“On a Mish” #246 A little Help Please (Part 2). Dogs Range. Hakatere Conservation Park. 31.1.2021. As time since my hip injury has rolled on, I have been slowly recovering and rebuilding my fitness. My days of 8 to 10 hours of grunting up and down mountains seem like a long time ago, and something that is going to take a lot of work to get back to. Luckily, heading outdoors can be very motivating, and has acted as the fuel for the burning fire of my outdoor desires. And I know when needed I can get a little help, please…
The point of impact on my hip is right where any pack’s hip belt sits, therefore wearing a pack is a limited time activity. To get anywhere outdoors I now use two packs as a way of spreading the weight of my camping kit. My two-pack approach has proven very successful and made it possible for me to go on some overnight adventures. By limiting the weight on my hip, I have been able to enjoy the pleasures of a stroll in the hills knowing the payoff is a night in my tent, then waking (early-ish) to a classic Aotearoa sunrise.
A great benefit of recovering in Christchurch was being closer to my nephew and niece, and we have been on some cool missions together over the time I have been away from Te Anau. My goal has been to get them into the outdoors at a young age so they too can get a passion for wild places and enjoy the benefits and outdoor opportunities that come with living in New Zealand.
With my days up in Christchurch coming to an end, a plan was made to go for a hike in Hakatere Conservation Park. The park is a place where I went often while fully fit (and now while less fit), and beauty and recreation are everywhere in the 60,000-hectare playground. I had missed getting out amongst the Ashburton Lakes like I used to, so it seemed like the perfect place to get back into it.
Due to work commitments the Mosley Whanau was only available for a day hike, but I was yearning for an overnight mission. We modified our plans to suit both parties, and in separate cars we headed west for the rolling hills of Hakatere and the glistening waters of the Ashburton Lakes. Over the Christmas break both Benji and Sarah had hiked the Abel Tasman Track, so I knew they were match fit and able to carry a pack. This meant I could hike with them to a camping spot (with them carrying some of my gear), then they would hike back to their car.
It took about an hour to get around one and a half kilometers, and with time running out we decided that the young fellas should turn back, and Paul (brother-in-law) would carry my gear double-pack style to the campsite. After a quick family photo, we parted ways, and Paul and I continued to hike on towards Dogs Hill(1067m). At least the sugar-rush from the ice cream had worked on Paul, as knowing he needed to get back to the others, he ran on ahead and dropped off my two packs at a good spot.
We caught back up on his way back, then I continued on to where he had dropped off my bags. The scene was now set for another epic night camping…
