ never materialises. 

3. Fewer layers, greater warmth 

and freedom to move 

The Ultimate is the ideal product for people 

who dislike traditional tight baselayers. Over the 

years, you may well have ‘layered up’ in order to 

combat the effects of cold weather. This is 

where we are changing the game. The Heatrub 

Ultimate is so good at keeping you warm, you 

won’t need multiple additional layers, giving 

you greater freedom to move easily. In short, 

fewer layers yet greater warmth. 

4. Central Heating from 

top to toe 

Innovative ‘Heat Threads’ positioned on the 

inside of the garment gently rub against your 

skin as you move, which creates positive 

warmth across your body and this instant heat 

is retained while you’re wearing the baselayer. 

We also produce Heatrub Ultimate Leggings 

and Heatrub Ultimate Socks that are made 

from the same material and work in exactly 

the same way, so you can have top-to-toe 

warmth with Zerofit. 

Five times 

warmer than 

a standard 

baselayer 

Instant heat 

the moment 

you put it on 

No need for 

multiple 

additional 

layers – a gamechanger 

Heating 

from top 

to toe 

If I do have a concern, it would be the mesh covering the 

top of the boot. Clearly a way of making the boot lighter 

and more breathable - but I doubt they would cope with 

long sessions ploughing through matagouri or bush lawyer. 

If bush-bashing is your preference I suggest the more 

rigorous Phaserbound range. 

READER OFFER! 

Buy any Zerofit baselayer and receive a 

FREE THERMAL POM BEANIE 

Worth$39.95 using code ADV001 

at checkout 

By the time I had emerged out of the bush and mud, and 

onto the beach, I had every reason to feel assured that 

I could rely on these Moab boots during future multi-day 

excursions. 


The helpful team at Merrell Takapuna store 

Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate baselayer (available in Black, Grey and Navy) – $129.95 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate leggings (available in Black) – $129.95 

■ Zerofit Heatrub Ultimate socks (available in Black) - $49.95 ■ Zerofit Heatrub Move baselayer (available in black, white and titanium) - $109.95 

FOLLOW US! 

@zerofitaustralia FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT zerofit@dynacast.com.au 

SEE THE FULL RANGE AT WWW.ZEROFIT.COM.AU

Review 

"The Apex pro is 

made of strong 

material around 

the pockets and 

has strong mesh to 

keep it superlight." 

CamelBak Apex Pro Run Vest 

Reveiw by Nick Laurie 

The latest release from CamelBak is the Apex 

Pro running vest. I was sent one to test drive and 

I had some deep thought on how I would put it 

through its paces. 

I usually use a backpack for my distance races 

with the thought that I can carry more water and 

not have to waste time topping it up. This tactic 

did not pay off in the Kepler last December when 

I ran dry for the last 10k. I was lucky that there 

was a supermarket set up on the trail that saved 

me from dehydration. I was keen to try a quality 

running vest and CamelBak have come to the 

party. I could easily refill the small bottles at taps, 

streams, or aid stations. You can use a bladder 

in the Apex Pro as it has an area to hold one and 

a clip for the hose. 

The biggest bug bear with a running vest is 

that the bottles bounce around and slosh. The 

inventors at Camelbak have tackled this problem 

by using their sealable flasks that have a leak 

lock. They are secured with 2 tie downs and 

have a nifty hole in the bottom so that you can 

hang them when drying. When you drink you 

have to suck the flask taking the air out of play 

and eliminating the slosh. 

The next issue for me is that the material is often 

too light and rips and tears easily. The Apex pro 

is made of strong material around the pockets 

and has strong mesh to keep it superlight. There 

are heaps of handy storage pockets and even a 

waterproof one that fits an iphone. The big deal 

about this vest is that it has RECCO technology 

sown into it that will reflect any search and 

rescue beacon making it easy to find you if you 

get lost after dark. 

I wanted to test this vest on a track with heaps 

of stairs to see how bouncing around would feel. 

None better than the track from Huia to Whatipu 

in West Auckland. Steps, Steps and more Steps. 

I knew that the return trip would take me 3 hours 

and the 1 litre of water that I could carry in the 

flasks would give me enough. If I was guzzling 

too much, I could refill at Whatipu campground. 

" I found it way freer 

to run with than the 

backpack and loved 

having all of the 

weight up around 

my shoulders." 

I also decided to carry all of the 

compulsory gear that is needed for a race 

to test the capabilities. I discarded the 

quiver pack for poles that comes with the 

Apex Pro because I am not a stick racer 

just yet. It was easy to remove and will clip 

back on just as easily. The gear fit in easily 

and I could distribute it around to different 

pockets for comfort. I didn’t need a whistle 

because the pack comes with its own. 

I’m reasonably broad with a 105cm chest 

and was given a size large to try. What! 

Not an XL! At first glance that line from 

the flight of the concords “small mans 

wetsuit” came to mind but once I put it on 

and adjusted the positioning of the cross 

straps, to fit around my man boobs, I was 

very grateful for the snug fit - no rattling or 

bouncing. I found it way freer to run with 

than the backpack and loved having all of 

the weight up around my shoulders rather 

than down in the small of the back which 

after a couple of hours can get annoying. 

It felt good. 

The only bug bear was that I am a heavy 

sweater and the whole pack with exception 

of the phone pocket was saturated. I 

would suggest putting thermals that you 

want to stay dry in a plastic bag. I chucked 

the pack in the washing machine with 

my running gear, washing out the bottles 

separately and am ready for my next 

adventure. 

This vest is the bomb! 

BE IN YOUR ELEMENT. 

BECOME A COP. 

APPLY AT NEWCOPS.GOVT.NZ 

Constable | New Zealand Police 

Competitive Kaihoe Waka Ama 

Bay of Plenty District 


FEED YOUR ADDICTION 

Like a ‘perfect storm’, we have seen a dramatic growth and 

development in online stores over the past 5 years. 

We are dedicating these pages to our client’s online stores; some 

you will be able to buy from, some you will be able drool over. Buy, 

compare, research and prepare, these online stores are a great way to 

feed your adventure addiction. 

Aspiring Guides offers specialised, innovative & personalised 

mountain guiding services. 

www.aspiringguides.com 

Amazing holidays for active people and those who seek 

‘travel less ordinary’. www.wildsidetravel.co.nz 

The best outdoor equipment for all of your adventurous 

antics. Outdoor Action has you sorted. 

www.outdooraction.co.nz 

Building versatile and reliable gear so you 

can adventure with purpose. 

www.keaoutdoors.com 

Bivouac Outdoor stock the latest in quality outdoor 

clothing, footwear and equipment from the best 

brands across New Zealand & the globe. 

www.bivouac.co.nz 

Shop for the widest range of Merrell footwear, apparel 

& accessories across hiking, trail running, sandals & 

casual styles. Free shipping for a limited time. 

www.merrell.co.nz 

Temperature. Taste. Transport. 

Hydroflask, more than just a water bottle. 

www.hydroflask.co.nz 

Top NZ made health supplements delivered straight 

to your door, with same day dispatch. 

www.supps.nz 

This small, friendly family-run company is based in Lake 

Tekapo, New Zealand, specializing in guided outdoor 

adventures throughout New Zealand's Southern Alps. 

www.alpinerecreation.com 

The place to go for all the gear you need whether you're skiing, 

snowboarding, hiking, biking or just exploring. 

www.thealpinecentre.co.nz 

Gear up in a wide selection of durable, multifunctional 

outdoor clothing & gear. Free Returns. Free Shipping. 

www.patagonia.co.nz 

With 22 locations around NZ 

we’re one of the largest car 

rental networks in the country. 

www.rad.co.nz 

Fast nourishing freeze dried food for adventurers. 

www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz 

Stocking an extensive range 

of global outdoor adventure 

brands for your next big 

adventure. See them for travel, 

tramping, trekking, alpine and 

lifestyle clothing and gear. 

www.outfittersstore.nz 

Specialists in the sale of Outdoor Camping Equipment, RV, 

Tramping & Travel Gear. Camping Tents, Adventure Tents, 

Packs, Sleeping Bags and more. 

www.equipoutdoors.co.nz 

Your adventure travel specialists, with over 20 years 

experience! They live what they sell. 

www.madabouttravel.co.nz 

Supplying tents and 

camping gear to Kiwis 

for over 30 years, Kiwi 

Camping are proud to 

be recognised as one of 

the most trusted outdoor 

brands in New Zealand. 

www.kiwicamping.co.nz 

The only baselayer 

you'll need. 5 x 

warmer than a 

traditional baselayer 

www.zerofit.com.au 

Bobo Products, a leading importer and distributor of snow 

and outdoor products in New Zealand. 

www.bobo.co.nz 

NZ world class climbing centre. 

Your climbing experience is at 

the heart of what they do. They 

provide trained and competent 

professionals that are psyched 

on climbing and passionate 

about supporting others. 

www.northenrocks.co.nz 

Purveying the finest singleorigin 

roasted Espresso 

and Filter coffee in NZ since 

2013 for you to enjoy at 

home or work. 

www.redrabbitcoffee.co.nz 

10% discount on coffee use 

ADV10%

Tokyo, the selfie city 

JAPAN: a country of contrast 

In James Clavell's book ‘Shogun’, one of 

the characters explains how the Japanese 

have three hearts: ‘one they have in their 

mouth that they show the world, one in 

their heart that they show their friends and 

family and a third that is deep in their soul, 

they show only to God alone’. 

Shogun is the story of John Blackthorne, 

an English sailor who was shipwrecked 

in Japan in the 1500s and must quickly 

come to terms with the unique challenges 

of Japanese culture. Now, we were not 

shipwrecked, we were there by choice, 

but the culture was still a shock - well, less 

than a shock, more of a confusion that 

takes some getting used to. 

We were on our way to Club Med Sahoro 

to ski, and we stopped off in Tokyo for 

three days. We had done our research 

and knew what to expect, to a degree. 

When you think of Japanese people and 

the Japanese way of life, you think of a 

controlled, polite, historic, and ‘cultured’ 

destination. I was expecting geisha girls 

in kimonos shuffling down the street, but 

I wasn’t expecting city life on acid. Tokyo 

is a bigger-than-life, anime, sign-flashing, 

sound-blaring cacophony of light and 

sound that assaults your senses twentyfour 

hours a day, seven days a week. 

In a freezing 3 degrees, young women 

were dressed as schoolgirls in miniskirts 

and high boots; and there were people 

outfitted as rabbits and mice. Every 

wall seemed plastered with the same 

humongous boy/girl K-pop band. 

Tokyo is a massive sensory overload; a 

city crammed with people and noise, yet, 

in all the chaos, there was a politeness 

and a sense of calm and safety that I 

had never felt in a big city before. It is 

entertaining, if exhausting. 

"TOKYO IS A MASSIVE 

SENSORY OVERLOAD; 

A CITY CRAMMED 

WITH PEOPLE AND 

NOISE, YET, IN ALL THE 

CHAOS, THERE WAS 

A POLITENESS AND A 

SENSE OF CALM AND 

SAFETY THAT I HAD 

NEVER FELT IN A BIG CITY 

BEFORE" 

However, amongst the chaos lies some 

really tranquil places, such as the Shinjuku 

Gyoen National Gardens, a surprising 

haven in the midst of the bright lights and 

high rises. 

Getting around Japan most people use 

the immense train system. To describe it, 

imagine you had a large piece of paper 

and tipped a bowl of spaghetti onto it, 

that is what the local train map looks like: 

hundreds of intersecting lines, hundreds 

of trains and then thousands of people in 

neat, well-ordered lines waiting to board. 

Once you find the correct train, on the 

correct platform and stand in your neat 

shoulder-to-shoulder rows, the train doors 

open, and the culture switch is flipped 

off. In a land where personal space and 

politeness count for everything, sitting 

down with another man standing in front 

of you with his genitals less than 20 cm 

from your nose is a little discomforting; the 

politeness and personal space rules on 

the train go right out the window. 

We caught the train out to Kamakura one 

day and arrived in what seemed another 

world. The towering hotels and office 

blocks were replaced by ancient trees and 

equally ancient temples and a calmness 

and serenity that you associate with every 

big cathedral in the world. Here, there 

were women dressed as geisha girls (we 

later found out most were tourists), people 

praying, people talking in hushed voices 

and oddly what seemed like every other 

person taking selfies. 

This is the ‘three-heart’ aspect of Japan. 

On the one hand, you have a crazypacked 

environment where people are 

ant-like, frenetic and crazy. Then, there 

is this other incredibly calm and cultured, 

peaceful environment which seems just a 

short distance away. 

The first few days in Japan left me 

bewildered and confused, sure I was 

entertained and impressed but as we 

headed out of Tokyo towards Hokkaido 

you had a defined feeling that this too 

would be a whole new experience. 

We felt the change as soon as the plane 

landed, we had gone from Tokyo city life 

and landed in an airport covered as far as 

you could see in ‘Yuki’ - snow. 

Less than two hours from the airport is 

Club Med Sahoro, located in the southern 

part of Central Hokkaido, 167km east of 

The bright lights of Tokyo 


Incredible food, zero crowds and an enclosed gondola all make for an amazing Club Med experience 

Sapporo and 130km from the New 

Chitose Airport. After the hustle and 

bustle of Tokyo, arriving at Club 

Med Sahoro felt like “coming home”. 

The resort sits a little way up the 

mountain and is ski-in ski-out right 

from the back door. Access to the 

lifts (and then back again to the lodge 

at the end of the day) is via beginner 

trails that meander through woods, 

somewhat like a scene from Narnia. 

This was much more our style. 

We arrived at Club Med, or “the 

Club” as it’s fondly known and were 

greeted by one of the on-site resort 

team known as the G.Os, (the 

acronym comes from the French 

word, “Gentil Organisateur” basically 

translated to Gentle/Gracious 

Organiser in English). There job is 

to keep you entertained with the 

numerous programs and activities 

available and we came to appreciate 

that the G.O.’s are the heart and soul 

of the Club Med experience. 

Our G.O. happened to be a fellow 

Kiwi from Nelson. She was excited 

to meet someone from ‘home’ as 

for some strange reason, Kiwis do 

not make up a large percentage of 

the visitors to Club Med Sahoro. I 

wonder if it has something to do with 

our Kiwi 8-wire mentality; we think 

we can pretty much do anything, 

so the last thing we seek is an allinclusive 

package deal that is Club 

Med. We soon learnt that having that 

mentality means the Kiwis are really 

missing out. 

Arriving in the late afternoon, after 

going through the “orientation” and told 

all the things that were available for us, 

we headed to the bar for drinks. This 

was our first introduction to the “Club 

Med” way of life. Firstly drinks at the 

bar are free. Yep, and not just a house 

wine or beer, and people will talk to 

you. Actually, that’s all part of the 

experience of going to Club Med. 

We sat down in the bar, drinks 

in hand, looking out to the snow 

covered hills when a group of young 

men (early 20s) sat down and asked 

us how we were enjoying ourselves. 

Surprised that these young men 

would be interested in what us oldies 

were up to, we mumbled something 

about only just arriving and took a 

sip of our drinks. Turns out these 

young men were some of the G.O’s 

and they chatted away, asking us 

questions about where we were from 

and telling us all about the fun we 

were going to have during our stay. 

The staff were all incredibly articulate 

and friendly, and hailed from a range 

of countries. Some worked at Club 

Med as a full time job, others had 

“summer jobs” back in their home 

countries and spent the winters 

working at Club Med Sahoro. 

Our first night in the bar was followed 

by dinner in the restaurant. We had 

the choice of joining a bigger table 

or sitting on our own. We were 

somewhat reluctant to just “barge 

in” on someone else having their 

dinner so we opted for a table for 

two. The restaurant offered a buffet 

with a huge range of options from 

traditional Japanese food, Thai, 

Chinese, European and more, all 

delicious, as well as a traditional 

nabemono (hot pot) restaurant that 

you needed to book. 

After dinner there was a show. Now 

I have to admit I’m not overly keen 

on the hoopla that goes with this 

type of performance entertainment, 

but I learnt that it’s all part of the 

experience. It’s easy to sit back and 

let the action happen around you but 

you gain so much more by stepping 

up and getting involved. 

" IT’S EASY TO SIT 

BACK AND LET THE 

ACTION HAPPEN 

AROUND YOU BUT 

YOU GAIN SO MUCH 

MORE BY STEPPING 

UP AND GETTING 

INVOLVED." 

The following morning we were keen 

to get out for our first taste of the 

mountain. The Sahoro Express, one 

of the ski lifts, only opens on the 

weekends and as it was a Sunday 

we knew we only had the day to 

ride that terrain, so that’s where we 

headed first. Although Sahoro was 

not having great snow conditions 

that week, due to the fact that the 

Express had not been skied on 

all week, there was still plenty of 

powder pockets to be found and 

some very steep terrain. Probably 

not the ideal starting point but it was 

either today or never. 

We had a great morning skiing 

through the snow laden trees on 

the upper reaches of the Sahoro 

Express. We said again and again 

you could see what huge potential 

the terrain had if there was new 

snow. However, we made the best 

we could of what was available. 

One of the great things about skiing 

in Club Med was you just had to ski 

back to the resort at lunchtime. You’d 

leave your boots in your locker, slip 

on your shoes and head into the 

restaurant for lunch before reversing 

the steps and heading back out to 

the slopes for the afternoon. 

Skiing the trees off the Sahora Express 


"CLUB MED SAHORO, ACCESS 

TO THE LIFTS (AND THEN 

BACK AGAIN TO THE LODGE 

AT THE END OF THE DAY) IS 

VIA BEGINNER TRAILS THAT 

MEANDER THROUGH WOODS, 

SOMEWHAT LIKE A SCENE 

FROM NARNIA." 

CLUB MED SAHORO QUICK FACTS: 

The resort offers 16 included activities : 

• Group ski lessons for kids 

• Group ski lessons for teens 

• Group ski lessons for adults 

• Magic Carpet 

• Group Snowboard lessons 

• Four fitness lessons (high intensity, 

yoga, soft training and cardio 

room) 

• Entertainment 

• Swimming pool 

• Aqua classes 

• Sauna 

• Badminton 

• Squash 

• Table tennis 

• Card games and more 

• Kids clubs 

and 6 on demand activities: 

• Spa 

• Kasumi Waterfall Trekking 

• Tomraushi Onsen 

• Private ski lessons 

• Private Snowboard lessons 

• Pool table 

Ski and snowboard gear available to 

hire or purchase 


Club Med is a slick operation in every 

way. We have skied at numerous places 

around the world but the ease of skiing at 

Club Med is hard to beat. The “bracelet” 

around your wrist gives access to both 

your room and ski locker so you are 

never searching for your keys. 

Like other Club Med properties, the 

holiday is all-inclusive; accommodation, 

entertainment, activities, lift passes, 

meals, snacks, beverages, as ski and 

snowboard lessons every day. Kids' 

programs are also included (for children 

over 4), and child care for 2-4-yearolds 

is available, so parents can relax 

knowing that the kids are cared for. 

We were travelling as a couple, but 

this was a family resort and as one of 

the friends we made explained, that for 

them, with two young children, Club Med 

was a real game changer. We met and 

made friends with a range of parents 

who had children as young as 4 in ski 

school and child care, and the kids 

loved it, which meant the parents loved 

it. They were free to have their time on 

the slopes and all were excited to meet 

back to have dinner and play with their 

children at the end of the day, a perfect 

scenario. 

As many of the snow-based resorts in 

Japan, Sahoro is a resort in the truest 

sense; there is no village or other 

restaurants or shop's to explore. The 

club is self-contained, however, you 

can get a taxi to the nearby town of 

Shintoku, which is about 30 mins away. 

Sahoro Ski Resort is medium sized with 

only 610 metres of vertical (420-1,030m) 

and 21 marked runs. The resort is all 

below the treeline, with runs through 

the forested mountain slopes. Of the 

21 trails, 8 are rated for beginners, 3 

Our ski instructor, Craig and our amazing group who became fast friends at Club Med Sahoro 

" WE WERE LUCKY TO GET THE SAME 

INSTRUCTOR FOR MUCH OF THE WEEK, A 

SCOTTISH GUY CALLED CRAIG... I LEARNED 

MORE IN A WEEK FROM CRAIG THAN I HAVE 

DONE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. " 

for intermediates, and 10 for advanced 

riders (black runs). The lift network is 

well developed with a gondola, 3 highspeed 

quads, and 5 other lifts. Advanced 

skiers and snowboarders will prefer to 

get off-piste, when there is snow. (Club 

Med even offer ski lessons to ski trees). 

Japan is renowned for amazing dry 

powder. With an average snowfall of 

8.7m, we had heard the stories and 

seen the pics. But no one controls the 

snow gods, and on our arrival, even 

though there was an abundance of 

snow, it wasn’t dry, and it wasn’t powder. 

We were simply a little unlucky in 

getting warm weather, with just some 

snow flurries, but the upside is we 

experienced a week of sunshine, rarely 

spoken about in Japanese ski chats. 

After exploring the mountain on our own 

for the first day we decided to join one 

of the lessons (all inclusive). For two 

and a half hours each morning and two 

and a half hours every afternoon, you 

could meet up with a group of skiers of 

a similar level and your instructor would 

take you out for the day. 

We were lucky to get the same instructor 

for much of the week, a Scottish guy 

called Craig. He had spent 13 seasons 

working on Turoa, in Ohakune, NZ so 

we considered him n honorary Kiwi. He 

was a super nice guy and extremely 

knowledgeable. I thought that with an 

offering of free ski instruction at all 

levels, the expertise might be a bit ‘thin’. 

This was not the case, and I learned 

more in a week from Craig than I have 

done in the last 10 years. 

Not only do the instructors teach all day 

but there commitment to Club Med does 

not end there. You’ll find the instructors 

(and all the G.O’s) in the restaurant 

each night, having dinner with different 

guests before joining in the evening 

entertainment. Craig did a great rendition 

of air-guitar for one of the evenings 

shows, while others sang, danced and 

even performed aerial shows. 

Historically, Club Med carried a young 

person’s vibe tag, but our experience 

was that it was superb for families and 

involved hassle-free skiing. Their focus 

was clear, for everyone to have fun, and 

they achieved that every moment of 

every day at every level. 

The best part about any place you visit 

is the people you meet but that’s not 

always easy to do; we tend to keep 

to ourselves a little. However, Club 

Med forces you into a more interactive 

environment that you cannot help 

but embrace. As a result we met and 

became friends with a wide range of 

people, young and old, some with 

families, some couples and some 

travelling on their own. 

Whether it was at our ski lessons, over 

lunch or dinner, in the bar or after skiing 

at one of the evening ‘shows’, you were 

encouraged to get involved and interact 

with one another. We found the more we 

embraced the Club Med experience, the 

more we got involved, the more we got 

out of it. As we have said in Adventure 

over and over again, when travelling, 

it is less about where you are, but who 

you are with and who you meet and we 

met some incredible people. 

Despite my early reluctance we found 

we embraced the Club Med feel, the 

family feel, and the camaraderie, and 

by the end of the week, we had made a 

group of long-lasting friends, all enjoying 

the experience that Club Med offers. 

We will be back... 

Groomed empty runs with Club Med in the background 


"CLUB MED SAHORO WHEN THE 

SNOW IS FALLING..." 


COOK ISLANDS: exploring the depths 

Beachfront and garden Bungalows Onsite restaurant and bar 

Rarotonga’s stunning southern coast Set on one of the best beaches on the island 

" AMONG THE 

COOK ISLANDS, 

RAROTONGA AND 

AITUTAKI EMERGE 

AS THE PREMIER 

DIVING HUBS." 

Cook Islands archipelago is comprised 

of 15 serene islands embraced by 

vibrant coral reefs. These islands are 

nestled some 900 kms distant from 

Tahiti, French Polynesia, and 800 kms 

from the Kingdom of Tonga, and about 

the 3 hour flight from Auckland. 

Among the Cook Islands, Rarotonga and 

Aitutaki emerge as the premier diving 

hubs. Rarotonga, the lively capital with a 

populace of 14,000, exudes a colourful 

charm. Its bustling daily markets, vibrant 

community events, and diverse dining 

and entertainment options create a 

perfect blend of relaxation and activity. 

Unlike its counterpart, Aitutaki, situated 

to the north, Rarotonga experiences 

cooler temperatures due to its higher 

altitude, with occasional dips in the 

afternoons. However, Aitutaki boasts 

more consistent temperatures, albeit 

slightly higher, accompanied by 

increased humidity. 

Both islands offer a similar array of dive 

sites, with Aitutaki boasting marginally 

better water temperatures and visibility. 

Best Time to Visit the Cook Islands: 

Nestled in the Southern Hemisphere, the 

Cook Islands enjoy summery conditions 

from October to March, maintaining 

a pleasant temperature range of 25- 

29°C year-round. However, visitors to 

Rarotonga during the winter months 

should anticipate occasional rain and 

cloud cover, necessitating additional 

layers. Water temperatures vary 

throughout the year, with Rarotonga's 

waters typically cooler at around 24°C. 

Under the surface: 

Exploring the underwater realm reveals 

a vibrant tapestry of marine life typical of 

the South Pacific. Expect to encounter 

a kaleidoscope of colourful fish species, 

including unicorn fish, butterflyfish, 

snappers, groupers, and angelfish. 

Divers may also spot green and 

hawksbill turtles, white-tip sharks, moray 

eels, and eagle rays. 

Rarotonga's dive sites feature 

breathtaking drop-offs adorned with an 

intricate mosaic of coral formations in 

hues of pink, purple, red, and yellow. 

Each dive unveils a new coral landscape 

with diverse fish and pelagic species. 

Moreover, the Cook Islands offer prime 

opportunities for humpback whale 

sightings between June and September, 

particularly near Aitutaki's marina and 

Rarotonga's Trader Joes dive sites. 

W W W . P A L M G R O V E . N E T 


PREMIER DIVE SITES IN RAROTONGA: 

1. Ednas Anchor: Nestled between coral 

outcrops, the anchor of the schooner Edna rests 

at approximately 23 meters, surrounded by a 

vibrant array of reef fish. This serene dive offers 

excellent visibility and leads to Rarotonga's 

mesmerizing drop-off. 

2. Mataroa Wreck: Deliberately sunk in 

December 1990, the Tongan sailing vessel 

Mataroa now serves as a thriving marine 

habitat. Divers can explore the fragmented 

wreck, adorned with flourishing flora and 

inhabited by lionfish and various reef dwellers. 

3. Rutaki Passage and Drop-off: This narrow 

vertical canyon boasts Rarotonga's most 

impressive drop-off, attracting experienced 

divers seeking encounters with tunas, white-tip 

sharks, and barracudas. Strong currents add to 

the thrill of exploring this dynamic underwater 

landscape. 

4. Bluewater Diving: Dive into the depths of 

the ocean and encounter an abundance of 

marine life drawn to Fish Aggregating Devices 

(FADs). These artificial structures create thriving 

ecosystems, offering glimpses of tuna schools, 

barracudas, mahi-mahi, and diverse shark 

species at depths ranging from 10 to 50 meters. 


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ADVENTURE 

E-Bike Rentals 

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Book your next bike or e-bike adventure at www.riderarotonga.com 

Call 27433 or drop in and see us 

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B U I L D Y O U R K I T : 

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ebikes now available 

For local Mountains to Sea trails | 

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We also do tours around the North Island | www.southaucklandshuttles.com | bookings@sashuttles.com | 0800 300 033 (Toll free) 

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