Adventure Magazine

WIN 5 NIGHTS IN 

THE COOK ISLANDS 

N E W Z E A L A N D 

ADVENTURE 

SURVIVAL 

ISSUE 225 

APR/MAY 2021 

NZ $10.90 incl. GST 

WHERE ACTIONS 

SPEAK LOUDER 

THAN WORDS

STEP FURTHER 

FASTER 

it's often the little things that matter 

#225 

JOBS 

www.adventurejobs.co.nz 

www.adventuretraveller.co.nz 

The latest seven-day lockdown for Auckland 

give us more time to evaluate and appraise. 

No restaurants, no bars, no coffee shops, 

no parties, no crowds, then add in a 

Tsunami, to be fair, it was a tough week. 

Sure, I know other places in the world have 

it a lot, lot tougher. I am not a nay-sayer; I 

agree and support the government’s stand, 

but you did get a strong feeling of here we 

go again. 

I don’t want to take credit for this, (I heard it 

on the radio while driving) but a life coach 

was looking not at the silver lining of Covid, 

but of the effect. He said in his opinion, 

that Covid and the associated restrictions, 

‘concentrated’ our life experiences. That the 

inability to do whatever we chose, reflected 

against what we could do. It has given us 

a chance to evaluate what is important and 

what’s not. What we need and what we 

don’t. The value in walking with the family 

on the beach compared with dinner in town. 

Mountain biking your local area compared 

to driving to the city. Even the loss of 

income, people are looking and openly 

saying ‘how much do I really need to live’. 

What’s the value and loss against earning 

less but getting more time. 

Sure once the restriction are lifted, we will 

slowly go back to swilling ten-dollar extra 

soy double shot, no sugar, cinnamon lattes. 

But hopefully we can take forward some of 

the experiences we have chosen because 

of the restrictions forward to our unrestricted 

life and recall the value of a walk on the 

beach or the hand shake of a friend. 

This issue is our survival issue and when 

talking to some of these people a common 

thread is that you ‘don’t know what got till 

it gone’. Brodie Selene comes to mind, 

he finished the Coast to Coast at 16, was 

tramping and surfing and involved in surf 

lifesaving and then overnight his world 

disappears. I read this heartfelt story and 

thought if it happened to me, I could say I 

had a good run. But Brodie was 16, he was 

just getting going on life and it was ripped 

away from him (you can read the rest). But 

he talks about missing all the stuff he could 

do and how much value it had. 

Maybe looking to the future we can look 

and value that which we so easily take for 

granted. 

I’ll leave you with a story from a friend who 

lives in the USA, he is older, 75, and lives in 

a part of LA where there is a high density of 

Covid cases. Last week he got the vaccine, 

this week he hugged his grandchildren for 

the first time in a year. 

The little things are often the most valuable 

and maybe, just maybe, Covid has taught 

us not to take them for granted. 

Steve Dickinson - Editor 

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ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 01

Image by Graeme Murray Image provided by Seelen family Image compliments Macpac 

Image by Jules Domine/Red Bull Content Pool 

page08 

page 22 

page 42 

page 84 

#225 

contents 

08//Defying Death 

Aniol Serrasolses 

16//Godzone Chapter 9 

The one that nearly got away 

22//Rachel Māia 

Learning to do more with less 

26//Lucy Olphert 

If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you 

30//Di Drayton 

Turning a terrifying fall into an opportunity 

36//Going Solo on the Abel Tasman 

Sometimes you just need to be on your own 

42//Brodie Seelen 

Not content to simply survive 

52//Remy Morton 

I get knocked down, but I get up again 

62//Survival 

You thought Covid was bad 

84//Surviving Siberia 

with Bridget Thackwray and Topher Richwhite 

plus 

68. gear guides 

80. subs 

96. active adventure 

FOLLOW US ON 

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02//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225

we ARE climbing 

It's all about perspective. Godafoss waterfall, Northern Iceland 

BEHIND THE COVER 

It'a all about perspective. Aniol 

Serrasolses, has spent his life hunting 

waterfalls just like this. 

Goðafoss is a waterfall in the very 

northern remote part of Iceland, and it’s 

very cold. 

The origin of the waterfall's name is not 

completely clear. In modern Icelandic, 

the name can be read as "Waterfall of 

the Gods” it is impressive enough to be 

just that! 

The water of the river Skjálfandafljót, falls 

from a height of 12 metres over a width 

of 30 metres. It’s cold, it is dangerous, 

and that for Aniol is the attraction. 

The cover image is taken from the top 

of the waterfall, looking down as Aniol 

takes the drop, the other is taken from 

a vantage point of distance. Both look 

intimidating and that is the draw from a 

kayaker like Aniol. 

You can read the full story about this 

man’s passion in this issue on page 08. 

SURVIVAL BLOODY MARY 

When it comes to a Bloody Mary, 

a flavourful burst of savouriness is 

paramount. Snacking while drinking 

one is even more important so lavishly 

garnishing a Bloody Mary cocktail with 

what is on hand is influential on the overall 

experience. A tasty tipple to imbibe on 

and highly recommended especially for 

survival of intrepid adventures. 

1 jigger (60mls) Vodka 

3 jigger spiced tomato passata with 

olives, gherkins, salt, pepper, Kaitaia fire, 

worchester sauce - whizzed up in the 

bullet 

Shake with ice and serve over more ice 

in a jar with a reusable straw. Stack with 

an over the top garnish that includes giant 

stuffed jalapeno olives, sauteed prawns, 

an organic gherkin, and mint. 

Approx 6g per serve 

Follow Sue on Instagram: @cocktailontherock 

To sign up for the weekly newsletter: www.cocktailontherock.co.nz 

Alec McCallum sends 

Dr Strangelove (32) second go 

Photo: Tom Hoyle 

For over thirty years Bivouac Outdoor has been proudly 100% New Zealand owned and committed to providing 

you with the best outdoor clothing and equipment available in the world. It is the same gear we literally stake our 

lives on, because we are committed to adventure and we ARE climbing. 

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First visit $25* then free for a week! 

Fantastic community, beginners 

welcome, boulder classes for all ages 

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

06//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 

@ adventuremagazine 

@ adventuretraveller @ adventurevanlifenz

Survival 

DEFYING DEATH 

Aniol Serrasolses 

To defy: by definition... 

1 : to confront with assured power of resistance. 

2 : to challenge to do something considered impossible. 

In the adventure community you don’t have to look far to find good survival 

stories. Kiwi kayaking legend Mike Dawson writes for us on a regular basis, 

and I knew he would have been in some tight situations, so I asked him. His 

response straight away was ‘if you wanna talk to someone who knows how to 

survive talk to Anoil’. So we did! 

You grew up in Catalonia, Spain, not 

the white-water kayaking capital of 

the world. How did you get involved 

with white water kayaking? We got 

introduced to the sport by random luck. 

We used to ride our bikes to school 

daily, on those trips we happened to 

ride next to our local river, the TER. 

Once in a while we would happen to 

see a few people riding their kayaks 

in the rapids… My brother was super 

impressed and decided to join them 

during the weekends. An entire year 

passed quickly, he dropped every 

other sport he used to play and 

focused only on kayaking. By then I 

got intrigued as well and decided to 

give it a try… I was instantly hooked. 

I used to play waterpolo and football 

at the time, but I dropped both and 

started kayaking as much as possible. 

We built little trailers that we attached 

to our bikes so we could go kayak on 

our own after school. 

You take part in both competitive 

and expedition kayaking. What do 

each offer you and do you have 

a preference? I like competitions 

because they make me focus and train 

towards a goal but they’re definitely 

not the main reason why I kayak. I 

see them as another aspect of my 

sport, the working side of what I do. 

Expedition kayaking and filming is the 

fun part for me. The side of kayaking 

where I can get really creative, 

discover incredible locations and push 

the limits of the sport. 

White water kayaking is termed 

an extreme sport, filled with risks. 

How do you help to mitigate the 

risks involved in your expeditions? 

Whitewater kayaking at the highest 

level is definitely one of the scariest 

sports in the game. Preparation, many 

years of experience, making good 

calls, having the skills is what keeps 

you alive. 

You often kayak in remote parts of 

the world and even more remote 

rivers. What is the draw to these 

out of the way places? The draw 

is to kayak/experience places where 

nobody has been before. To push the 

boundaries of what’s possible, get out 

of your comfort zone so you can really 

see what you’re made of. To have 

good times with friends, to see the 

beautiful world we live in. “The world is 

a book and those who don’t travel read 

only one page” 

Even with the best preparation, 

white water kayaking can have 

some extreme consequences if 

things do not go to plan. Can you 

tell us about that? Unfortunately 

kayaking is a pretty nasty sport when 

it comes down to the consequences of 

messing up a line. I’ve broken my back 

twice, ribs and shoulders… I’ve seen 

a friend die. I’m very aware of what’s 

in play. 


Aniol Serrasolses descends Keyhole Falls near Pemberton, Canada 

Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 09

Aniol Serrasolses descends Site Zed on the Stikine River near Dease Lake, Canada 

Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool 

"Whitewater 

kayaking at the 

highest level is 

definitely one of 

the scariest sports 

in the game. 

Preparation, many 

years of experience, 

making good calls, 

having the skills 

is what keeps you 

alive. " 


When have things not gone to plan? Many times… 

I've been lucky to make it out alive every single time. 

Many friends can’t say the same unfortunately. It’s 

crazy because the river can be super forgiving in 

super extreme situations and other times it’s a killer on 

locations you wouldn’t think they were that bad… you 

need to be prepared at all times. 

And how do you “get back up again” after a nasty 

injury? You just learn and move on. You do your 

rehab, rebuild your confidence and don’t dwell on the 

negatives. Life will always keep punching you in the 

face, nothing can be perfect for too long, it’s all about 

not giving up and getting back up whatever it takes. 

There are few in the world who can kayak the way 

you do. We now get to see what it is like thanks to 

Go Pro dropping off a 100+ foot waterfall. But can 

you take us through that moment. What do you feel 

when approaching the edge of an abyss? Scouting a 

100 foot waterfall is nerve wrecking. You imagine all the 

possible outcomes. Your speed, your line, the impact, 

the hazards… everything needs to be planned. 

When I am approaching the edge of the abyss the 

nerves are gone and all my self is focusing entirely on 

my strokes, body posture, speed… as soon as my mind 

wonders somewhere else I’m fuck%&, that’s what I love 

about waterfalls / running big rapids. They demand all 

of your attention and focus. Nothing else in the world 

matters during those seconds. 

The way down is amazing.. happens really quick but 

the few seconds of freefall are absolutely unreal. One 

you’ve hit the bottom and you roll back up a feeling of 

excitement invades your body. It's the ultimate feeling 

of accomplishment, thankful for the experience and for 

being at the bottom of a 100 footer unhurt. 

What is the most challenging destination you have 

kayaked and what has made it so unique? The 

Amazon in Colombia. The river itself was mostly flat 

water but had some huge rapids as well. Our goal was 

to kayak all the way to Brazil through the Apaporis River 

but our trip got cut short on the 1000 km mark. We got 

in a situation with FARC (Frente Armado Revolucionario 

Colombiano) who detained us and had us captive in 

their camps in the jungle for a few days… luckily we 

were able to talk it out and they let us free after 5 days. 

What is the most dangerous situation you have 

been in and what made it so? There’s been a few to 

just name one… I've been in car crashes, I’ve fallen off 

a 30 meter waterfall blind following some mates, I’ve 

been locked in the Stikine Canyon, forced to jump on a 

class V river using my watershed dry bag as a floatation 

device so I could chase my kayak after a bad swim. I’ve 

been stuck in my kayak for over 10 minutes under a 

log… I’ve had plenty of swims over my life. Sometimes I 

feel like I have a star over my head for having survived 

so many. 

For most athletes, a sponsorship with Red Bull is 

the ultimate reward. Can you tell us a little about 

the need for sponsors in the field of kayaking and 

the significance of being sponsored by Red Bull? 

Redbull is the ultimate sponsor, specially for us who 

practice minority sports where there’s very little money 

to be made. I am one of the very few who can make a 

living out of kayaking and for that I am very thankful. 

Aniol Serrasolses during his run in the finals 

of the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World 

Championships at Oetztal, Tirol 

Image by Dean Treml/Red Bull Content Pool 


"The draw is to 

kayak/experience 

places where 

nobody has been 

before. To push 

the boundaries of 

what’s possible, get 

out of your comfort 

zone so you can 

really see what 

you’re made of." 

Aniol Serrasolses runs a set of waterfalls on the Keldua river, eastern Iceland. 

Image by Eric Parker / Red Bull Content Pool 


14//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#225 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 15

RACing 

TALES 

GODZONE 

CHAPTER 9 

THE ONE THAT 

NEARLY GOT 

AWAY By Penny Simpson 

It was always going to be 

challenging. 

GODZone Chapter 9 was 

the first New Zealand North 

Island edition of the world's 

largest expedition-length 

adventure. 

When the active volcanic 

plateau and thermal region 

of Rotorua was announced 

as the host location at 

the end of Chapter 8, 

teams worldwide readied 

themselves for an adventure 

of a lifetime. 

It was a scramble to gain a 

racing spot with a sell-out 

field of 95 team spots gone 

in less than 24 hours. 

"Each year, it's a battle for 

teams to gain a slot, and 

it is the first major step for 

competitors on their journey 

to GODZone. Rotorua was a 

real drawcard, and everyone 

wanted to experience it." 

But the journey proved to 

be trickier when the New 

Zealand borders shut in 

March 2020 due to Covid-19. 

“We juggled like every other 

event in the country and 

eventually pushed out from 

November 2020 to March 

2021 in the hope the border 

situation would improve. By 

September, we had to wave 

goodbye to our international 

teams and settle for a 

Kiwi-only field with the 

introduction of support crews 

to make life that little bit 

easier for teams.” 

Five days out from the event, 

Auckland went into Covid 

Level 3 lockdown, throwing 

Auckland-based competitors 

and the event into a spin. 

“We had planned the event 

to be deliverable in a Level 

2 scenario,” says Bates. 

“Fortunately, with great 

assistance from the Rotorua 

Lakes District Council and 

New Zealand authorities, we 

could pivot enough to deliver 

it as nearly every other major 

sporting event in the country 

was cancelled.” 

GODZone Chapter 9 will go 

down in the history books as 

the one that nearly got away. 

Compare the size of the people to the extent of the terrain and it may give an 

insight into the scale of this event. 


THE ULTIMATE GODZONE: 

Dubbed an ultimate edition of 

GODZone from the get-go, Chapter 

9 was a real step-change for 

GODZone competitors given its 

North Island locale. 

“Significant native forest, some hot 

and cold lakes, and interesting, 

complex river systems,” says Bates. 

“The full-length course traversed 

666km of terrain, the longest 

GODZone course by far and an 

extremely challenging target for 

most teams to finish within the eight 

days.” 

“At times, teams were immersed 

in the bush with minimal visibility, 

wondering where the next exact 

topographical feature would 

emerge – at other times, they were 

staggered by the view. It was an 

epic display of this great central 

plateau." 

The highlight and surprise of the 

course that no-one was expecting 

was the Mohaka River packraft, 

followed by an 88km across the 

Kawaka and Kaimanawa ranges. 

“Those two stages that will no doubt 

live long in the memory – maybe 

for the incredible views and pain of 

over 6000m vertical of ascent,” says 

Bates. “Our expected winning time 

for the PURE event was just on five 

days, and that's what team Avaya 

achieved in world-class style.” 

ROUTE 

GODZone Chapter 9 Stages 

Stage 1: a 40km MTB through 

Whakarewarewa Forest to Western 

Okataina Trail and Lake Rotoiti. 

Stage 2: a 68km trek and pack raft 

between Lakes Rotoiti, Rotoehu, 

Rotoma, Tarawera, and Rotomahana 

Stage 3: a 134km MTB towards Lake 

Aniwaniwa, then the iconic Moerangi 

Mountain Bike Trail to Whirinaki trails. 

Stage 4: a 24km Rogaine and 

challenging navigation in the Whirinaki 

State Forest. 

Stage 5: a 70km MTB through the 

Kaingaroa Forest logging trails to Pamu/ 

Rangitaiki Station. 

Stage 6: a 54km trek and packraft 

through the Te Iringa Track and down the 

Mohaka River. 

Stage 7: a 88km traverse across the 

Kaweka and Kaimanawa ranges 

Stage 8: A short 27km MTB on Tongariro 

River trail to Waiotaka. 

Stage 9: A 57km kayak on Lake Taupo 

to Kinloch. 

Stage 10: A 56km short MTB to Lake 

Ohakuri. 

Stage 11: a 13km packraft on beautiful 

little Lake Ohakuri. 

Stage 12: a 38km MTB through the 

iconic Redwoods in Rotorua to the finish 

line 


CELEBRITIES ON THE 

GODZONE PODIUM 

Nathan Fa’avae, Chris Forne, 

Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch 

of team Avaya clocked up 

their fifth win of GODZone, 

the world’s largest expedition 

adventure race, in five days 

four days, twenty-three hours, 

and 25 minutes. 

"The start of the race was 

a bit interesting because of 

Covid level 2 teams set off in 

intervals, and we were in the 

last wave. We just did our own 

thing on that first bike stage 

and were quite surprised to 

reach the front of the field 

pretty quickly." 

He said the trek was one of the 

big highlights of Chapter 9. 

“The native bush trek was 

incredible and a fantastic route 

to experience. It’s as good as 

it gets as far as New Zealand 

hiking goes. I was really 

enjoying it, but tough to have 

as part of a stand-alone event 

like this. 

The world-class team has 

an impeccable track record 

at GODZone, winning every 

chapter they have raced in 

together, including Chapter 1 

-Milford Sound, Chapter 2 – Mt 

Cook, Chapter 3 – Kaikoura, 

Chapter 4 – Wanaka, and 

Chapter 9 – Rotorua. 

Chris Forne has won an 

additional three GODZone's 

racing as the captain of other 

teams, including Chapter 5 

Tasman, Chapter 7 Fiordland, 

and Chapter 8 in Canterbury. 

Former All Black captain Richie 

McCaw also raced in fine form 

alongside high-profile Coast 

to Coast champions Simone 

Maier and Dougal Allen to 

claim second place. Theo 

Wordsmith was the team's 

navigator. 

“ It was a classic battle for 

second and third position 

between Richie McCaw’s team 

iSport and Queenstown’s Tiki 

Tour team of George and Tom 

Lucas, Mike Kelly, and Kym 

Skerman," says Fairmaid. "It 

came down to who had the 

most horsepower and desire 

to take the second spot, and 

that was McCaw and his isport 

team - a job well done after his 

6th position back at Chapter 7 

in Fiordland.” 

www.packraftingqueenstown.com 

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Survival 

RACHEL MĀIA 

Learning to do more with less 

Images compliments @break.theresistance 

I knew very little about Rachel Māia when I was asked to interview her for 

this issue of Adventure Magazine. I knew she was from Whanganui, I knew 

she was a mother of three, I knew she had injured her leg rock climbing 

when she was just 16 years old, and I knew she had gone on to become a 

successful NZ para-athlete and below the knee amputee, but I didn’t know 

anything about Rachel as a person. 

However, now I feel very fortunate to have taken a look inside her world; the 

challenges, the trials, the heartbreak and her resolve to live her life to the 

fullest. 

Can you tell us a little about growing up and how you got into climbing 

when you were younger? My family moved a lot throughout my childhood, 

and I struggled with no real sense of belonging, to both people or places. 

Climbing was a sport at my second High School, when I was 16. It was a 

place where we all learned labels don’t apply. You were not 'a cool kid' or 

the 'new girl'. You were a climber. You dropped your bags at the door and 

climbed. We were an eclectic group that wouldn’t necessarily find ourselves 

sitting together at lunch time, but for the first time I felt like I really completely 

belonged somewhere that felt like home. 

How did/do you feel towards the climbing centre for being negligent 

in their safety equipment? It’s never really occurred to me. I don’t think 

about it. Life feels brutal sometimes, but I love who I have become through 

it all and if I went back in time, was given the same scenario and knew the 

outcome, I would still let go. 


" When you hear negative labels often 

enough you eventually begin to wear them 

like a comfortable old sweater.” 

" Showing up for me is learning to get up, 

day after day, come as I am, be fully in the 

moment, feel all the feels, and let it flow.” 

After the fall you were unable to walk 

for a long while, can you tell us a 

little bit about your recovery? Initially I 

had major reconstruction surgery on one 

ankle, including bone grafted from my hip 

with some gnarly metal. The other ankle 

was also broken, but I could weight-bear 

on that one to use crutches. I spent two 

weeks in Hospital in Christchurch then 

when I returned to school in Southland 

with two legs in below the knee casts I was 

determined that I didn’t need a wheelchair. 

I crutched 10 blocks to the school bus, 

missed getting a seat, and I refused to ask 

anyone to stand up for me, so I balanced 

standing on one broken foot for the 15km 

bus ride into town, changed to the city 

school bus and then went to class. By the 

end of the day I was too stubborn to admit 

it had absolutely broken me and I did the 

whole thing in reverse. That afternoon I 

let my mum order a wheelchair and I spent 

the next maybe three months in it. I didn’t 

love it but I made lots of jokes and just 

tried to stay positive. 

I had 9 surgeries prior to amputation but 

I was never able to claw my way back to 

sports like football. I was never able to 

tramp or explore far. Every surgery gave 

me back a chance at connecting with 

small outdoor things and being engaged 

with the people around me because I 

could join in. Then I would slowly lose 

that and have to go through the grief 

process of becoming less mobile, the 

anxiety of wondering if I would fully get 

it back, the loss of my sense of self and 

feeling disconnected, surgery, recovery, 

repeat. For nearly two decades. I asked 

twice for an amputation, and by the time 

they said yes 20 years after the accident, 

I could have dropped a chainsaw on it 

myself if the surgeon had said no again. 

Jokes. Maybe. 

You have talked about feeling a lack of 

inclusion in your recovery journey and 

the cruelty of society growing up with 

a disability. Can you tell us more about 

that. It seems to me this is something 

harder to survive than the injury itself. 

It’s easy to say “I broke two ankles at 

the same time.’" It’s harder to say “I feel 

broken”. It’s even harder still to admit 

that we see ourselves as ‘broken’ or 

‘damaged goods’ and that we need help. 

When you hear negative labels often 

enough you eventually begin to wear 

them like a comfortable old sweater. 

When I was 16 I was told by an adult, "if 

you were a horse, I’d shoot you myself." 

Later as an adult myself I heard, "you’re 

just a fucking cripple, I’m not attracted to 

you anymore." By this point I had spent 2 

decades letting the negative voices in my 

life rent space in my head. There came 

a point where I had to shake myself to 

wake up and push back. I had to decide 

those label’s don’t fit, choose my own 

internal dialogue, and challenge so called 

limitations. And that’s the hard, hard, 

road. That’s the road that leaves you 

feeling battered. Learning to retrain your 

own sense of worthiness whilst choosing 

not to hold on to hurt or trauma, this is 

by far more difficult than learning to walk 

again or cutting a leg off. Climbing was a 

place where, like when I was 16, I could 

drop my bags and baggage at the door, 

and be free to be me. No labels. 

You wondered if you “could you 

do more if you had less?” Can you 

explain this and what it meant in your 

decision to amputate. I could see I 

was losing years that could be spent 

exploring. Amputation was letting go of 

what can’t be fixed and moving on in the 

hope that a new reality, less, would give 

me more adventure. 

What was the biggest fear about going 

back to climbing real rock when you 

recently visited ? A big fear was that I 

wouldn’t be ‘good enough’. Coming from 

the world of international competitive 

sport climbing, performance and sending 

things clean the first time, no error, with 

the world watching and your country's 

pride on the line, had been the entire 

focus of my learning and training and 

I had lived and breathed that. Being 

able to accept ‘failure’ is not final and 

understanding the concept of a project 

outdoors was hard. Now though, hooked. 

Take me back! 

It was emotional watching the video 

“Back to Real Rock” of your first climb 

back on a real rockface. Can you 

explain the emotion/fears you felt at 

the bottom of the rock face? Frustration 

at myself for not making it happen twenty 

years ago. Fear that I wouldn’t be any 

good. But I felt an overwhelming sense of 

coming home, a whisper of new freedoms 

and adventures. 

What did it mean to get back into 

climbing real rock again after so many 

years? It was another step in proving 

to myself that we get to choose our own 

home, our own pathways, our own limits 

and our own labels. 

You said that “success is just showing 

up”. Can you explain what that means 

to you? I’ve learned I don’t have to wait 

until I feel ‘better’ or less battered or less 

pain or more confident, or less stressed 

or stronger or more powerful or more 

enduring or less fearful. Showing up for 

me is learning to get up, day after day, 

come as I am, be fully in the moment, feel 

all the feels, and let it flow. 

You are a Macpac ambassador, can 

you tell us what this means to you? 

I love that Macpac has it’s history in New 

Zealand. I love that my kids are proud 

to be a part of the Macpac family too. 

And I love that each time I get to put one 

new piece of gear on the gear shelf it is 

a suspense filled promise to myself to 

thrash it and watch it endure while I get 

to make memories. I love that when I 

compete internationally I’m taking a little 

part of New Zealand’s history with me. 

What’s your favourite piece of Macpac 

equipment?I don’t go outdoor climbing 

without the Macpac C3 Trekker poles to 

assist. And I am pretty much always in 

Eyre Tank Top either outdoors or indoors. 

If you could go back in time what 

advice would you give your younger 

self? I would tell her not to sit in her fear, 

because it goes nowhere. To trust herself 

more. And I would tell her she is worthy 

when she feels broken and worthy when 

she feels strong. 

You obviously suffered a lot for a 

long period of time. Did you learn any 

techniques to deal with that? Selftalk. 

I write a mantra on my mirror in my 

bathroom and I wake up and start the day 

visualising it and repeating it to myself 

until it feels real. No one has the right to 

rent space in your head, but to set those 

negative voices aside you do need to 

make the positive ones scream at you. 

Turn up the volume on the good stuff! 

Make it louder. 

What’s your future plans or projects 

you are looking forward to? The 

competitive climber in me still wants to be 

world number one in paraclimbing. And 

outdoors I am working on lead. This is 

another whole new mind bend of learning 

not to sit in my fear. The prosthetic foot 

is never a secure point of contact so 

clipping feels way more treacherous than 

it used to! But the more I use the Evolv 

climbing leg the more it’s beginning to 

feel a part of my body, not just something 

I wear. Climbing in many ways has 

been a big part of rehabilitation and will 

continue to be. 

I’m also working toward more public 

speaking. There is power for others in 

our stories and I love those opportunities. 

Follow Rachel @rachelmaianz 



Shared Adventures 

IF IT 

DOESN’T 

CHALLENGE 

YOU, IT 

DOESN’T 

CHANGE 

YOU! 

By Lucy Olphert 

Poco Child Carrier 

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Nylon Dobby 

Deluxe Child Cockpit 

One-Size-Fits-All 

Ultrarunning—what kind of 

person runs 100 miles - FOR 

FUN? 

Besides chronic sleep 

deprivation, eating on the 

run, alfresco toilet stops and 

slogging through many many 

miles, ultrarunning is a form 

of strategic suffering - even 

more so when you live with a 

condition known as Freiberg’s 

infarction, resulting in a 

permanent fracture in your foot! 

It appears to go far beyond a 

desire to stay thin or healthy. 

Who are these people, and 

what does their radical hobby 

say about them? 

I became obsessed with these 

questions after losing a bet at a 

hen’s party 12 months ago and 

running a 50km ultramarathon 

completely untrained just four 

days later. Despite the odd 

niggle and ache, my body held 

up and I surprisingly had a 

rather good time. I came away 

from this experience eager to 

push the limits a bit further. 

Which is how I found myself 

lining up for the famed yet 

feared Tarawera Miler. A ultra 

endurance race involving a 

165km circumnavigation around 

9 of the 14 lakes in the Rotorua 

district before eventually 

returning back to civilisation 

some 36 hours later! In theory it 

sounded like an above average 

way to spend a weekend... 

“Who are these people, and what does their 

radical hobby say about them?” 

Except what conversations 

does one have with themselves 

for THAT long? 

Unless you've done one, it's 

virtually impossible to know how 

your mind (and body) will react 

to running such a long way − 

like you can be driving along 

one day and it strikes you, 'I 

don’t even want to drive 100 

miles, how on earth am I going 

to run that far!” 

So why would I want to endure 

such an event? Ultimately, to 

see if I could! I have long been 

inspired by those who seek 

to push themselves beyond 

their perceived limits. In ultra 

running, time on your feet is 

key. The infarction in my foot 

would be a huge barrier but I 

was weirdly intrigued to see 

how far I could push it. 

I also decided to seek out an 

external motivation, opting to 

run a fundraiser alongside for 

Lifeline Aotearoa, a mental 

health charity with a specific 

focus on increasing awareness 

and understanding of suicide 

prevention in New Zealand. 

Saturday 13th February, 2021 - 

It’s race day! 

2.15am: After a sleepless 8 

hours of tossing and turning it 

was an almighty relief to finally 

get cracking. The next 45 

minutes flew by as I donned my 

running costume, scoffed down 

some cereal, squeaked out a 

poop, and psyched myself up 

with a rousing playlist. 

3.00am: En route to the start 

line, my faithful crew in tow. I 

shut my eyes for the 25 minute 

drive, desperately hoping for a 

miracle power nap. 

3.30am: We arrive at Te Puia 

on schedule. I duck away for 

one more nervous poop before 

making my way to the start line. 

3.45pm: A powerful haka 

followed by a few choice words 

of encouragement by the race 

director and commentator set 

the tone for the gruelling day 

ahead. Every nerve, muscle 

and fibre in my body felt alive. 

I hug my crew one last time, 

switch on my head lamp and 

prepare for the mammoth task 

ahead. 

4.00am: The resounding blast 

of the horn sounds and we 

are off through the winding 

trails of Te Puia’s spectacular 

geothermal valley. There is a 

stickiness in the air and beads 

of sweat quickly started to roll 

down my face as the course 

shifted into single lane tracks 

fraught with tree roots and 

natural drop banks. 

4.45am: The endorphins have 

well and truly kicked in and I’m 

buzzing, but hold a conservative 

pace knowing the shallow 

depths of hell may try to grapple 

with me later in the course. 

5.15am: I rounded the corner 

to the sweet sound of bells 

ringing, signalling the first aid 

station on the course! Yippee! 

For those unfamiliar to ultra 

running, these are exactly what 

they sound like. Aid stations 

are a runner’s lifeline. They are 

beacons of hope that turn these 

long distance races into 8-15km 

kilometre increments. Visualise 

smiley faced volunteers and 

a smorgasbord of jet planes, 

potato chips, peanut butter 

and jam sandwiches, flat coke, 

bananas, oranges, electrolytes, 

and sometimes if you’re lucky, 

even pizza! 

This may sound like a glorified 

picnic but running for long 

periods of time burns a butt 

ton of calories and it is vital 

you keep cramming them in if 

you want to avoid the dreaded 

“runners wall.” 

8.30am: Despite the lack of 

sleep, my mind and body still 

feel great as I flew into the 

Buried Village aid station to 

the cheers from my kickass 

crew. This was the first of six 

compulsory checkpoints on 

course and the first of my five 

drop bags! These drop bags 

can contain anything you like 

from snacks to spare socks, 

shoes, treats you name it! 

Legend has it, ultra running 

guru Camille Heron stashed 

and smashed multiple beers 

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NZ Hunter Adventures Mountain Clothing Partner 

“If you go through life afraid of failure you’ll 

never attempt anything” 

amongst drop bags in her 

impressive victory of the 2019 

Tarawera Miler! 

9.15am: Not long after Buried 

Village I entered the Tarawera 

forest trail and encountered 

my first major blunder. 

Unfortunately I severely 

underestimated the steepness 

and technicality of this section 

and quickly found both my pace 

dropping back significantly. 

12.28pm: I arrive at Lake 

Rotomahana, the first of two 

boat crossings and a welcoming 

reprieve for my poor feet which 

were starting to suffer the 

effects of the 8.5 hours already 

surpassed. 

2.20pm: The heat is stifling and 

I’m now a sweaty, blistery mess 

as I stagger into Rerewhakaaitu 

nearly 1.5 hours later than 

planned but importantly, still 

ahead of the 4pm cut off. It’s 

a huge relief to see my crew 

and an even greater relief to 

plunge my feet into the ice cold 

foot bath they had thoughtfully 

prepared. My spare pair of 

socks and shoes also get the 

call up. 

2.45pm: It’s a brief 7km to the 

next station. Five minutes into 

this leg however I am instantly 

regretting the lack of cushioning 

in the new shoes. My infarction 

begins to rear its ugly head, 

haunting me with each step... 

4.00pm: I’m back into my 

faithful Hoka’s and bid farewell 

to my crew - the last time I 

would see them until Outlet, the 

third checkpoint on course and 

a mere 43km away! Thankfully 

my foot has calmed down and I 

now have a new buddy to keep 

me company. Introducing Paora 

Raharara aka Gumboot man. 

A former Black Power member 

who turned his back on a life 

of crime four years ago and 

decided to run the entire race in 

GUMBOOTS for a kids charity. 

Wild! 

After more than 12 hours on the 

trails, the banter with this good 

bugger was just the remedy I 

needed. My body surges back 

to life and we crack forward with 

a newfound vengeance. 

8.30pm: The sun is well and 

truly on its way out. By my 

calculations we are less than 

2km away from Puhipuhi station 

and what would ultimately 

signal the halfway mark! The 

wide forest trails bring with them 

a steady gradient, reducing 

my legs to jelly. I calculate how 

many hours I probably have 

left— and immediately wish I 

hadn’t. I know that as bad as 

things feel now, they will feel 

worse later, especially after 

dark. 

9.00pm: After what felt like 

a lifetime, we finally rounded 

the corner and crawled in to 


Puhipuhi. I sunk into the nearest 

chair whilst the volunteers 

spring into action, refilling our 

flasks, taping limbs and even 

giving Paora and I a brief 

shoulder massage! 

9.15pm: We are back on the 

trail with just 21km until we 

reach the Outlet. It is pitch dark 

by now but the heat from earlier 

in the day has cooled and the 

body is feeling good again. 

11.30pm: Running a 100 

miler race is like living all the 

emotions of a lifetime in one 

day. One minute you're on top 

of the world. The next minute 

you’re at rock bottom. Not long 

after we passed Titoki - morale 

high and just 6km from Outlet, 

my foot once again started 

to come apart. I hobbled on 

hoping desperately the storm 

would pass but at some point 

around midnight, I realised that 

things were most definitely 

no longer alright. I was now 

clocking 30 minute kilometres 

and limping badly. Deep down 

I knew that even if I kept going, 

the clock would catch up to me, 

and I would be cut from the 

race anyway. I urged Paora to 

go on. One of us had to make 

it to that darn finish line and my 

chances were looking slim. 

1.15am: Sadly, after 21 hours 

and 103km on the trail I was 

forced to call it a day. 

As gutted as I was to DNF, I 

have learned over the years 

that failure is just as much a 

part of the game. If you go 

through life afraid of failure 

you’ll never attempt anything! 

Paora crossed the finish line in 

35:39:39, just inside the event 

cut-off of 36 hours. It was an 

emotional moment for both of 

us and I will forever be grateful 

of this legend’s company 

throughout the last 10 hours of 

my race. 

This experience will be etched 

in my mind forever. It taught 

me the limits of my body and 

reinforced the power of the 

mind. The equation is relatively 

simple: find something that 

challenges you and go there! 

It makes life a meaningful and 

wild experience. For you it may 

not be an ultramarathon - and 

that’s ok. Whatever option you 

choose, a life highlight awaits! 

To donate to Lifeline visit: 

https://lifeline-aotearoa. 

grassrootz.com/fundraise-forlifeline/race-for-life 

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Survival 

DI DRAYTON 

Turning a terrifying fall 

into an opportunity 

by Derek Cheng 

It looked like a harmless ledge covered in leaves. 

It had been a wet day, and Di Drayton went to stand on a 

leafy part of the track before leaping over a wet rock. But 

there was nothing under the leaves except for a 15m drop 

into Lake Taupo. 

She plunged through the leaves, but seemed to slow 

momentarily on the steep bank. She remembers grabbing 

frantically at something, anything. 

“I just grabbed and looked at my hand, and it was just dirt,” 

she recalls. “Then I was in the lake.” 

It’s been more than 16 years since that fateful day, which 

may have had a more deadly outcome were it not for the 

swift action of her friend and the heavy pack she was 

wearing; the pack shouldered some of the impact and kept 

her head out of the water. 

She still broke her back and damaged her nerves in a way 

that severely weakened her right foot and leg - but has since 

become an ice and mixed climber, marathon runner, and a 

New Zealand representative para-climber. 

Climbing Spoon on Bringstinden, WI4, Senja 

Island, Norway 2014 - Photo Aksel Sveum 


She had been rock climbing 

that day at Whanganui Bay, 

on the eastern shores of Lake 

Taupo, with her good friend and 

climbing buddy Jono Clarke. 

She had spent the day climbing 

harder than she ever had and 

was in high spirits, but that 

was all about to come crashing 

down. 

Clarke, who was about 10m in 

front of her, heard her scream 

and then crash into the lake. He 

ran down the steep slope after 

her, finding her gurgling and on 

her back in shallow water. 

“He pulled my head into his 

lap so that I was out of the 

water,” says Di, who is based in 

Wellington. 

“I had a lot of pain. I knew that 

I'd broken a lot of ribs and 

I couldn't really talk. It was 

actually painful to breathe.” 

The alarm was raised and 

soon a boat arrived. She was 

carefully lifted onto it via a large 

piece of wood and taken to 

shore, where a medic-helicopter 

was able to land and take her to 

Waikato Hospital. 

“They actually didn't find my 

back was broken for three 

days,” Di says. 

“At one point, they helped me 

stand up on the side of the 

bed, and they said, ‘Walk to the 

top of your bed.’ But I couldn’t 

move my legs. That's when they 

checked my back.” 

She had broken vertebrae in 

her thoracic and lumbar spine, 

leading to muscle paralysis 

which made it almost impossible 

to lift her right foot, or use her 

right calf or medial gluteal 

muscles. 

“I can’t high-step. I can’t tip toe. 

Anything on a high shelf, I can’t 

reach it.” 

She spent six weeks in hospital, 

followed by nine months of 

recovery at her parents’ home in 

Napier - firstly needing a walking 

frame, and then crutches. 

“At one point, they helped me stand 

up on the side of the bed, and they 

said, ‘Walk to the top of your bed.’ But 

I couldn’t move my legs. That's when 

they checked my back.” 

Describing her slow but steady 

progress, she says: “My walk 

was just to the end of my 

parents’ drive and back. Then, 

one day, I crossed the road." 

She returned to Wellington 

when she was able to walk 

independently and, with the use 

of a plastic foot brace, she was 

determined to try rock climbing 

again - if only just to use some 

of the new gear she had. 

“I thought I might not climb 

again, but I’d organised a 

friend of mine to buy me some 

climbing shoes while he was in 

Europe, and I didn't want to tell 

him I didn't need them. 

“So I had this new pair of 

climbing shoes, but my foot 

wasn't strong enough to push 

into the shoe. The toes would 

just curl up.” 

When she finally got the shoe 

on and went to the indoor 

climbing wall, she found she 

couldn’t put any weight on her 

right foot. 

“It was frustrating at the start 

because my foot didn’t work 

well. But I had all these rules 

about not sulking or complaining 

about what I used to be able to 

do. 

“It’s not worth wishing things 

were different because that 

doesn’t change anything.” 

Slowly she learned to use other 

muscles to compensate for 

the ones she could no longer 

use, and, less than a year after 

her accident, she returned to 

Whanganui Bay. 

“It took me three hours to pack 

my bag - I thought I was going 

to die this time. But Jono kept 

sending my silly text messages 

to make me laugh. 

“It was a good trip. The worst 

part was seeing where Jono had 

ran down after me, and knowing 

he could have easily injured 

himself.” 

Within 18 months of the 

accident, Di had climbed routes 

much harder than anything she 

did before her fall. 

“I wasn’t any stronger, but I was 

thinking more about how I was 

climbing. Previously I just did 

a move without thinking about 

it, but now I had to think about 

inventive ways to do moves.” 

Before the accident, she 

had also been prepping to 

try ice and mixed climbing, 

a more extreme discipline of 

climbing involving ice tools and 

crampons. 

She didn't want her injuries to 

deter that pursuit, but with an 

unstable leg, she wasn't too 

eager on the long approaches 

to New Zealand’s technical 

winter climbs. So she ventured 

overseas. 

Her ice climbing adventures 

took her to the US, Switzerland 

and Norway. And as her mobility 

improved over the years, she 

became a frequent attendee 

at the ice and mixed climbing 

festival in the Remarkables, 

where she has established a 

number of new routes. 

“I felt like I was more scared of 

what I’d miss out on if I didn’t do 

stuff.” 

One of her new winter routes, 

on Ruapehu, is called Nervous 

Connections. 

"Every time you achieve 

something, I feel like I'm a 

person again, and Nervous 

Connections is about things 

working again.” 

Then, five years ago, she came 

across a game-changer: a 

new brace that attaches to the 

outside of the shoe, so it doesn't 

touch the skin. 

“This makes it way more 

comfortable, but it’s also 

mechanical. When your heel 

strikes, it transfers energy to lift 

the ankle to provide spring.” 

First assent Nervous Connections, Ruapehu 

Photo by Jono Clark 

"Every time you achieve something, 

I feel like I'm a person again, and 

Nervous Connections is about things 

working again.” 

Di's old braces above 

made climbing hard. 

The new brace (image 

right) worked so well 

she was even able to 

run, completing both 

the Rotorua and Boston 

Marathons 

Di's climbing boot in the Turbomed 

Display at OTWorld Leipzeg Germany 

First day standing at Waikato Hospital. 

Photo by Ian Drayton. July 2004 

Running the Boston Marathon 

in 2018 

Back where it all began: Eternity Road, Whanganui bay 

Photo by Steve Minchin 



Looking down to Ersfjord - Senja Island - 

Photo by Johannes Eberhard 

She ended up meeting with the makers of the 

brace while travelling in Europe, and they gave her 

a more aggressive version just for her. 

“The day I put it on, I thought, ‘I can run with this.’” 

So she did - firstly the 26km tussock traverse trail 

race in the North Island’s central plateau, and then 

the Rotorua marathon. In 2018, she ran the Boston 

marathon. 

Di, who is an accessibility advisor for the IRD 

and turns 50 next year, then set her sights on the 

international climbing scene. 

“I wanted to mix climb competitively against people 

with similar injuries, and there was a move to get 

mixed para-climbing started in Europe. 

“So in the meantime, I started hassling [national 

sporting organisation] Climbing NZ to include paraclimbing 

in their competitions - which they did.” 

She competed for three years and, in 2019, went 

to France for the world championships, where she 

came seventh in her mobility category. 

“It was really cool. It was the biggest overhang I’ve 

ever climbed,” she says of the event. 

“The other women in my category, especially the 

top three, were really amazing climbers. It's given 

me a really clear idea of how much harder I need 

to train.” 

But Di’s competitive climbing aspirations have 

been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Never one to remain idle, she is turning her mind to 

other challenges. 

“I’d like to climb Mt Aspiring. I can now move a 

lot further than I used to and can do some longer 

approaches again. 

“I want to tackle some things on the bucket list I 

thought I’d never get to do.” 



hiking 

TALES 

GOING SOLO ON 

THE ABEL TASMAN 

By Eric Skilling 

Sometimes you just need to be on your own. 

Hiking puts a whole lot of perspective back into life. Apart from living for several 

days with what you can carry in a backpack and experiencing the beauty and 

diversity of the New Zealand wilderness, there are few more enjoyable or better 

ways of sharing time with family and friends. Personally, I have found tramping has 

helped make some new friends and cemented some long-standing relationships. 

So tramping solo never been a priority for me, but when I was given the chance 

to walk the Abel Tasman track, I decided it was time to step out on my own. This 

track is undoubtably world famous, and visitors have raved about how much they 

enjoyed the unique experience. Somehow, I had always felt I was missing out, and 

now that I have been, I can confirm that that was true. 

Heavy spring rains had given the Nelson region a good soaking over the two days 

before I left Marahau on my way to Wairima Bark Bay, some 20km away. It was all 

a bit eerie with dark skies, wind gusts and a track devoid of any people, but that 

only added to the buzz I felt at the thought of spending a couple of days on my 

own. A light drizzle was to hang around for the first few hours of the trip, but the 

upside was that everything had that bright, varnished look, with beautifully clear 

streams and plenty of noisy waterfalls. 



Solitude at Abel Tasman National Park 

Image by Tyler Lastovich

" I will always remember the bay for the 

glorious sunrise the next morning. The 

ridge to the east hid the exact moment 

of first-light, but moments later the sun 

appeared over the still, glassy bay and I 

got to enjoy one of the finest sunrises I 

can remember for a long time." 

It wasn’t long before I had some 

company even if it was only the first 

of many weka encounters. A family 

of five were crossing the track ahead 

of me. Dad was full of confidence 

and circled me a couple of times 

obviously expecting some tasty 

morsel before he decided there was 

nothing for him and followed his less 

brazen family foraging for real food 

on their way down the gully. 

Golden Sands 

Abel Tasman does not have the 

imposing rugged mountain peaks 

and glacial valleys of the Fiordland 

Parks, but the golden-sand beaches 

make for a quite different but equally 

spectacular experience. Within the 

first hour of the walk, I heard the 

slap-and-crash of waves hitting the 

beach. Even though I had a good 

eight hours of tramping ahead of 

me the temptation became too great 

and I headed down a short but steep 

track towards Apple Bay. 

That phrase “golden beaches” is so 

over-used but there is no better way 

to describe those beautiful bays. I 

challenge anyone to resist those 

clear waters – even in November. 

My first swim of the season. 

Shared with a paradise shelduck. 

Refreshing. Liberating. Going solo 

got an A+ at that stage. 

Each of the many bays are lined with 

those golden sands but each have 

their own unique beauty. I reached 

the semi-circular Anchorage Bay 

just after midday. By then the wind 

had dropped away completely, the 

sky was trying to clear, and small 

surf was gently sliding up and back 

along the water’s edge. I got so 

distracted by the serenity of it all that 

I completely missed the turn-off back 

onto the track and had to retrace my 

steps. 

Warima Bark Bay where I camped 

that night is different again. A 

small spit of sand with enough 

Pohutukawa, flax and other coastal 

plants to shade campers, a sandy 

beach on one side and tidal estuary 

on the other. I will always remember 

the bay for the glorious sunrise the 

next morning. The ridge to the east 

hid the exact moment of first-light, 

but moments later the sun appeared 

over the still, glassy bay and I got to 

enjoy one of the finest sunrises I can 

remember for a long time. 

Birdlife 

Native birds are thriving in the Park, 

and a shout-out must go to all the 

folks who are doing such a great 

job of keeping pests at bay. Project 

Janszoon has been going hard for 

well over a decade, and thanks the 

perseverance of those involved 

and many other volunteers and 

professionals, the native birdlife 

is thriving. The bush is full of the 

cheerful sound of robin and tui, 

with the regular appearance of the 

cheekily charming piwakawaka. 

One of my most blissful experiences 

occurred early morning at Bark Bay. 

I was lying back in my tent enjoying 

the sound of waves slapping the 

beach just a few metres away, 

when a bellbird landed in the tree 

just above me and began to greet 

the day with its unique one-bird 

orchestra of calls. A priceless 

experience. Bellbirds are few and 

far between but with the efforts of 

so many they have more hope now 

than they have had for some time. 


The beauty of the Abel Tasman - Image by Ricardo Helass 

Weka are abundant. Sometimes 

annoyingly so. I had the pleasure 

of having my lunch stolen off me at 

Stillwater Bay, and holes pecked into my 

tent cover at Observation Bay. It felt like 

a weka or two had taken up residence 

at every possible stop, waiting for the 

opportunity to pilfer from the weary visitor. 

It was only thanks to the cliffs at Stillwater 

Bay and an almost flightless bird that I 

managed to recover my lunch, but the 

truth is I would not have it any other 

way. Let us face it, they were here first 

so just applaud their ability to adapt and 

take advantage of our arrival. Kaka and 

saddlebacks are also listed as birds to 

look out for, but I never had the pleasure 

of coming across either. Next time. 

Side Trips 

Missing the tide at Torrent Bay was a 

blessing as it gave me the chance to visit 

Cleopatras pool. A gentle walk through 

cool forest alongside the Torrent river 

leads to the rapids and several pools, 

and the chance of a cool, refreshing fresh 

water swim. 

The DOC brochure has several 

recommendations for side trips along the 

way, although I chose to spend most of 

my spare time enjoying the many bays. 

Most of the bays are just a short walk 

from the main track, and excellent stops 

for a break, lunch, or a swim. 

The Solo Experience 

Abel Tasman was the perfect choice for 

my first solo tramp. This is a genuinely 

Great Walk, remote enough to offer some 

pristine wilderness, but popular enough 

to make it a relatively safe place to tramp 

alone. It also helped that it was mid- 

November, with longer days and warmer 

seas and relatively quiet, so I got to enjoy 

most of the trip with only the birds for 

company. 

Going solo has its advantages. I got to 

walk at my own pace and took the time 

to appreciate everything around me. My 

only stops were for several swims each 

day and a quick lunch break which I took 

when it suited me. Very self-indulgent 

but entirely excusable. I made up time 

by drinking as I walked, not stopping 

for scroggin breaks and avoiding the 

regathering that always happen at the 

summits of each hill when sharing a walk 

with a large group. 

Personally, I found the tracks well 

maintained and gently graded which 

made it easy to pick up the pace. The 

recommended hiking times were easily 

achievable – perhaps they have been 

set knowing that everyone will stop and 

enjoy at least one of those magnificent 

sandy bays. 

But the verdict on the merits of tramping 

on your own – as soon as I reached 

civilisation I could not wait to get on the 

phone and post on social media to share 

the experiences of the previous two 

days. So, nah, I think shared experiences 

are just that much sweeter. It is no 

coincidence that I enjoyed the walk so 

much that I have since persuaded several 

other friends to share the experience with 

me in the next few months. However, 

don’t get me wrong, it was a memorable 

and unique experience, and finding 

myself in the same situation again I could 

be persuaded to go alone once more. 


Thanks go to Macpac, Go Native, Keen and Jetboil.

Survival 

BRODIE SEELEN 

Not content to simply survive 

At 16 years old he became the youngest 

competitor in the Coast to Coast event, 

completing the 2 day individual event in 

14 hours and 27 minutes. He loved it so 

much that he signed up straight away to 

compete again in 2021. Little did he know 

that his world as he knew it would come 

crashing down in less than two weeks 

time… 

Brodie grew up in Tahunanui, Nelson, 

in a family that enjoyed spending time 

outdoors; whether it be camping in the 

summer, going on tramps, mountain biking 

or surf lifesaving. As a result he now 

loves kayaking, rock climbing and getting 

out in the mountains. He’s also a keen 

sportsman, multisporter and surf lifeguard. 

He’s into rowing, surfing, surf lifesaving 

and plays basketball, underwater hockey 

and volleyball. You get the picture? He’s 

one active outdoorsy kid. 


So, it was no surprise to his family 

when he decided to enter the Coast 

to Coast in 2020 and became the 

youngest competitor in the two day 

individual event. He loved the race, the 

comraderie, the challenge. 

“Growing up I have always done a lot 

of team sports and I was looking for 

a way to really push myself and see 

how far I can go. After talking to a few 

different people, one of my outdoor ed 

teachers mentioned the Coast to Coast 

and since then I knew I wanted to give 

it a go." 

After the gruelling Coast to Coast, 

Brodie, not surprisingly, had a few 

aches and pains, including a sore back. 

Two weeks later, when the pain was 

not healing, Brodie went for an MRI 

scan……...the news was not good. 

“After I had just had an MRI scan, I was 

rushed upstairs, and was told to skip 

the full waiting room and go directly 

to the specialist. After sitting down the 

specialist put his head in his hand and 

I think that was the first time I knew 

something really wasn't right.” 

Brodie was diagnosed with extensive 

cancer of the spine and pelvis. 

“When I was first diagnosed with cancer 

it didn't feel like there was much time 

to think that I was in trouble, the next 

3 weeks of testing went really fast and 

I was always more focused on what 

the next step was, rather than worrying 

about what was really going on.” 

After months of tests, diagnosis, 

bone biopsies and many sleepless 

nights, it turned out that Brodie didn’t 

have cancer but a very rare (one in a 

million) life threatening autoimmune 

blood disease called Aplastic Anaemia. 

Basically he had zero bone marrow left 

and with his platelet levels so low he 

was at risk of bleeding out. The good 

news was that Aplastic Anaemia was 

curable with a bone marrow transplant, 

but the family were warned that there 

was an 85% chance of survival. 

“After the final bone marrow biopsy 

result came back saying that I didn't 

have cancer I had a rush of lots of 

different emotions. I was thankful to 

hear that it wasn't cancer but I still had 

a concerned feeling as we were unsure 

of what was really going on. I think the 

moment I knew this would be a very 

hard and long road ahead was the first 

time I was sent down to Christchurch 

for further testing. One day I remember 

having to talk to all the doctors and 

specialists for 3 to 4 hours about all the 

different potential risks and the side 

effects that chemo can have and as a 

17 year old being told that you’re dying 

and that the treatment could also kill 

you was very confronting.” 

"As a 17 year old being told that you’re 

dying and that the treatment could 

also kill you was very confronting” 

Day of the transplant, December 11th, 2020 In hospital recovering, December 2020 

Brodie competing in the 2-day Individual at the 2020 Coast to Coast 



"His only hope of 

survival was a bone 

marrow transplant, and 

fortunately Brodie’s 13 

year old brother, Liam 

was the perfect match.” 

With no bone marrow left and platelet 

levels low, his only hope of survival was a 

bone marrow transplant, and fortunately 

Brodie’s 13 year old brother, Liam, was 

the perfect match. So on 30th November 

2020, the family headed to Christchurch 

for Brodie to start his intensive rounds 

of chemotherapy (the most aggressive 

form there is) and on the 11th December 

he had his bone marrow transplant. He 

spent 26 nights in hospital and was finally 

discharged on New Years Day, the best 

start to a new year ever. 

His mum explains. “Throughout this all 

Brodie has been an absolute inspiration 

to everyone around him, taking it all in his 

stride, with his relentless positivity and 

determination. He also organised a Shave 

for a Cure at his school and had 28 friends 

and staff join him in a massive outpouring 

of aroha and support - collectively they 

raised over $27 000 for Leukaemia 

and Blood Cancer NZ which was pretty 

special.” 

Brodie is determined to get back to his 

outdoor life as soon as possible. The 

guys at Coast to Coast have transferred 

his entry for this year to 2022 so that’s 

something he’s looking forward to. He 

also just signed up to do his first half 

ironman this year, a year to the day of his 

transplant on December 11th. Then he 

hopes to follow this up with a full ironman 

the following March to help raise funds for 

the Bone Marrow Transplant Trust. 

When speaking with Brodie and can’t 

not help but be impressed by his positive 

outlook on life and he speaks with a 

maturity beyond his years… 

It looks like your recovery is going well, 

what do you put that down to? I believe 

that mindset has a huge impact on our 

lives. I think one of the reasons why my 

recovery is going well at the moment is 

because of the positive mindset I have 

towards it. Don't get me wrong, there have 

definitely been some very hard and tough 

moments but what I think has impacted 

me most is just taking it one day at a 

time, focusing on future goals and staying 

positive. 

What’s the thing you have struggled with 

the most? As a 16/17 year old, I wasn't 

planning on missing half the school year 

and spending my summer in hospital, 

I think the hardest part of being unwell 

has been the things I've missed out on. A 

year ago I would spend most of my time 

just outside doing things like training for 

multisports or going on adventures with 

a bunch of mates. To go from that to not 

being able to do anything was definitely 

a challenge and at times could be very 

frustrating. 

Have there been any positives come 

out of this? I think as hard as it can be 

sometimes, there has been a lot of good 

to come from this. The support from the 

community has been very humbling. In 

November, I ran a fundraiser for Shave 

for a Cure through school to raise funds 

for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ. 27 

students and staff joined me in shaving 

their heads at a full school assembly and 

in under 2 weeks we managed to raise 

over $27,000! In the future, I plan to do 

more fundraising for two other incredible 

organisations that I have been helped by: 

the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer 

Service and Ranui House. 

Brodie in the 2020 Coast to Coast is now looking forward to training for the 2022 event 

Brodie stoked for his first surf - 80 days after his bone marrow transplant 

Looking forward to getting back to the saddle 

It has also given me more awareness 

of serious health issues a lot of people 

go through every day. Through this time 

I have had the opportunity to connect 

with some very inspirational people, the 

likes of Jake Bailey and Aaron Fleming 

as well as the incredible team of medical 

professionals who have helped care for 

me. 

What adventures are you missing the 

most? I've always loved the water, it could 

be surfing, racing around in the boats 

with surf life saving or even kayaking but I 

think the adventures I've missed the most 

are the ones where I try something new. I 

love getting outside my comfort zone as I 

feel like it's one of the best ways to learn 

new things. 

Any advice for people facing similar 

challenges? I think everyone faces their 

own individual challenges in life. I'd tell 

them that no matter what, you can beat 

it. The saying “dream, believe, Achieve” 

comes to mind. There will be some hard 

times and it can be scary but there will 

always be people around you to help push 

you along when you need it. Coming up 

with a list of things you want to do when 

you’re well again can also be very helpful. 

But most of all I'd tell them that the best 

things in life start off with a challenge. 

What has this year taught you? I think 

it's made me realise how lucky I am to 

be here. It has made me appreciate all 

the small things so much more that I 

might otherwise not have appreciated as 

much. It's made me grateful for all the 

opportunities I have had and above all 

excited for what's to come.

IN YOUR ELEMENT IN RUAPEHU 

No other region compares to the depth and breadth of raw elements 

than Ruapehu. We’re talking about in-your-face nature that commands 

attention. Carved by thousands of years of ancient lava flow and alpine 

glaciers, the magnitude and magnificence of Ruapehu as a natural 

wonderland will ground you and elevate you at the same time. 

So as you breathe it all in, a heady mix of excitement and stillness, 

you realise that you are perfectly at peace with where you are in the 

moment. Earth, air, water, fire - the elements are calling, and this is 

exactly where we belong. 

Earth, air, water, fire – 

elemental gateways to 

awe-inspiring travel journeys 

Earth 

Treading lightly across Tongariro National Park (New Zealand’s 

oldest national park) it is a common thing to be humbly awed 

by the unsurpassed cultural and spiritual landscape of this 

UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site. And as you venture further, 

weaving through rural towns tucked between vast wilderness 

and enchanting forests, the grace of Papatūānuku, Mother 

Earth follows your every footstep. 

Water 

From ever-flowing rivers to alpine lakes and spectacular 

waterfalls, Ruapehu is a land with abundant waterways. A 

significant element that bridges people and place, seek and you 

shall find, a wonderful source of recreation and source of life. 

Jet boat to the Bridge to Nowhere 

A sacred natural resource and living entity, the Whanganui 

River became the first river in the world to be recognised as 

a legal person in 2017 – with guardians upholding the river's 

environmental, social, cultural, and economic well-being. An 

immersive experience like no other, take an unforgettable jet boat 

journey upriver to the Bridge to Nowhere with Whanganui River 

Adventures. And as you wind along deep river gorges and lush 

canyons, surrender to the moment and absolute beauty of this life 

force. 

Chasing waterfalls at Waitonga Falls Track 

At 39 metres tall, Waitonga Falls is the highest waterfall at 

Tongariro National Park. Wind your way through a well-formed 

4km return track through mountain beech and evergreen 

kaikawaka forest. As you follow the boardwalk, you’ll pass through 

an alpine wetland area and weather permitting, take in some 

breath-taking views of Mount Ruapehu. Mirrored against the 

Rotokawa pools and suddenly it’s magic. Every step along the 

Waitonga Falls Track is – so savour the journey there. 

Forest bathing in Mangawhero Forest Walk 

A term originating from Japan, forest bathing doesn’t involve 

bathing in water. It’s a mindful practice immersed in the nature 

around you, connecting with the elements to help boost your 

well-being. Under a canopy of trees, let your footsteps slow and 

senses awaken to the sights and sounds of the Mangawhero 

Forest Walk in Ohakune. Bask in a lush native forest of kāmahi, 

broadleaf and five finger with giant rimu, mataī and kahikatea 

standing guard. Easily accessible from Ohakune Mountain 

Road, this 3 km loop track is a leisurely short walk that’s also 

popular with runners. 

Discover hidden gems at Kakahi Glowworms 

Something to experience after dark – intrepid travellers rise with 

the sun and dance in the moonlight so don’t be surprised if you 

start swaying at the sight of the entrancing Kakahi Glowworms. 

A 20-minute drive from Taumarunui, this natural wonder near 

the banks of the Whakapapa River can be found under a 

canopy of native bush and between two cliff faces, where an 

evening stroll becomes an ethereal experience. 

Fire 

Giver of light, bearer of heat, the fire element has a strong 

presence in Ruapehu, a warmth you can feel in your bones. 

Home to the Tongariro Volcanic Zone, fire breathes life into the 

triple peaks of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - 

the largest active volcano in Aotearoa. 

Unearth ancient lava flows at Tama Lakes 

An equally impressive alternative to the Tongariro Alpine 

Crossing, the Tama Lakes Track is a 17 km return tramp that 

takes about 5-6 hours to complete. With some of the oldest 

lava flows on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro 

found at Tama Saddle, traverse a jaw-dropping landscape of 

explosion craters, pristine alpine lakes, and volcanic terrain. 

Tokaanu Thermal Walk and Hot Pools 

Fire meets water at Tokaanu Thermal Pools. Soak in private 

mineral hot pools and immerse yourself in the therapeutic 

waters of natural thermal springs. Ranging from 39˚C to 41˚C, 

the private hot pools are part of a larger complex which also 

include an outdoor swimming pool. After a day in the elements 

enjoying our greater outdoors, there’s no better place to 

reinvigorate the senses. Pop around and enjoy the free 

geothermal walk showcasing bubbling mud pits and steaming 

mineral pools surrounded by picturesque native bush. 

Air 

Surrounded by Tongariro National Park and Whanganui 

National Park, the vast wilderness that sprawls across 

Ruapehu makes our greater outdoors a breath of fresh 

air. Take a deep inhale, and breathe in that crisp, clean 

mountain air, like sunshine for your soul. 

Journey into the clouds with Sky Waka 

Rising, reaching, towards the air up there, journey into 

the clouds with Sky Waka. New Zealand’s most unique 

gondola experience, Sky Waka takes you on a 1.8 km 

adventure across Tongariro National Park – one of New 

Zealand’s most rugged and spectacular landscapes as 

a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site. As breath-taking 

over the summer as it is a winter experience, no two 

journeys on Sky Waka are ever the same. From sundrenched 

volcanic rocks to snow-capped mountain 

tops, the view is definitely better at the top. 

Sunrise mission on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing 

Watch magic in the skies unfold before your eyes with 

a private guided sunrise hike on the Tongariro Alpine 

Crossing with Adrift Tongariro. A pre-dawn start means 

an incredible Dark Sky experience and a rare sighting 

of Aurora Australis if your lucky stars align. Each guided 

expedition is as unique as the sunrise, with each route 

decided on the day as you venture out into the elements 

for an epic sunrise on the Red Crater - topped off with 

an alfresco breakfast on top of the world. For those 

with limited time, 2-hr guided sunset tours are available 

year-round. 

Start your adventure at www.visitruapehu.com 


KEEP YOUR WHEELS TURNING THIS WINTER 

WITH ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ 

You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy a New Zealand winter. 

While colder temperatures and shorter days can make it 

easy to lock your bike in the garage and take up residency 

inside, you may be surprised to hear many of the New 

Zealand Cycle Trails are fully rideable throughout the winter 

months. 

Winter provides a refreshing opportunity to experience some 

of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes through a new 

lens. Mountains come alive with fresh layers of snow, and 

the often crisp sunny days are perfect for cycling, soaking in 

steamy hot pools, indulging in mulled wine and hearty food, 

or relaxing by a roaring fire. 

Of course, winter weather’s not always butterflies and 

rainbows, but getting outdoors sure beats sitting on the 

couch. This is why Adventure South NZ have launched 2 

new winter cycle trail trips for 2021. 

The Winter Alps 2 Ocean Cycle and Winter West Coast 

Wilderness are fully supported and include everything you 

need for a stress free cycling holiday. This means a support 

vehicle full of unlimited tea, coffee, snacks and hot water 

bottles is never far away and if it gets cold, a short drive will 

take you to your cosy accommodation. 

Our e-bikes make it easy to beat the early sunset, or 

standard bikes are available for those up for the challenge. 

Don't save all your adventures for summer. In the words of 

Adventure South NZ guides, “there’s no such thing as bad 

weather, just bad gear”. 

Winter West Coast Wilderness 

5 days, Christchurch to 

Christchurch 

Inclusions: All accommodation, 

e-bike hire, most meals, Treetop 

Walkway entry, experienced 

guides, snacks and hot drinks, 

transport from Christchurch 

(return). 

Price $1995pp 

Winter Alps 2 Ocean Cycle 

6 days, Christchurch to 

Christchurch 

Inclusions: All accommodation, 

e-bike hire, most meals, Tekapo 

Springs entry, experienced 

guides, snacks and hot drinks, 

transport from Christchurch 

(return). 

Price: $2295pp 

For more information on our winter cycle trips or 2021/2022 summer cycle 

trips visit www.adventuresouth.co.nz. 

Since 1992 

Since 1992 

DISCOVER NZ’S CYCLE TRAILS WITH ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ 

Fully supported Cycle Trail tours: *West Coast Wilderness Trail *Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail *Otago Central Rail Trail 

*Tasman Great Taste Trail...and more. E-bikes available 

Book online: adventuresouth.co.nz | 0800 00 11 66 | info@adventuresouth.co.nz 

Fully supported Cycle Trail tours: *West Coast Wilderness Trail *Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail *Otago Central Rail Trail 

*Tasman Great Taste Trail...and more. E-bikes available 

Book online: adventuresouth.co.nz | 0800 00 11 66 | info@adventuresouth.co.nz

Survival 

REMY MORTON 

"In 2019 Remy 

Morton crashed 

on a 24m jump 

and broke 23 

bones, punctured 

both his lungs and 

was told he might 

never walk again." 

Images by Graeme Murray/Red Bull Content Pool 

"I get knocked down, but I get 

up again, you're never gonna 

keep me down." 

This song could have been written 

for mountain biker, Remy Morton, 

he’s been knocked down more 

times than he can remember, yet 

he’s not learnt to take a softer 

approach. As we went to write this 

feature we reached out to Remy for 

some additional input - he was slow 

replying - he had broken both arms! 

Born in the Gold Coast in Australia, 

Remy was riding a PeeWee 

motorcycle by the time he was 

3 and started BMX riding and 

competing, when he was just 4 

years old. 

According to his dad, Remy always 

showed a no fear attitude. When he 

was just 6 years old he took a nasty 

tumble at his local BMX club and 

instead of quitting, simply said, “oh, 

I didn’t do that very well” and took 

his bike back up to the top to do it 

all again. 

Remy became an exceptional 

downhill rider, winning competitions 

up and down the coast of Australia, 

so he headed to Europe and 

Canada with the family, racing in the 

Junior World Cup series in 2015 and 

2016. From here he gained a raft of 

sponsorship and was on his way to 

becoming a professional athlete. 

It was in 2017, at Loosefest, a fiveday 

freeride event in Belgium, that 

Remy had the best day riding in 

his life taking some of the biggest 

jumps he’d ever seen. Unfortunately 

he overshot the landing on the 

final jump landing on flat ground. 

His friends told him that he stood 

up straight after signalling he was 

all OK, but he was very far from it 

and collapsed seconds later. He 

remembers nothing after the fall, 

waking up nearly a month later in 

hospital in Belgium. 

He had broken a total of 20 bones, 

collapsed both lungs and ruptured 

his kidneys, all in one single 

mountain bike accident. The doctors 

described the injuries as being 

consistent with falling from a threestory 

building and hitting the ground 

at 75km an hour. 

Remy spent the next month in an 

induced coma and although he was 

unable to remember anything after 

the accident, he was plagued with 

daydreams and nightmares. In the 

daytime he dreamt he was a Red 

Bull sponsored athlete/influencer, 

travelling the world riding and 

making big bucks. But in the nights 

he suffered nightmares where 

people were trying to murder him. 

The nightmares were so real and 

took place in “real places'' that even 

now he struggles to visit certain 

places as he is haunted by the 

reality of his nightmares. 

Right: Remy Morton in action in Queenstown, September 2020 



"Incredibly only 11 weeks 

after the accident he was 

back in the mountain 

bike park and a year after 

the crash he was back in 

Europe competing.” 

As the doctors began to bring Remy out of the coma 

they warned him he would not be able to ride again 

and he’d be lucky if he could walk. However it did not 

take long before Remy proved the doctors wrong and 

was up and walking across the ward with the help of a 

couple of nurses. 

Unable to fly due to the damage to his lungs, he spent 

the first 7 weeks in hospital in Belgium before he was 

eventually given the all-clear to return to Australia to 

continue his rehabilitation in his home country where 

he had to relearn to walk, talk and eat. 

Undeterred by his prognosis, Remy set himself a 

goal to be back riding in 6 months’ time. This seemed 

incredibly optimistic, however, Remy explained. “The 

more positive I stay the faster I am going to heal – I 

think a lot of it is to do with mindset, if I’m positive 

about it my body will be positive about it.” 

9 weeks after the accident, despite still being hardly 

able to walk, Remy began to ride his bike up and 

down the beach in Surfers Paradise. Incredibly only 11 

weeks after the accident he was back in the mountain 

bike park and a year after the crash he was back in 

Europe competing. 

With a few setbacks, including another leg break 

while in Europe, it took a couple of years for Remy’s 

confidence to return fully and he knew he had to 

reattempt the jump that nearly killed him. 

So in 2019 he returned to the site in Belgium with 

his dad and prepared to take the jump again. After 

spending months preparing, he got padded up, ready 

to jump but decided something was not quite right. 

He was wearing protective clothing but knew he had 

no intention of crashing, so he changed into his street 

clothes and headed for the jump. 

You can’t help but wonder why anyone would want 

to repeat a jump that nearly took his life, but Remy 

realised that without overcoming this obstacle he 

would never be able to get back to the level of riding 

he wanted to achieve. Needless to say the jump was 

clean and the crowd went wild, so to speak, and the 

rest is history. 

In 2020, Remy picked up the Red Bull sponsorship 

that he had dreamt of during the days in his coma. He 

has just finished filming the Sound of Speed, a unique 

video shot in Queenstown. There is no chain on his 

bike and no blaring music to accompany the action, 

just the sound of tires on dirt. It is compelling watching 

and shows mountain biking in its raw beauty. Check it 

out here https://www.redbull.com/int-en/episodes/mtbraw-s2-e19 

Remy Morton performs during filming of Red Bull Sound of Speed 

in Queenstown, New Zealand on November 6, 2020 


"I don’t want to be a 

competitor in the sport, I 

want to change the sport.” 

We fired a few questions to 

Remy about fear, risk taking and 

injuries... 

Fear – are you aware of it and 

how do you handle it? Fear 

is definitely a major issue that 

I have to deal with on a daily 

basis. Over the years it has 

progressively gotten worse and 

I definitely question myself a lot 

today. Although one thing that 

always takes any fear away is 

getting on my bike and riding. 

As soon as I’m going, it all 

disappears.. it’s a fine balance in 

trust and faith of my abilities. 

Is your risk taking calculated 

or instinct – what do you look 

for when making a decision? 

The more injuries I have the more 

calculated I would like to think I’ve 

become. To learn precision I think 

it takes a lot of failure... I think 

I’m pretty good at calculating my 

risk/ reward values now ha! 

Going downhill fast and 

leaping over stuff obviously 

does not make you fearful – 

does anything? Spiders, cats ? 

A lot scares me, but I’d prefer not 

to think about those options, I’d 

rather look ahead without those 

in mind, you have to believe to 

achieve ! 

The old saying what does not 

kill you make you stronger – do 

you think that’s true did your 

major accident in 2017 focus 

you on your career or distract 

you? My bad accident in 2017 

changed my whole perception 

on life. It didn’t distract me from 

what I wanted to achieve but it 

definitely changed the direction I 

was going in. You never realize 

how much you have till it’s all 

taken away... The values I learnt 

whilst learning to eat, walk and 

talk again are a lesson I hope 

none of my friends ever have 

to experience, but I really am 

grateful that I had to go through 

that experience. 

A few decisions which were made 

mentally and also a few physically 

as certain body parts haven’t 

healed as well as they once were, 

my outlook on mountain biking 

still remains the same: 

“I don’t want to be a competitor 

in the sport, I want to change the 

sport.” 

Now I’m focusing on changing it 

a different way than I had once 

planned.. 

And I’m really proud and excited 

for the future! 

Injury list 

Neck: c6-c7 

Back: t4 and compressed disc 

Collarbone: left x2 

Shoulders: shattered left in 9 

places 

Sternum: x1 

Elbow: left x1 

Ribs: full rib cage 

Wrists: right x2 left x1 + severe 

radial nerve damage. 

Hands: right x1 

Hips: left broken and dislocated 

Legs: right tib and fib 

Feet: right x1 left x1 

Kidney: ruptured x1 

Lungs: both punctured and 

collapsed 

There’s probably more haha. 

That’s off the top of my head :) 

Last thoughts... 

I'd like to thank my parents Lisa 

and Jim. And also redbull with 

out their support I’m not sure 

if I would be able to ride at the 

level I am today.. they helped a 

huge amount with my medical 

attention! 

Remy Morton in action during filming of Red Bull Sound of Speed 

in Queenstown, notice there is no chain... 


IS IT A WALK? HIKE? TREK? OR TRAMP? 

There are many age-old debates 

still raging around the world. Which 

came first, the chicken or the egg? 

Vegemite or Marmite? Is Marvel 

better than DC? Cycling or walking? 

Should cereal be eaten with hot milk 

or cold? Does the map say we turn 

left, or turn right? World over, these 

questions are far and wide and 

often spark the most interesting of 

conversations and heated debates 

with the two or more people involved 

in them. I bet right now you are 

thinking about your answers, but is 

it the same as your partners, friends 

or colleagues, or is it a matter of 

personal opinion and perception? 

The debate over whether it is a 

walk, hike, trek or tramp has been 

a hotly contested subject in the 

walking community. When does a 

walk become a hike? Is it when 

the terrain is perhaps rougher and 

the walk harder going? In my mind 

the definition of a trek is the easiest 

to decipher – it’s something that is 

more remote and longer than a hike. 

But what was a hike? 

Are you confused yet? 

Let’s break it down according to the 

consensus of our outdoor travellers 

on what these words might mean. 


Walk – a walk tends to be done 

on defined tracks and reasonably 

smooth surfaces without too many 

obstacles in the way. Walking 

does not tend to need special 

equipment apart from a day pack 

with the essentials and generally 

walks are around regions where 

accommodation is readily available. 

Walks are shorter in duration and 

able to be enjoyed by any age group 

with relative fitness. 

Hike – hikes tends to be longer and 

harder walks that are usually on 

trails through the mountains or trails 

through bush or countryside terrain. 

The trails are generally visible trails 

but not the smooth surfaces of a 

walk. Hikes tend to be longer than 

walks and require proper equipment 

and footwear as terrain and trails are 

more rugged. Hiking tends to see 

you move from lower to higher as 

you progress and are generally more 

undulating than a walk. 

Trek – trek is used to define a walk 

or hike which tends to be multiday, 

remote, little in the form of 

accommodation (generally camp 

based) with trails that are either 

partially visible, or not visible at 

all and where altitude or other 

rugged terrain and crossings may 

be encountered. Treks require the 

most specialised equipment and 

will see you probably without a 

shower for days on end. Treks are 

generally in regions where other 

forms of transport other than being 

on foot are not possible and where 

you tend to carry your own gear and 

backpack. 

The most interesting of all is 

tramping. Seems this is something 

us Kiwi’s came up with to define 

a walk in the bush and where the 

Aussie’s would call it ‘bushwalking”. 

Tramping – elsewhere in the world 

it would be called backpacking, 

rambling, hill walking or 

bushwalking. Us Kiwi’s see it as 

walking over rough terrain often with 

a backpack and wet-weather gear 

and needing to carry equipment 

for cooking and sleeping. Did us 

Kiwi’s not like the word ‘hike’ or did 

we think this was a ‘walk’ but for us 

outdoors enthusiasts? 

Well we weren’t the only ones to 

come up with our own terms. Here 

are some more quirks from the 

walking community: 

Rambling – mostly used in the UK 

is used for walking in the countryside 

with many rambling clubs and groups 

meeting to take part in this outdoor 

pastime. Rambling was an outdated 

English expression meantime to walk 

without purpose, but Ramblers walk 

with purpose and on defined routes. 

Hill walking is also commonly used 

for walking in the mountains and hills 

in the UK. 

Nordic Walking – now I am sure you 

have seen them around. Walkers 

with sticks! It evolved from a type of 

ski-training out of the snowy season 

and seems to not only have stuck but 

become popular around the world. 

Specially designed poles give more 

power and support whilst walking and 

a great all body workout. 

Pilgrimage – this one is a walk with 

purpose. Usually it can be defined as 

a journey to an unknown or foreign 

place. A journey of discovery. An 

inner journey to find meaning in 

oneself or nature. A pilgrimage tends 

to be long distance, challenging 

the body and the mind at the same 

time and often leading to personal 

transformation and development. 

Whether you call it a walk or a hike 

just make sure it’s a GREAT one! 

Organised guided & self-guided walks or hikes. 

Bringing the New Zealand outdoors 

......a step closer to you! 

www.greatwalksofnewzealand.co.nz 

info@greatwalksofnewzealand.co.nz 

0800 496 369 

Most on a pilgrimage have a reason 

for taking part and completing it 

which stems deeper than simply a 

love of walking and the outdoors. 

I am sure the debate between what 

makes a walk a hike or a hike a 

tramp will be around for years to 

come. I didn’t set out to answer 

the question, rather to open the 

discussions next time you think about 

heading outdoors. Will you walk? 

Will you trek? Just get out there and 

experience nature at its best, on two 

feet, and take it all in no matter what 

you call it.

TREKKING 

SURVIVAL 

GUIDE FOR 

PARENTS 

Let the kids lead the way 

It's easy to keep an eye on them and 

watching if they are tired, falling or 

going in the wrong direction. Give 

them time and permission to take a 

closer look at the interesting things 

along the way while giving them 

responsibility. 

Set up camp 

If you are taking on a multiday-trip, 

create a fixed camp and do smaller 

missions each day. Staying in one 

place gives the children - especially 

younger ones - something familiar and 

safe to come home to every day. 

Enjoy! 

Reaching the end goal is not the most 

important thing. Instead, focus on 

keeping everyone happy here and 

now. Think about alternative routes in 

advance if the weather and wind (or 

bad mood) put an end to the original 

plans. And remember - it's not a 

shame to turn around in good time. 

It's better than risking an unpleasant 

experience later. Do your part to 

preserve the magic of the trip! 

Where to go? 

If you don't want to carry food, handle 

logistics and do all the planning, 

Wanaka based Aspiring Guides can 

take you and your kids on one of NZ's 

most memorable treks in Mt Aspiring 

National Park. 

The 4 Day Upper Wilkin trek is a 

great place for a family holiday with 

no stress. Logistics, food, planning, 

guiding. Everything is sorted so that 

you can enjoy some quality time with 

your kids. 

The beauty of the Upper Wilkin 

Experience is that it can cater to a 

range of abilities. A scenic helicopter 

flight gets you into the remote Top 

Forks Hut, where you're spending all 

three nights. Each day you can hike in 

a different direction. The Upper Wilkin 

is known for its gorgeous glacial lakes, 

dense forests, steep waterfalls, and 

beautiful viewpoints. There is plenty of 

time to stop and enjoy the scenery or 

have a refreshing swim in the ice-blue 

lakes as Lake Diana, Lucidus, and 

Castilia. 

Because there isn't a new daily 

camping destination, you have the 

flexibility to go as far and as hard as 

you'd like or turn back early if needed. 

You can even stick closer to the hut 

and enjoy the riverside, playtime, and 

good books. 

After exploring the Upper Wilkin, the 

trip ends with a fun jet boat ride back 

to civilization. 

In March and April, Aspiring Guides 

offer 50 percent off kids on this trek. 

Visit www.aspiringguides.comfor 

more information. 

equip 

yourself! 

Low Prices Everyday 

We know that holidays should be quality time for everybody in 

the family. But finding activities and trips to suit everybody is 

tough. And before you know it, someone is hungry and needs to 

run to the loo or forget the backpack. Here's a survival guide for 

your family holiday. 

By Aspiring Guides 

Go easy! 

Kiwi families like a challenge, but sometimes finding the right 

adventure to keep both parents and kids happy can be tricky. 

Will the route be too difficult? Will it be too easy? Tip number 

one is to go easy! You do not have to go far, cook on a stove or 

do a multi-day trek. Take it one thing at a time. Start with day 

trips, small distances and long breaks. 

Involve your children 

Start by saying, "we are going on a trip together", instead of 

"I will take the children on a trip". Let the children be involved 

in the planning. Hear their opinion on everything from the 

destination, activities, what to bring with you clothes, books 

and food to what you can do along the way. Help the children 

to visualize the trip for themselves before you take off. Tell 

them about the terrain and what will happen along the way, for 

example, where you can take a break. 

Food prep 

It's no secret that food, snacks and drinks have a huge impact 

on your own and your childrens' mood, and you generally need 

more than usual when you're out tramping. Plan your breakfasts, 

lunches, dinners and drinks, and make sure you take more 

than usual. Re-pack as much food as you can to save space. 

Breakfasts can be everything from granola, porridge with nuts 

to muesli bars or some fruit. If you're feeling fancy, you can 

prepare pancake mix in a bottle and whip it up in the morning. 

Wraps, sandwiches, crackers with cheese, veggies and salami 

are great lunch ideas, and who can say no to a warm dinner 

such as a stir-fry or your favourite one-pot pasta dish. Don't feel 

limited about cooking in the outdoors. You don't have to live 

off dehydrated food, and involving kids in outdoor cooking can 

sparkle their interest for cooking at home. 

Don't go hangry 

Make sure to bring plenty of pocket snacks. Raisins, bliss balls, 

fruit, nuts, muesli bars, lollies. Whatever works for you and your 

children. A quick snack along the way is a 

good distraction if your children are getting tired, and it will keep 

them from being hangry - and you from being at ease. 

"Involving your children gives them ownership of the 

trip and can sparkle even more interest." 

"Reaching the end goal is not the most important 

thing. Instead, focus on keeping everyone happy 

here and now." 

Free NZ Shipping on 

orders over $150 for 

members 

Members Earn Equip+ 

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shop online or instore 

equipoutdoors.co.nz 

62 Killarney Road, 

Frankton, Hamilton, 

New Zealand 

P: 0800 22 67 68 

E: sales@equipoutdoors.co.nz 


Survival 

AND YOU 

THOUGHT COVID 

WAS BAD 

Surviving a zombie apocalypse 

And you thought Covid was bad! 

I read a post recently on Facebook. 

‘One day in the future you will reach 

down into our coat pocket and pull 

out a little blue mask and smile to 

yourselves and think ‘2020 what 

a year’. Then you’ll put your mask 

back in your pocket, pick up your 

machete and then wander out into 

the zombie apocalyptic landscape’. 

We have all said it, ‘Covid won’t 

be the last pandemic, maybe the 

next one will be worse’, but maybe, 

instead of getting a cold you’ll get a 

thirst for blood and then be destined 

to wander the earth looking for 

flesh… let us hope not. 

But imagine my surprise when I 

found on the world CDC website, 

the very formal and serious ‘Center 

for Disease Control’, a section on 

Zombie Preparedness. I thought it 

was a joke, but - it wasn’t! 

The Pentagon developed a zombie 

strategic scenario titled, “CONPLAN 

8888” in 2014, and the Center for 

Disease Control created a guide for 

zombie preparedness in 2015. It 

is not that these governing bodies 

have been watching too much 

TV and after season seven of the 

Walking Dead, decided they better 

get ready, but they did choose to 

capitalise on the interest, because 

the emergency preparedness, 

whether it be zombies, Tsunami, 

Ebola or Covid, remains pretty much 

the same. 

There are many types of 

emergencies out there that we 

should prepare for. Even a zombie 

apocalypse. The first element with 

being prepared is that you get it 

done before you need it. There is 

no point running around trying to 

find a machete when the zombies 

are already climbing through the 

window. So whether it’s zombies, 

pandemics, earthquakes, tsunami it 

is better to be prepared. 

Top of the list should be an 

emergency kit. You can purchase 

these already made up, but it should 

include things like water, food, and 

other supplies to get you through the 

first couple of days before you can 

locate a zombie-free zone (or in the 

event of an any major issue it will 

buy you some time until you are able 

to make your way to an evacuation 

area or civil defence designated 

area). 

Below are a few items you should 

include in your kit, 

• Water (4 litres per person per 

day) 

• Food (stock up on nonperishables) 

• Medications (this includes 

prescription and nonprescription 

meds) 

• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, 

duct tape, battery powered 

radio, etc.) 

• Sanitation and Hygiene 

(Antiseptic, soap, towels, etc.) 

• Clothing and Bedding (a 

change of clothes for each 

family member and blankets) 

and we suggest a survival 

blanket. 

• Solar battery charger - For 

phones, radio 

• Important documents (copies of 

your driver’s license, passport, 

and birth certificate to name a 

few) 

• First Aid supplies (although 

your number is up if chewed on 

by one of the walking dead, but 

you can use these supplies to 

treat basic cuts and lacerations 

that you might get during an 

earthquake or cyclone) 

Once you have made your 

emergency kit, you should sit down 

with your family and come up with 

an emergency plan. This includes 

where you would go and who you 

would call if zombies started to 

shuffle down the street. You can 

also implement this plan if there is 

a flood, earthquake, fire, or other 

emergency. 

Identify the types of emergencies 

that are possible in your area. 

Besides a zombie apocalypse, 

this may include floods, tsunami, 

or earthquakes. If you are unsure 

contact your local civil defence for 

more information. 

Pick a meeting place for your family 

to regroup in case zombies invade 

your home…or your town evacuates 

because of a Tsunami as coastal 

towns did in early March this year. 

Identify your emergency contacts. 

Make a list of local contacts like the 

police, fire department, civil defence, 

neighbours to check on. Also identify 

a contact that you can call during 

an emergency to let the rest of your 

family know you are ok. 

Plan your evacuation route. Hungry 

zombies and be pretty determined to 

eat you so you need to act fast. You 

need to plan where you would go 

and multiple routes of escape, plus 

how you are going to get here for 

example it might pay to bike rather 

than drive. 

Lastly don’t be dumb. If there is a 

pandemic and you are asked to 

stay home – stay home. If there is 

tsunami warning do not go down to 

the beach to have a look – follow 

civil defence warnings as if they are 

100% correct and then hope that 

they are not. 

Get a Kit. Make a plan. Don’t be 

dumb. Be Prepared.

Survival 

IT'S NOT 

ALWAYS THE 

TOUGHEST 

THAT SURVIVE 

CAN AN 

ADVENTURE 

BUSINESS 

SURVIVE IN THE 

TIME OF COVID? 

The survival of adventure business and tourism in a covid world 

Aspiring Guides Director Vickie Sullivan (operator): 

In a world of cataclysmic change since March 2020 – Adventure 

and tourism businesses have had to find a way to survive or 

simply disappear which is a polite word for die. But one thing we 

have seen is that the same tenacity that drives us to eke out a 

living in the adventure and tourism industry, that same tenacity 

has driven many to adapt, change and evolve. We asked a 

number of businesses linked with Adventure Magazine how they 

were coping with the challenges of Covid... 

Rafting New Zealand Turangi (operator): 

During 2020 we sought and organised rent relief, reduced our wages, 

organised interest only terms on all our loans and worked really hard 

to maintain staff and business morale, while maintaining our online 

marketing presence. We foresaw the 2021 Winter season as the 

"crux" period for business survival. Hence, we took measures in 2020 

to attempt to successfully navigate this period. We personally sold our 

house, so we as Managers of the business had the ability to reduce 

our incomes if and when required. We have put our businesses base 

and facility on the market as we look to rescale to the demands of a 

reduced domestic market while also further reducing the businesses 

fixed overhead costs and we are currently seeking alternative income 

streams for the business by way of training initiatives. 

The saying "Adapt or Die" is very much in the forefront of our mind 

as we work to maintain and continue our award-winning tourism 

business, which ironically this year, is celebrating its 30th year of 

operation. God Willing, through being intelligent, resourceful and 

adaptive, we can see out the effects of C19. NZ will be a much poorer 

place if businesses like ours cannot. 

World Expeditions (tourism): 

We created a New Zealand 

division. We had started the 

process of a NZ division 2 

years ago, but never had the 

time or resource to get it up 

and running as we needed 

to create content, establish 

trips, research and design 

websites and structure for it. 

Covid gave us the time and we 

seized the opportunity to pivot 

our thinking and to create our 

NZ brand and launched it just 

in time for the new booking 

season in September 2020, 

not only plugging a gap in our 

own company, but plugging a 

gap in NZ trip offerings. 

" In just three weeks 

Aspiring Guides had 

put together a new 

product line, created 

a fun promotional 

video, and launched 

what is understood to 

be the country’s first 

ever virtual lessons for 

mountaineering skills. 

The concept was simple. 

Learn more now so we 

can play more later. ” 

Vickie Sullivan 

The first thing we did as a team was make a decision 

that we would take up the challenge and work hard on 

finding some new ideas and solutions!! Established in 

1990, we’ve seen a lot of changes through the years, 

but this was the biggest challenge we had faced in our 

long history. Following the announcement that the 

country would be ‘shutdown’ on the 26th of March 2020, 

the team decided on the 27th of March to start work on 

re-thinking how we could bring learning in the mountains 

indoors! In just three weeks Aspiring Guides had put 

together a new product line, created a fun promotional 

video, and launched what is understood to be the 

country’s first ever virtual lessons for mountaineering 

skills. The concept was simple. Learn more now so we 

can play more later. 

We were pleasantly surprised by how positive, receptive 

and supportive our clients were of the idea! The 

lessons are not designed to replace outdoor learning 

and experiences but rather spend the time in ‘lockdown’ 

learning some of the theory behind the mountains 

and have some fun doing that ‘face to face’ with our 

experienced guides in an enjoyable and relaxed 

way.” Our new online courses covered avalanche 

theory, mountain weather, navigation, and more! This 

approach provided a great opportunity for our past and 

new clients to engage directly with our very qualified 

guides to upskill from the comfort of home. The online 

courses proved to be a great new product line and 

are something we will now continue into the future. 

However, as we can now get back out there, we all 

know deep down that real is better than virtual, so that's 

what we are doing. 

The future of NZ tourism may be changing, but for 

Aspiring Guides, one thing remains the same: a passion 

for taking people on adventures in amazing backyard. 

With the opportunity for Kiwis to tick home-turf 

objectives off their bucket lists, the team hope they’ll be 

able to share this passion with more NZer’s and make 

the most of 2021 and beyond. 

Nomad Safaris Queenstown (operator): 

David our Director has a quote he would like 

included: “I believe it is premature to be talking 

survival or recovery. Currently the language 

from the Government is increasingly negative 

towards a trans-Tasman quarantine free travel 

arrangement. Without this boost to numbers 

arriving in Fiordland, southern lakes, west coast 

and Kaikoura, survived will be used in the past 

tense preceded with the words, did not. “ 

I remember the 1980s well, the early 

days of River Valley. White water 

rafting is what we then did, and up 

to recently, rafting was still a critical 

part of our business. In those days, 

we did not even identify with being 

an "adventure" business. The term 

Adventure Tourism had not yet been 

coined as an identifier for that whole 

segment of activities that we are 

now familiar with. A component of 

the tourism industry that presently 

includes rafting, kayaking, sky diving, 

bungy jumping, mountain biking, zip 

lines and much more. 

Driving the growth of this industry 

over the last three decades has been 

the increase in overseas tourists. A 

common perception for the type of 

customer might be that these people 

were all young backpacker types. 

While many were, this is certainly not 

the whole story. Instead, the adventure 

tourism industry's customers wanted 

to experience all that New Zealand 

had to offer. This desire often involving 

participating in exciting activities in 

beautiful surroundings. 

Many of the operators in the adventure 

tourism sphere are, or were, small to 

medium-sized family businesses such 

as River Valley. This was especially 

true outside of the Queenstown area. 

The industry has always had a certain 

glamour with images of people doing 

exciting, adventurous things at the 

heart of much tourism advertising. 

Beneath the glamour of beautiful 

photos, the operators were doing 

okay. Few fortunes were being made, 

but adequate livings were, while 

thousands of people, often young, 

found employment. 

And then the coronavirus came along. 

I don't have the information for others, 

so I can only share our experience 

here at River Valley. Overnight we 

lost between 85% and 90% of our 

clientele. Staff numbers, including 

working family members, dropped 

from 25 to 10 (most of the latter being 

working family). Income fell through 

the floor. Profit is a distant memory. 

We thanked Saint Jacinda for wage 

subsidies and signed up for any other 

government help that was on offer. 

Part of that offer was some help with 

strategic planning. I do not think at 

that stage any of us, except a few 

pandemic experts, really knew what to 

expect or what this new world would 

look like. Consequently, in retrospect, 

our planning was based more on 

tweaking our existing business model 

with the expectation that give it a year 

to 18 months, everything would be 

moving back to normal. Early in the 

planning process, we decided that we 

would not close or mothball our lodge, 

roll up and store the boats in a dark 

corner, or sell the horses or find longterm 

grazing. As much as possible, 

we would stay open and keep paying 

wages. 

Now is the time for an admission. 

We found that, other than the financial 

difficulties, we quite like not having 

hordes of people. We like having 

the time to spend talking to guests 

and having more one on one type 

of experiences. We like having the 

mental space to think about the future 

of River Valley. We have discovered 

again just what is important to us as 

individuals, be that family or long term 

staff. 

These quiet times have made us 

relook at our priorities and values 

and how we express them through 

our business. Making all these 

likes, values and priorities into a 

profitable business model will be more 

challenging and take some time, but 

we feel we are on the right track. I 

don't think we have had anything less 

than a 5-star review for months, so 

it would appear our guests like the 

change as well. 

Our focus now is concentrating on the 

niches. This is in stark contrast to our 

previous position of trying to be all 

things to all people. 

Having time to return to our base 

values has reaffirmed our commitment 

to mother earth, papatuanuku, and 

our relationships with other people. 

"We presently have this 

opportunity to remodel our 

industry as a force for good. 

Good for our guests. Good for 

the environment. Good for local 

communities, and finally good 

for those who own and work 

within those businesses.” 

A River Valley experience needs to 

stand apart from others, not above, 

not necessarily better, but certainly 

different. The ideas we have are not 

fixed, still being somewhat fluid, so 

they are subject to change as we try 

various plans and discard those that 

do not resonate. Some ideas may not 

withstand the passage of time. 

I am of the school that thinks that 

the tourism industry as we knew it is 

never coming back, and that is not 

necessarily a bad thing. We presently 

have this opportunity to remodel our 

industry as a force for good. Good for 

our guests. Good for the environment. 

Good for local communities, and finally 

good for those who own and work 

within those businesses. We can be 

regenerative. We can make things 

better. 

Will this journey be easy? No. 

Will this journey be worthwhile? I think 

Yes. 

Brian Megaw 

River Valley Lodge 

www.rivervalley.co.nz

Survival 

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE 

BUT NOT 

A DROP TO 

DRINK! 

The average rule of thumb is that you 

cannot last more than 3 to 4 days 

without water. You can last for weeks 

without food, but water is the top 

priority. The other prime ingredient of 

water is that it needs to be clean. Clarity 

alone is not enough to assume the 

water is pure. 

Even fresh water from a tap can contain 

harmful nasties like microorganisms, 

viruses and chemicals. These nasties 

can either cause you to be sick within 

hours or build up in your system over 

time like the heavy metals causing 

issues to your health later on in life. 

So how can you filter/purify 

freshwater? 

There are many ways to filter/purify 

water on the go. Single-stage filters are 

one method of filtration and two and 

three-stage filtration is a combination 

of two or three methods. The more 

methods combined; the more harmful 

nasties are removed from the water. 

Single-stage methods. 

• Boiling water: (Easy to do if you 

have a heat source but does not 

remove dissolved substances, 

suspended sediments, or heavy 

metals.) 

• Hollow fibre: (Quick and easy 

to use, filters microorganisms and 

large particles but not viruses and 

dissolved substances and it can get 

clogged.) 

• UV Light: (Easy to use but runs 

on batteries and doesn't remove 

dissolved substances.) 

• Activated Carbon Filters: 

(Absorbs most dissolved substances 

and some bacteria but limited 

volume.) 

• Chemical Tablets: (Easy, able 

to do large volumes but only kills 

microorganisms and removes nothing 

else.) 

• Ceramic Filters: (Able to do large 

volumes and removes bacteria but 

not able to filter viruses and dissolved 

substances.) 

Water-to-Go has created drink bottles with a 3-stage filter that purifies the 

water. Their 3-stage filter (1 traditional and 2 nano) technologies are combined 

in one filter cartridge to remove up to 99.9999% of microbiological and harmful 

contaminants from freshwater. 

The three technologies that Water to go filter use are: 

• Mechanical filtration with a very small pore size 

• Activated carbon 

• Hydrostatic electrical charge which absorbs 

dissolved substances and reduces pore size 

even further to enable very small viruses to be 

trapped. 

Once the filter is activated you can fill it up from any 

tarn, stream, lake, DOC tap, or puddle and it purifies 

the water as you drink. Ideal for everyday use, hiking, 

biking, fishing, travel, and your survival kit for the 

day a disaster happens. The filter has been tested 

from labs around the globe and used by people and 

companies who want the knowledge that they will be 

protected. 

The bottle come in 2 sizes and 3 shapes. 

The Go! 500ml bottle is small and lightweight great for 

that urban environment. It comes with a 130l filter. 

In the 750ml range, the Classic and the Active bottles 

both come with a 200l filter. The Active is the only 

filter bottle that is designed for most bike drink bottle 

holder. 

All come with a flip lid to reduce cross-contamination 

protecting the mouthpiece and are BPA free. The 

200l filter is equivalent to over 266 single-use plastic 

bottles and works out to 20 cents a litre. 

Find more information at www.watertogo.co.nz 


Survival 

Gasmate High Output Cooker & Pot Set 

Cooking on the go. Monitor and control the 

temperature easily. All parts pack away into the 

20L aluminium stock pot, then into the carry bag. 

RRP $249.00 

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ 

black diamond Stride Headlamp / 

Strobe Light 

Versatile, lightweight strobe light that 

attaches to any standard headlamp 

for rear illumination and visibility in low 

light conditions. It also functions as a 

standard headlamp or as a visibility 

beacon on a backpack, bike or dog. 

Switch between red and white LEDs 

with the option of solid or strobe 

lighting. Comes with an elastic strap 

for stand-alone functionality. USB 

recharging. 35g. 

RRP $69.99 

WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ 

SteriPEN Classic 3 

Patented handheld water purifier uses 

ultraviolet light to kill up to 99.9999% of 

all waterborne bacteria and 99.99% of all 

viruses. Pre filter included. Takes four AA 

batteries. Purifier life 8000-litres Output 

1-litre/90sec Weight 225g. 

RRP $199.99 

WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ 

water to go 

500ml water bottle with unique 3-in-1 filter 

technology that eliminates up to 99.9999% 

of all Bacteria, Viruses, Chlorine, Fluoride 

and Heavy Metals leaving you with safe, 

healthy water. 

Filter lasts for 130 Litres 

60 days use at 2L/day 

Weighs just 98 grams 

BPA Free 

Filter 100% recyclable 

Available in a range of colours 

RRP $64.99 

WWW.WATERTOGO.CO.NZ 

Edelrid Rescue Canyoning Knife 

Rescue and rope knife for cutting rope and 

webbing when climbing/canyoning. 

Ergonomically-shaped handle with finger 

hole. Light and compact. 

RRP $99.95 

WWW.MOUNTAINADVENTURE.CO.NZ 

ortovox Avalanche Rescue Set 3+ 

All the top products combined into one set that can 

save lives in an avalanche emergency. 

Includes: 3+ Transceiver, Badger shovel and Alu 

240 probe. 

RRP $799.95 


Survival Kit Company First Aid Tramper Plus 

First Aid Kit for 3+ people going tramping for a few 

days. Contains all the essential safety products. 

Comes tightly packed in a sturdy, 

zipped case. 

RRP $79.95 


Sunsaver Super-Flex 

14-Watt Solar Charger 

Capable of charging your 

smartphone and USB gadgets 

straight from the sun, making it 

perfect for hiking, camping, or an 

emergency situation. 

RRP: $199.00 

WWW.SUNSAVER.CO.NZ 

water to go 750ml ACTIVE Bottle 

The filter is an ideal deal for hiking, camping, 

international travel, and emergencies, it 

allows you to take any non-salt water from 

a stream, river, or tap and filter it instantly. 

Once the filter is activated and your bottle is 

full you are ready to drink! No need to keep 

removing the lid and filter until your ready to 

fill your bottle again. 

RRP $89.99 

WWW.WATERTOGO.CO.NZ 

Black Diamond revolt 

Now running on our new modular BD 1800 

rechargeable battery, the Black Diamond ReVolt 350 is 

a powerful, versatile and rechargeable headlamp that 

has now been fully redesigned. The ReVolt 350 can run 

on standard AAA batteries in addition to the included BD 

1800 Battery. 

RRP $129.99 

WWW.SOUTHERNAPPROACH.CO.NZ 

kea kit 

KEA KIT is a compact, modular survival 

system to suit any adventure. Including 

everything you need and nothing you don't to 

help you survive and thrive in the wild. 

WWW.BEREDIOUTDOORS.COM/KEAKIT 

Sunsaver Classic 16,000mAh Solar 

Power Bank 

Built tough for the outdoors and with a 

massive battery capacity you can keep all 

your devices charged no matter where 

your adventure takes you. 

RRP: $119.00 

WWW.SUNSAVER.CO.NZ 

Outdoor Research Helium Bivy 

A perfect shelter for solo fast-andlight 

adventures. It features durable, 

waterproof, breathable Pertex® Shield+ 

fabric, a clamshell opening with a No- 

See-Um mesh so you can breathe 

freely without letting the weather 

or insects inside and an optional 

single pole you can leave 

behind or take for overhead 

space. 459g. 

RRP $299.99 


Black Diamond Storm 

Featuring a more compact design, updated user 

interface, and a multi-faceted optical lens design that 

saves battery life and provides 400 lumens of powerful 

light, the Storm 400 is still the burly, fully-sealed 

waterproof and dustproof headlamp ready for any 

rugged adventure. 

RRP $99.99 

WWW.SOUTHERNAPPROACH.CO.NZ

kiwi camping Rover Queen 10CM Self- 

Inflating Mat 

10cm thick mat with compressible foam that 

easily inflates with a 3-way valve. Generous 

queen size, 2010mm long and 1500mm wide. 

Weight 7kg. 

RRP $379.00 


Rab Mythic Ultra 

The Mythic Ultra 180 redefines 

what it means to be ‘ultralight’. 

Using a world-first, heat-reflective 

fabric treatment called Thermo Ionic 

Lining Technology, this is premium 

protection for those counting every 

last gram. 

RRP $1099.95 


exped Waterbloc Pro -5 Down 

Sleeping Bag 

Lightest water-repellent sleeping 

bag in the world! Welded Pertex® 

Quantum Pro shell, a proportional 

differential cut and 850 fill-power 

down insulation for efficient warmth 

even in wet and humid conditions. 

890g. 

RRP $999.99 


exped SynMat UL Sleeping Mat 

(Medium) 

Comfort and warmth, ultralightweight 

and compressible. 

Stable baffle construction with 

top and bottom laminated highly 

compressible microfibre filling, a 

new anti-slip GripSkin coating and 

Exped's FlatValve Technology. 

Comes with Schnozzel Pumpbag 

UL (60g) for easy inflation. 183cm x 

52cm x 7cm. R-Value 3.3. 450g. 

RRP $219.99 


nalgene Tritan Wide-Mouth Bottle – 1L 

A best seller, super durable and leakproof. 

These wide-mouth impact resistant bottles 

will withstand the most 

rugged conditions. BPA free and 

dishwasher safe. Hydrate or Die. 

RRP $29.95 


jetboil stash 

The Lightest and Most Compact 

Jetboil Ever. We know your dreams 

are big and ambitious. Which is why 

we designed the all-new Stash to be 

lightweight and compact, maximizing 

your pack space without sacrificing 

that iconic Jetboil performance. At 

7.1 oz or 200 g, the .8L Stash is 40% 

lighter than the .8L Zip. 

Weight: 200g | Power: 4,500 BTU/h 

(1.52 kW) 

RRP $299.95 

WWW.JETBOILNZ.CO.NZ 

jetboil fuel 

Jetpower fuel contains a blend of propane and isobutane. 

Propane provides higher vapour pressure to the 

fuel which means better performance in cold weather. 

Fuel efficiency translates to weight, space, and money 

savings. Since Jetboil is up to twice as efficient as 

conventional stoves, you can take half as much fuel on 

your trip, thus saving weight. 

RRP $7.99 - $16.99 

WWW.JETBOILNZ.CO.NZ 

kiwi camping Country Cooker Double Burner 

Made from high-quality cast iron with brass controls, 

this country cooker outputs 21,000 BTU to cook meals 

efficiently. Complete with 1.2m hose and QCC regulator. 

RRP $79.99 


marmot Winter 650+ Fill Down 

Sleeping Bag (-1) 

The Never Winter Sleeping Bag is ideal for 

warm-weather camping and river trips—with 

added upgrades that’ll keep you comfortable 

even when you’re far from home. Its lofty 

650-fill-power-down insulation and waterresistant 

Down Defender treatment will keep 

you warm and dry in mild conditions. 

RRP $499.00 

WWW.MARMOTNZ.CO.NZ 

marmot Helium 800+ Fill Down 

Sleeping bag (-9) 

Remarkably light and compact, the Helium 

Sleeping Bag delivers impressive insulation 

during three-season backpacking and 

mountaineering treks. 

RRP $1199.00 


kiwi camping Morepork 1 Deluxe Swag 

Designed with 2 storage vestibules and 2 entrances, 

porch for added shade, 320g polycotton ripstop walls, 

400g heavy-duty PVC floor, 5cm high-density foam 

mat, 12.9kg pack weight and ‘no-see-um’ mesh. 

RRP $499.00 


kiwi camping Tuatara 2.5 x 2.5 Awning 

Offers 6.25m² of covered area for sun or rain 

protection. 200g polycotton canvas awning, twistlock 

design, adjustable height and mounts directly to 

existing roof rack. 

RRP $399.00 


kiwi camping Morepork 1 Swag 

Complete sleeping system. Zip-open 

ventilation ports, 320g polycotton ripstop 

walls, 400g heavy-duty PVC floor, 5cm 

high-density foam mat, 7.8kg pack weight 

and ‘no-see-um’ mesh. 

RRP $399.00 

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ

Gear GUIDE 

merrell Ridgevent Hybrid Vest 

Be warm and dry with a blend 

of 65% responsibly sourced 

waterproof goose down and 35% 

Primaloft. Your go-to layer of 

warmth with innovative BackVent 

technology that is designed to 

vent while wearing a pack on trail 

and also look smart off the trail. 

Available in Women’s and Men’s 

colours. 

RRP $299.00 

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ 

Macpac Nitro Polartec® Alpha® 

Pullover — Men's 

Made to maintain warmth in the 

mountains, the lightweight Nitro is a 

versatile mid layer that works best when 

you’re pushing your limits. It’s made from 

insulation designed for the U.S Special 

Forces — who required superior warmth 

and incredible breathability for active use 

— and it’s available in sizes up to 2XL. 

Also available in a women’s style. 

RRP $169.99 

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ 

marmot Featherless Hybrid 

Jacket 

The light-weight Men's 

Featherless Hybrid Jacket 

will keep you warm and dry in 

chilly, damp weather without 

weighing down you or your 

pack. 3M Thinsulate 

Recycled Featherless 

Insulation is made with 75% 

recycled loose-fill fibres that 

feel just as warm as 700 fill 

power down, but still perform 

in wet conditions. DriClime® 

Bi-Component lining wicks 

away moisture to keep you dry. 

Weight: 255.1g 

RRP $349.95 (some previous 

season colours reduced to 

clear) 


Rab Nexus Pull-on 

Thermic stretch fleece, regular fit, 

flatlock seams, YKK zips, deep venting 

zippered chest pocket, double cuff, 

raglan sleeves. 270g (m), 225g (w). 

RRP $139.95 



Rab Alpha Flash Jacket 

Polartec Alpha fabric, insulates and wicks 

moisture, slim fit, flexible fleece side panels, 

Polygiene odour control, YKK zips, zippered 

chest pocket, chin guard, flatlock seams, half 

hem drawcord. 273g (m), 201g (w). 

RRP $199.95 


Rab kaon 

Hybrid jacket with 70g of 800-fill power RDS-certified 

hydrophobic European goose down in hood and body, 

Stratos synthetic insulation in shoulders, cuffs and 

hips. Ripstop nylon fabric, stitch-through construction, 

YKK reverse coil chest pocket, YKK front zip, half hem 

drawcord, stuff sack. 250g (m), 235g (w). 

RRP $399.95 


merrell Moab Speed Mens Black 

The boot trusted by 50million feet now 

made into a light hiker so you can go 

faster. Using recycled materials in its 

upper and a brand new technology in the 

midsole to give you a lightweight ride that 

lasts and lessens your impact. Available 

in Men’s and Women’s colours. Goretex 

version coming soon. 

RRP $249.00 


Scarpa Mescalito Approach Shoe 

Designed for long approaches and more 

technical scrambling providing comfort 

on extended use. Vibram® Dynamis sole 

with Lite Base Technology combined with 

a dual-density EVA midsole. Vibram® 

Megagrip outsole for maximum grip and 

traction. 

RRP $299.99 


marmot EVODry Clouds Rest Jacket 

Thanks to the Men's EVODry Clouds Rest Jacket, 

you'll stay dry during multi-day rain spells at basecamp 

and downpours on the mountain all year round. 

3-layer Marmot® MemBrain® Eco fabric is waterproof 

and windproof, and combined with a PFC-free DWR 

(Durable Water-Repellent) finish and 100% seam 

taping, offers complete leak-proof protection. 

RRP $599.00 


Macpac Amp Ultra 1.1 Running Vest 

A technical trail running vest for athletes and 

adventurers alike. Its 6-litre capacity (size M) provides 

ample room for a hydration bladder, extra layers and 

snacks, while a combination of elasticated and zipped 

pockets keep small items secure. Both HydraPak 

500ml soft bottles are included. 

RRP $249.99 


Macpac Fiord 1.1 40L Hiking 

Pack 

A lightweight pack that doesn’t 

compromise on performance, 

the Fiord 40 weighs in at just 

1.1kg. Its combination of Titan 

Grid and Cordura® fabrics 

can handle almost anything 

it’s thrown at, and you can 

adjust its size by tightening the 

compression straps or unrolling 

the extendable top. 

RRP $299.99 


merrell Whisper Rain Jacket 

This highly waterproof 4-way stretch jacket has 

a 3-layer construction and silent and soft fabric 

that feels as comfortable as a softshell so you 

have zero distractions while out in nature. Rated 

at 20K/20K and fully seam-sealed gives you 

protection against the elements. Available in 

Men’s and Women’s colours. 

RRP $399.00 


Patagonia Women's 

Centered Tights 

High-performance, stretchy 

recycled polyester/spandex knit 

fabric provides a compression 

fit; wicks fast, dries quickly and 

feels soft, with HeiQ® Fresh 

durable odour control. Flattering 

wide waistband features hidden 

elastic to keep pants in place 

as you move, while contoured 

side seams are built for forward 

motion and allow for ease of 

movement, and low-profile 

flatlock seams prevent chafing. 

Fair Trade Certified sewn. 

RRP $139.99 

WWW.PATAGONIA.CO.NZ

Back Country Cuisine 

CHICKEN CARBONARA: A freeze dried 

chicken and pasta dish, served in a creamy 

italian style sauce. Available in small serve 

90g or regular serve 175g sizes. 

MUSHROOM BOLOGNAISE - VEGAN: 

Mushrooms with tomato in a savory sauce, 

served with noodles. Available in small 

serve 90g or regular serve 175g sizes. 

RRP $9.29 and $13.89 

CHOCOLATE BROWNIE PUDDING: Our 

take on chocolate self-saucing pudding, 

with chocolate brownie, boysenberries and 

chocolate sauce. Gluten Free. Available in 

regular serve. 

RRP 150g $12.89 

WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ 

Back Country Cuisine 

ICED MOCHA: Our mocha is made with 

chocolate and coffee combined with soft 

serve to give you a tasty drink on the run. 

Gluten Free. 85g. 

RRP $4.09 

WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ 

NZ'S NO. 1 

ADVENTURE 

MEALS 

Wherever your next 

adventure is about to 

lead you, we’ve got the 

goods to keep you 

going. 

Est. 1998 Back Country 

Cuisine specialises in 

a range of freeze-dried 

products, from tasty 

meals to snacks and 

everything in between, to 

keep your energy levels 

up and your adventures 

wild. 

backcountrycuisine.co.nz 

Deep creek REDWOOD: APA 

AIBA SILVER MEDAL 2018 

ABV: 5.4% 

A kiwi take on an American classic, 

inspired by the Pacific Northwest. 

Our everyday American Pale Ale has 

both classic and modern American 

hops with flavour and aroma ranging 

from pine and citrus to tropical fruit. 

All on top of a rich but dry malt 

backbone. Full of flavour. Extremely 

smashable. 

Available in all local liquor stores, 

supermarkets and in our online store 

WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ 

Deep creek HAZE: Hazy Pale 

ABV: 4.7% 

This juicy pale ale is full of 

Motueka & Mosaic hops, with 

a hazy base of malted barley, 

oats and wheat. Haze is well 

balanced, with low bitterness, 

light bodied and easy drinking 

with flavours of mango, 

stonefruit and orange. All the 

flavour of a Hazy IPA, but 

with a fraction of the alcohol 

percentage, making it a great 

sessionable alternative. 

Available in all local liquor 

stores, supermarkets and in 

our online store 

WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ

gu energy liquid energy 

Introducing GU Liquid Energy Gels, 

delivering the same portable and fastabsorbing 

carbohydrates as our original 

Energy Gel in a refreshingly light and smooth 

liquid form. Each 100-calorie serving not only 

delivers a great-tasting blend of complex 

and simple carbohydrates, electrolytes, 

and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), 

it offers you an alternative form factor to 

fine-tune your nutrition plan and give you a 

powerful finish line kick just when you need 

it. All Liquid Energy Gels are Vegan and 

Gluten Free. 

RRP Box of 12 $47.99, single sachets 

$3.99 each 

WWW.GUENERGY.CO.NZ 

gu energy Roctane Energy Gels 

Created for demanding training and 

competition, GU Roctane Energy Gel stands 

out from original GU Energy Gel with more 

sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration, 

and even more branched-chain amino acids 

(leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that reduce 

mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage 

than our original GU Energy Gel. 


$5.99 each 


gu energy Roctane Energy Gels 

Created for demanding training and 

competition, GU Roctane Energy Gel stands 

out from original GU Energy Gel with more 

sodium, an electrolyte that aids in hydration, 

and even more branched-chain amino 

acids (leucine, valine, and isoleucine) that 

reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle 

damage than our original GU Energy Gel. 


$5.99 each 


Radix Nutrition keto 400 

Grass-Fed Lamb, Mint & Rosemary 

These 400kcal meals are the ideal 

option for someone on a low carb 

diet. They feature 8g of carbs, 28g fat 

and 24g protein. 

RRP $12.90 

WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM 

Radix Nutrition performance 

Mixed Berry Breakfast 

Our Performance range is designed 

to enable optimal energy levels, 

muscle preservation, repair, recovery 

and mental function. 

RRP $8.50 


Radix Nutrition performance 600 

Mexican Chilli with Organic Beef 

These 600kcal meals are the perfect 

lunch or dinner option for hikers and 

adventurers wanting to take their 

performance to the next level. 

RRP $14.90 


Radix Nutrition EXPEDITION 800 

Plant-Based Turkish Style Falafel 

These 800kcal meals are designed 

for extreme energy requirements. 

They’re light weight, taste delicious 

and suitable in all environments. 

RRP $16.90 


GMO 

BPA 


FEED YOUR ADDICTION 

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

development in online stores over the past 5 years. Now as we are 

made to keep our ‘distance’, online, ecommerce takes on a whole 

new meaning and value. 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 while you are still at home. 

Ultra lightweight running shoes, made by runners. No 

matter where the trail takes you, Hoka One One will 

have you covered. 

www.hokaoneone.co.nz 

New Zealands largest independent Outdoor and 

Paddle store. 

www.furtherfaster.co.nz 

Never have a dead phone 

again! Because now you can 

charge straight from the Sun 

with SunSaver. Perfect for 

that week-long hike, day at 

the beach, or back-up for any 

emergency. Check us out at: 

www.sunsaver.co.nz 

www.packraftingqueenstown.com 

Specialising in 

small group guided 

packrafting trips and 

courses from our base 

in Queenstown New 

Zealand. 

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 

www.adventuresouth.co.nz 

Whether you enjoy 

cycle trails, road 

cycling, mountain 

biking or walking, 

Adventure South NZ 

can help you to explore 

New Zealand at 

your own pace. 

Full-service outfitter selling hiking 

and mountaineering gear and 

apparel, plus equipment rentals. 

Specialising in ski & snowboard 

touring equipment new & used; 

skis, boards, bindings, skins, 

probs, shovels,transceivers & 

avalanche packs. 

www.smallplanetsports.com 

Whether you’re climbing mountains, hiking in the hills 

or travelling the globe, Macpac gear is made to last 

and engineered to perform — proudly designed and 

tested in New Zealand since 1973. 

www.macpac.co.nz 

Living Simply is an outdoor clothing and equipment 

specialty store in Newmarket, Auckland. Your go-to place 

for quality footwear, packs, sleeping bags, tents, outdoor 

clothing and more. 

www.livingsimply.co.nz 

Our motto is “Going the 

distance” and we pride 

ourselves on providing top 

quality outdoor and travel 

equipment and service 

that will go the distance 

with you, wherever that 

may be. 

www.trekntravel.co.nz 

Gear up in a wide selection of durable, multifunctional 

outdoor clothing & gear. Free Returns. Free Shipping. 

www.patagonia.co.nz 

Offering the widest variety, 

best tasting, and most 

nutrient rich hydration, 

energy, and recovery 

products on the market. 

www.guenergy.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 

Jetboil builds super-dependable 

backpacking stoves and camping 

systems that pack light, 

set up quick, and achieve 

rapid boils in minutes. 

www.jetboilnz.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 

Reusable, BPA free water bottles containing a unique 3-in- 

1 filtration technology providing clean safe drinking water 

from any non-salt water source anywhere in the world. 

www.watertogo.co.nz 

Our very own online store where 

you will find hard goods to keep you 

equipped for any adventure. 

www.pacificmedia-shop.co.nz 

Radix provides freeze dried 

meals and smoothies made 

with all natural ingredients. 

These are perfect for 

athletes and adventures 

who care about their health 

and performance. Gluten 

free, Plant-based and Keto 

www.radixnutrition.com 

options are available. 

Get 10% off your first order online. 

Excellent quality Outdoor 

Gear at prices that can't 

be beaten. End of lines. 

Ex Demos. Samples. Last 

season. Bearpaw. Garneau. 

Ahnu. Superfeet. 

www.adventureoutlet.co.nz 


SUBSCRIBE 

TO BE IN TO WIN FIVE NIGHTS AT 

PACIFIC RESORT RAROTONGA 

IN THE BEAUTIFUL COOK ISLANDS 

SUBSCRIBE AT 

WWW.PACIFICMEDIA-SHOP.CO.NZ 

PRIZE 

INCLUDES: 

• Five nights in a Premium Garden Suite 

for two people 

• Free use of kayaks, snorkelling gear, 

beach towels and sun loungers. 

• Daily Tropical Breakfast at Sandals 

Restaurant. 

• Free scheduled daily activities at the 

Beach Hut. 

• Free Kids Club (for children aged 6-12). 

• Daily guest welcome orientation on the 

beach. 

www.pacificresort.com/adventure-nz-special-offers/ 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 

• Travel is valid 01 November 2021 to 31 May 2022 

(with blackout dates from 25 Dec 2021 to 10 Jan 

2022} 

• Accommodation is subject to availability at time of 

prize redemption. 

• This prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. 

• International and domestic flights are not included in 

this prize. 

• This Prize cannot be combined with any live specials 

and tactical campaigns in the market place and 

cannot be booked via any travel professional or 

travel wholesaler. 

• All other expenses are the responsibility of the prize 

winner. 

• Pacific Resort Hotel Group strongly recommends the 

prize winner purchases travel insurance at the time 

of booking the prize accommodation.

TECH REVIEW: the power of protein 

When you think of protein powders 

you immediately visualize the musclebound, 

singlet clad, gym junkie sipping 

on a protein shake in an effort to get 

“more buff”. Protein, after all, is the 

building block for our bodies, helping to 

build muscles, tendons and a multitude 

of other organs. 

But what about the rest of the 

population? How important is 

maintaining a good level protein to 

the rest of us? Some of the benefits 

of protein include: increased muscle 

mass and strength, better bone health, 

reduces cravings, boost in metabolism 

and lower blood pressure. 

The recommended daily intake of 

protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kg of 

body weight. This equates to: 

60 grams for a 75kg sedentary man 

48 grams for a 60kg sedentary woman. 

But can we get enough protein from the 

foods we eat? 

The simple answer is yes, but that also 

depends on many factors, including 

appetite, age and exercise, to name just 

a few. 

Try the challenge: 

We were really surprised when we took 

up the challenge. We worked out - via 

Google, how much protein we were 

consuming in a day and then compared 

it to what we should be taking on 

board. We fell short! Try it yourself you 

will be surprised. While upping our 

protein levels each day we had a direct 

increase in energy, that tired feeling 

was gone and there was a drop in 

appetite. 

Some of the highest protein-based 

foods include chicken, eggs, lean 

meat, fish and nuts, and most of us can 

maintain our protein levels through our 

everyday diet. But if we are excercising 

more than normal, or our appetites are 

smaller than average, it can be hard to 

get the amount needed each day. This 

is where protein powders can really 

help. 

Where you source your protein from 

makes a difference. Animal protein and 

vegetable protein differ in the fact that 

animal protein contains all the amino 

acids the body requires, whereas to 

gain the same benefits from vegetable 

protein requires a little more balancing. 

Types of Protein powder 

Whey is the most common and popular 

protein supplement. It is a water-soluble 

milk complete protein, meaning it 

contains all the amino acids that the 

body requires from food. It is easily 

absorbed. 

Casein is a dairy protein, rich in 

glutamine, an amino acid that speeds 

up muscle recovery after exercise. 

More slowly digested and better taken 

at night. 

Soy protein is an excellent alternative 

to whey for people who do not eat dairy 

and contains all the essential amino 

acids. 

Plant based protein often contains 

pea or hemp protein and offer a good 

alternative for vegans or those with 

dairy or say allergies. 

Things to be aware of with protein 

powders: 

Some contain a high level of added 

sugars and therefore calories. 

Do not allow protein powders to replace 

eating healthy. They are a supplement 

and should be used as such... 

horleys EliTE 

Ice, Ripped, Whey, Mass 

Premium speciality range for 

competing at your best. 

WWW.HORLEYS.COM 

ROCtane protein recovery 

ROCTANE Protein Recovery Drink 

Mix helps athletes rebuild, refuel and 

rehydrate 


ROCtane protein recovery 

Clean, natural NZ whey protein 

powder. 

WWW.KIWINUTRITION.CO.NZ 

This year’s North Island Spirited 

Women’s event kicked off on the beach 

at Matapouri, northeast of Whangarei. 

This increasingly popular all-women’s 

adventure race has run annually since 

its maiden event in Rotorua in 2016. It 

moved to Taupo in 2017, Ohope in 2018, 

Gisborne in 2019 and was scheduled for 

Hawkes Bay in 2020 before the Covid 19 

pandemic put the country into lockdown 

and saw the event cancelled. 

So, there was much excitement about 

the return of the event this year to 

Whangarei in early March and everyone 

breathed a sigh of relief when Auckland 

came out of their third lockdown just in 

time for the event to take place without 

restrictions. 

IT'S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK 

I am not sure what it is that makes 

adventure racing so much fun, but I think 

it's because it has so little to do with 

winning. Admittedly there are the teams 

in there who are super fit and this is “their 

thing” but most of the nearly 2000 strong 

competitors are just everyday women, 

drawn to get together with some mates 

for a day of adventure. 

Our team of four had been friends for 

over 30 years and with our combined 

ages totaling 215, we were in the 

“masters” division and for us the 

event was all about having fun. We 

had entered the “short course” which 

suggests a finishing time for the winning 

team of 3 hours. From past experience 

we’ve usually taken between 4-5 hours 

so we set expecting to make it back in 

Team Mis-Adventure L-R: Trudi Neill, Linda Lennon, Lynne Dickinson and Vicki Knell 

Images by Photos 4 Sale (www.photos4.sale / www.facebook.com/Photos4saleNZ) 

time for the America’s Cup racing at 

4pm. We should have known better… 

The race started on the sand dunes in 

Matapouri at 11am and after a short jog 

along the beach we found ourselves 

wading across the estuary to get to the 

kayaks on the other side. By the time our 

group had set off the tide was on its way 

out but it was still waste deep. Images of 

earlier teams showed them neck deep 

with packs held high above their heads. 

Crossing the finish line 6 hours, 

40 minutes after we started 

The water activities are always one of 

our strengths and we blasted this section 

in good time, ticking off the checkpoints 

along the way before heading to our 

bikes for the next leg of the race. The 

bike section took us up into the farmlands 

behind Matapouri and out to the northern 

beaches of Woolleys Bay, Sandy Bay and 

Sheltered Bay. Although hilly in places, 

the ride was made sweet by the incredible 

scenery. 

From here we left our bikes for the 

“trekking” section of the event. Searching 

for clues over the farmland made for hard 

work. We zigzagged up hills, following the 

ruts left by the sheep and goats to keep the 

cramps out of our calf muscles and quads. 

Before long we were back on our bikes, 

heading to the mystery activity, which is 

always one of the highlights of adventure 

racing and in particular, the Spirited 

Women’s Race. This year we had to jump 

fully clothed into the ocean and swim to 

7 buoys which each contained a letter 

and make a word out of them. By now our 

brains were a little scrambled so it took us 

a wee while to work out the word they were 

looking for was OCTOPUS. 

Then it was back on our bikes to Woolleys 

Bay and the final hiking leg back to 

Matapouri Beach. By the time we crossed 

the finish line we had been on the go for 6 

hours 38 minutes with the Americas Cup 

done and dusted for the day. 

Being out on the course for that long and 

all crossing the finish line smiling, says 

something about our teamwork. I read a 

quote that described excellent teamwork 

as, “when a group of people work together 

cohesively, towards a common goal, 

creating a positive working atmosphere, 

and supporting each other to combine 

individual strengths to enhance team 

performance.” That was us to a tee. 

When our results came in the following 

morning, we saw we had placed 14th out 

of 124 teams with the winning team coming 

in after 5 hours 31 minutes. Not bad a for 

a bunch of friends who were just out for a 

“fun day”. 

Anyone who has not yet done an adventure race, I would thoroughly recommend you sign up for one now. It’s a great way to stay 

fit, or a good excuse to get fit, and it is so much fun. The 2022 Spirited Womens’ Adventure Race will be held in the Hawkes 

Bay and the South Island event is to be held in Wanaka. Entries open June 1st. Check out www.spiritedwomen.co.nz 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ 


SURVIVING SIBERIA 

By Bridget Thackwray and Topher Rickwhite 

We began our journey into the Yamal peninsula from 

Salekhard, a small Siberian shipping port sitting on the 

polar boundaries of Russia’s Arctic Circle. Strategically 

positioned in the delta of the Ob river, Salekhard 

is completely inaccessible by car outside of winter 

months. The only way in or out of the Yamal region 

is to wait until the rivers have frozen thick, forming 

‘Russian snow roads.’ 


Having battled our way through the 

scorching deserts of Northern Africa 

and the length of the Americas the year 

prior, we were feeling confident we 

could tackle Siberia’s snow roads in 

our now well-equipped Jeep ‘Gunther’. 

The Yamal peninsula, which translates 

to 'End of the World' is ranked as 

having the world’s most volatile 

weather pattern so solo driving is 

extremely risky. We were accompanied 

by a local guide called Roman and his 

Jeep which sat on over 20" wide tires. 

We carried an extra 160 liters of fuel 

on the roof of Gunther. This would be 

enough fuel to get us to and from our 

destination as well as some extra for 

our Webasto engine heaters which 

would keep us and our engine from 

freezing. Outside temperatures were 

fluctuating between -25C and -50C. 

After two excruciating days of plowing 

through thick snow and ice, we crawled 

into our camp at 3am. We were 

greeted by two men cloaked head to 

toe in reindeer hide who ushered us 

into their Chums for some tea. 

The Nenet people do not bathe during 

the winter months. There is limited 

ventilation inside the chum to prevent 

heat loss, so with a family of 4 living, 

cooking and sleeping inside the tent 

with their family of dogs, we were 

greeted with a very strong odor. With 

a wood burning stove in the center of 

the chum, the inside is a comfortable 

temperature. The floor of the chum is 

tundra earth with a few reindeer hides 

to sleep upon. 

Exhausted after our long drive, we 

managed to catch up on some muchneeded 

sleep. We found ourselves 

waking up in the night with the 

dogs inside our sleeping bags, also 

escaping the cold. 

Our time with the Nenets was spent 

ice fishing through the 3-meter-thick 

ice sheets upon the Ob River, keeping 

an eye on their 400+ herd of reindeer 

and learning about their traditions and 

beliefs. With their population sadly 

decreasing, the Nenet people and their 

culture will soon be lost. 

The Nenets live without any internet 

or cellular connection to the outside 

world, so we were completely unaware 

of the dramatic developments that 

were happening with Covid. After a 

week and a half in Yamal we returned 

to Salekhard, to find that Russia was 

only 4 days away from closing its 

borders. We received word from the 

embassy in Moscow, letting us know 

that almost all countries along our 

Leg 3 route had now closed their land 

borders. The situation didn't look 

good. 

Our only option was to remain in 

Northern Russia until the next winter 

or drive non-stop to reach Moscow 

and return home to New Zealand. With 

so much uncertainty around borders 

reopening, the latter option seemed 

much more appealing. 

After a 68 hour drive over ice, snow 

and sludge, we arrived at Moscow 

with a broken brake caliper, frozen 

headlights and a permanently 

damaged coccyx on Topher. We 

parked Gunther outside Domodedovo 

airport, in a long stay car park and 

raced our way to the first flight heading 

south that night. Still in our clothes 

from the Chums, we flew all the way to 

New Zealand unaware of the stench 

we must have been carrying from our 

time up north. 

"The Yamal peninsula, which 

translates to 'End of the World' is 

ranked as having the world’s most 

volatile weather pattern so solo 

driving is extremely risky. We were 

accompanied by a local guide called 

Roman and his Jeep which sat on 

over 20" wide tires." 

Inside one of the chums 

Yamal child with dead fox toy! 

Driving the Yamal Peninsula 


Aerial view of Yamal 

Since being back in New Zealand, we have been 

working on building our new Jeep Gladiator which 

we will take on future expeditions. The car is named 

'Roman' after our Siberian friend that guided us into 

the Yamal Peninsula. We hope we will eventually 

be able to have both Roman and Gunther in convoy 

to complete our world expedition. 

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handling and sound characteristics while optimising fuel 

economy even while towing. Utilising a body-on-frame design 

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With our new Jeep Gladiater, Roman 

Featuring all-new, patented FormKnit technology, the AirZone 

Trek’s iconic carry system offers world-class comfort and 

ventilation. Whether you’re feeling the heat on dusty tracks or 

picking up the pace hut-to-hut, the AirZone Trek helps you keep 

your cool. 

#MOVEYOURWORLD

BE PART OF WHERE 

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Torba Province is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, just 

a half hour flight above Sanma Province. Torba is made up of 

over 15 islands, which are divided into the Torres and Banks 

Islands. Torba has an estimated total population of around 

9,500 people who are friendly, welcoming and cannot wait to 

show you their island home! 

Relatively new on the international tourism scene, Torba 

is Vanuatu’s best kept secret. Famous for its white sandy 

beaches, world-class fresh seafood, unique culture and dense 

rainforests, you can be sure that your visit to the northern 

islands will be an experience you will never forget. Each 

island is unique and offers its own adventure. Choose to visit 

Gaua, Vanualava, Motalava, Rah or Loh Island – or island 

hop between them all to get the ultimate Melanesian island 

experience! 

While there are no standard hotels in Torba, the island style 

bungalows, home-stays, tours and activities on offer are high 

quality and have been developed collaboratively by the local 

community. In fact all tourism operations in Torba are Ni- 

Vanuatu owned ventures! This means that when you visit these 

islands you can be sure that your money is returned directly to 

the community. 

Gaua is the largest and second most populous island in Torba 

and is known for it's stunning landscape. Boasting an active 

volcano, Vanuatu's largest lake and highest waterfall - it's the 

perfect destination if you're after an adventure! 

As you fly in to airport you will see the rugged coastline and 

dense jungle that covers most of the island - with small villages 

and gardens dispersed through out. The majority of the island's 

population live on the east coast, close to the airport, which is 

the perfect place to start exploring the island. 

The best way to see Gaua is by foot. Meet the locals and 

wander through nearby villages or head out on a full day or 

multi-day guided trek through untouched rainforests. Gaua is 

also home to the world famous water music. This extraordinary 

cultural practice is unique to the women of Gaua and is 

not practiced by anyone else in the world. It's an amazing 

experience that has to be seen (or heard) to be believed and 

definitely isn't to be missed! 

If you are looking for an adventure that offers pristine natural 

environments and unique Melanesian culture, Gaua is the 

island for you! 


To everyone eagerly dusting off their passport, 

Vanualava - Sulfur River on the way to Mt Sere'ama 2 - Image by Joel Johnsson 

If this last year has taught us anything, it is the value of human connection. We’ve all missed sharing good 

times with friends and family. And the thrill of exploring our beautiful world to meet new people. 

Vanualava is home to Sola, the provincial capital of 

Torba. Fringed by black sandy beaches and thriving 

coral reefs, and home to rapids, rivers, waterfalls 

and an active volcano, this island has far more to 

offer than just business! 

During your stay trek through old-growth bush, 

snorkel on coral reefs, visit sea caves or one of the 

nearby islands. While you are here make sure you 

keep an eye out for one of the resident saltwater 

crocodiles - decedents of the original four crocodiles 

who escaped a passing missionary ship in the 

1800s! 

Motalava is the island for you if you want to 

experience true Melanesian hospitality. 

The people of Motalava are a close-knit, welcoming 

community who mostly live-in villages along the 

island's coast. Away from the hustle and bustle of 

everyday life, the community maintains a mostly selfsufficient 

lifestyle getting what they need from their 

surrounding environment. 

This is the perfect destination for a home-stay style 

experience - learn to weave, attend a church service 

or go to a local nakamal, join in on the evening 

fishing trip and visit a family garden to help pick fresh 

fruit and vegetable, which will be used to create 

a delicious Melanesian meal for you that night. If 

you are lucky, you may even be able to join in a 

community event in the main square! 

The island itself is fringed by white sandy beaches 

and clear lagoons teeming with blue starfish and 

tropical fish. Coconut plantations, bright flower, 

thriving gardens and jungle cover the land all way 

to the island's highest point - Sleeping Mountain. 

Motalava is just like the classic tropical islands you 

dream of. 


Rah is the smallest but most well-known island in the Banks 

region, thanks mostly to British photographer Jimmy Nelson who 

featured Rah in his Before They Pass Away series. This tiny 

island has a population of 90 people and sits just off the coast of 

Motalava. You can get to Rah from Motalava by Taxi-Canoe or by 

wading across the channel at low tide. 

Though it is located close to Motalava, Rah island maintains its 

own distinct culture. Most famous is the Rah Island Snake Dance, 

which is performed by the men in the village, accompanied by 

traditional drums and kastom songs. To experience more of Rah's 

unique culture you can visit the Rah Kastom Village, learn how 

shell money is made and climb the famous Rock of Rah! 

During your visit, you will be staying right on the beach and will fall 

asleep to the gentle sound of waves. You can swim, snorkel and 

fish straight from your bungalow and walk around the island at low 

tide. Your host will be more than happy to accompany you and 

give you a personal tour of the village! 

Men wearing traditional attire perform the Sea Snake dance, 

Ra Island, Banks Islands, Torba Province, Vanuatu. 

Photo: Vanuatu Tourism Office/Nicolas Jupille & Louise Levrat 

For more information of Torba Province, Vanuatu visit www.vanuatu.travel 

As things start to return to normal, we’ve made sure our welcome party is ready and waiting. The people of 

Vanuatu have forged many strong bonds with our close neighbours in Australia and New Zealand, and can’t 

wait to invite you back. Nothing makes us happier than sharing our beautiful country with friends. 

So please keep us on your list when international travel is deemed safe for both you and us. We know a 

thing or two about how to let your hair down and throw yourself headlong into the moment – something 

we are all longing to do. You don’t always need music to dance. 

From our white sandy beaches to our pristine rainforests and rumbling volcanos, we have kept it beautiful 

for you. All our COVID Safe Plans are also in place, to ensure you can enjoy a safe, clean and caring Vanuatu. 

If it’s your first time to Vanuatu, we’d love to introduce you to our kastom and culture, natural wonders and 

relaxed way of life. And at the end of the day, talk about it over a drink or a shell of kava. You really don’t 

need to go far to experience a different way of living. 

We would love you to answer the call of Vanuatu in 2021. We think there is no better place to find your 

travel groove again. From everyone at the Vanuatu Tourism Office, we wish you happy travels and look 

forward to welcoming you to our islands very soon. 

Discover our islands of adventure 

at vanuatu.travel

THE WORLDS BEST KEPT SECRET... 

Where glorious mountain peaks melt into elegant white sand 

beaches, the little paradise of the Cook Islands is home to 

Pacific Resort Hotel Group. Whether you are looking for rest and 

relaxation or an adventure of a lifetime, we offer the Cook Islands’ 

largest range of boutique resort accommodation for your next 

tropical escape... 

COOK ISANDS | pacificresort.com 

Images by David Kirkland and Cook Island Tourism 

ADVENTURE IN THE COOK ISLANDS 

The Cook Islands are renowned for many things, amongst those 

being one of the few countries in the world to remain COVID-19 

free, lush green landscapes, crystal blue lagoons, the friendliest 

people, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. 

While the borders have been closed to travellers for the past 

year, the people of the Cook Islands have been hard at work to 

ensure that the islands are looking better than ever (if possible), 

and that all future visitors will be well taken care of when the 

long-awaited travel bubble opens with NZ. In anticipation of this, 

we thought we would share some of the best things to see and 

do when you come to this little slice of paradise. 

Only around a four-hour flight from New Zealand, the islands 

have long been a favorite vacation spot for those looking for rest 

and relaxation or adventurous thrills. With no building higher than 

a coconut palm, no traffic lights, fast food or hotel chains; it is 

often said that the Cook Islands is like Hawaii was 50 years ago 

– beautiful and un-spoilt, but still with plenty to do and see. 

You will land in Rarotonga, the largest island of the 15 Cook 

Islands, and soon after arrival you can be kayaking, sipping 

your first cocktail or relaxing by the pool at your resort. The main 

island is only 32 km in circumference so there’s no traffic jams 

here and with plenty of activities, restaurants, bars, things to see 

and do, your days will be packed with adventure in the sun. 

One adventure that awaits hiking enthusiasts, is the Cross 

Island Trek spanning across the 16 km diameter of Rarotonga. 

The trek is one if the most rewarding and challenging of those 

in the Cooks and takes you from the north coast right over the 

mountainous centre and back down to the south coast (or vice 

versa) and along the way, will lead you to the top of Te Rua 

Manga, otherwise known as ‘The Needle’ – a 413m high volcanic 

point that sits in the centre of the island – perfect for a showstopping 

photo. 

Another fabulous feature of Rarotonga is the water sports with 

a range of activities on offer, from deep sea diving, swimming 

with turtles, kiteboarding, lagoon cruises, night SUP tours, and 

kayaking… or just grabbing your snorkel and flippers, hopping on 

a scooter, and finding your own fun at one of the many beautiful 

spots around the island’s lagoons. 

Only a short 45-minute flight from Rarotonga, the second most 

populated island is Aitutaki, considered a ‘must do’ while in the 

Cooks; with a lagoon so stunning it is widely known as the most 

beautiful in the world. Offering an array of water sports from day 

cruises, sailing, private charters to snorkelling. Another amazing 

adventure to experience is the ever-popular bone-fishing, of 

which excursions are offered by the many operators on the 

island. 

The Cook Islands are also considered among the best 

kiteboarding locations in the world, offering up perfect conditions 

for lessons. The trade winds passing through the Cook Islands 

between May to October, combined with the passing lowpressure 

systems in the tropical belt (and the sandbars in 

Aitutaki), make for ideal kiteboarding conditions for all skill levels. 

Between July and October, you will also more than likely find 

yourself whale watching as these friendly giants of the ocean 

pop up so say hello while migrating close to the reefs of 

Rarotonga and Aitutaki. 

Whether you are looking for an adventure or a more relaxed 

holiday, a picturesque beachfront resort in the Cook Islands 

is the ideal base for your escape. Pacific Resort Hotel Group 

operates three properties spread along a golden stretch of the 

south east coast of Rarotonga; from the family friendly Pacific 

Resort Rarotonga and Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa on 

famous Muri Lagoon, to the intimate adults only Little Polynesian 

Resort which rests on the shimmering shores of Titikaveka 

Beach. If visiting Aitutaki, it is home to the luxury 5-star Pacific 

Resort Aitutaki, a multi award winning property where you will 

find air-conditioned bungalows and villas offering uninterrupted 

sweeping views across the lagoon from your very own private 

sundeck, taking advantage of the absolute beachfront location. 

W: www.pacificresort.com 

E: reservations@pacificresort.com 


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Central Taupo Motel accommodation 

searchers look for the best central location, 

quality reviews and great service. 

Welcome to Acapulco Motor Inn, the best 

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This Taupo Motel is a kiwi family run 

business that loves their job and takes pride 

in presenting the best choice for a Taupo 

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array of shops and eateries. Try some local 

kiwi flavours and some Must Do activities to 

maximise your Taupo visit. 

Acapulco Taupo Motor Inn has a range of 

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Check through our accommodation choices 

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