Adventure Magazine 226

N E W Z E A L A N D

ADVENTURE

ISSUE 226

JUN/JUL 2021

NZ $10.90 incl. GST

WHERE ACTIONS

SPEAK LOUDER

THAN WORDS

what's a story worth?

For my birthday one of my sons bought

for me a ‘thing’ called StoryWorth.

Basically each week it sends you a

topic and asks you to write about it. It

covers everything from “what was your

mother like as a child?” to “how have

you changed since leaving school?”.

Once the site has gathered enough

stories it then makes it into a hardbound

book.

This week’s question was one that

had me pondering for some time, but I

thought I would share it with you. “What

adventure do you remember the most?"

My reply:

Having had such a lifetime of

adventures, how do you possibly

choose one. But this is one that stood

out as it was an adventure I felt I was

lucky to make it back from.

It was an 8-day rafting trip with Ultimate

Descent down the Karamea River in the

middle of winter in the mid 1990’s.

It is a grade five river (bear in mind

grade 6 is unraftable). The day we flew

in by helicopter it was snowing hard and

that night there was a big earthquake

that changed the flow of the river. Add

to that, the snow and rain created an

additional one meter of water flow on

the river. To make matters worse when

the helicopter left in a rush, they took

half of the food back and all of the toilet

rolls!

By the end of day two we had run out

of food and had to eat dried chickpeas

that had been stored in the ground from

a previous trip.

#226

monumental. Twice, Fritz, one of the

support kayakers came up to us in the raft

and said “if you fall out in the next kilometre

you will drown” and then simply paddled off.

We portaged dozens of rapids far too big

to raft and also now unknown because the

earthquake had changed the flow of the

river, it was all new. End of day five 80%

of the people were walking zombies, who

could hardly hold on let alone paddle.

The mountain radio did not work (before cell

phones) so we could not be helicoptered

out, so we had to simply do our best.

The images here show what it was like all

the time. If you look closely, you can see

Mike Steel grabbing a woman that fell out

in the death zone, cannot recall her name.

Mike pulled her back in the raft but in doing

so dislocated her shoulder.

No one drowned but it was such a difficult

trip it is used by Outdoor Qualification

providers to show how a good trip can go

really bad really quickly.

Hmmm no toilet paper; my sister was

reading a book that got thinner and thinner

as the trip went on.

Luckily not all our adventures have such

dire consequences, but it seems that the

ones you make it back from are the ones

that you remember.

If you have a story to tell – it does not have

to be life or death feel free to reach out to us

as we like featuring stories by our readers –

send direct to the editor:

Steve@pacificmedia.co.nz

Steve Dickinson - Editor

Each day was freezing, and the rapids

THE HAVEN

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As spontaneous as the weather. The Haven is up for anything,

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23 Locations Nationwide - www.radcarhire.co.nz | 0800 73 68 23 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ | adventure@radcarhire.co.nz 01

Lise Billon and Kilian Echallier ski touring in Engelberg, Switzerland.

MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON © 2021 Patagonia, Inc.

page14

Image by Derek Cheng Image provided by Nick Pascoe Image by Eric Skilling

Image compliments Red Bull Content Pool

page 20

page 42

page 50

#226

contents

14//The Ultimate Obstacle Course

with Aniol Serrasolses

20//Richmond Range

Old Man and Lake Chalice Circuit

26//Kate Courtney

Training for success

30//Central Otago River Journeys

with Nick Pascoe

36//To the Island

Take the weather with you

42//Rider on the Storm

Angelo Concilio

46//How to train your emotions

with Dr Sven Hansen

50//Go with the flow

The joys of climbing

56//Chasing the human connection

In adventure photography

88//Travel

Travel bubbles

Vanuatu

plus

72. gear guides

86. subs

96. active adventure

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04//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#226

BEHIND THE COVER

This photo was taken in 2019, on one of the

busiest days of the season on Mt. Ruapehu at

Whakapapa ski field, so I decided I wouldn’t use

the lifts because they were jam packed. I took the

Valley T Bar up to the top and bootpacked around

for some better and untouched lines near the

resort boundary line.

I hiked about twenty to thirty minutes above the

lifts, stopped for a break with some friends and

took some photos. I noticed these two skiers

traversing the cornice and climbing one of the

Pinnacle peaks. It seemed like they were thinking

about dropping into the backcountry, with a twenty

meter drop below them. I happened to have

my camera out, saw the opportunity and left my

friends to set up the shot.

we ARE climbing

The Pinnacles, Mount Ruapehu - Image by Chris Chase

With my body on the edge of the cornice, I zoomed

in to them and framed the shot with the peaks

behind. I shot quickly and managed to get a few

good ones. Not a minute after I shot the photos

did the cloud consume them and they had to

retreat from their position.

EDITOR & ADVERTISING MANAGER

Steve Dickinson

Mob: 027 577 5014

steve@pacificmedia.co.nz

ART DIRECTOR

Lynne Dickinson

design@pacificmedia.co.nz

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PUBLISHERS

NZ Adventure Magazine is published six times a year by:

Pacific Media Ltd, P.O.Box 562

Whangaparaoa, New Zealand

Ph: 0275775014

Email: steve@pacificmedia.co.nz

adventuremagazine.co.nz | NZadventurebike

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Contributions of articles and photos are welcome and must be accompanied by a stamped selfaddressed

envelope. Photographic material should be on slide, although good quality prints may

be considered. All care is taken but no responsibility accepted for submitted material. All work

published may be used on our website. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without

permission. While the publishers have taken all reasonable precautions and made all reasonable

effort to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, it is a condition of purchase of

this magazine that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for loss or

damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication, or from the use of

information contained herein and the publishers make no warranties, expressed or implied, with

respect to any of the material contained herein.

Adventure Magazine

Whereever we go,

our preferred car

hire is...

WINTER WARMER

As the weather cools across the country

it's timely to lean towards those drinks

that warm us up. Hot toddy style drinks

are steeped in history as before ice was

readily available it was common to serve

drinks not only at room temperature but

hot. Originating in India and made from

the sap of palm trees, hot toddies date

back to the 1700s. Commonly known for

their medicinal touch for poorly peeps, why

not get creative and drum up a hot cocktail

to batch up on those cold winter nights and

preferably next to a fire.

Make in a hot toddy glass

1 jigger (60mls) whiskey

1 barspoon of agave - leave out if you

want a less sweeter option

A couple of cloves and a cinnamon stick

A quarter jigger of Tangelo Liqueur @

kiwispiritdistillery

A few dashes of orange bitters

Top with hot rooibos tea with vanilla and

stir gently with a cocktail spoon.

Follow Sue on Instagram: @cocktailontherock

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

Takeshi Tani

Virtual Reality, WI5+/6

Banff National Park, Canada

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.

Photo: John Price

johnpricephotographic.com

World Class Indoor Climbing

First visit $25* then free for a week!

Fantastic community, beginners

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* Discounts for youths and own gear

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PHOTO HOMESTAY

How would you like to improve your photography skills whilst

being hosted in in one of the most beautiful parts of the world?

Chris McLennan has led photography expeditions all around

the world, but Glenorchy in the South Island is his home and

certainly one of his favorite places to photograph. It is not

hard to see why he chooses to live in this amazing location.

Chris has been running photo workshops from his home in

Glenorchy since last winter. These small, intimate photo

workshops (Glenorchy Photo Homestays) are a great way

to advance your photography skills in a one-on-one setting.

You will be guided to spots in Glenorchy to photograph the

landscapes that only a local will know. Not only will you

learn new photography techniques but you will work on post

production as well. Each workshop is customized to suit the

guests.

The mountains around Chris’s home will draw you in but

so will the weather. The landscape and sky gets incredibly

moody as dramatic weather rolls in. There are endless

photographic locations that change with fog, clouds and mist

in the most beautiful way.


Glenorchy Photo Homestays were designed to

accommodate groups of 1 – 4 and staying in Chris’s

home allows for photography on the fly. If the night sky is

clear the back yard is a perfect place to learn more about

astrophotography.

The 2 night, 2 day photography workshop will start with a

meet and greet on night 1 and includes airport pickups if

required from Queenstown, all transportation, photography

workshop, access to private land and modern comfortable

accommodation in Chris’s home.

Come stay in Chris’s home, learn from him and experience

Glenorchy.

Further information and bookings:

www.chrismclennanphotography.com

https://bit.ly/CMphoto_homestay

Email: chris@chrismclennanphotography.com

BOBO.CO.NZ/SALEWA

FUTURE RETRO

WITH WARREN MILLER

In early May Warren Miller’s 71st feature film screened across New Zealand in

cinemas and will rage through winter till mid July.With the days getting shorter and

snow hitting the alpine areas, it is a great reminder that sliding on snow is not too far

away and a new Warren Miller film is about to launch. Warren Miller Entertainment

(WME) and Adventure Entertainment (AE) are excited to announce to Warren Miller

fans that the tradition continues, with the cinematic release of the brand’s 71st film,

Future Retro presented by Switzerland.

In Future Retro, progressive, young female skiers Lexi duPont and Amie

Engerbretson journey to the heart of deep-rooted ski culture in Switzerland, and

freeskiers Baker Boyd and Victor Major rip the endless peaks of Iceland, using a

1,300-year-old farm as their base camp. A trio of world-class snowboarders Elena

Hight, Danny Davis and Nick Russell travel to Antarctica and witness the impact of

climate change.

Legendary skiers Scot Schmidt and the Egan brothers show a new crop of athletes

how they were responsible for the extreme-skiing movement of the ’80s and ’90s,

and the next generation of skiers and riders show us what it means to challenge the

status quo. From competitive triumph on the road to the podium at the World Cup

in Killington to pushing boundaries of big-mountain skiing in Alaska, Future Retro

presented by Switzerland will be that connection—past, present and future.

Future Retro presented by Switzerland, was premiere on May 7 in Auckland, the first

city in the Southern Hemisphere to screen the film, before moving right across both

North & South islands. All movie goers have the chance to enter the Major Prize

competition which includes fantastic overseas holidays, gear, beer and more! Get

your mates & family together to get the stoke fired up for winter and witness some

amazing skiing & snowboarding on the big screen.

Join this collective experience as the legacy continues.

Go to warrenmiller.co.nz to learn more & purchase tickets.

Featured Athletes

Jim Ryan | Kaylin Richardson | Lexi duPont | Amie Engerbretson | Baker Boyd |

Victor Major | Forrest Jillson | Tanner Rainville | Tom Day | John Egan | Dan Egan |

Scot Schmidt | Jack Lovely | Maria Lovely | Parkin Costain | Elena Hight | Danny

Davis | Nick Russell | Marcus Caston

70,000 followers can't be wrong

JOIN THE CONVERSATION


@ adventuremagazine

@ adventuretraveller @ adventurevanlifenz

THE ULTIMATE

OBSTACLE

COURSE

Despite the limitations 2020 imposed

on us all, it didn't stop Spanish

kayaker Aniol Serrasolses and a

crew heading to Chile to set up the

ultimate natural obstacle course

featuring a 25km descent down a

snowy volcano, sailing through

dense forest before landing the

world’s first double kickflip in a

kayak over a waterfall, and finally

setting down on a glassy lake, all at

speeds of over 100kms.

The route started at the summit of the

volcano, went through the forest near

the slopes of the Palguín river, over the

Tomatita waterfall on the Captrén river

and culminated in the Villarrica Lake –

connecting water, land, wind and fire in

a single journey.

"These are the elements where I feel

most alive. I've always felt comfortable

connecting mountains, forests and

rivers. I can't imagine a life away from

them," says Serrasolses.

ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 15

"The part on the snow was

kind of the hardest part as a

kayak is not really made for the

snow, so you ride it like a sled"

The ambitious project didn’t go hitch-free, though – the high

speed the kayak reached when gliding over the snow caused a

spectacular crash.

"The part on the snow was kind of the hardest part as a kayak

is not really made for the snow, so you ride it like a sled. You

go really fast but you’re kind of out of control. On one of those

descents I lost control before reaching a section with ice blocks.

I hit one of those blocks at about 80kph and it sent me flying

more than 10 metres. I tried to control it in the air, but in the end, I

ended up falling on totally hard snow."

“That crash is next level as the snow was pretty hard. Definitely,

that one hurt. My idea was to go around those pieces of ice and

avoid them. Before doing that move, my kayak started spinning

out of control. So, I went straight onto the ice and it sent me into

the air."

Previous Page: Aniol stands at the top of the old lift station before dropping in. This station maintained itself intact after

the eruption of the volcano in 1984

Above: Flying off a cliff in volcano Rukapillan and high speed riding through the slopes

Above: Wall ride in the rio Nevados.

Following page:: Aniol launches a Switch Panam off 18 meter Tomatita falls in the Captren river


As if high speed and unusual kayaking terrain

weren’t enough, when he reached the waterfall,

Serrasolses scored a manoeuvre never seen

before on a kayak: the first double kickflip.

"The trick is to do two full rotations in the air. It's

been tried for many years surfing waves in the river

or the sea, without success," says Serrasolses.

"This time I managed it on the first attempt and I

couldn't be happier. The next one will clearly have

to be the triple, won't it?"

"This whole concept was to take kayaking out of

its element, rather than always down rapids and

waterfalls," he explains. "That double kickflip is a

double rotation and it’s been attempted many times

before, but no one has ever succeeded. This time

it just went really good. I got two rotations on my

first try but it took a lot of commitment to do it off

that height. If you don’t land correctly, the impact

on your back is hard… Actually it’s hard even if you

land it correctly!"

So is he planning to go even bigger on his next

project? Perhaps not: "Over the last few years

my focus has been a lot on the progression of

the sport – the hardest waterfalls, the biggest

water rivers, the highest waters. As I’m getting

older, I want to do more creative stuff and more

shooting and projects to put kayaking in really cool

locations, where it hasn’t been seen as much."


hiking

TALES

RICHMOND RANGE

OLD MAN AND LAKE CHALICE CIRCUIT

By Eric Skilling

"Despite being at less than

2,000 metres high, the low

cloud and steep barren ridges

made us feel like we were on

top of the world."

It is easy to understand why the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail

crosses the Richmond Range. If you wanted to show

off New Zealand it would be a crime not to include this

spectacular bit of country – rugged and exposed peaks

with unique vistas ringed by stunning native forests which

hide crystal-clear streams and waterfalls and arguably

the loudest concentration of native birds outside of any

sanctuary. It seems bold to single out less than 100km of

the Te Araroa but do the miles to those barren tops and you

get to enjoy the superb landscapes that are reckoned to be

“…. amongst the very finest along Te Araroa ”.

Spending time here is a reminder of why hiking is becoming

so popular.

You would be a little crazy to attempt the more exposed

sections of the track in bad weather. Along with those views

come exposed drop-offs that will keep you focused even

when the weather is great, with the added challenge of few

chances to refill water-bottles as you traverse the ridges.

But this is sunny Marlborough so it is more likely you will

get enjoy those landscapes in brilliant sunshine and cooling

breezes especially if like us, you arrived there just after

Christmas under a cloudless blue sky.

There is plenty of choice in the park with 250 km of tracks

and 30 huts, but our party of six were attempting a four-day

circuit that would take us from Lake Chalice to Old Man hut,

a day trip to summit Little Rintoul and then a return via the

Goulter river back to the lake.

Driving to the start of the track is an experience by itself

although we managed it without the aid of 4-wheel drive.

The gravel road quickly narrows to a narrow winding track

with plenty of switchbacks and a fallen tree to negotiate.

20//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#226 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 21

Stopping at the Enchanted Lookout is well worth the

vista of the meandering Wairau River, its banks marked

out with a kaleidoscope of neatly outlined paddocks and

orchards, to the rugged gullies and landscapes of the

Raglan Range and the distant Kaikoura peaks, tipped

with snow after a recent snowfall.

After a short walk we emerged from the pine forest and

found ourselves looking down at a tranquil scene - Lake

Chalice hut nestled in beech forest, bordered on one

side by a noisy stream making its way down to the lake.

Even better, that was the last of the pine trees.

Arriving at a hut in early afternoon has its perks.

Firstly, you get to book a bunk for the night much to

the disappointment of the Ashburton Tramping Club

members who arrived a few hours later, but we also had

enough time to enjoy the 6.5km circuit of Lake Chalice,

a far cry from the more challenging terrain we would

face over the next three days. Formed by a massive

landslide two thousand years ago the lake has no outlet

stream, with the lake draining through landslide rubble

to the Goulter Stream. Overnighting in Lake Chalice hut

was a pleasure.

Next day we followed the track into the forest. This is

steep country. But so spectacular. The forests vary from

podocarp to lush beech forests, scattered with ancient

rimu, rata and kahikatea, and chilly but crystal-clear

streams that make carrying full water bottles a waste

of energy. The streams were flowing deep enough to

offer up some priceless photos and videos but shallow

enough to avoid wet boots.

The track itself is mostly up. Lots of up. When it is not

going up it follows the contour through a marked but

largely unformed track. However, we were cheered

on by tui, robin and the one-bird orchestra that is our

inimitable bellbird.

Finally, after an about seven hours or so we emerged

out onto Old Man ridge and quickly forgot all aches as

we soaked up the wilderness eye-candy from the ridge.

It had been a tough day but the vistas around us made

the effort all worthwhile.

The track then followed the ridge line through mountain

beech draped in fronds of moss followed by barren

rocky outcrops and scree slopes. Having climbed over

1,000 metres to Old Man ridge, the loss of almost

200 metres in altitude down to Old Man Hut was as

disheartening as watching a weka making off with your

lunch, but it was still a pleasure to emerge out onto the

large grassy clearing into the shadow of Little Rintoul

towering several hundred metres above us.

Finding a relatively flat clearing as large as this was

pleasantly surprising considering the steepness of the

surrounding country, which was just as well as we were

going to share the site with 3 other groups that night.

We set up camp and then sat down to a well-earned

dinner and large cups of hot, sweetened coffee in the

cooling evening. A little after dusk a cool damp mist

rolled across the ridge which was enough to send us

all to the warmth of sleeping bags and a tent. I certainly

appreciated the warmth of my Macpac gear.

Enjoying a couple of nights at this site was one of

the many highlights of a memorable trip. I cherish the

nights spent in a tent drifting off to sleep to the calls of

weka and morepork (check out “the joy of camping”),

but both mornings I gave up trying to pick out the

various bird calls in the dawn chorus. There seemed to

be a competition to be the loudest, most melodic bird

of the morning, all for our benefit. There were just too

many calls to identify individual species, so I just lay

back in my tent and savoured the moment.

Later that morning the walk back up to the ridge with

day packs and a cooling westerly turned out to be a

breeze compared to the previous day’s efforts. We

emerged from the bush-line into bright sunshine and

scrambled through the sparse vegetation onto the

shattered rocks on the slopes of Little Rintoul.

It did not feel all that long before we were making

our way cautiously along the narrow track with its

steep drop-off and onto the barren summit. The views

seemed way out of proportion to the effort. It was

like we were on top of the world with the steepness of

the ridge around us and the low cloud blanketing the

valleys to the west. To the east the mighty Kaikoura

Range stood out on the horizon, still white-capped after

the snowfall the days before we arrived.

Seven hundred metres below Old Man Hut looked

small and vulnerable against the vast beech forests

and ridges that surrounded it. It took a bit of effort by

our long-suffering leader to prise us off the peaks and

ridges that day.

Top left: Lake Chalice and Old Man Circuit / Top right: Evening mist rolling into the Old Man campsite had us all

clambering into the warmth of our sleeping bags early that evening.

Clockwise from top: Scambling the barren rock up Little Rintoul, with Old Man Hut a mere spec 700m below us / Hiking

through the dense podocarp forests with the crystal clear streams and birdlife was a real priviledge / North back along

the ridge from Little Rintoul with two of our party on the sub-peak / The surreal atmosphere of moss cover mountain

beach on Old Man Ridge


Eventually we made our way off the ridge and back to a

deserted Old Man hut. That evening we enjoyed another

one of those very satisfying meals and watched as Little

Rintoul turned red in the sunset. Then as so often happens

after the shared experience of a tough and exhilarating

few days, the banter flowed, and new friendships were

cemented.

Walking out alongside the Goulter river next day turned

out to be a bit trickier than we expected. It wasn’t quite

believable that the time given for the mostly downhill hike

back to Lake Chalice via Goulter river was the same seven

hours it took to climb up along Old Man track. Perhaps we

were a bit light-headed at the thought of that beer chilling in

the fridge at Linkwater and the New Year’s Eve celebrations

that night. Regardless, we took a cursory look at the Topo

map and decided the recommended time had to be wrong.

The Goulter River is one of those classic crystal-clear

South Island rivers, cascading over multi-coloured smooth

rounded boulders, and which we crossed more times than

I would care to remember. Seven hours after leaving Old

Man we emerged onto the clearing at Lake Chalice hut, with

sodden boots, a few aches and several scrapes bearing

witness to another solid day’s efforts.

Cracking day

for a stroll.

CASS VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND

TEMPERATURE 9° | ELEVATION 1783M

As usual all that effort was forgotten once we were back

at Linkwater, enjoying the company and banter of fellow

adventurers in the garden bar of the local restaurant, a wellearned

beer in hand and a meal cooked by someone else.

Unfortunately, none of our group welcomed in the New Year,

but I think we could be excused.

The Richmond Range is another gem in the crown that

is the New Zealand wilderness, offering jaw-dropping

panoramas, dawn-choruses that you will reminisce forever,

beautiful beech forests and enough challenging climbs

to make that evening meal and coffee the tastiest, most

satisfying you have enjoyed in an awfully long time. A great

setting for some shared challenges and an opportunity to

make new friends.

Thanks to Macpac, Keen, Backcountry Cuisine and Jetboil.

Top to bottom: Spirits were high as we left Little Rintoul and headed back to an empty Old Man Hut / The view from

Enchanted Lookout across the Wairau River Valley and the mighty Kiakouras is well worth the stop / We crossed the

crystal clear waters of the Goulter Stream more times than I care to remember


KATE COURTNEY

TRAINING FOR SUCCESS

American mountain biker Kate Courtney reveals her training regime and 2021

goals. With a cross-country World Championship and overall World Cup title

already in the bag, Kate Courtney is rightly viewed as one of the world’s best

mountain bike riders. But the 25-year-old is only just getting started and has

created the ultimate home backyard training set-up to help her add to her already

significant haul of trophies. Known as her fitness fortress, the area boasts a

well-stocked gym complete, zwift set-up, ice bath and even her very own outdoor

sauna. Here is what the American had to say about her training regime, the

importance of recovery and what she hopes to achieve during the 2021 race

season:

What’s your first memory of cycling? My first vivid cycling memory is riding on the

back of the tandem with my dad. We went out in the rain, there was no-one else on the

mountain and the weather continued to decline. We ended up seeking shelter and we

found five crumpled up dollars in my dad’s saddle bag, so we got blueberry pancakes.

Of course to me that was the most epic day and for the longest time that’s what cycling

was; a way to spend time with my dad, to get out and if I’m lucky, get some blueberry

pancakes.

I think the connections that you form while cycling are really unique, partly because it’s

a sport where you can be side by side, or on the tandem I was behind and you can talk.

It's really a great way to connect with people, whether it was my parents, my brother

growing up, or now some of my closest friends.

What does your typical training regime look like? I would say my lowest weeks are

15 to 17 hours on the bike and my biggest weeks are 25 to 30 hours, but those are

rarer. I consider strength training part of my fitness training and I spend anywhere from

two to six hours a week in the gym. I trained a lot more volume last year, as I didn’t

travel much and did 20 to 25 hour a week of training, every week.

I approach it on a two-year cycle and last year was what we referred to as a

development year, which also changes this year quite a bit and that for me is quite

exciting. I think it’s producing different results and I’m definitely coming into this second

year approaching Tokyo more rested physically and mentally.

The focus this spring is on the high-intensity, knife-sharpening race prep, which is my

typical race build up; you do base, you have to do moderate training, then I start in

spring to do intensity and for me that’s in the form of training camps.

I just got back from Malibu where we did ‘Mali-Boot Camp’ with three of my old teammates.

We design these camps to really push me and help me progress towards

racing, then training gets a bit more intensity-and recovery-focused once we hit the race

season.

I do yoga, I do mobility work, I work with a PT and do a lot of recovery activities outside

of training like foam rolling, ice baths and saunas. And number one – very good sleep!

"For me, I think preparation is the antidote to those

challenging situations, because at the end of the day

you can only control what you can control."

How important is recovery in the training process?

I think that’s the frontier of sports performance right

now. If you are always going at 75 to 90 percent of

max, you never recover, but you also never hit that 100

percent. It’s about using your motivation and your skills

at planning and resting to maximise those important

sessions and avoiding those medium-effort, mediummotivation

which burn you out in the long run.

Do you find it hard to switch off on your rest days?

I’m working on it! I’m proud of this year; I’ve taken more

complete rest days and that’s something that I used to

not do. I use Whoop to track my recovery and every day

that I take as a complete rest, the next day I’m in the

green, so it definitely works.

It’s a challenge for me managing how much I do on

these rest days, because I have to do something during

and I think my dog has been my secret weapon! I’ll

take him for a walk, I’ll take him to the beach; I’ve done

something, but it’s quite relaxing.

What about the mental side of fitness and health

– do you train that? Definitely! I work with a sports

psychologist and I have for the past five years. I

personally think that the mental game is a huge part of

success, but it’s also a huge part of just being a healthy,

happy person in the long run. I think that dealing with

situations and emotions requires certain skills and

perspectives that need to be developed and for me

that’s done through sports psychology, plus reading,

journalling and all of those kinds of things where I give

myself space and time.

Do you get nervous before races and if so how do

you manage that? I do, definitely; I think everyone

does and I think nerves are a sign you really care about

something. For me, I think preparation is the antidote

to those challenging situations, because at the end of

the day you can only control what you can control. If

you manage those things, hopefully the outcome takes

care of itself and if it doesn’t, hopefully you’ll have more

opportunities in the future.

Do you use online training as part of your

preparation? I’m doing my first Zwift race! I’m trying

to embrace the opportunities that we do have to stay

in shape, not just ‘in shape’ in the normal way – I can

train – but I think there are some things you definitely

get from competition that you can’t replicate and that’s

what I learned last year. You can race yourself around

as much as you want, but for your central nervous

system actual racing is just a different stimulus. We’ve

been looking for more ways to incorporate that into

my training, whether it’s Strava segments, getting

fast people to ride with or compete with, or even Zwift

racing, which I said I would never do! I’m doing some

small warm-up ones, some very random races, because

I think that there’s some finesse to it, but I will report

back!

What about the research being done into female

athletes training around the menstrual cycle. Is that

something you look at within your training? I have

and I’ve worked with Red Bull on that. I think it’s very

important and very interesting that people are finally

looking at the differences between men and women.

Hopefully there’ll continue to be more studies, not just

around menstruation but also nutrition in the future and

training. I think a lot of these baselines that we take for

granted are based on research done primarily on men

and so that kind of cutting-edge research is going to be

important moving forward and it’s exciting that they’re

finally doing more.

What drew you to study human biology – did it

come from your interest in sport or is it something

you’ve always had a passion for? I think it was a little

bit unrelated to cycling. I studied human biology, which

at Stanford University is a very interdisciplinary major

and we have a lot of freedom to tailor it to your interests.

I was interested in global health and technology

innovation, so it was a very Silicon Valley thing to be

looking into.

I really enjoyed learning about health, less on a

biological individual basis and more on an aggregate

basis. Of course we had to take bio and get all of those

fundamentals, but I was more interested in public health

and global health level of analysis and that’s certainly

something that’s been very interesting this year!

Did your studies include wearable tech? It was

health tech and wearables, mobile apps, those kinds of

things. And being where Stanford is, in Silicon Valley,

meant it was a really unique experience – we got a lot

of exposure to local start-ups and people coming in and

telling us about things that might be on the horizon,

which was really exciting.I hope to head back to some of

that someday, but I enjoy focusing on bikes right now.

Where does your confidence come from? I heard

a definition of it recently that was ‘confidence is the

belief that you can uphold promises that you make to

yourself’. You can develop confidence from different

parts of your life, but for me it’s about believing that I

can do things that I set out to do on the bike.

It’s a strategic combination of working on mental skills

and managing the external environment to give me an

opportunity to build confidence. It’s not always going

to be linear and perfect, but if you’re progressing and

getting better, you’re going to feel great!

Previous Page:Kate Courtney / Right: Kate in action.

Images by Emily Tidwell / Red Bull Content Pool


kayaking

TALES

CENTRAL OTAGO

RIVER JOURNEYS

By Nick Pascoe

There are Graham Sydney paintings on walls

throughout the country portraying the rolling

tussocked hills of Central Otago. It’s known for

wine, fruit, the rail trail, and stunning summer days.

However the high plateaus hide other gems and

in amongst them you can find a network of New

Zealand’s best wilderness rivers.

A cold winter brings snow to the mountains and hills.

When this starts to melt and run off the area becomes

a whitewater kayaking destination with rivers such as

the Nevis, Waikaia, and Shotover, being established

spring classics. Whitewater kayaking in New Zealand

can be a fickle sport, requiring specific river levels, and

complicated access plans. This has left many areas

unexplored and new adventures to be found. With

vision and a well timed Saturday evening phone call

Will Martin and Shannon Mast roped myself and Max

Rayner in to take a look at the Upper Pomohaka River.

Sunday started with a flat tyre, snow beside the road

after a late spring storm, and then two hours of fourwheel

driving to the top of the Old Man Range where

a snowdrift stopped us in our tracks in the heart of

Central’s rolling hills with no river in sight. An hour of

hiking with our boats saw us exploring the gold mining

relics at the historic Junction hut, and relieved smiles

on our faces as the river had enough water to float our

kayaks.


It was 1pm and we had 20km of unknown wilderness river

in front of us, so we promptly pushed off to enjoy the first

few kms of stunning alpine country. A few boulder choked

rapids kept us on our toes, until we came around a bend to

see a horizon line in the river and a lone ancient beech tree

far below us. With the river looking like it dropped off the

edge of the world we expected a big portage and got out to

inspect the rapid, to be pleasantly surprised to find a clean

3m waterfall and boulder gardens. This was our entry into

the beech forest, and a section of amazing whitewater. We

made quick ground until encountering a more technical and

consequential rapid. By this point it was late in the day, and

our margin for error was disappearing along with the sun.

We opted to bushwhack our boats up and around the rapid.

I made an unfortunate misstep and gathered some cuts

and bruises from a gravity assisted descent at one point,

but we all made it back to the river safely. Our stoke came

back with just a few paddle strokes on the river, and we all

shared high fives half an hour later when we popped out of

the beech forest and could relax and watch the sunset as

we floated the few kilometres of flat water.

We loaded our boats onto the waiting vehicle as it got dark.

Satisfaction levels were high, but the trip wasn’t done yet

with our other vehicle still parked way up in the hills where

we’d left it that morning. A layer of low cloud had moved

into the Teviot valley, and we crawled our way up through

the mud and the murk onto the top of the Old Man Range

once more. It was 11pm at night and we were above the

cloud for a stunning moonrise, while crossing all fingers

and toes that we didn’t get a vehicle stuck in the snow or

mud. The cards fell our way, and I made it back to Wanaka

at 1am thoroughly exhausted but stoked on exploring a

new part of our backyard.

A couple of weeks later conditions aligned once more, and

five of us found ourselves at the Aspiring Helipad at midday

on a Monday. It had rained the day before, and we hoped

that the North Branch of the Motatapu River would now be

at an ideal water level. As the heli gained elevation it was

odd to gain a new perspective of our local area, Glendhu

bay, Treble Cone ski area, and Wanaka itself. Only a few

minutes later we found ourselves very much alone, high

in an alpine valley with no marked access. Our friend Ben

Young had done his chopper pilot training in Wanaka,

and regularly flew this route as he gathered his hours.

This river was his project, and after taking a moment to

appreciate the snow capped mountains, we set to our task

of discovering what the river held downstream.

It was low volume and bouncy to begin with, much like

a poorly shaped water slide. The alpine setting was

spectacular though, and the moody afternoon light painted

a stunning picture as we found a few bigger rapids and

drops to really get our hair wet. It was not long until the

river grew in size and became consistently steeper.

The quality of the whitewater increased, however the

opportunities to stop were slim and margins for error

low. We took our time, settling into an efficient leap frog

style where one person would get out and scope the line

through the next rapid, and then if things looked positive

wave us through. In this method we moved at a solid pace,

with periodic interruptions to stretch our legs by walking

around a rapid that was not going to leave a kayaker in a

healthy state.

Distance wise we began to get close to the confluence of

the North and South Branches of the Motatapu, however

we were conscious that the valley still looked a long way

below us. We weren’t wrong, a particularly long section of

tight continuous whitewater awaited. This section would’ve

required linking consequential move after move for almost

500 m, and while it seemed each move was possible we

were conscious of the dwindling daylight and the fact we

were still a long way from home. In the best interests of

leaving our future selves something to aspire to (and more

honestly our own self preservation in the moment) we

opted for the tramping with kayaks option. Our portage

put us back on the river at the top of another steep rapid,

however we could see a pool at the bottom and too many

great moves to ignore so we took turns at paddling the

best rapid of the day. After emerging from this mini gorge

thankfully the river did finally ease, and we popped out at

the confluence with the South Branch.

The sun was low in the sky, and floating through the far

mellower whitewater we had ample time to appreciate the

revegetation work going on around the Motatapu river.

This was highlighted with one more mini gorge and two

harder rapids amongst the beech forest. We emerged to a

stunning sunset over Glendhu, rather thankful for going two

from two and again escaping nightfall on the river.

Spring had a kick in it’s tail though, and another weekend

rain event lined up the Otago headwaters. This time my

friend Cam Kerr and I had our eyes on another close-asthe-crow-flies

Wanaka river, the Dingle Burn. Our ambition

was to paddle from its source below Highlander Peak

where it starts life as a small stream and follow it 30 km out

to Lake Hawea.

The weather was clear and sunny as we left Wanaka, but

got steadily more gloomy as we approached the Ahuriri. A

flooded river and muddy 4wd access into Ahuriri Base Hut

boded well for our kayaking, but not so much for the uphill

grunt to come. Our planned access route was to tramp

600 m up onto the crest of the mountain range separating

the Ahuriri valley from the Dingle Burn, and then descend

to Top Dingle Hut. The climb was a proper slog, but we

were able to move surprisingly quickly on the old farm

track. Standing at 1450 m with our kayaks looking across

to the snowy peaks of the Barrier Range was a stunning

and surreal moment of ‘why did we think this was a good

idea?’.

The rain turned right back on for our descent, which was

to prove more technical and scary than the kayaking to

come. The track was muddy and slippery, and our kayaks

were acting like anchors trying to drag us to the bottom

of the hill by the fastest route possible. There was a real

sense of relief when we reached the friendly fishermen and

warm fire of Top Dingle Hut. The crux of the trip was now

in front of us; how good had our weather forecasting been,

and was there the right amount of water in the river for our

kayaks?

Previous Page: Cam Kerr high above the Dingle Burn, earning his paddle strokes - Image by Nick Pascoe

Right: Shannon Mast in the upper reaches of the North Branch Motatapu River - Image by Max Rayner

Following Page: Cam paddling past a massive landslide in the lower Dingle Burn - Image by Nick Pascoe


The river was banks full but still running clear and blue, and so we

pushed off into the flow to see what was downstream. We quickly

found ourselves in a grassy hydroslide, watching the mountains

recede behind us. The paddling was amazing; scenic, and continuous

whitewater with a couple of mini gorges to add a little spice. Far earlier

than we expected we found ourselves beaching the kayaks and

tramping up to Cotters Hut. The cosy hut was to be our home for the

night, and we settled down for dinner and desert while watching the

deer emerge onto the flats.

The next 6km of river entered a gorge, and we were excited to see

what was to come. We quickly had big smiles on our faces, it was

fun non-stop rapids, underneath a spectacular beech forest tunnel. A

few fallen trees in the river kept us on our toes, but we made steady

progress and emerged from the beech forest into the home stretch

towards Lake Hawea. Lunchtime saw us at Dingleburn Station, feeling

thoroughly content with the trip.

With New Zealand’s borders closed our eyes have been forced to look

inwards, and it’s apparent once again that there is plenty of adventure

right here close to home. We’re blessed with an abundance of

wilderness, suiting exploration by all manner of people and methods.

The takeaway from our spring first descents, and a silver lining of the

last twelve months of upheaval, was a renewed appreciation of the

people and places that we have here in our home.


TO THE ISLAND

By Lynne and Steve Dickinson

“The world is beyond us,

It's too enormous

But oh, the island is just right,

It's the perfect size”

Day one: Weather with You:

“Everywhere ya go, always take the weather with you”

When I noticed Crowded House’s “To the Island Tour”

were performing at Church Road in Napier at the same

time that THL Holdings were offering specials on their

campervans, it was like a ‘perfect storm’ for a road trip.

It was the end of March and the day we picked up our

camper the sun was shining and the temperature gauge

read 25 degrees and the forecast for the week was

nothing but sun. With recent mountain bike purchases

itching to clock up some miles we booked a camper

with bike racks and off we went. Often one of the issues

hiring a campervan for a short trip, is the hassle of filling

in the paperwork, picking up the van, however, this was

far from our experience; when we picked up our Maui

camper, it was slick in and out and on the road.

Little Waipa Domain on the banks of the Waikato River,

our first stop, is not far from Lake Karapiro. This free

camping spot had plenty of space, and to our surprise

plenty of lake edge parking. We backed up to the river's

edge, unhooked our bikes, locked the doors and headed

off on the Waikato River Bike Trail. One of the joys of

having a campervan is that you are right near where

you want to be, in an amazing setting and it’s super

convenient.

The Waikato River Trail officially begins at the

Pokaiwhenua Stream, just off the State Highway 1 on

Horahora Road. I had unwittingly stumbled on the trail

during the Spring Challenge Adventure Race at the end

of 2020 and was keen to revisit it again. The trail covers

over 100km and takes in 5 lakes and 4 hydro dams, but

the trail is accessible from many locations along the way

so you can bike as much or as little as you like.

We started at the Little Waipa Reserve, an undulating

section that follows a distinct path alongside the Waikato

River. It is incredibly picturesque and it meanders across

a well maintained gravel track before hitting the 500m

continuous boardwalk over the Huihuitaka Wetland.

According to the map and web research, the 6.2km ride

is graded intermediate, however I would have graded it

a little less.

One of the issues with spending the afternoon biking is

the need to feel clean at the end of the day. Although

our camper was completely self-contained, we were

surprised to find that the Little Waipa Domain offered

toilets and not just showers but hot showers! This is not

how remembered freedom camping in NZ. Impressed.

Day Two: Now we're getting Somewhere

“Lay me out with your heart

Now we're getting somewhere

Push me back to the start

Now we're getting somewhere”

One of the keys to an interesting road trip is to stay off

the main roads. So although we were heading towards

Taupo, we stuck to the backroads via Whakamaru Dam.

It was here that we picked up the Waikato Bike Trail

again. This section of the track goes from Whakamaru

Dam to Atiamuri, a distance of 24 km, graded

intermediate. On the entrance to the trial is a number for

a shuttle service so if you don’t want to do the return trip

you can organise to be picked up. We decided to bike for

a while and then simply turn round.

The start of the trail had no elevation but wound

backwards and forwards through the trees along the

river edge with large rock faces and pastoral lands

creating an impressive backdrop. A couple of km along

we reached the Lake Whakamaru Reserve, another

fantastic free facility right on the river's edge.

From here the trail became more technical as the path


narrowed and the turns became tighter. Graded an

intermediate (grade 3) due to the fact that there were

drop offs on the river's edge, however it was not too

challenging, just super fun. Make sure you follow the

blue markers and the orange arrows as there are few

places where the trail divides.

After a few more km the trail ran alongside Highway

30, linking Whakamaru Dam to State Highway 1 at

Atiamuri, and ran alongside this for a km or so before

darting back into the trees alongside the river. This part

of the trail allowed you to see the river in the distance.

There is something engaging riding alongside the

banks of a river as auspicious as the Waikato. At this

part, where it widens out more, you can appreciate its

significance in New Zealand’s history.

We continued along for another hour or so before

deciding to turn round and head back to our car for the

drive into Taupo. We stayed on the backroads enjoying

the scenery and avoiding the major roadworks that

seem to be plaguing every major road in NZ at the

moment.

Unfortunately there is only one way to Napier, so we

headed across State Highway 5 for an hour or so

before turning off towards Glenfalls DOC camp, the

takeout point for the first adventure race I had ever

done over 13 years previously. We backed our camper

right up to the river and watched the sun set behind the

alluvial landscape overlooking the Mohaka River.

Day Three: Four Seasons in One Day:

“Even when you're feeling warm

The temperature could drop away

Like four seasons in one day”

The night had been clear but cold and when we woke

up it was hard to see more than a few feet in front of us

due to the thick mist that had settled over the Mohaka

River, and the temperature had dropped to a chill 5

degrees. So we packed up camp and headed into

Napier for a more cruisy day of bike riding around the

vineyards. By the time we reached Napier the sun was

shining and we were back in singlets and shorts.

We had been told about Ash Ridge Winery in Roy’s Hill

as this was the place where “On yer Bike” was located.

Knowing little about this part of Napier we decided

to check them out and get a lay of the land. On Yer

Bike offers bike hire and exclusive access through

the surrounding vineyards, so if you don’t have your

own bike this is the place to start your travels, and Ash

Ridge Winery was the perfect spot to begin our wine

tasting experience. Our hostess, Denise, explained

the wines and the uniqueness of the more boutique

wineries, and provided us with excellent tips about how

to plan our day.

You would think that biking between vineyards could

be a bit of a hazard, but the thing is that it actually

slows down the drinking process. We, however, chose

to drive to Trinity Hill Winery and then to the last

vineyard (in this case Abbey Winery and Brewery),

and explore on bike from there. Unfortunately this

meant that we spent more time imbibing that we did

cycling. All I can say is that we were thankful that the

campervan was close by and we could “sleep” the wine

off before having to drive anywhere.

Hawkes Bay has some clearly marked Freedom

Camping areas in some top waterfront locations.

We had already checked out Perfume Point which

overlooks the harbour entrance with a surf break right

Previous Page: Biking along the Waikato River Trail

Above: Enjoying a beer after biking, at Little Waipa Reserve

Clockwise from top left: The Waikato River Trail just past Whakamaru Dam / Four seasons in one day, mist surrounds our

camper at Glenfalls DOC site / Delicious breakfast / Relaxing alongside the Mohaka River


in front so we headed there for the night. However

at 2am the music started. Peeking from behind our

curtains we witnessed a rather dishevelled looking

local, dropping pots and pans from the back of his

car while he was attempting to locate his fishing gear!

With AC/DC blaring from his car speakers full bore,

sleep was impossible. So we decided to move… bad

decision… Keeping with the music theme of this story,

we should have known it was better to “love the one

you’re with”.

Another Freedom Camping location on the app

provided by our Maui Camper hire company, was

the Pump Track but this was full with campers so we

moved further south to the next spot. We should have

known something was up when we pulled in and the

parking area was full of cars, all of which had steaming

windows, meaning there were people inside.

Unwilling to wake anyone up with the noise of our

camper backing out we pulled in to the last remaining

gap and settled down for some much needed sleep,

by now it was close to 3am. Within half an hour two

more cars arrived, parking directly behind us, blocking

us in and the occupants got out to loudly continue their

conversations right outside our window. At this point

we felt it was evident we had taken some “residents”

parking space and their conversation was meant to

intimidate us. They achieved their goal and we offered

to get on our way. By way of apology, one of the late

arrivals yelled repeatedly, “my wife and baby are

sleeping in that car.” At first we just felt relieved to have

got away and then retrospectively it hit us how sad it

was that a mother and baby were sleeping in their car,

and they were obviously not the only ones.

Day Four: Distant Sun

“Still so young to travel so far

Old enough to know who you are

Wise enough to carry the scars

Without any blame, there's no one to blame”

Napier and surrounds is all about biking and walking,

there are trails everywhere you look. Slightly jaded from

our previous night we decided to explore some of the

trails close to where the concert was being held later

in the day at Church Road. On the advice of Denise

from Ash Winery, we parked the camper behind the EIT

(technical Institute in Taradale) and hooked onto the

river trail towards Puketapu.

The gentle meandering path alongside the river

provided a perfect antidote to a long eventful night. You

can ride the trail on one side of the river and cross the

bridge at Puketapu and return on the other. The trail

runs alongside vineyards, orchards and the river bank

and we were amazed at the number of people out using

the trail. We reached the bridge and on the other side is

the cute local pub, The Puketapu, the perfect place for

a mid-ride beer, wine or brunch…

With the concert not starting till later in the evening,

there are plenty of options for passing away a few hours

so we headed up to Mission Estate winery for a lazy

lunch in the garden. Then we parked the campervan as

close as we could get to the event at Church Road, and

were able to relax until the event started and we were

only a few minute’s walk away.

I have always felt a very strong connection with music,

the fact that it can transport you back to a time and

place in an instant. So when Crowded House opened

up with “Distant Sun”, I was immediately taken back

over 20 years ago to Waiheke Island, when Crowded

House was a constant on our CD player. For the next

couple of hours we were treated to a nostalgic trip down

memory lane and were impressed with everything about

the show, from their musicianship, stage presence and

the intimate atmosphere.

As the concert came to an end it signalled the final day

of our roady and knew it was time to head back towards

home. With the adrenalin still pumping (and a fair few

miles to cover) we hit the road and made it as far as

Taupo before settling in for the night at Reids Farm

Freedom camping spot on the banks of the Waikato

River (another impressive free camping spot).

Day Five: Don’t Dream it’s Over

“Hey now, hey now, don’t dream it’s over.”

The following morning the rain arrived, almost reflecting

our mood of sorrow that our road trip was coming to an

end. As we drove the final miles towards Auckland you

could feel the pressure of the city start to weigh down

on you as the trees and fields were replaced by traffic

and buildings. As we neared the drop off area at the

airport it was with a little sadness that this roady was

over. But the joy of hiring a campervan is that all we had

to do was drive up, smile, hand over the keys, and walk

away.

So instead of lamenting that the trip was over, we

simply got back home, picked up the phone and booked

another trip. And as the song “To the Island” goes, “the

world is beyond us, it’s too enormous, but oh, the island

is just right, it’s the perfect size.” Time to go explore!

“Dont' dream it's over”

For excellent campervan hire contact www.maui-rentals.com/nz

Clockwise from top left: The Waikato River Trail / On the Tutukairi River trail in Napier / Crowded House thanking the

crowd (compliments of Crowded House) / The Puketapu


RIDER ON THE STORM

Angelo is a 21-year-old storm chaser from the port

city of Salerno, in the south of Italy. Two years ago

he took up storm chasing, a hobby that has led

him to photographing extreme weather around his

tempestuous home region of Campania and beyond.

This is the story of how, and why, he does it…

----

As I child, I was terrified of storms. Especially those that

occurred in the summer, when a strong contrast between hot

and cold air made them particularly violent. I remember one

occasion in August, when I had just turned six years old. I

was out shopping with my parents just a few kilometres west

of Salerno when suddenly there was a loud noise coming

from the direction of the Apennine Mountains.

A huge cumulonimbus cloud split the sky in half, with hot and

sunny weather on one side, and a very strong thunderstorm

on the other. As the storm got closer, lightning fell a few

hundred metres from us, and hail whitened the streets in

minutes. This was a totally new experience for me, and I ran

ANGELO CONCILIO

into my father’s arms in terror. It’s a memory that remains

with me to this day. I was afraid. But I was also in awe.

Like the pull of a gripping horror movie, my fear morphed

into fascination as I grew older. When a thunderstorm

broke out at night, I would rush to my window to witness the

night’s sky put on a brilliant show. As a young boy without a

computer, I wasn’t able to access meteorological forecasts

or detailed weather maps. But if I heard thunder, or sensed

the sky was threatening, I would wait giddily in anticipation,

ready with my parents’ camera in the hope of capturing a

fleeting moment forever.

This led to my interest in photography, focusing mainly

on the beautiful landscapes that form my home region of

Campania. Here in Salerno, we are fortunate to have the

Amalfi Coast to the west, and Cilento National Park to the

south. Our coastline overlooks the southern Tyrrhenian Sea,

between the Gulf of Salerno and the Gulf of Policastro. It is

an area of natural beauty, and a perfect canvas on which

storms can paint their beguiling magic. Before long, my

landscape photography focused almost exclusively on the

niche that was getting the most attention and bringing me

the most joy: storms. What once frightened me now gave me

a strong adrenaline rush, especially the first time lightning

struck just a few metres away and resulted in a spectacular

photo. From that moment on, I realised that I absolutely had

to chase storms in southern Italy. It became almost like my

drug.

The storm season in southern Italy lasts almost all year, but

the best time to hunt is from March to November, when the

contrasts between cold and warm air are at their highest. At

the end of winter, with the lengthening of the days and the

longer daylight hours, the ground heats up more than in the

colder months. Consequently there is more energy in play.

Living a few kilometres from the southern Apennines,

thermo-convective thunderstorms often occur during the

afternoon. They are characterised by the development of

huge cumulonimbus ‘anvil’ clouds that develop up to the

highest limits of the tropopause: the boundary in the Earth's

atmosphere between the troposphere and the stratosphere.

At the height of the thunderstorm season, it’s possible to

see storm cells at sea, often associated with the arrival of

a cold front that accompanies them. These are viewed as

being more dangerous, since the warm sea provides more

energy than the spring or winter months. Most of the time

they develop at night, when it is easier for us storm chasers

to photograph lightning associated with waterspouts or

tornadoes.

For me, the best conditions in which to shoot storms

are when there are isolated thunderstorms expected.

This ensures the rest of the sky is clear and clean,

especially during the darkness of night when you can

admire the lightning bolts flashing out from the storm.

Known as ''positive lightning’’, it is perhaps the most

fascinating electrical manifestation that can develop from

thunderstorms. These are extremely powerful discharges

that are among the longest lightning that can be observed

during a thunderstorm. Arising from young cumulonimbus

clouds, they have the peculiarity of appearing to fall from a

great distance from the cloud that generated them.

After consulting the weather bulletins and the medium and

long-term forecasts, my storm chasing friends and I decide

where to position ourselves the day before. Then three or

four hours before the storm is due to arrive, we’ll jump in my

Jeep Renegade and head to our chosen spot. My standard

equipment includes my Canon EOS 200D camera, my

various lenses (70-300mm, 50mm art, and a 14mm), and

– key to a good shot - my fixed camera tripod. Given the

chase lasts most of the day, snacks are a must.


People often ask me about the dangers of storm chasing.

Put it this way: my parents are not too keen with my chosen

activity. Before Covid, my day job was as a wedding

photographer. They certainly preferred me photographing

newlyweds, because it is of course a lot less risky. But it’s

also a lot less exciting!

The truth is that storm chasing is quite dangerous,

especially to those who set out to chase storms without

acknowledging the risks, or respecting nature, or doing

their research. Most accidents caused by lightning occur

outdoors. You are most at risk in the mountains, but all

large and exposed places such as a lawn or a soccer field

can be a dangerous place to be during a storm. Especially

anywhere in the presence of water, such as the sea,

beaches, piers, docks or outdoor pools.

But it is not only lightning that is dangerous. Among the

most dramatic and worrying effects of climate change is

the increasing extremes of weather phenomena, destined

to become increasingly violent as temperatures rise. A

frightening change that is already underway has seen

hurricanes becoming more powerful and destructive.

Near the coasts, if you are near large plains, you can also

experience waterspouts or tornadoes that can be very

dangerous to human life. I once witnessed this danger

myself, and I’m thankful that I live to tell the tale.

It was the evening of October 3rd, 2019. Some weather

models had offered a small chance of thunderstorms, and

right on the Gulf of Salerno there formed a self-healing

thunderstorm. This is a phenomenon that feeds itself and

regenerates due to the contrast between the warm and

humid low altitude air and the cool and drier high altitude

air. On this occasion, it brought gusts of over 100km/h and

a flurry of hail, hitting first the city centre, then the coastal

area.

In a hurry to capture it, me and a friend positioned ourselves

a few metres from the beach to shoot some lightning.

And while the picture that came out is amazing, I was

almost killed as two bolts struck just a few hundred metres

from our beach. It was a moment of pure terror, since we

were positioned just steps from sea level! It was an epic

experience, but really scary. Would I do it again? I would.

But with a few more precautions this time.

On another occasion in 2020, I was on the beach at Cilento

National Park with friends who were surfing in the sea. A

strong Atlantic disturbance had scourged southern Italy,

bringing thunderstorms that resulted in huge waves in the

Tyrrhenian Sea. After a few hours, a strong storm formed

over the Gulf of Salerno, slowly approaching us. All of a

sudden, electrical discharges came down a few hundred

metres from the surfers! I had to call my friends out of the

water because of the very dangerous situation. It was a

captivating and epic thrill. My photos of that day resembled

the scenes of foreboding and doom from Netflix’s Stranger

Things.

Recently I started working for Extreme Weather Club, which

works to promote and publish the work of storm chasers all

over Europe. But one day soon I aim to expand my storm

chasing journey beyond Italy’s horizons. I would love to go

to Venezuela where electrical storms are guaranteed almost

all year round on the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo.

It's one of the most fascinating places on the planet for

those drawn to extreme weather.

Another dream trip would be the USA, where it’s possible

to see and photograph supercells, tornadoes and lightning

all at the same time. My hope is to one day join a team of

storm chasers in the USA and around the world, working

with The Weather Channel or National Geographic. Maybe

that will be the day that my parents finally accept my chosen

career.

To read more about Angelo’s storm chasing experiences in southern Italy, head to DiscoverInteresting.com

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Physiology in a Nutshell

how to train your emotions and mind

There are times when conditions,

fitness and skills are perfectly

matched, yet the mission fails.

Here, the adventurer must

understand and master the

domain of emotion and mind.

Scenario 1: Fear and the flight

reaction

Imagine you are well on your

way to a summit through a

difficult stretch of rock. The

climber above knocks a flurry of

rocks over you which fly past you

into the abyss below. Your body

tenses, eyes widen, lips pull back

and you become stiff. A wave

of fear engulfs your body. All

you can think about is the awful

consequences of an imminent

error and a fall (worry). You start

to tremble, hesitate and cannot

move forward. Every move

presents ghastly consequences.

You are having a flight reaction.

Scenario 2: Anger and the fight

reaction

A client you are guiding fails

to follow instructions putting

the group and mission at risk.

Your eyebrows furrow down

and in, the heat of anger

By Dr Sven Hansen, MBChB, MBA. Founder of Resilience Institute

Dr Sven Hansen is an amateur climbing and lifelong outdoor adventurer. With a background in special forces and sports

medicine, he works with executives, professionals and athletes to build the resilience needed to achieve excellence.

https://resiliencei.com/

rises to your chest, fists and

face. Your mind says it is all

their fault (rumination). You

shout and dress the client

down aggressively. The group

is shocked, and the client

dismayed. The rest of the trip is

awkward. Their reviews damage

your reputation. You just had a

fight reaction.

Scenario 3: Overwhelm and the

freeze reaction

The waves are huge on an ocean

surf ski race. You have spent

months training and thousands

of dollars preparing. As you

begin to ride the rising swells,

uncertainty rises. Are you out of

your depth (doubt)? A massive,

turbulent wave rises behind

you. Instead of paddling hard,

you brace and panic. You fall off

your ski. Pounded by wave after

wave, your mind becomes numb.

You cannot remount, lose your

boat and paddle, and have to be

rescued. You just had a freeze

reaction.

Those who have pushed the

limits will recognise these

reactions in ourselves, our

colleagues and our clients. While

we all study conditions, work

on our fitness and sharpen our

skills, often it is these reactive

emotional and mental states

that ruin a mission. What if we

were to master and train these

destructive reactions?

We frequently hear phrases

such as: “Keep emotion out of

it.” Better advice is to understand

and master emotion and the

associated mental states.

Best advice is to understand

and master emotion and the

associated mental states.

Recent work in neurobiology helps

us understand how we either react or

respond to acute adversity. We can

process emotion in two ways. Option

one, under pressure is to default to

unconscious reptilian reactions – flight,

fight and freeze. The unseen emotion

overwhelms the mind and drives

automatic reactions. In combat, we call it

‘condition black’.

These reactions are driven by two almond

shaped bodies called the amygdala in the

temporal lobes – just inside the skull and

adjacent to the earlobes. Unconscious

emotional systems have been available

since the time of reptiles. In the absence

of an alternative response, these

reactions have been selected and

retained by evolution in our brains today.

In flight, fear activates the sympathetic

system pumping out adrenaline (body

tension) and nor-adrenaline (mental

tension). With blood pumping fast and

under pressure to lower limbs, our legs

become stiff and tremulous. There is an

overwhelming drive to escape, rather

than engage, the situation. The mind

spins in worry or panic.

In fight, anger activates the sympathetic

system to drive blood under pressure

to the chest, fists and jaw (again

sympathetic). The overwhelming drive

is to attack, hit, bite or shout. The mind

spins in blame and rage at the person.

In freeze, we activate the lower and older

part of the vagus nerve. This tenth

cranial nerve runs from the brain to

pelvis – the longest pair of nerves in

the nervous system. When activated,

we can feint, void bowels or bladder,

collapse, burst into tears, or collapse

into submission.

Adventurers seek to match skills

to significant challenge – what we

describe as the flow state. Flight, fight

and freeze reactions will unravel your

mission. Embarrassment, regret and

shame linger.

Experts have laid out a number of

options to understand and master

these reactions. When we do, periods

of flow in moments of extreme

challenge drive inspired and superskilful

action. The result is enhanced

performance .

The physiology of flow is now well

studied . You will recognise it when

your mind becomes quiet – often to

the point that memory is lost. Timekeeping

stops – and time can stretch

or compress. The experience has a

feeling of grace. Afterwards it feels

absolutely great – thanks to the flood

of neurochemicals such as dopamine,

endorphins and anandamide.

Flow is an altered state of brain waves

(theta and gamma), neurochemicals,

sensory awareness, complete

absorption, focus, and fluid responses

to dynamic situations. It is so enjoyable

to the adventurer, that we keep going

back for more.

The requirement is a well-trained

Vagus Nerve. The new and upper parts

of the Vagus nerve drive the calm,

control and connect response. When

we exhale, relax our face, calm our

emotions and thoughts, and focus fully

on the moment at hand, the new (or

ventral) vagus fires. We experience

calming, slowing, and focusing. Trust

increases establishing the basis for

playfulness, connection and superior

performance.

Flow is an altered state of brain waves (theta and gamma),

neurochemicals, sensory awareness, complete absorption, focus,

and fluid responses to dynamic situations. It is so enjoyable to the

adventurer, that we keep going back for more.


Acrophobia – a crippling fear of height

Perhaps one third of people suffer a fear

of heights. The reaction is flight. It ranges

from a mild anxiety near a 16th floor

window to being crippled with nausea,

shaking, clinging and collapsing. For an

adventurer this is life limiting. The options

to solve this are clearly agreed:

1. Acknowledge and engage: the

experience is not fun, so your being

avoids the situation. Accept it full and

resolve to engage in re-training your flight

reaction to a skilfully managed response.

2. Map your reactions precisely; physical,

emotional, mental: write down each

experience you have had. Describe every

part of it until it is a clear object without

any emotional turmoil. Tell the story and

use humour to accept the inappropriate

reaction. Get comfortable with the

discomfort. Remain resolved to succeed.

3. Prepare and visualise: while this is

normally done before a situation you

can do it afterwards. Simply create the

experience from memory or in your

imagination. Work from the widest

context and move inwards to seeing

yourself and the objects around you.

Visualise clearly the height and the risk.

Notice the feelings and thoughts. Name

the discomfort of fear, exhale, remember

this is just your imagination and create

the next action you could take. See

this being successful. Visualise the

successful mastery of the situation, step

by step. Continually name the feelings,

tame them and reframe them into action.

The more realistic your visualisation, the

greater success you will have.

4. Develop a strong relaxation

response: this requires daily practice of

at least 8 minutes per day. Remember

that calm underpins curiosity and

courage. Calm is the antidote to

fear. Train your vagal nerve daily.

You can use heart rate variability

monitoring (www.heartmath.com) or

virtual reality to add precision (www.

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/

S1877050917321129 )

5. Accept, exhale and execute: starting

with smaller challenges, now you must

expose yourself to triggers. Every time,

you feel the smallest reaction execute

your trained response. Accept and

name it. Exhale and tame it. Execute

the next step with deliberate courage

(reframe). If the reaction becomes

strong, be willing to take a moment to

sink into a relaxation practice. Focus on

one step at a time.

6. Build your stories of success: every

time you succeed, go to your journal

and unpack it. If you prefer, tell the

story. Video analysis can be helpful. Be

specific in laying down a clear memory

of being able to take a step through

your fear. You want to lay down a bed

of memories that will support you the

next time you stretch your longing for

adventure.

The truth that many authors fail to

share, is that it takes thousands of

hours of focused, deliberate practice

with clear goals, and quick feedback

(coaching) . To establish our skills, we

need safety. However, to truly master

flow, we must increase the challenge

and risk to the point that we flirt with

an amygdala hijack – flight, fight, and

freeze.

Here, we are working with the Vagus

Nerve. We must seek to be fully alert to

the emotional signals of fear, anger and

overwhelm. Name the emotion, tame

the emotion and reframe it for action.

For example, when fear presents, feel

it fully and describe it, use a calming

practice to tame it, and reframe it with

curiosity and focus on the challenge at

hand.

It is this edge between unconscious

reaction (amygdala hijack) and

deliberate, trained response under

threat (flow) that separates the great

and the average. A trained Vagus nerve

is the physiological foundation.

One third of people suffer a fear of heights. The reaction is flight. It

ranges from a mild anxiety near a 16th floor window to being crippled

with nausea, shaking, clinging and collapsing. For an adventurer this

is life limiting.

Six Practices for Flow in Extreme

Challenge

1. Take care of your recovery and

preparation

If you seek to master this edge of

performance, you have to secure

your sleep, skilled recovery and deep

relaxation. These three components

must be built into your life so that you

can activate the new Vagus nerve. Get

at least seven hours of sleep at the right

time for your clock and with enough

deep and REM cycles. Practice slow,

diaphragmatic breathing every day.

Meditate if you can or explore the Wim

Hoff Method if you want to be a little

edgy.

2. Map the process of your own

personal reactions

This is the awkward work many of us

avoid. The critical first step to mastery,

is to understand when and how your

ancient biology undermines your goals.

Look for times that you have avoided

conflict (flight), had angry outbursts

(fight), or shrunk away (freeze) in the

face of challenge. Ask those close to you

when they notice these reactions. Work

through the situation and the experience

until you can see it clearly. Define clearly

how it blocked your intention. What were

the consequence you want to avoid next

time?

3. Define clearly the response you are

seeking

Write down how it might have worked

out if you had mastered the reaction

and responded with calm, focused skill.

Rebuild the process that would have

to unfold to succeed. For example: I

feel my anger. Breathe out and pause.

Take a moment to consider the other

person’s experience. Resolve to engage

with calm and respectful resolve to

communicate the imperative for change.

Describe how it would feel to have this

powerful conversation. How would it

improve the outcome for others?

4. Master your own tactical calm

practices

We are often asked to rise to the

challenge. Preferably, relax, exhale

and sink to the level of your training (an

ancient Greek phrase adopted by Navy

Seals). Rapid (or tactical) calming is the

doorway to flow. Experiment with the

best practice to achieve rapid calm. For

me, it is to breathe out slowly through

my nose and bring my full focus into

the moment. Practice it every time you

stretch for a challenge. Lock the routine

down so it becomes automatic. Once

you do your Vagus nerve is trained and

fit for purpose.

5. Seek presence and connection to

the moment

A key element of flow is to be 100%

present and connected to the challenge.

This means suspending thinking about

past or future and being fully immersed

in the moment. It is called transient

hypofrontality meaning the prefrontal

‘thinking cortex’ is silent. While we must

be aware of the emotion, we resist the

temptation to flight (and worry) or fight

(rumination on past).

6. Train on challenges just above

your skill zone

While we must maintain our basic

fitness and skills in safe and secure

environments, the adventurer must

practice at the edge of discomfort. Kotler

suggests reaching for challenges 4%

above your skills. This puts you in a

state where arousal is activated enough

but not too much. In this arousal we

practice tactical calm and mastery of the

skills we seek.


GO WITH THE FLOW

By Derek Cheng

Drive the ice tool into the vertical ice. Doesn’t stick well? Swing

again, hitting the same mark. Close the eyes as it strikes

to protect from ice blowback. Bring the feet up and kick the

crampons in.

Ice climbing engages every pore, every spectrum of every

sense. The sound the pick makes as it strikes the ice. The

scent of the sheer chill of the winter. The feel of the handle as

you pull up on it, lock off, and fiddle in an ice screw.

It's a pursuit that immerses you so deeply that you forget

everything else. Only the singularity of the experience exists.

Time flutters by as if irrelevant.

There are several activities that can place you in a flow state

- mountain biking, skiing, surfing, trail-running. I have pursued

climbing in all its forms across the globe because, for me, it

delivers enriching experiences and intense doses of euphoria

more than anything else.

What is it that makes climbing such a potent high, compelling

some of us to give up financial and geographical stability and

pursue an activity that yields nothing tangible?

I was in my 20s when I first flew to South America on a oneway

ticket to Patagonian granite, snowy Andean peaks, and

Cuban limestone. It was the first time I was exposed to dirtbag

life and the freedom of chasing rock and ice in wild, remote

places. As soon as I came home, I started saving for the next

fix, which I thought would be the last hurrah before the lust for

dirtbaggery would fade, replaced by responsible hankerings

for a family, puppies in sweaters, or a home with a white picket

fence.But that never eventuated and I’m still chasing the high.


The onset of Covid-19 has simply seen such adventures

become New Zealand-centric; I spent the last summer

exploring the remote corners of the Darran mountains in

Fiordland.

Climbing has been shown to help depression, likened to

meditation, and even compared to the kind of mind-blowing

awe that accompanies profound shifts in neural networks.

But any claims about what the brain does during a climb

are yet to be rooted in any real science because, according

to climber and neuroscientist Dr Ashlee Hendy, we lack the

technology to scan the brain of someone as they climb.

The anecdotal trail led me to psychologist Dr Mihaly

Csikszentmihalyi and his seminal 1990 book Flow: The

Psychology of Optimal Experience. Flow, he says, is the

state of being so immersed in an activity that it makes time

and the ego melt away. “Thoughts, intentions, feelings, and

all the senses are focused on the same goal. Experience

is in harmony,” Csikszentmihalyi writes. “We feel a sense

of exhilaration, a deep sense of enjoyment that becomes a

landmark in memory for what life should be like.”

Csikszentmihalyi interviewed people from all walks of life,

including athletes, artists, musicians and chess masters.

Among the flow-junkies he quotes are climbers, one of

whom says: “You look back on awe at the self, at what

you’ve done. It just blows your mind. It leads to ecstasy,

to self-fulfillment.” Says another: “It’s a Zen feeling, like

meditation or concentration… It’s like an egoless thing, in

a way. Somehow the right thing is done without you ever

thinking about it or doing anything at all. . . It just happens.”

And yet I vividly recall terrible climbing experiences when

things haven’t clicked, or fear has crippled the experience.

Flow, Csikszentmihalyi says, can happen when the

perfect amount of challenge tests your skill set. If it’s too

easy, you succumb to boredom. If it’s too much, you’re

consumed with anxiety. But if the challenge stretches you

to the limits of your ability, conditions are ripe for flow.

Climbing also ticks the key boxes for Csikszentmihalyi’s

flow triggers: intense focus on the present moment, clear

goals, immediate feedback, high consequences, rich

environments, and total, physical awareness.

Csikszentmihalyi says a key ingredient is transient

hypofrontality - a less active pre-frontal cortex, which is

the heart of higher cognitive abilities. It collects data and

assesses risk, conducts analysis and makes plans. This

also makes it the home of self-criticism and self-doubt,

which are impediments to flow.

This idea is reinforced in journalist Steven Kotler’s

book The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of

Ultimate Human Performance, which collates more recent

research. “Parts of it [the pre-frontal cortex] are temporarily

deactivating,” says psychology professor Arne Dietrich in

Kotler’s book. “It’s an efficiency exchange. We’re trading

energy usually used for higher cognitive functions for

heightened attention and awareness.”

In the flow state, the intuitive parts of the brain take the

wheel. Alpha waves (the brain’s basic resting state) and

theta waves (also present in states of deep meditation, or

just before falling asleep) are more active, instead of beta

waves (associated with concentration, learning, but also

fear and stress).

Kotler proposes that flow has enabled giant leaps in

performance in extreme sports through a relatively short

period of time. His book looks at, among other things, the

free-soloing feats of Alex Honnold and the speed-climbing

exploits of Dean Potter, who talks about yielding to The

Voice in his head that intuitively guides him. (The book

preceded Potter’s tragic death in a wing-suiting accident.)

“When I’m really in tune with it, really deep in the zone, I

get to a place where I disappear completely … when time

slows down, my senses are unbelievably heightened, and

I feel that oneness,” Potter told Kotler. “And that’s why I

climb. I crave these experiences.”

Cameron Norsworthy, co-founder of The Flow Centre, says

flow doesn’t have a monopoly on high performance. But he

adds that it is rare to be flow-free and climb at the limit of

your potential.

He says climbing is especially flow-worthy because it

demands total focus. “The constant struggle, mental

and physical, draws us away from our normal waking

consciousness. You can walk into a gym and be selfconscious,

but halfway up the wall, reaching a difficult point

when you reach the crux, all your self-consciousness can

disappear because the task demands it.”

Climbing, he adds, also pushes you to keep improving.

“It keeps us wanting to do more so that we can feel flow

again. And in order to experience it at an equal or greater

intensity, we keep seeking more difficult routes to hit that

sweet spot. It creates this growth principle that continuously

pushes our abilities, keeping us hooked on that next climb.”

Other conditions that can enhance flow include

novelty, unpredictability, and complexity. Some risk -

and associated fear - also helps, because it releases

norepinephrine, which mobilises the brain and body for

action. But too much, as any climber can attest, and the

experience just crumbles into a stressful fight for survival,

regardless of whether there is any real threat. I recall

climbing a route on Mount Taranaki, after a year away from

climbing, where topping out didn’t bring any satisfaction or

joy - only profound relief.

These flow conditions provide a key to climbing’s unique,

multi-layered tremendousness. Concentrating on one

discipline can bring great joy, but if bouldering or sportclimbing

don’t get you high enough, there’s always tradclimbing

and multi-pitching, aid-climbing and big-walling,

alpine climbing, free-soloing, and questing up lines of

frozen ice with sharp, metal points extending from your

hands and toes. There are always new skills to master,

new limits to push, different manifestations of fear to

master. Even within each discipline lies an infinity of

varying challenges—from slabs to overhangs to roofs to

corners to cracks.

Previous Page: Frazer Burley steadies himself on Shades of Beauty, a WI4 multi-pitch ice route in the Columbia Icefield Parkway, Canada.

Right: Chris Davis climbing Burning Spear (22) on the epic rock tower known as The Moai, in Tasmania, Australia

Following Page: Kiff Alcocer soloing the West Ridge of Pigeon Spire in the Bugaboos, Canada.


Another unique feature of climbing is that

you don’t have to be the best of the best

to unlock the climbing goodness. Success

is best measured against what lies within.

And although success on the hardest

climbs are undoubtedly memorable, it’s

overcoming a challenge - especially ones

that seemed doubtful at the time - that

really enhances the experience. One of my

most vivid moments of climbing joy was

on a route called Mari (17) at Arapiles in

Australia, a grade that is easy for me now,

but which lay at the edge of what seemed

possible at the time. I battled through

the dreaded pump at the crux, and then

topped out from frigid shade into divine

sunshine, triggering a potent rush that left

me beaming for hours.

Another was my first experience of

climbing a new line on a virgin face. The

third pitch of Ka-Kaa (21), in Morocco’s

Anti-Atlas range, was full of thin,

questionable gear and tenuous, technical

moves. On the fifth pitch, a piece of rock

exploded when I tested a piece of gear,

but I managed to catch it in my hand and

toss it harmlessly to the ground before

gathering my composure, and then

climbing through an intimidating roof.

And every time I’ve ventured into the

world of ice-climbing, the unique bold,

cold, no-fall adrenaline and breathtaking

landscapes almost always deliver a feeling

of being reborn, redeemed, revived.

Novelty. Unpredictability. Abundant

complexity. Challenges at the edge of

your ability. Success that can unravel a

new perspective on what you’re capable

of, and see continual improvement. Toss

in landscapes that push the boundaries

of sublime beauty, and sharing the

experience with someone in your special

tribe. Stir into a smooth, powerful potion.

I’m now in my 40s, but I have as much

climbing-wanderlust as when I was in my

20s. Because in the end, to quote Jack

Kerouac, “You won’t remember the time

you spent working in the office or mowing

your lawn.”

Or, as civil rights leader Howard Thurman

said: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask

what makes you come alive, and go do

it. Because what the world needs most is

more people who have come alive.”


CHASING

THE HUMAN

CONNECTION

IN ADVENTURE

PHOTOGRAPHY

By Chris Chase

How the idea of photographing the human connection to nature helped keep me

enter into a new industry.

“One foot in front of the other.”

That’s every hiker’s advice to their friend in the group who

they knew was a questionable call on if they could handle

the walk or not.

If you don’t give that advice, the person struggling could lose

hope and get down on themselves, but also the rest of the

crew would recognise their fate. That for the rest of the trip,

they will have to help this person get through the ordeal...

most likely by sharing the weight from their bag and lightning

their load...or have to call off the trip.

Seven simple words can mean the difference between that

feeling of awe atop the mountain or the miserable sensation

of admitting defeat and turning around, never getting to see

what you walked all the way there for.

Seven simple words mean the difference between growth

and stagnation, success and indignation, pride and shame.

Seven simple words can get you through just about anything,

and those are the words I repeated to myself throughout my

journey from being a school teacher in New York City to an

adventure photographer in New Zealand.

__________________________________

I started taking pictures of the outdoors in high school, when

I would go on day walks with my friends and family back

home in the suburbs outside of New York City. We would

walk along local bike baths, streams and larger regional

park trails wandering until we were bored and wanted to turn

back. Sometimes that would be hours and would go into

the dark, but we always enjoyed being in the moment and

feeling uninhibited by schedules and expectations.

When I started bringing my camera on walks, I would snap

photos haphazardly and with no real focus. I just thought

having the camera and getting some pictures meant I could

have proof that the walk happened.

Too often though, cameras and nature become synonymous

with ‘landscapes.’ People are quick to want to show others

the proof that they finally got to that place they bragged

about climbing one day or skiing down and they just snap

a random picture of the mountain peaks or the view with

valleys below.

And it is safe to say that at first, I fell into that trap too.

When I would take the photos, I didn’t know how to train my

eye yet and took photos of just about everything.

As I went out on more adventures with my crew, I started to

realise everyone who came out with me wanted the iconic

arms outstretched, on top of a peak looking out into the

world kind of picture...and of course being the only one with

a proper camera out there, I would begrudgingly oblige.

But little did they know that after I gave them their one nice

picture, I kept taking more. I would zoom in really close

to them and their face and walk forward or run at them to

make them laugh. It started as a joke but I soon realised how

interesting those photos actually turned out to be.

Because it was more of a candid shot, their smile would

Right: Two Skiers atop Mt. Ruapehu Pinnacles Ridge scoping out their path into the backcountry.


e truer, warmer and wider. The rest of their face might

be contorted and their stance awkward, but after every

photoshoot that we would do on these mountain tops, we’d

look at the photos on the camera and would break out

laughing because I captured very real moments of emotion

and the fun that we were having together up there.

Around the campfire or back home after a long mission, those

photos were the ones that were talked about the most. Those

photos were the ones that, although they were candid, were

more interesting and story worthy.

It was during these hikes and adventures that I soon realised

what was really interesting for people to see was how being

out there doing this activity made them feel. What was

missing in all of those quintessential landscape photos was

the human connection to the outdoors.

So I started to turn my camera on the people I was with.

The fascinating thing I learned taking photos of people up

close was that in the middle of whatever activity we were

doing, be it mountain biking, hiking, or snowboarding...the

subjects of my photos were never really aware of what their

bodies were doing.

I would usually run ahead and hide in the bushes, or climb

a tree to get the right angle and wait for a good moment to

snap the photo. As I waited, looking through the camera

viewfinder, I would watch and notice what their bodies were

doing. If we were hiking, was someone taking a massive step

or grabbing onto a tree for support? Were they about to hit a

jump on a mountain bike and making the all too familiar ‘oh

crap this is a big jump’ face?

Whatever it was, I felt like I tried to wait in the right place

for the right shot. It became easy for me to capture these

in between moments and made for some truly interesting

conversations afterward.

In the photo, you could see what the whole experience was

like for that person. You could see the struggle, the hurt, the

random excitement over a cool plant or animal they saw.

So much about the human experience can be photographed

if you know what to look for and when. The trouble is, that

special moment of connection happens so quickly, like action

and adventure sports, that if you are not ready for it you won’t

capture it.

And that happened to me more times than I could count when

I was starting out. Blurry pictures, too bright, too dark, wrong

shutter speed, eyes were closed. You name it, I’ve had it out

there in the field...and boy was that frustrating!

I had no clue about camera settings and let the camera do all

of the work. I wasn’t confident in experimenting because I felt

like I’d lose the opportunity if I didn’t.

One foot in front of the other, Chris. One foot in front of the

other…

__________________________________

This mantra helped me when I went to university to study

marketing. I left photography alone for a while because

studies became intense. I ended up not liking the program,

but took one course that would unknowingly put me on the

path to New Zealand.

It was an entrepreneurship course designed to help us learn

entrepreneurial skills through teaching inner city children how

to create and run a business.

A lot of these children came from poorer areas, so equipping

them with these skills at an early age could help them get out

of situations they couldn’t necessarily control. I didn’t realise

it at the time, but I was helping them follow the same mantra

too. One foot in front of the other.

I loved this course not only because of the skills I passed onto

the children, but because of the human connection it brought.

It was powerful enough to make me change my course of

study and university.

Just when I thought I was onto something and had it all

figured out, I changed schools, and studied to become

a teacher. At first I thought it was just another roadblock,

another shoe in the mud. I was feeling like an exhausted

hiker. But when I arrived at my new university, I realised it was

hours away from the hustle and bustle of the NYC area and

surrounded by nature. Things here would be different.

Top left to right: My brother Mike, my original adventure buddy, after we summited a mountain in New York at sunrise.

My trusty Atlas photo backpack. This thing kept all of my camera gear gear safe throughout the hike!

It's always a treat when the photographer gets a photo of himself! Can you feel my connection to the watermelon here after

9 days of hiking?

Above: Mountain biker having fun on his bike, Whakarewarewa Forest trails, Rotorua


At SUNY Plattsburgh was where I grew my appreciation and

understanding for the outdoors. It was a cold place, getting

to -30ºC sometimes for days or weeks at a time.

And yet every snowstorm, rainy day or rough weather day, I

was around the campus taking pictures.

Being at this school allowed my excitement for photography

to come back and the studies were going well. I spent a lot

of my free time outdoors and found new crews of people to

go adventuring with. Same story and same routine of going

out together, doing some awesome extreme sport, capturing

photos and sharing them with the friends on the trip.

People liked them...but not much more than that.

Sometimes they would occasionally share them on social

media and they’d say thank you but it didn’t seem like the

photos fully grabbed their attention. I knew what I was after

all along in sharing this human connection with others, but

I started to feel like it was ironic that these photos weren’t

really shared beyond myself and the person in the picture.

I wasn’t sure if it would go anywhere.

Again my interest in photography ebbed and flowed, I

graduated university to become a teacher and had my

sights set on coming to New Zealand and teaching here.

After two years teaching in NYC, I found a job in Auckland

and began my New Zealand career.

I immediately fell in love with this country and decided to

find fellow adventurers like myself. I knew New Zealand

had so much to offer in terms of untamed wild and I

couldn’t wait to explore it. The trouble was I read stories of

international hikers thinking they knew it all in the NZ wild

and giving solo hiking a go, only to get into trouble and have

to get rescued.

I wondered how to find a group that I could safely go with to

learn about the outdoors here. I found a social adventure

company based in Auckland and started going on trips with

them. I quickly fell in with this group and went on hikes and

snowboarded just about every weekend I could. It seemed

like the group for me.

Much like at home, I knew to always bring my camera with

me on these missions. I would of course focus on the

dynamic scenery, but as I started to form friendships with

people in the group, I noticed how easy it was to get them to

be in front of the camera for me.

Sounds familiar.

I quickly realised how effortless it was to leverage the

friendships I was developing in order to obtain these candid

photos.

We would have so much fun on our adventures and the

camera never seemed to get in the way, so I really felt like

I could get up close and personal to my friends in these

moments and create photos that showed what it was truly

like to be out in the New Zealand outdoors.

After each trip, I’d post the photos to social media and more

and more comments came in. I noticed people would save

them as their new profile pictures or share them with family

and the pictures would even get featured on the social

adventure company’s website and social media pages.

I was onto something once again, this time it felt different

because my pictures were being seen by more eyes and

being shown around the country to other adventurers.

What was similar about this situation to my photography at

home in the States was we were outdoors and having fun

together.

Those seemed like they were key ingredients to a

memorable trip and I realised as long as my friend group

and I were having fun on these trips, the content I produced

would reflect that.

I kept going on more weekend getaways and was exposed

to more and more adventure sports New Zealand had to

offer. I started learning how to prepare for and do overnight

hikes, and my adventures in the country grew more and

more extreme.

All with my camera by my side.

In the past three years of being in this country, I have

amassed a wealth of knowledge about the outdoors here

and engaged with incredible athletes and everyday people

while they pursued their hobbies and seeked to achieve the

benefits that come with being an adventurer.

I am happy that all of this time I have been able to be right

beside them in their journeys and figured out a way to

insert myself into sometimes very personal situations and

moments of achievement or even failure.

I have been lucky to shoot photos in the outdoors just about

every weekend since I arrived here, and everything I had

learned thus far would prepare me for my latest and most

intense adventure to date, hiking a portion of Te Araroa, the

NZ long trail that goes from Cape Reinga in the north island

to Bluff in the south island.

_________________________________

If there was a time I needed to remember the hiker’s

mantra, it would be standing at the lighthouse at the Cape

up north, looking down the coast to the start of the track.

On New Year’s day 2021, eleven brave hikers and I set out

to walk the first major leg of Te Araroa for 10 days, from

Cape Reinga to Waitangi. This trip was slated to be the

hardest and most dynamic one I had ever done to date.

All of that time outdoors with my family and friends prepared

me for this adventure, and all of the practise getting in

people’s faces during the adventures and taking photos

would come handy here because I made it my personal goal

to document the hike for everyone with my camera.

I had never hiked with so much camera gear, 10kgs to be

exact, let alone hiked for more than three days at a time...so

much of what happened on this trip was entirely new to me.

Top to bottom: My Te Araroa hiking crew at the Cape...before we got sandy!

Looking south onto Te Araroa and 90 Mile Beach, from the northern edge


nz

I had to wrap all of my individual camera gear in dry bags,

carry four extra batteries to last all ten days, and make

sure I had several backups of memory cards just in case

things went wrong when we were out there. I bought an

amazing 40 Liter hiking pack specifically for camera gear, so

I managed to stuff all of it and then my food and clothing on

top of that. 18 or so kgs later, we were off and walking Te

Araroa.

Like any hiker, I dealt with my own personal struggles on the

walk. Blistered feet, dehydration, mindless walking. I wasn’t

exempt from everything the other hikers felt, and yet I had

to manage capturing their experience. This was the biggest

adventure of my career thus far and I couldn’t miss out no

matter what.

One foot in front of the other…

I kept pace as best as I could, and kept my camera on my

shoulder ready to fire if the moment called for it. As life

would have it, I had to hitchhike after two days and leave my

crew because my blisters were so bad. I struggled with that

decision because I tried so hard to put one foot in front of

the other...I needed to be there to capture the moments for

them.

I was ashamed, but I had to do what was best in the end and

take another route.

I had done that for years with my photography up until this

point and would feel terrible about missing this chance to

capture such an intense adventure.

Lucky that after only 2 days rest, I was able to meet the

group again and carry on to finish in Waitangi, having hiked

7 of the 10 days together.

________________________________

Hiking and documenting Te Araroa was, and has been, the

pinnacle of my photography career thus far, but looking back

on everything that needed to happen to achieve this wonderful

goal, I could not have done it without the hiker’s mantra.

I continue to pride myself on taking shots that embody the

human connection to the outdoors, and I was able to capture

that on Te Araroa but I recognize now after what seems like

years and years in the making, this industry requires trust in

yourself and trust in those around you.

Trust in the process has helped me think past the shame,

focus on the growth and ultimately reflect on how lucky I am

to have now worked with big names in the industry and see

my photos around in everyday life here.

It is a long road to notoriety in this business, but if you are

willing to put one foot in front of the other, you will eventually

reach your goal and realise that the long path to success is

worth the pain.

I never would have thought I would go from being a teacher

to now an adventure photographer, but I wouldn’t change it

for the world.

What I wonder now is...where’s the next adventure going to

be?

To see more of Chris's work, check out www.chrischasephotography.com

Above: There is a reason it is called Twilight Beach. A beautiful sunset on night 1 of our 10 day adventure


UNIVERSAL BLUETOOTH® HI-FI AUDIO AND COMMUNICATION

SYSTEM FOR AUDIO-READY SKI AND SNOWBOARD HELMETS

The first major snows are starting to fall across the

Southern Hemisphere, and snow lovers are gearing

up for the imminent resort openings. Of course, the

usual pre-season rituals are being performed; watching

videos, keeping tabs on the weather, getting an edge

and wax… and searching for that amazing new piece

of gear that will kick this season off right.

Of all the exciting new technology available this

season, now available to Kiwi and Aussie snowsports

enthusiasts is a way to convert their snow helmet into

an audio and communications marvel.

THE ALECK 006 - UNIVERSAL WIRELESS HELMET

AUDIO & COMMUNICATION

Aleck 006 is the wireless audio system that brings premium

sound and push-to-talk communication capability to any ski

or snowboard helmet. With simple, glove-friendly controls for

music and instant group communication from anywhere on

the mountain, Aleck 006 puts your playlist at your fingertips,

keeps your squad in touch on storm days, and makes

meeting up for aprés easy. Any day on the snow is a good

one, but the Aleck 006 makes every run better.

GROUP PUSH-TO-TALK COMMS

We all know how to use a walkie-talkie, and that’s how Aleck

006 works—just press and talk. The Aleck GO! app (iPhone

and Android) lets you easily switch channels between single

users and as many custom groups as you want to create.

Keep a family group and a big friend group, and add friends

and family members on the fly.

HIGH-FIDELITY AUDIO

Aleck 006 is tuned for the optimal helmet audio experience right

out of the box, with crisp highs and hard-hitting lows from its two

40mm titanium drivers. Need a more individual audio experience?

The powerful in-app equalizer allows you to fine-tune the treble,

bass, and midrange until you nail that signature sound.

GROUP GPS MAPPING

Losing touch on the mountain is all too easy, especially on

storm days and among riders with different ability levels. With

GPS tracking in the Aleck GO! app, you can map the location of

everyone in your crew—whether you’re waiting at the lift for a

friend or you’re the one who’s gone AWOL!

UNIVERSAL FIT

Aleck 006 features a low-profile, lightweight design that’s

compatible with any audio-ready snow helmet—at least every one

we could get our hands on.

Pick up the Aleck 006 now at Torpedo 7 or www.Aleck.io

15-17 OCTOBER 2021 SPRING CHALLENGE NORTH NAPIER, HAWKE’S BAY

FOR MORE INFO AND TO ENTER: WWW.SPRINGCHALLENGE.CO.NZ

Make time to have adventures

with your friends!


TEMPERATURE

IS DROPPING...

SO IS THE SNOW!

The temperature is dropping and so is the snow on the

mountain tops. Many people are now turning their mind to

decide upon a winter adventure for the year. This raises

many questions some of which include:

• Where is the best place to go for what I want to do?

• What gear do I need to pack?

• What skills do I need for the type of adventure I would

like to have?

• If I am going into the backcountry how much do I need

to worry about the avalanche risk?

• Where should I stay?

• Who else can I go with?

List goes on and sometimes is seemingly endless!

However, the answer to these questions may be somewhat

simple, namely find a reputable guiding company and let

them do the work for you! Obviously, the benefits of using

a guide vary considerably depending upon your skills,

knowledge and the type of experience you are seeking.

However, the list of benefits of being guided on your next

winter adventure, not surprising, is also very long.


AEROSIZE AIRBAG SYSTEM

AVALANCHE AIRBAG

WITH HYBRID STRUCTURE

Lightweight, safety-tested and stylish, 'vest ONE' by

AEROSIZE is the world's first certified avalanche

airbag compact vest.

Geared towards people exposed to the danger of snow

avalanches, the vest contains AEROSIZE’s patented

hybrid airbag system that’s smaller than your average

avalanche backpack kit. However, the airbag retains

the standard capacity of 174 liters when filled up,

offering protection for off-piste snowboarding, skiing,

snowmobiles and rescue teams.

After pulling the trigger of Vest ONE, compressed gas

from the cartridges inflates only the airbag structural

chamber, therefore the airbag frame grows and

stretches the fabric of the airbag walls. The rest of the

volume of the airbag is filled automatically with

air sucked in from the environment, allowing

AEROSIZE to minimize the size of the components,

the whole system, and the final product.

The most important feature of the vest and the system

is its small size and compatibleness with most of

regualr backpacks (also specialized ones), thanks to

it user stays protected with removed backpack. The

design underlines the function of the vest while the

aesthetics intend to underline its reliability,

professional use and compactness.

For more information and to purchase go to

www.aerosize.com

Backyard Brains Trust

Qualified guides such as IFMGA or NZMGA have

hundreds of days experience in the backcountry and have

spent generally a decade or more gaining the knowledge

and experience to guide clients. Put these qualified guides

in a team and you have hundreds of years of experience

all in one place. If this team cannot find you the adventure

you are looking for, then something is wrong.

In addition to helping you find the right adventure, the

combined brain power of our guides also helps ensure that

we have a wealth and depth of knowledge in terms of the

local terrain and an institutional depth of current condition

knowledge to find the ‘good stuff’ and avoid ‘the bad stuff.’

Snow Safety

In the backcountry ski-touring with a guide who knows

the snowpack and understands the avalanche conditions

makes a lot of sense. For those of you who don’t have

the time or inclination to be this up to speed with snow

safety the guide can most certainly maximise the amount

of time you can spend skiing as opposed to managing

snow safety and avalanche risk for yourself. If you are the

kind of person who has spent countless hours and dollars

attending avalanche awareness courses and love doing

your ‘snow profiles’ and ‘log book’ there is still a lot to learn

from a guide. As well as seeing how your guide reads the

snow on the day, your guide will also have the benefit from

the collective input of snow safety professionals prior to

heading into the backcountry. If you want to tap into this

knowledge may come away from you day with more than

great turns.

Route finding

We all know that whenever you go somewhere new a

significant amount of time is often spent route finding, or

dare we say it, getting lost! Obviously a guide knows not

just the terrain and the route but more importantly where

the best snow is! So where you ski with a guide you tend

to spend a lot less time on navigation and a log more time

on fresh lines.

Skills development

The often-forgotten benefit of an experienced guide is

that they can also be a great mentor that can support your

learning in the field. They can take time to evaluate your

skills and help with progressions to expand your toolbox.

Your guide can ultimately support you to develop skills that

can enable you to have more adventures on your own.

More often than not people are surprised by what they can

learn by spending time with a guide, whether it was their

intention to develop their skills further or not!

Risk Management

The backcountry has many inherent risks. This is a fact

and one that should not be underestimated particularly in

Aotearoa. Undertaking a trip

To find a guide near you check out:

www.aspiringguides.com


PHOTO : ©Blake JORGENSON

KEEPING OUT THE COLD

merrell Haven Mid Lace Waterproof Women’s $329.00

As spontaneous as the weather. The Haven is up for

anything, with seam sealed waterproof construction,

100 grams of insulation and grip for traction during

winter conditions.

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ

merrell Moab Adventure Chelsea Polar Waterproof

Men’s $299.00

Get all-day comfort with the same out-of-the-box

fit you expect from Moab. This Chelsea delivers a

lifestyle look, waterproofing, insulation and traction

for winter weather adventures.

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ

Outdoor Research alti gloves $249.99

Modular, waterproof/breathable gloves with

revolutionary 3DFit Technology. PrimaLoft

HiLoft and upgraded liner with PrimaLoft® Active

for better moisture management and improved

dexterity.

WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ/OUTDOOR-RESEARCH

sealskinz Cold Weather Mid Length Sock $89.99

The original, 100% waterproof, windproof &

breathable mid length sock. The inner lining is

crafted from fine Merino Wool to insulate and

regulate temperature making this perfect for use in

colder weather conditions.

WWW.SOUTHERNAPPROACH.CO.NZ

merrell Tremblant Polar Waterproof $349.00

Designed for frozen winters. This mid-cut boot takes on

cold conditions with super-comfortable, 200 grams of

low bulk insulation and a waterproof lining. Stay warm

and dry in the Tremblant boot this winter.

WWW.MERRELL.CO.NZ

AEROSIZE VEST ONE (PRICE 749 EURO WITH 4 GAS

CARTRIDGES - 2 INFLATIONS)

First compact avalanche airbag vest. This system

allows you to use almost every type of backpack, and

protects you even when you have your backpack off.

Volume of the airbag 174 litres. Total weight with 2

argon cartridges - 1985g.

WWW.AEROSIZE.COM

Macpac Traverse Tights $129.99

Weather anything in a pair of toasty fleece tights

made for every winter adventure. Perfect on hikes and

camping trips around the snowline, the soft polyester is

paired with elastane for stretch. Just as suitable when

it’s freezing at sea-level, a mesh pocket inside the

waistband (men’s) and side thigh pockets (women’s)

are perfect for holding keys or other small items.

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ

Macpac Ion Polartec® Fleece Hooded Jacket $229.99

An active mid layer made for comfort when you’re

anything but comfortable. The structure of Polartec®

Power Grid increases its ability to provide

breathable warmth while decreasing weight and

improving compressibility — perfect when you’re

making the most of the outdoors. Also available as a

half-zip pullover.

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ

Black Crows Camox Birdie $1399.95

A womens specific, incomparable mid-fat all terrain

ski reputed for its tolerance and playfulness. The

association of a very progressive flex and good

length side lines brings great manoeuvrability and

strong hold at high speed. With a DNA derived from

freestyle, the progressive and supple flex makes it

easy to handle and adapted to progression; whereas

its side lines give a very effective and stable edge.

Creativity for everybody on all types of terrain.

WWW.OUTFITTER.CO.NZ

Black Crows Serpo NEW 93mm Ski $1499.95

A newcomer in all-terrain skiing, the Serpo is

designed for the piste and partially for off-piste.

With 93mm at the waist, it’s a good carver, it’s there

to really play with the terrain with its good flex and

responsiveness together thanks to its layer of metal

for grip and stability.

WWW.OUTFITTER.CO.NZ

Black Crows Mirus Cor NEW 87mm Ski $

A brand new UFO, the Mirus’ Cor is a ski for

performance and design, to achieve an alliance

between two worlds: freestyle and the most angular

curves of today. Built with a fairly long rocker and a

split tail, it allows short curves for playing, for piste, and

for the side of the ski run, it is carving in a black crows

approach and/or all terrain freestyle. Accessible, wellbuilt,

and creative from any point of view.

WWW.OUTFITTER.CO.NZ

Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs $499.99

Waterproof, 3-layer 40D Pertex® Shield protection

with versatility and comfort. Features internal stretch

mesh gaiters and reinforced scuff guards. 696g (med)



sealskinz Waterproof All Weather Ultra Grip Knitted

Glove $89.99

The original, 100% waterproof, windproof &

breathable knitted glove. Offering grip and an equal

balance of warmth and breathability. Ideal for use in

all weather conditions.


Rab Kaon $399.95

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.

WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ

Rab Microlight Alpine $399.95

Filled with 143g of 750-fill power hydrophobic down, RDScertified,

water-resistant Pertex Quantum Infinity Weave

fabric, harness-compatible hand pockets, two-way front zip

with insulated zip baffle, stretch cuffs fit over gloves, helmetcompatible

hood with an internal stretch gaiter to seal out wind.


black diamond first light stretch hoody $449.99

The perfect layer for backcountry rock walls, big alpine faces, and frigid weekend ski tours,

the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is the ultimate in dynamic four-season insulation

that breathes efficiently and stretches with your every movement. Other colours available.


Rab Xenon $349.95

Stratos recycled polyester synthetic insulation, ripstop

lining and outer fabric, under helmet hood with

stretch binding, two-way opening YKK front zip with

insulated internal zip baffle and chin guard, zippered

handwarmer pockets, internal zippered pocket, stuffs

into pocket, elasticated cuffs, hem drawcord.



SALEWA WILDFIRE EDGE GORE-TEX® $399.90

The Wildfire Edge Gore-Tex® is an approach shoe that can be adapted from hiking mode

to climbing mode - Simply tighten the switch-fit lacing system at the rear eyelet and then do

them up. The Pomoca Speed MTN outsole offers enhanced grip and friction in both dry and

wet conditions.

WWW.BOBO.CO.NZ/SALEWA

SALEWA VULTUR EVO GORE-TEX® $699.90

Our Vultur Evo is an extremely robust alpine boot with a rugged Perwanger suede leather

upper, durable TPU toe cap and full protective rand. The waterproof GORE-TEX® lining

offers insulation and climate control; For mountaineering, mixed routes and glacier crossing,

the stiff nylon and carbon loaded fibreglass insole ensures hybrid crampon compatibility,

while the Bilight midsole provides good walking comfort. The Vibram® WTC outsole has an

aggressive tread for high traction and a climbing zone at the toe for precise footwork.

Fit: WIDE / Weight: (M) 940 g (W) 785 g (pictured)


Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket $349.99

The new version of this best-selling jacket has a dramatically

reduced carbon footprint yet maintains its quality and

performance. Warm, windproof, water-resistant, it uses incredibly

lightweight and highly compressible 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold

Insulation Eco with 55% post-consumer recycled content,

wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining. Fair Trade

Certified sewn.

WWW.PATAGONIA.CO.NZ/NANO-PUFF

Rab Electron $549.95

800-fill power European goose

down, RDS-certified,

water-resistant Pertex fabric,

stitch-through construction,

various baffle sizes reduce

bulk, 170g fill weight,

small-volume

helmet-compatible hood,

YKK zips, elasticated cuffs,

internal security pocket.



SALEWA ALP TRAINER 2 MID GORE-TEX® $399.90

The Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX has a suede leather

and stretch fabric upper with a protective rubber

rand. Featuring a GORE-TEX® Extended Comfort

lining for optimal waterproofing and breathability,

and customizable Multi Fit Footbed (MFF) with

interchangeable layers allows you to adapt it to the

unique shape of your foot.


SALEWA MOUNTAIN TRAINER 2 GORE-TEX® $399.90

Our MTN Trainer 2 is a hard-wearing and versatile

low-cut alpine approach shoe with a high-quality

1.6-millimetre suede leather upper, full protective

rubber rand, a fast-drying GORE-TEX® Extended

Comfort lining and a Vibram® outsole.

Fit: STANDARD / Weight: (M) 458 g (W) 396 g


Outdoor Research Refuge air

Hooded Jacket $399.99

Water and wind-resistant jacket

that helps you retain heat while

working hard using the adaptable

VerticalX Air insulation that keeps

you warm when you need it and

rapidly moves moisture the moment

you start to perspire. 424g (w/m)

WWW.BIVOUAC.CO.NZ/

OUTDOOR-RESEARCH

Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoody $449.99

Taking lightweight warmth to a new level with durable, abrasion-resistant Pertex®

Quantum with Diamond Fuse Technology that protects the 800+ fill goose down

without adding weight. Pertex® Shield with Diamond Fuse fabric adds weather

protection to the hood and shoulders. 436g (med)


Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket $419.99

Water-resistant jacket using high-loft VerticalX

synthetic insulation technology for resilient,

breathable performance keeping you warm even

when wet and so compressible it stows into its own

hand pocket. 569g (m/l)


Rab Valiance $699.95

With 170g of 800-fill power RDS-certified hydrophobic

European goose down, nylon inner, Pertex Shield

taped waterproof outer, bonded narrow box-wall

construction, synthetic insulation filled hood and

cuffs, helmet-compatible, wired peak, YPP zips, hand

warmer pockets, internal security pocket, drawcord

hem, stuff sack. WWW.OUTFITTERS.NET.NZ

SALEWA raven 3 GORE-TEX® $599.90

Our Raven 3 GORE-TEX® mountaineering boot has an abrasion-resistant fabric

upper to offer exceptional stability, durability and performance, all in a lightweight

construction. The protective rubber rand and external TPU toe cap increase comfort

and protection.

Fit: WIDE / Weight: (M) 829 g (W) 629 g (pictured)


Macpac Pulsar PrimaLoft® Hooded Jacket — Men's and

Women’s $329.99

A technical climbing jacket suitable for on-snow

activities. Pertex® Quantum outer fabric provides

exceptional breathability, PrimaLoft® Gold insulation

offers outstanding warmth in wet conditions, and 100%

recycled fabrics are all responsibly-sourced. The hood

is helmet-compatible, too.

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ

equip

yourself!

kiwi camping Morepork 1 Deluxe Swag $499.00

Designed with 2 large storage vestibules and 2 entrances, porch for added shade, generous inner height,

‘no-see-um’ mesh, 7.7kg pack weight and handy storage pocket.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/MOREPORK-1-DELUXE-SWAG

kiwi camping Tuatara 2.5 x 2.5 Awning $399.00

Offers 6.25m² of covered area for sun or rain protection. 200g polycotton canvas awning, twist-lock

design, adjustable height and mounts directly to existing roof rack.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/TUATARA-SIDE-WALL-SIDE-AWNING-25M

Macpac Rapaki 25L Backpack

$199.99

Built to last a lifetime, the Rapaki

25 has been a staple for years.

The latest version is made with

a 100% recycled lining and 3D

Moulded Mesh back panel for daylong

comfort in the hills — or on

your daily commute. It also has an

attachment for your walking poles,

two zipped pockets, a front mesh

stash pocket, removable hip-belt,

and its padded laptop sleeve is

hydration bladder-compatible.

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ

Gasmate Hiker Stove $59.99

Ideal for serious backpackers with a 170mm support

span. The adjustable flame control provides over

10,500 BTU output. Lightweight with foldable arms

and piezo ignition.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/HIKER-

STOVE

sunsaver classic 16,000 mah solar power bank

$119.00

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.

WWW.SUNSAVER.CO.NZ

Macpac Amp Ultra Running Vest $249.99

Made for trail runners of all levels, the Amp Ultra helps you

go further, faster, safer. It has room to keep an extra layer,

snacks and walking poles within arm’s reach, and two

500ml HydraPak soft bottles are included so you can stay

topped up on-the-go. Designed to sit higher on your back

for stability, the adjustable front closure makes it easy to

create a perfect fit. Available in three sizes.

WWW.MACPAC.CO.NZ

Low Prices Everyday

Free NZ Shipping on

orders over $150 for

members

Members Earn Equip+

Loyalty Points

shop online or instore

equipoutdoors.co.nz

Kiwi camping Rover Lite 3cm Self-Inflating Mat $99.99

Compact to pack and carry, the Rover Lite self-inflates in minutes. The tapered design can fit in a

sleeping bag, 1830mm long and 550mm wide.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/ROVER-LITE-SELF-INFLATING-MAT

gasmate MR Heater Portable Buddy $399.00

Portable Buddy is a propane gas heater that is both

lightweight and robust heating up to 18m². Featuring a

low oxygen and accidental tip-over safety shut-off.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/MR-

HEATER-PORTABLE-BUDDY

kiwi camping Harrier 4 Tourer Tent $649.00

This tourer tent is designed without a central pole that take up valuable space. Made from 320g polycotton

ripstop and a heavy-duty PVC bucket floor.

WWW.KIWICAMPING.CO.NZ/PRODUCT/HARRIER-4-TOURER-TENT

62 Killarney Road,

Frankton, Hamilton,

New Zealand

P: 0800 22 67 68

E: sales@equipoutdoors.co.nz


ack country cuisine $9.29 - $13.89

CHICKEN CARBONARA: A freeze dried chicken

and pasta dish, served in a creamy italian style

sauce. Available small serve (90g) or regular (175g)

MUSHROOM BOLOGNAISE (Vegan) Mushrooms

with tomato in a savoury sauce, served with noodles.

Available small serve (90g) or regular (175g)

WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ

back country cuisine

CHOCOLATE BROWNIE PUDDING $12.89: Our take

on chocolate self-saucing pudding, with chocolate

brownie, boysenberries and chocolate sauce. Gluten

Free. Available in regular serve (150g)

ICED MOCHA $4.09: Our mocha is made with

chocolate and coffee combined with soft serve to give

you a tasty drink on the run. Gluten Free. 85g.

WWW.BACKCOUNTRYCUISINE.CO.NZ

POUCHES

SOFT - PLASTIC

RECYCLABLE

Deep Creek Brewing- Sentinel $8.99

STYLE: Hazy IPA AVB: 6.5%

This White Tiger Sentinel is inspired by one

of the four guardians of Chinese mythology,

which represents the autumn season. Enjoy the

beautiful passionfruit and a sprinkling of guava

taste!

WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ

Deep Creek Brewing- Sentinel $9.99

STYLE: Sour -Ginger and Peach AVB: 4.5%

Fresh New Zealand peaches combined with the

perfect amount of ginger bring to life this playful,

delicious and refreshing latest addition to our sour

family. Tune in with the Ukulele!

WWW.DCBREWING.CO.NZ

NZ’S NO.1 MEALS

FOR HIKING

ADVENTURES

Find out

more

backcountrycuisine.co.nz/pouches

radix nutrition EXPEDITION 800 | Plant-Based

Turkish Style Falafel $15.90

These 800kcal meals are designed for extreme

energy requirements. They’re light weight, taste

delicious and suitable in all environments.

WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM

radix nutrition PERFORMANCE 600 | Mexican Chilli

with Organic Beef $14.90

These 600kcal meals are the perfect lunch or dinner

option for hikers and adventurers wanting to take

their performance to the next level.

WWW.RADIXNUTRITION.COM

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


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Visit qoin.world to find out more.

SOAKED IN ADVENTURE

It was a brisk morning as we stood in the paddock listening

to the final safety briefing before the start of the Soaked in

Adventure race held in Whakatane in late May. Although the

event has been running for the past few years, it is the first

time Team Mis-Adventure had taken part. The idea of another

weekend away with our adventure friends was the main

incentive, but we also liked the idea of a new challenge. A

weather bomb was predicted to hit the east coast the following

day and we just hoped that the weather would hold until then.

The Soaked in Adventure Race is a team sport which involves

running or trekking and mountain biking. Check points are

collected along the way and you complete some exciting

mystery activities. You find out where the start and finish line

is the week before the race and will not see the course maps

until the morning of the race. Once you receive your maps you

can plan and strategise your course route and you must stick

together and complete the race as a team.

The race began in the paddock of a farm out the back of

Whakatane, in Taneatua and was split into two sections,

trekking and mountain biking with some mystery activities

thrown in for good measure. We set off first on the trek section,

with around 28 checkpoints to find. The terrain began on

typical NZ farmland; wide open space with plenty of uphill’s

before heading through a muddy swamp and into some

native bush. The first few checkpoints were fairly easy to find,

however checkpoint 8 proved a bit of a challenge.

By now we were in fairly dense bush and after scrambling over

fallen trees and down a very steep slope, we found we were

completely alone. We had started the race with over 85 teams,

but there was now not another person to be seen or heard. To

be honest, this is the part I love about adventure racing, the

feeling of being completely alone and having to rely purely on

your own navigation and sense of direction. This is something

usually reserved only for the teams either out the very front,

forging their own paths, or for those who go in the wrong

direction, like we did. Luckily we had not strayed too far from

the "path" and so decided to turn back. As we were navigating

our way down a stream, there was a loud noise beside us, it

seemed we had startled a lone deer, which then darted out

from behind a bush and disappeared up the bank on the other

side. It was super cool and worth getting lost for.

Once back on track we continued the trekking section (approx.

10-15km) and the first mystery activities before picking up our

bikes and heading out for the final section of the race (approx.

25km mountain biking). The scenery continued to surprise,

with stops at the most beautiful river for one of the mystery

activities. The freezing cold water on our feet was a nice way

to ease some of the aches and pains and also wash off the

animal poop that had collected during the walk.

For most of the ride we appreciated the scenery and enjoyed

nearly every km, except for the 500m vertical hill that we had

to push our bikes up. Our quads and calves were burning and

unless you had your hand on the breaks when you stopped to

catch your breath your bike would have tumbled back down

to the bottom again. Although I hated every single step, I

did get to witness some real teamwork. Those who found it

a little easier, dropped their bikes at the top and went back

down to help team mates who were struggling, and this is

what adventure racing is all about. The downhill section that

followed almost made up for it… but not quite!

We crossed the finish line 5 hours 48minutes after we started,

our aches and pains almost forgotten in the euphoria of having

pushed ourselves to our limits once again.

Soaked in Adventure runs three events through the year:

Soaked in Adventure Whakatane: May 22nd 2021

Soaked in Adventure Cambridge: July 3rd 2021

Wander Woman Russell: November 13th 2021

For more information or to enter checkout: www.soakedinadventure.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.

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium

AITUTAKI LAGOON PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT-ADULTS-ONLY • COOK ISLANDS

Overwater Heaven

Float over the world’s bluest blue.

Aitutaki. Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler’s favourite island.

Indulge in the ONLY Overwater Bungalows on the ONLY private island resort

in the fabled Cook Islands (just west of Tahiti) at the ONLY resort set directly on

the World’s Most Beautiful Lagoon. Heaven sent for romantic escapes, birthdays,

anniversaries, honeymoons ... and even second honeymoons.

For guests aged 16+. Pure bliss.

TRAVEL BUBBLES

Aitutaki Lagoon | COOK ISLANDS

info@aitutakilagoonresort.com | www.AitutakiLagoonResort.com (Live Chat avail.)

P +682-31 200

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF A VERY LONG TUNNEL

Experience the Cook Islands’ Signature Beach Resort

• Rarotonga’s best 4 star Full-service beach resort | 110 rooms/suites/bungalow/villas

• Prime, secluded white sandy Aroa Beach | Best snorkelling in Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve

• On Rarotonga’s southwest sunshine coast | Sizzling sunsets

• Extensive free activities - stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling (all-tide), kayaking, tennis, gym,

beachfront swimming pool, learn to dance the hula, make a lei, play the ukulele, husk a coconut

• Kids & Teens Stay + Play FREE (to 16) | Free Moko’s Kids Club (4-11) | Free Teen Zone (12-16) | Creche

• Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill l Function + conference facilities

• SpaPolynesia | Seventh Heaven All-Inclusive + Over The Moon Wedding Packages

Slip off your watch, your shoes, your cares and immerse yourself in Paradise

Aroa Beach + Lagoonarium | Rarotonga | COOK ISLANDS

P (+682) 25800 | info@therarotongan.com

www.TheRarotongan.com (Live Chat avail.)

The travel bubble that opened between NZ and the

Cook Islands on May 17th was more significant than

the opening with Australia a month earlier. On May

17th we opened to the Cook Islands and we saw a

different kind of bubble open, a bubble for recreation

not income generation.

SANCTUARY RAROTONGA-ON THE BEACH-ADULTS-ONLY

Where the

ocean meets

the sky...

Sure, for the Cooks Islands themselves it is the

tourism lifeline that they have been waiting for;

a financial input that will put them back on track.

But for New Zealanders, it gives us an option for a

winter escape, a chance to travel again, relativity

freely and in many ways, it is a hope for the future

of travel.

...here you have

found Sanctuary

Tourism makes for a considerable percentage of

country’s yearly GDP, and you will all know how

this loss of tourism has affected New Zealand. For

example, pre-pandemic, China was our second

largest-tourism market after Australia and the

expenditure by 390,000 Chinese visitors in 2019

hit a record high of $1.7 billion. The combined 3.9

million overseas visitors who came to New Zealand

in 2019 spent the equivalent of $47 million a day!

But it is not only us, governments worldwide are

also struggling to find creative ways to restore

the inbound cash flow streams associated with

international tourism and travel, and so now we are

looking at a new word and new concept the ‘travel

bubble’.

Travel bubbles, also known as travel corridors,

green corridors, and corona corridors, are

essentially an exclusive partnership between

two or more countries that have demonstrated

considerable success in containing and combating

the COVID-19 pandemic within their individual

borders.

Counties like us and Australia then go about reestablishing

a mutual relationship by opening up

the borders or section of the border to allow people

to travel without the on-arrival quarantine period.

Sometimes these corridors are one way traffic like

Niue; you can fly from Niue to New Zealand and not

have to isolate (that option if flying to Niue without

isolation is not yet available).

Stylish boutique resort for guests aged 16+. Set on secluded Aroa The Beach ‘option’ to be able simply to fly to Australia and

lapped by Aroa Lagoon Although Marine Kiwis do Sanctuary, not have very Rarotonga’s big wings, they best snorkelling. the Cook Enjoy Islands is part of the subtle internal change

complimentary stand-up themselves paddleboarding, made more than 3 kayaking, million overseas snorkelling & that fish happening feeding in the us all. It’s not to say they we

trips 2019, which basically ground to a halt in March will all re-plan our New Zealand holiday, but it is a

crystal clear blue waters, tennis, learn to dance the hula, make a lei, play the ukulele,

2020 and the tourism infrastructure that entertained bending of what has been a ridged rule. You can

husk a coconut. Bluewater the incoming Grill, and swim-up facilitated those bar, swimming leaving, ground pool, to spa, now tour travel desk, just for fun. Sure there are some risks,

24 hour reception a & screeching security. halt. All Sanctuary guests also have full access Covid has to an all ability facilities to change and cause chaos

at adjacent sister resort, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium.

Aroa Beach + Lagoonarium | Rarotonga l COOK ISLANDS

info@sanctuaryrarotonga.com | www.SanctuaryRarotonga.com (Live Chat avail.)

P +682-25 800


AITUTAKI LAGOON PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT-ADULTS-ONLY • COOK ISLANDS

Overwater Heaven

Float over the world’s bluest blue.

Aitutaki. Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler’s favourite island.

Indulge in the ONLY Overwater Bungalows on the ONLY private island resort

in the fabled Cook Islands (just west of Tahiti) at the ONLY resort set directly on

the World’s Most Beautiful Lagoon. Heaven sent for romantic escapes, birthdays,

anniversaries, honeymoons ... and even second honeymoons.

For guests aged 16+. Pure bliss.

Aitutaki Lagoon | COOK ISLANDS

info@aitutakilagoonresort.com | www.AitutakiLagoonResort.com (Live Chat avail.)

P +682-31 200

The combined 3.9 million

overseas visitors who came to

New Zealand in 2019 spent the

equivalent of $47 million a day!

anywhere. But as more people get vaccinated, that

vaccine passport will become mandatory on some

airlines and border crossings, so a safety structure

will emerge that will allow us to travel.

There are several countries that have travel corridors

now in place and it is far from an ideal solution but is

undoubtably a step in the right direction. The issue

is however, as each country extends its bubble to

a second or third or fourth destination, what impact

will that have? Currently there is discussion between

Singapore and Australia; would that, if formed, then

impact on the Australian - New Zealand bubble

as Singapore will have an air bubble with Hong

Kong and and Hong Kong has relationship with

relationships with both Japan and Taiwan. It gets

complicated.

Already these travel bubbles have proven to be a

godsend for those looking to get their economies

back on track and for those of us looking for an

overseas escape from the NZ winter.

For all of us we can see that the bubble, even with

its limitations, is a light at the end of the tunnel where

one day we will be able to once again travel freely.

SANCTUARY RAROTONGA-ON THE BEACH-ADULTS-ONLY

Where the

ocean meets

the sky...

...here you have

found Sanctuary

“Escape ordinary”

Caring luxury | Local flavour | One of a kind

Stylish boutique resort for guests aged 16+. Set on secluded Aroa Beach

lapped by Aroa Lagoon Marine Sanctuary, Rarotonga’s best snorkelling. Enjoy

complimentary stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkelling & fish feeding in the

crystal clear blue waters, tennis, learn to dance the hula, make a lei, play the ukulele,

husk a coconut. Bluewater Grill, swim-up bar, swimming pool, spa, tour desk,

24 hour reception & security. All Sanctuary guests also have full access to all facilities

at adjacent sister resort, The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium.

Aroa Beach + Lagoonarium | Rarotonga l COOK ISLANDS

info@sanctuaryrarotonga.com | www.SanctuaryRarotonga.com (Live Chat avail.)

P +682-25 800

1191 Pukaki Street, Rotorua

p: +64 7 348 4079 | w: regentrotorua.co.nz

vanuatu.travel

3 DAYS ON MAEWO ISLAND

VANUATU

With dense jungle, towering peaks, and expansive, isolated

beaches, the tiny island of Maewo, one of the most easterly

islands of Vanuatu, is calling adventurers who love the

romance of going off-grid. If you’re looking to switch off

from the chaos of life back home, with little access to

electricity and internet reception, Maewo makes for the

perfect escape. Whether you want to explore life under the

surface as you venture into underwater caves, or you’re

ready for a challenge above sea level, hiking to some of the

island’s many waterfalls, experience true Melanesian island

hospitality and culture, Maewo has plenty of opportunities for

adventure and culture.

Don’t Miss:

• The glistening Moon Cave

• Maewo’s incredible waterfalls and cascades

• Learning from the locals as they share their

culture.

How To Get There:

Flights to Maewo are extremely limited, leaving from

Port Vila only once or twice a week. The flight takes

approximately one hour. You’ll fly into Maewo-Naone

Airport at the north of the island. Check out the latest flight

schedules at www.airvanuatu.com

Maewo is a popular yachting destination, so if that’s possible

for you, docking your boat is a unique way to approach the

island.

Useful Tips:

Maewo has the highest rainfall of any island in Vanuatu,

so be sure to pack for wet weather. This earns Maewo the

‘waterfall island’ title, so be equally as prepared for deep

clear pools and waterfall showers.

Although Maewo is a long and thin island, getting from one

side to the other isn’t as easy as it seems. Speak with local

Maewo's Moon Cave

guides to get advice on moving from one area to another.

Life on Maewo is entirely off-grid. Public transport is near to

non-existent, and don’t hedge your bets on posting a sneaky

Instagram shot while you’re over there. Make sure you

charge all your camera batteries before you go, and pack

the kind of gear you would if you were camping: head torch,

snacks, first aid kit, snorkel gear, mosquito coils, snacks.

While transport can be elusive and expensive, walking along

the west coast of Maewo is a much-loved activity. The whole

island is only 56km long, and the paths along the west coast

follow the coastal plains. If you have days to spare and love

keeping those legs moving, consider walking the length of

the island.

Day 1:

MORNING

Your flight from Port Vila will take you to the northernmost

end of Maewo, landing at the Naone-Maewo airport. A short

drive away, you can make your way to Lua ete Salgola — a

guesthouse in Kaiwo.

AFTERNOON

The guesthouse is an ideal place to set yourself up for

exploring Maewo’s northern tip. Within easy walking

distance of your accommodation are the Naone Cascades,

also known as Big Wato, situated on the plateau above the

airport. Your host can provide you with a guide to take you

on the half-day excursion to see the cascades, where you’ll

not only witness the power of the falls, but also experience

a traditional welcome and plenty of local refreshments.

Be sure to dance when a smiling face hauls you into the

group! When you arrive back at your accommodation, enjoy

a simple meal from your host and the company of friendly

locals as they share stories and show you what life on

Maewo is all about.


Make sure you immerse yourself in the culture of Maewo

Day 2:

MORNING

Wake up nice and early because it’s time to go south.

Getting to Asanvari requires a truck from Naone Airport to

Narovorovo, followed by a speedboat from Narovorovo to

Asanvari. Keep an eye out for the spectacular birds that

call Maewo home – the island is very popular amongst bird

watchers. While the best of the action is in the mountainous

terrain in the island’s centre, those with a keen eye are sure

to see some local feathered friends, no matter where you are

on Maewo.

On the way, you’ll have the opportunity to jump off the boat

and snorkel into Maewo’s Moon Cave. With ancient cave

writings, stalactites and a kastom story that explains why the

moon sits where it does in Maewo, this stopover will be sure

to delight.

AFTERNOON

Once you reach Asanvari, the Mule Ocean View Guesthouse

is your best bet for setting yourself up for great adventures

in the south. Grab some lunch to go before you head off on

a midday adventure to Lavoa Cascade. About a 2-3 hour

return trip, this is the perfect way to cap off your second day

in Maewo as you relax, take in the beauty of the falls, feed

the fish and enjoy a sunset looking out over Ambae Island.

When you return to your accommodation for the night, enjoy

a meal from the restaurant, or cook up a storm yourself with

their fresh vegetables, and enjoy the sound of the ocean as

you drift off to sleep. Remember, this island has very limited

access to the modern technology you’re probably used

to. Make sure you’ve got a head torch, a book and some

mosquito coils with you!

Day 3:

MORNING

Today’s all about immersing yourself in the culture of Maewo.

Whether it’s weaving and dancing with the local mamas or

witnessing the expert musicians making incredible music

with bamboo instruments, there are plenty of opportunities to

dive into Maewo’s culture, and walk away with unforgettable

memories and new skills.

Depending on flight times, consider the all-day Hanare

Custom Village tour. Home to the first high chief of Maewo,

this sacred land is now used to showcase the traditional

practices of Maewo culture and honour their ancestors.

This tour will give you a taste of the Maewo way of life, from

cooking to dancing to drinking to storytelling. We assure you,

this’ll be one of the most powerful cultural experiences you'll

have the opportunity to witness.

If you haven’t got the time to visit Hanare, start your morning

off by canoe fishing, commonly known as Mule Game

Fishing. During your fish, your guide will teach you traditional

fishing techniques and show you where all the fish are to be

found. Going out in a rigger canoe is a powerful experience

and an insight into the self-sufficiency of Maewo’s locals.

AFTERNOON

To cool off before heading back to the airport, take some

time to snorkel in the south of the island. The reefs here are

unparalleled and a huge draw card for the yachters who

flock to Maewo

For More Information: www.vanuatu.travel

The impressive Lavoa Cascades


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Adventure Magazine 226

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