Student Bloggers

For my first post, I wanted to share one of my most interesting New Zealand adventures. Back in July, a crew of new friends and I went on our first true NZ tramp (hike) together.

It was an absolutely beautiful hike in Craigieburn Forest Park - south of Arthur’s Pass – and truly the perfect day; I eventually ended up shedding most of my layers - even my long sleeve thermal - down to my t-shirt. The first leg of the tramp was through gorgeous forest. Exiting the forest opened up to breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains.

The second leg involved mostly swampy tromping along the hillside, while looking up at those friendly mountains and looking down to a valley, where we could admire the very famous TranzAlpine Railway. Then, we rounded the hillside and dipped down into the valley, where the trail crossed back and forth over the river.

Early on in the tramp, Michael, Tom, and Leigh, the honest SuperTramps that they are, plowed on ahead, while Camden, Beth, and I took our time, slowing down to breathe it all in.

It got dark fast and soon head-lamps were on, and the downhill slopes and snowy river crossings were getting more treacherous. The remarkable blanket of stars overhead was incredible. I once heard my grandmother describe some natural beauty as “wordless wonder.” That will do the trick here I think.

We ended up finding a small clearing a short ways up from the river. We all got our soaked boots off, dry socks on, and tried to make a fire. The wood was too wet, and after trying a few techniques – including burning pages from the back of the book I had brought with me (…. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer? LOL. Amusingly enough, the last page of the book happened to be an ad for Into the Wild.) – Camden just set up his camping stove and we settled in.

Sunday, we would wake up to a thin layer of snow over us – good morning to you, too, world.

Once some daylight found us, we somehow managed our feet into our frozen solid boots and packed up quickly, as I was particularly anxious to get moving back to the shelter, not knowing what the weather would bring. We made our way back up through the valley, through some wet river crossings and slippery slopes to the car park

When we arrived back at the car, we learned that the tank was somehow empty of gas (ie petrol in NZ)… ha! What? As we tentatively made our way south, we slowly came to a stop were many other cars had pulled over to put chains on. We pulled over, and eventually, some kind gentlemen sold us some petrol so we could make the hour or so drive north to Arthur’s Pass village.

We pulled into the first motel in Arthur’s Pass, and got the last open cabin – which was a cozy lodge that conveniently slept 6 and had a little kitchen, bathroom, and TV. Leigh and others kindly went to go pick up some hot pizzas and chips, and later that night, after we were all showered and clean with dry clothes and full bellies, we borrowed Two Towers from the office and enjoyed some good old Lord of the Rings. I, of course, was out like a light just as our heroes made it to Helm’s Deep. More importantly, I slept like a rock, hanging off the end of the bed. Sunday night was warm and cozy.

Monday morning, Camden, Michael, and I went into town to invest in some chains, stopped back at the cabin to get the rest of the crew, and make our way down the mountain -  the six of us safely delivered to Christchurch.