About 12 months ago I decided I wanted a challenge. A big challenge, one that got me out of my comfort zone, one that took me somewhere I hadn’t been before, that tested me mentally and physically, and one that would require planning and commitment to training and preparing. After reading about a couple of guys who had just run the Heaphy Track, and then the Old Ghost Rd, in 4 consecutive days, I thought perfect!!! There is my challenge, to do the same trip.
First up, I needed to find someone to do it with me, so I asked my friend Lesley from Auckland. Lesley Turner-Hall is an accomplished athlete with lots of endurance experience. I knew she would say yes without hesitation, which she did! and so the planning began.
As the time drew closer, I was making my training runs more specific. I gradually added weight to my pack, until I was comfortable with carrying 8.5kg. I learned that some similar local terrain to the OGR was the Dun Mountain Trail, so several of my runs were on that track. I also did a few runs over tougher, hillier terrain, just to be really comfortable with running/hiking over all sorts of ground whilst carrying weight.
I moved my running from every second day, to two days in a row, then three, then a couple of weekend of four days in a row. I also slowly increased the distance of those days, although the longest back to back days were a 10km, a 39km, and a 20km.
We booked the huts and transport in November. Even though we still had 4 months to go, we needed to book early. The two tracks are approximately 50km apart, and so not only did we need a plan to get to the start, and be picked up from the finish, we also needed to get from the end of one track to the start of the next. By the end of November, huts were booked, transport was arranged, and everything was looking good.
A week before we started, we had each posted ahead to the Last Resort in Karamea, (Our accommodation on the 2nd night) a package that contained food, clothing and anything else we needed for that night and the next one on the Heaphy. We also included a self-addressed postage bag so we could post back our old clothes or used stuff.
22st March……..
Leaving Ruby Bay at 5.50am, Sian dropped us off at Lyell, and by 8.15am we were on our way feeling very excited and a little nervous…..165km of Off Road paradise lay ahead……. Over the next 4 days we had a mix of weather, some mist and drizzle on day 1 and 2, a sunny start to day 3 but light rain later on, and another mixed day on day 4. We walked and ran our way across some truly beautiful areas, and as I neared the end on day 4, I distinctly remember the feeling of not wanting the adventure to end. I was tired, and I had quite a sore shin/ankle from falling head first over my poles on day 3, but I wanted to keep going.
Some interesting facts
Our packs weighed 8.5kg (Including water)
Our distances were 42km, 43km, 48km and 30km
We averaged around 7hrs a day……we stopped for photos, food, and to take in the scenery.
For food, my breakfasts were porridge (Back County Cuisine), food/fluid during the day was Tailwind in my water bottles, plain water in my pack bladder. Ems power bars, Nuts, and the last couple of hours on day 3 and 4 I did have to dip into the jet planes.
Our two nights in the huts were Back Country Cuisine meals, and topped up with salty crisps, soup, chocolate, nuts etc. On our night in Karamea we had Uncle Bens rice, veggies, Avocado, fruit and chocolate.
The best piece of equipment? Whilst all my gear was awesome and I have no complaints about any of it, the poles were fantastic.……whilst they were “involved” in one trip up, they probably saved many more. I’d never used them before, and when Lesley suggested I got some I was not sure I wanted to. But get them I did, and on my first run with them they felt awkward and I didn’t really know how to use them, but I did get used to them and they proved invaluable.
Best item of clothing? Hard to choose…..my shoes (Brooks ASR) were perfect, not a single blister or sore part of my feet. My Merino tops (Icebreaker Bra, Icebreaker short sleeved top, and Base Thermals long sleeved merino hoody) were awesome. NO chaffing, no smell, and perfect temperature regulation.
Highlight of the trip? Honestly, for me, there was no one highlight. The entire trip was perfect from start to finish, I loved every second of it. At no time did I ever want to stop, or wish I wasn’t doing it.
Did it satisfy my need of a tough challenge? Yes, it did, but it has also whetted my appetite for more……
