Student Trip Weekend: Seaward Kaikoura Hiking

Allie Oberholtzer (Eastern '10) writes:

This past weekend we were all kicked out of the convent to explore New Zealand, needless to say it was one of the best weekends of my life. I will try to convey as much as possible here. Adam, Kooba, Josh, Ben, and myself headed out for a three day tramping trip through the Mt. Fyffe track.

Thursday
We are dropped off by a Tyler (one of our Student Life Coordinators), at the base of Mt. Fyffe. We climb up in the heat and arrive at the hut in the cold. The boys set up tents, hammocks, and tarps in an attempt to stay outside. Due to a mischievous possum and some very cold weather, Kooba and Adam found their ways back inside.

Friday
We wake up to watch the sunrise and get ready for the day. We pack our bags and begin the final ascent up Mt. Fyffe. The ground is covered in snow and the wind begins to pick up. By the time we reach the top the temp has dropped to 18 degree Fahrenheit and I suspect the wind was over 50 mph. We crawled across snow-covered ridges, clinging to anything we could get. We eventually made it to the top, but Josh and Ben discovered that our path down the other side was too dangerous. The mountain defeated us, so we must go down to the Valley. We descended the mountain, running into wild boar wallows and various pricker bushes. We climb through forests (where pigeons live in trees) and finally make it to the way to the Kowhai River (prononced ko-fye). From there we hike for another hour and a half until we reach the river crossing.

We faced our first river crossing just a few moments walk from our hut. The water was cold and fast, but with some help from friends we made it across safely.

Saturday
We were awakened by an earthquake rocking our hut. We sat up in bed, determined that it was an earthquake (not big foot), and Adam very calmly told us to go back to bed. The next morning we were off to climb to a waterfall we could see from our hut. Two of the boys (who will remain nameless for their mother's sakes) climbed to the very top. Myself and the other two boys climbed half way. The day ended with a game of home run derby, yoga, and washing dishes in the river.

Sunday
We wake up and begin our long trek home. We crossed many rivers and climbed many rocks. After 6 hours of hiking, we finally arrived tired, but very happy.

Here is what I learned from this weekend:
1. I am a lot stronger than I thought. The human body is an amazing thing, capable of great feats. Our bodies are meant to be used, bruised, and a little broken. We live in fear of destroying ourselves, but really we are destroying our bodies by doing nothing with them.
2. I am not strong enough to do this on my own. I needed help, and learning to ask for help was greatly liberating. I am strong enough to give help. I should help more often.
3. God is an amazing creator and protector. He loves what he has made and he protects it at all times.
4. Tuna straight from a can tastes better when you have hiked all day.
5. Big Foot just might be real, and he might be gnawing on boar legs outside of huts in the backwoods of NZ
6. Friends are amazing, even if you don't know them well yet.