“On a Mish” #428 Finishing as I Started, Plus One (Part One). Rakaia River (Double Hill), Hakatere Conservation Park. 31.12.2024. The start to 2024 was bittersweet. I had dragged myself and my tent to an epic place like I had done many times during 2023, however on most of those trips I was followed or following my little Jack Russel named Ernest D Wilson. But sometimes fate is a cruel mistress as I would lose my wonderful companion in an accident, and my first trip in 2024 would be in honour of my fallen friend. 2024 would finish the way I started, however on this mish I would be plus one and not heading out alone…
To many dogs become much more than something to feed and walk each day. They become part of your family and losing one can be as devastating as the death of a fellow human. When Ernie died, I was put in a slump I thought I’d never get out of, but thanks to Georgie J Wilson I found light in a time of darkness. To me she is so much more than an animal, she is my loyal and beautiful fur baby!
Since getting Georgie I have had to include her nearly all of my outdoor exploits. I am very lucky to live in a country where finding dog friendly wilderness isn’t too difficult, and together we have taken on many challenges. I am stoked that she loves the outdoors and is happy to spend a night out and about in my tent. I still do love the odd solo mission, but it makes the mish much better when you have someone else with you who will never question any decision you make.
As the end of what has been a wild year came closer, I knew I wanted to finish as I started, but thankfully I’d be plus one. The weather wasn’t really playing ball so I had to search for a location where we would be washed out by rain. I had enjoyed Christmas up with my Whanau in Christchurch, so the hills of Canterbury were going to be the spot for an adventure. After scanning maps and weather forecasts I settled on a trip up the Rakaia River to a spot I had camped in before near Double Hill. It appeared to be somehow not included in the rains New Years Eve plans, so it was looking like my best option.
As I began to load the car with my camping gear, I was dodging showers which weren’t filling me full of confidence. As the rain picked up in intensity, I really hoped that the unique forecast was going to do what it said as I hadn’t been out camping since returning from Nepal. I know for my mental health’s sake I am someone who needs to spend a night in my tent at least once a month minimum. The lack of camping was starting to creep in, and I needed to get out!
As Georgie and I crossed the Canterbury Plains the rain got heavier. Was the forecast wrong and was I in for a night of rain? There not change by the time I got to the entrance of the Rakaia Valley, but I could see that the sky was a lighter shade of grey further up. As I crunched my way long the gravel of Double Run Road, I was given brief spells of hope with pockets of places where I didn’t need my windscreen wipers on, but as soon as I thought the wet stuff was over it returned with force…
