Tomorrow we are off again on a volunteer week in Nelson Lakes National
Park, but first, here are some random ramblings, comedic journal entries
and written thoughts from some of the crew during our recent expedition in
Kahurangi National Park:
**
*This was my first experience hiking with a giant pack, and it was
incredible. It was super steep and rocky, but extremely rewarding to
complete. The views from the track were magnificent and I can’t wait to do
it again tomorrow. *Ilana, Day Two

*Sweet as easy trek today – woke up to layers of sandflies, ate some delish
muesli, did some compass navigating then hit the trails. Small-child like
weight on my back, leaping up rock face – was a wonderful time completed by
some methylated spirits for dinner! Can’t wait till tomorrow.* Kaitlyn,
Day Two

*We slept in caves! Well, atleast the brave ones did. Christine, me and
Andrew shared the big wet cave with wetas all over (we called it the Weta
Cave). Laura and Holly slept in the medium-sized cave with spiders in it.
Kristen slept in the 3-foot high, 100 foot deep cave by herself because it
was too small to share. *Cody, Day Three

*Holly and I slept in “The Spider Den.” There was a large spider with eggs
that did not move and then we found another spider with massive jaws, or
perhaps a top hat. We built a stone fortress around it, so it wouldn’t eat
our faces when we slept. Then we dreamed up a wonderland of slides and
rockwalls and a stampede of spiders with tap shoes and bow ties! *Laura
(cave sleeper) Day Three

*Tramping Day Three began with bruised bones and high spirits. We crossed a
bridge and soon went off the trail to do some mad bush-bashing. Clambering
ensued and the following occurred:*
*- nettle infestations*
*- near-death tumble (almost man down)*
*- embarking on Gollum’s Challenge, which involved climbing a rope ladder
and a dead tree*
*- squeezing through 2 mud-dripping caves*
*-wasp attacks (3 people down)*
*Yet, all was well and we lived to see the next day. *Caitlin, Day Three

*Going into the caves was really exciting! Laura, Kristen and I jumped
down into it and saw what really looked like human leg bones! Then we
continued through the cave with our packs balanced on our heads to maneuver
through the skinny passage ways. Wetas (huge spider-like crickets) lined
the cave walls and our boots sank into 6 inches of wet mud!! *Grace, Day
Three

*This tramping trip was exhausting but amazing! Gollum’s Challnge made me
feel like a treasure hunter out of a movie. We saw some really cool places
and had beautiful views. It’s the last day today and after climbing
mountains and rope ladders, sleeping without a tent and fighting our way
through branches, rocks and mud, I think we are all looking forward to a
warm shower. *Olivia, Day Five

*Today some of us got naked and jumped into a freezing cold lake. It was
totally awesome. *Christine, Day Five

*We just got back to Nelson and my legs refuse to move. I’m recovering from
my epic face-plant with a bloody nose and remembering amazing views from on
top of mountains. The night walk was my personal favorite – seeing stars
and the moonlight was awesome. The shower once we got back was amazing, too.
* Leah, Day Five

A flipped canoe – rowers plunged into cold water, dampened spirits, lost
items… warmed, comforted and recovered by those in upright canoes.

A massive day of paddling – 51km and nearly ten hours on the water – had us
all sore, tired and impatient, happy and relieved to finally set up camp
for the night on a bluff high above the river. There was burned food and a
frypan fire, a sliced thumb and an explosion of frustration – each
of us experienced an annoyed, angry or upset low at some point during the
week, but we emerged as stronger individuals and a more tightly bonded
group.

By our final day on the Whanganui, we powered through slow-moving water and
navigated rapids and whirlpools like pirates…a crazy mudfight in a
sneaky riverside cave had us covered in smooth, greyish goop – and the
subjects of many tourist photos from their passing jetboat as we clambered
along rocks into a neighbouring cave to wash off our new coats…

It was most definitely a difficult journey for each of us and all of us,
but as we pulled into Wellington for three days of city life, we were happy
to have paddled as far as we did and were much more grateful for each other
and the luxuries of a comfortable life…