On a Mish” #119 Imagination and Fitness (Part Two). Muddy Spur Camp, Rees Valley. Mt Aspiring National Park. 29.3.2010. Whilst injured one of the most frustrating situations to be in is watching my fitness disappear. Pre-injury I could go out into the wilderness and leave the rest up to my imagination. Being really fit was a great side effect of being a guide, and I put that fitness to use in the mountains of Te Waipounamu South Island. When I was running at 100%, I would get an outdoor idea and then I’d be able to rely on my fitness to make my idea come alive, like the animals that roam this incredible part of Planet Earth…
Not long after starting my quest to camp on Muddy Spur I crossed paths with a couple who were returning from a mish to Invincible Mine. I got a puzzled look as I was carrying a big pack on a track which is normally just a day trip. I busted out the line “I heard this was a long track” which got a laugh, and then we parted ways, and I carried on up the trail.
I got to the mine and then continued to a point where I dropped down to Invincible Creek. After the creek I passed an old hut which looked like it was occupied by the ghosts of the miners, and was about as inviting as jumping into a pool of lava!
Animal trails took me above the trees and to a small flat spot on the spur. I had a grand view up the Rees Valley with the Forbes Range on one side and the Richardson peaks on the other. My imagination and fitness had taken me to another epic location, and I couldn’t be happier.
After getting my tent pitched and beginning to prepare my dinner, I watched a helicopter buzz its way up the valley. The tiny size of the chopper gave me a scale of the uplifted land around me. The machine disappeared for a short time at the top of the valley, and then it started to fly back down towards me.
When the helicopter got near me it circled my campsite and then to my surprise it landed not far from where I was with a blast of wind. With the blades still spinning the pilot came over for a chat, and I felt like I was in trouble. He explained that he was out hunting illegal hunters who had been a problem in the area. I pointed out that I only shoot with a camera, and finishing a deer’s days in the Rees Valley wasn’t part of my plan. After working out that I wasn’t a hunter, he commented on my excellent camping spot and then with a powerful gust he lifted, and the valley fell silent again.
After my unexpected visitor I finished off my dinner and then started to think about retreating to the warmth of my sleeping bag. A lovely still evening meant I got a good sleep, and early-ish the next day I was up refreshed watching the sun light up another day in the Rees Valley. I packed up and began to hike back to the Invincible Mine and then down to my car on the Rees Valley Road.
In less than 24 hours I had achieved a lot. My imagination came up with a location, and then my fitness got me there. Overall, it was a perfect representation of my version of ‘Freedom Camping’. However, in a funny sort of way I did get noticed by the locals (the chopper pilot) just like the tourists who camp where they shouldn’t. I think my version of ‘Freedom Camping’ is much better as long as your imagination is in line with your fitness!
