A Tramp (or Hike if You Will)

 I am DEFINITELY a Day-Hiker

20/10/23

Welcome back to another chapter of my little New Zealand life! Over the last week, I have been doing a lot of learning about myself and my limitations. I was SO excited to go tramping and I was SO blissfully unprepared. 

Let's get into it! 

So the night before our tramping excursion, I packed up my trek bag and was beaming with anticipation (see my epic 14kg pack below). I have always wanted to go backpacking and despite being in Montana for the last six years of my life, I somehow never got the opportunity?? Anyways, I am a big hiker and love to climb a mountain or two. I'm not unaccustomed to hiking up a steep hill or getting my feet wet but this was unlike anything I have ever done before. I was incredibly grateful to be invited and to have the experience of tramping in NZ, but MAN my flatmates were in wayyyy better shape than I was after an Avis/Budget summer. 

The trail we did was an out and back trail starting in Kaikoura and ending at the Warden Hut. It was a 1000 m elevation gain and a total mileage of 36km (or 22 miles). The Department of Conservation (DOC) has an awesome network of huts spanning all regions of the country. Some of these huts are serviced (meaning they get regularly changed mattresses, running water, etc) but most are just a nice little building that provide shelter in the middle of nowhere. It's quite an amazing option if the weather is really poor or you would rather an indoor place to sleep on a backpacking trip.  Most huts are first come first serve (like the Warden Hut), but some are available to book. There's also a few historic huts on certain trails that can be as old as 100 years! 

Our drive up to Kaikoura was stunning! I haven't traveled by car too often since I've been here, but the country roads have been beautiful. As rain was sprinkling over Canterbury, we caught a rainbow on the way! We also got to do some epic 4-wheel drive action in my flatmate's family van. There's nothing quite like crossing an entire river in a 30 year old adventure mobile. 

We arrived at the trailhead around 11:30 and the 8 of us immediately kicked it into full gear. We had a pretty solid group with Danella and Tobias (my flatmates), a few of Tobias' siblings, a family friend and me. Within the first 30 minutes of straight uphill, my pack was killing me. I have never hiked with a pack weighing more than 20 lbs before, and it took the daylight out of me. Following up the crew, we took a quick break for me to eat some pears and adjust. The next 4 hours would be a relentless uphill with wind pummeling my face. Not to be dramatic, but I thought I was going to die. Despite all of it, the views were spectacular. By around 3:30 we made it to the saddle (the high point), and I was blown away by the beauty of the Kaikoura range. 

As we started our descent, I was becoming cheerful again. It was lovely to chat with my flatmate Danella and the group took turns holding the tent that was weighing me down. Before I knew it, we had made it to the first historic hut! Surrounded by willows, the hut was a beautiful sight to be seen. Yet even more beautiful, was the sign that said we would be at our destination in 2.4 km (<1.5 miles). After a power meal of some crackers and peanut butter pretzels, I crossed two rivers and we reached the sweet hut.

When we arrived, we were able to make a delicious dinner of peas and couscous. I contributed the American delicacy of rice krispy treats for after dinner while we got acquainted with the other travelers in our hut. I took a moment to stretch and read before joining in on a game of Irish slap (similar to slap jack, but a few more rules). Before I knew it, the stars were out and I was fast asleep. Here is a shot I got of the mountains and stars in the Southern hemisphere (the stars are totally different)!

The next day, I was already feeling better because I knew I would only be hiking uphill for two hours MAX. It started with a nice breakfast of protein granola and a river crossing. My pack was lighter due to less food being carried and Theo graciously taking my tent. I was doing fabulous until we reached the saddle and then it started pouring rain. I have never been so soaked in my life. Drenched in water and caked in mud, we all slugged to the end of the trail. We made it but I was cold, wet and a bit miserable by the end of it all. But hey! Hiking is all about the peaks and valleys. In order to make it all worth it, I told the group I needed a photo of us looking absolutely miserable. I think it does the job. I also would like to do a stark before and after comparison because these photos are hilarious. 

Before: 

During: 

After: 

Overall, I would give this New Zealand experience a 6/10. Was it worth it? Definitely. Would I hike this trail again as underprepared as I was? Absolutely not. Nonetheless, now I can say I hiked 22 miles in the Kaikoura range and didn't keel over. That's a success to me! 

Monday, I laid in bed all day and tended to my aching muscles (pitiful I know). Tuesday, I went to the library, got Indian food and started the fantastic book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Wednesday, I applied for jobs, worked on coordinating a WWOOFING (farming/odd job help in exchange for housing and food!) opportunity over December and volunteered at a thrift swap shop event. Yesterday, I got the remaining lactic acid out of my quads and hiked the beautiful Sign of the Kiwi (which made me feel like an adequately in shape hiker again). I also got to experience some short films at Alice's theatre for the film fest (to be continued). A week for the books I'll say! 

Next on the agenda: planning for my Invercargill/Stewart Island trip (the REASON I wanted to go to New Zealand), Aotearoa Film Fest, trip to Dunedin??? Life is on the up and up and I can't wait to keep exploring! Thank you for reading!