Well, the weather pushed me to WWOOF yet again. I was lucky, and got a place on very short notice. I was doing garden work in a greenhouse at Subtropical organic Nursery outside of Takaka. The place was... well quiet. I was left with lots of food, but cooked every meal by myself. My accommodation was a room built in a farm shed, meaning cold. I enjoyed the work, but often was woken at 4 45 AM ｂｙ ａ ｇａｇｇｌｅ of roosters, which felt the need to crow every 3-6 seconds. I have never wanted to slay chickens with a shovel so badly in my life.
The weather soon cleared however, and so i was able to make 2 days of climbing in Paynes Ford with my friend Vince, an American who has been living at Hang Dog Camp ground for over a year now. The climbing was fun, and difficult. Foot holds were smeary, handholds open handed and slopey. It really made me realaize how the time away from climbing had sapped my endurance. This aside, I enjoyed being on rock once more, especially in such good company.
Today I then had to head to Nelson for my flight to Auckland. Two hours of walking with both of my packs led to a failed hitchhiking experience (the first failed one I might add). I saw the bus coming, and threw my thumb out once more with a wallet in the air. Sure enough, he stopped, and $35 later I had my way to Nelson secured.
Auckland. I splurged, so to speak, and decided to rent a car for my two days in the shit that is Auckland. I pick the little car up tomorrow, then will head straight out to the Coromandle Peninsula. There gorgeous beaches and sights await me, though not as warm as back home. I have 2 must do's:
1. Hot water beach: you dig a hole on the beach during low tide and hot water seeps in, making a natural spa. you know i am going to enjoy that naked!
2. Cathedral cove: epic beach cave cliff thing; i am not as psyched on this, but it is a must do for anyone in the area.
I can't wait to be home. The thought of Mexican food, cheap booze, and good friends and family are pure eccstasy in my mind. I the meantime, though, I plan to have as good a time here as I can. If your wondering what I am doing, odds are it will be beach running and generally cheeky shenanigans. See you all soon
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Paynes Ford and the not so Golden Bay
So apparently the weather can't be perfect all the time... especially in new Zealand. In the week I have been here, I have yet to do anything but touch some soggy start holds in Paynes Ford. The climber camp, Hangdog campground, is deserted, except for one American who has taken permanent residence there. The only problem, besides the unrelenting rain (aka soggy rock), is his full time kiwi fruit job. Well, at least I tried. I mean, I have had an amzing run of good weather in this country, so I can't be too bummed. I know if I didn't try, I would have always wondered.
Due to the rain, I thought, what the hell, let's go tramping! I decided on tramping through the Kaharangi national Park, getting up in the subalpine zones and hopefully seeing some more snow. day one I headed to Balloon Hut. After 6 hours of a soggy uphill trudge, I made it to snow line. The estimated time to the close hut, 30 minutes, Balloon Hut: 1 1/2 hours. Here I made the mistake of going for it. The hour journey turned to a 2 1/2 snowy trudge in blizzard conditions. Every so often the wind would knock me down as I struggled up a running creek, sloshing, slipping and sliding in my now soaked through boots. Soon, it was almost 5 o clock, and I was at my limit, both physically and mentally. The only other time I had been pushed to my limit was the ride to Sanata Barabara, a 125 mile cycling adventure. here, my pack weighed me down, the wind pushed me down. I was left to pleading with the storm to just hold off a bit longer. Please Please Please....
it was the first time in my life I realaized I would be in major trouble. I probably would have survived even if a whiteout occurres.... I could have taken refuge in the trees and bundled till morning, hoping for the best. At my last bit of strength, I finally made it to the hut. My clothes were soaked through and I was alone. Thank god the heater was gas, meaning I didnt have to worry about building a fire. Either way, I learned alot about myself.
For one, I learned that I always seem to get myself into these situations. I come out fine, often happy with the experience, but I am learning that I could get into some bad situations. I relaized then and there how much I misssed home. Missed the warmth of summer, the sunshine, friends and family. I have been in this country for so long now alone.... i have made friends along the way, but I am ready for a place to call my own. A plce where I can settle... at least for a bit. A homebase if you will.
Day two started with an expectation of struggle. The snow had not ceased all night, and I was now off to trudge down hillm, across windy tundra for 2 hours in thigh deep snow. The tough thing was every 3rd step I would break through the top layer of ice, making the going slow and... well like a drunk doing plyometric excercises. I eventually made it to the next hut, opting to continue lower to upper Gridiron Hut. This was a small little shelter tucked under a large boulder, complete with a swing chair (patio style) and small wood burning oven. Relaxation.
Day three led me up to Cobb Reservior and back again up to snow level. This time, a had bootprints to follow. First thoughts: yay people! Well, not the case. It was a class of 25, all camping in the snow covered trees with the instructors inside with me. These good for nothing SOB's loved wearing snow covered boots in the hut (a commonly known "no-no" on hut etiquette) leaving the floor saoking wet. Then, these guys went to bed at 7 pm, leaving me alone and awake, but this time having to mind my noise level. A night of poor sleep led to me wanting to get back to civilization the next day.
It was a snow trudge to 5 hours of slush storm walking along a road. This led me to a powerhouse where the workers gave me a ride back to town at 5. I was broken at this point. All i could think about was summer, warmth, and being dry. I am over winter, over slush, and over constantly wet feet and boots. My once epic tramping boots are now separating from the sole on all sides... they actually draw in water now I am sure, hydrophobic to hydrophillic ha!
So now I am opting to wwoof for a bit here. On july 19th i fly to auckland. My plan was to spend two weeks exploring the beaches up that direction, but i realaized its not worth it. I mean, i mistook this beach adventure time for my true desire... but its not the beaches i want, its a summer I want. Really, the only thing I crave is summer, not some winter beach camping shenanigans. So I sit, waiting to return home.
I want mexican food, good tequilla, and a nice rum and coke. Ideal first meal: 2 shots patron, 1 corona, fish tacos. mmmmmmmmm.......
But i am here, and so here I will stay, trying to be as happy as possible in the meantime.
Casualties from my backpacking trip:
1 singed down jacket sleeve
1 partially melted plastic cooking pot lid
1 partially burned sock
1 slightly melted left boot side
(the latter three were from heating ovens, the first from lighting a stove) Man it was a rough few days :)
Due to the rain, I thought, what the hell, let's go tramping! I decided on tramping through the Kaharangi national Park, getting up in the subalpine zones and hopefully seeing some more snow. day one I headed to Balloon Hut. After 6 hours of a soggy uphill trudge, I made it to snow line. The estimated time to the close hut, 30 minutes, Balloon Hut: 1 1/2 hours. Here I made the mistake of going for it. The hour journey turned to a 2 1/2 snowy trudge in blizzard conditions. Every so often the wind would knock me down as I struggled up a running creek, sloshing, slipping and sliding in my now soaked through boots. Soon, it was almost 5 o clock, and I was at my limit, both physically and mentally. The only other time I had been pushed to my limit was the ride to Sanata Barabara, a 125 mile cycling adventure. here, my pack weighed me down, the wind pushed me down. I was left to pleading with the storm to just hold off a bit longer. Please Please Please....
it was the first time in my life I realaized I would be in major trouble. I probably would have survived even if a whiteout occurres.... I could have taken refuge in the trees and bundled till morning, hoping for the best. At my last bit of strength, I finally made it to the hut. My clothes were soaked through and I was alone. Thank god the heater was gas, meaning I didnt have to worry about building a fire. Either way, I learned alot about myself.
For one, I learned that I always seem to get myself into these situations. I come out fine, often happy with the experience, but I am learning that I could get into some bad situations. I relaized then and there how much I misssed home. Missed the warmth of summer, the sunshine, friends and family. I have been in this country for so long now alone.... i have made friends along the way, but I am ready for a place to call my own. A plce where I can settle... at least for a bit. A homebase if you will.
Day two started with an expectation of struggle. The snow had not ceased all night, and I was now off to trudge down hillm, across windy tundra for 2 hours in thigh deep snow. The tough thing was every 3rd step I would break through the top layer of ice, making the going slow and... well like a drunk doing plyometric excercises. I eventually made it to the next hut, opting to continue lower to upper Gridiron Hut. This was a small little shelter tucked under a large boulder, complete with a swing chair (patio style) and small wood burning oven. Relaxation.
Day three led me up to Cobb Reservior and back again up to snow level. This time, a had bootprints to follow. First thoughts: yay people! Well, not the case. It was a class of 25, all camping in the snow covered trees with the instructors inside with me. These good for nothing SOB's loved wearing snow covered boots in the hut (a commonly known "no-no" on hut etiquette) leaving the floor saoking wet. Then, these guys went to bed at 7 pm, leaving me alone and awake, but this time having to mind my noise level. A night of poor sleep led to me wanting to get back to civilization the next day.
It was a snow trudge to 5 hours of slush storm walking along a road. This led me to a powerhouse where the workers gave me a ride back to town at 5. I was broken at this point. All i could think about was summer, warmth, and being dry. I am over winter, over slush, and over constantly wet feet and boots. My once epic tramping boots are now separating from the sole on all sides... they actually draw in water now I am sure, hydrophobic to hydrophillic ha!
So now I am opting to wwoof for a bit here. On july 19th i fly to auckland. My plan was to spend two weeks exploring the beaches up that direction, but i realaized its not worth it. I mean, i mistook this beach adventure time for my true desire... but its not the beaches i want, its a summer I want. Really, the only thing I crave is summer, not some winter beach camping shenanigans. So I sit, waiting to return home.
I want mexican food, good tequilla, and a nice rum and coke. Ideal first meal: 2 shots patron, 1 corona, fish tacos. mmmmmmmmm.......
But i am here, and so here I will stay, trying to be as happy as possible in the meantime.
Casualties from my backpacking trip:
1 singed down jacket sleeve
1 partially melted plastic cooking pot lid
1 partially burned sock
1 slightly melted left boot side
(the latter three were from heating ovens, the first from lighting a stove) Man it was a rough few days :)
Friday, July 1, 2011
Castle Hill Crushing
Castle Hill. Epic.
I spent the last two weeks crushing the nearly holdless, sed for the occassional pocket, rocks of Castle Hill. The limestone was unique, with nearly no grit to speak of. The first few days led to only a few sends, and only of warm-ups really. However, after a few days, I was back to crushing!
I was dropped off at the campsite by a friend's father from Wanaka. Steve, a cheerful old man, was kind enough to pick me up from my wwoofing gig, and take me there. On the way, he imparted numerous peices of wisdom. Here it is:
1.) "Notice what u notice": Basically, we can only change our behaviors, our weaknesses, by noticing them first. We, as individuals, just need to notice our own feelings and behaviors; this is the only way for true self-improvement.
2.) Don't use the words never and always: as Steve put it, the only "always" is that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. These terms are all inclusive... they just cause people to jump to edgy and angry conclusions. We need to think in percentages. It's not I never do the dishes, it's I rarely (for instance).
Thanks Steve.
At the Castle Hill campsite I soon made great friends of Ry and Lauren, Misoula Montana natives who had an awesome camper van and tons of good vibes. I spent two weeks with this couple, laughing, playing cards, and crushing routes. They were nothing but kind and overal.... well awesome. Hell, I intend to meet up again in a few weeks, hopefully to drink more rum and check out some killer beaches. Thanks for the good times guys. Also, Lauren started none other than 1 awesome dread in my hair! WOOOO!!!
What do you call the useless flap of skin attached to a vagina?
a woman (thx Ry hahaha)
I then met the awesome German crew of Andreas, Johanne, and Marcus. Andreas was basically a walking guide book for Castle Hill, and an overall great person. He welcomed me to the area, he gave me a spot, we worked problems. Of course this pertains to Johanne too! These guys were incredible, and amazing climbing partners. Words cannot describe how much I ejoyed my time with them all.
It really got me to thinking though.... It is intrigueing how we attach ourselves to strangers when travelling. I mean, I don't know them at all; they owe me nothing. However, rockclimbing and travelling brings us together, and so we become friends. We form bonds that are short lived but strong. These are all dear friends, the closest I have on this side of the world...
So on to the ticklist.... Basically I sent numerous V4s, 5s and sixes, often not knowing the name or grade. However, I am proud to say that I sent the elusive and classic V6 Unrepeatable mantle, a monster mantle that IS Castle Hil climbing style. The topouts are slopy, blank, holdless. This epic problem is all of four feet high, with slopers for the hands and a whole lot of noting else. Throw the heel up and press!!
Johanne and I worked this problem for a bit... Soon my side felt like it was going to explode from the strange movement and strain of the route. However, Andreas provided incentive: a slice of PB and J at the top. O ya, that is of course when I sent ! haha Food is always the way to my heart. Thanks for the psyche my bearded German friend.
My other proud send was a V7 slab called origami. The thing was an utterly terrifying highball with nothing but smears and slaps. What did I learn? O, just I can climb slab better than burly compression.
After close to two weeks, however, my psyche on Castle Hill was gone. I felt ready to move on, continue onward with my travels. I think it was partly the bitter, cold nights, but also the same spot day in and day out. I realized though, that I really do miss summer.... I long for warmth, for tank tops, for shirtless barbecues and skin brown from the sun. As much as I love this country I yearn for summer. I ache for Mexican food. I miss... well California a bit. Am I homesick? NO! I simply miss some friends and ... well notice what i notice. I notice I miss these things, but am not a wreck of desparity. I love this country and what I am doing with my time here.
So after a wicked snow storm, I decided to hitchhike onward. The morning was an immense emergence from my tent.... everyrhing was blanketted with a fresh 4 inches of snow. Awe-sinspiring. Cold.
I had my next wwoofing spot set, and just needed to get there. A slow day of hitchhiking left me finally with a ride from a one Greg from Philli, an 18 year transplant in his mid forties. It was late in the day, so he invited me to stay the night at his lakefront alpine holiday home at Lake Brenner. When we arrived, first thing was first , a beer lakeside to watch the sunset. Soon, we finished a couple bottles of epic Pinot Noir and were munching an amazing dinner of roasted bell peppers, onion, and South African bratwaurst stuffs. Cost to me? $0
again, I am amazed at the hospitality provided by a complete stranger. He owed me nothing.... not even a ride, and instead he gave me a place to stay, and evening of good food, wine and Scotch, and breakfast for the morning. These are things unheard of back home.... So where does this put me? Really, I just want to spread the kindness that has been shown to me, both here and when I return home. So when you see that broke college student, that sad little kid, etc., do what you can! Spread the love, even by doing the smallest things. Do i mean food and gifts?! NO! Just spread the good vibes with a smile, a handshake, a friendly gesture when u can.
Currently, I sit in an mountain home of Pamela and Bob. here, I have been laying paving stones in return for my own cottage and amazing home cooked meals. They have inspired me with numerous conversations on the topic of conservation both here and back home.... they are kind people, simple people. Again, mutual benefits via wwoofing. They get a new walkway they are too busy to put in, I get to eat like champion and enjoy the comforts of society.
Interesting facts:
2: the number of showerss I have had in the last 2 1/2 weeks
3: the types of alcohol Bob has treated me to in my stay here... beer, whiskey, wine. God its good !
I plan to stay here for a few more days and then plan to head to Paynes Ford. There, overhung limestone routes await me outside an awesome hippy town. How long will i stay? Who knows! My flight home is July 19th... But i think I will switch it to August 3rd. Sooooo for now we'll see!
I hope my excitement to climb again, living out of my tent and eating camp food will mantain for a few more weeks of being a climber bum. I am living the dream.
i miss u all friends!
I spent the last two weeks crushing the nearly holdless, sed for the occassional pocket, rocks of Castle Hill. The limestone was unique, with nearly no grit to speak of. The first few days led to only a few sends, and only of warm-ups really. However, after a few days, I was back to crushing!
I was dropped off at the campsite by a friend's father from Wanaka. Steve, a cheerful old man, was kind enough to pick me up from my wwoofing gig, and take me there. On the way, he imparted numerous peices of wisdom. Here it is:
1.) "Notice what u notice": Basically, we can only change our behaviors, our weaknesses, by noticing them first. We, as individuals, just need to notice our own feelings and behaviors; this is the only way for true self-improvement.
2.) Don't use the words never and always: as Steve put it, the only "always" is that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. These terms are all inclusive... they just cause people to jump to edgy and angry conclusions. We need to think in percentages. It's not I never do the dishes, it's I rarely (for instance).
Thanks Steve.
At the Castle Hill campsite I soon made great friends of Ry and Lauren, Misoula Montana natives who had an awesome camper van and tons of good vibes. I spent two weeks with this couple, laughing, playing cards, and crushing routes. They were nothing but kind and overal.... well awesome. Hell, I intend to meet up again in a few weeks, hopefully to drink more rum and check out some killer beaches. Thanks for the good times guys. Also, Lauren started none other than 1 awesome dread in my hair! WOOOO!!!
What do you call the useless flap of skin attached to a vagina?
a woman (thx Ry hahaha)
I then met the awesome German crew of Andreas, Johanne, and Marcus. Andreas was basically a walking guide book for Castle Hill, and an overall great person. He welcomed me to the area, he gave me a spot, we worked problems. Of course this pertains to Johanne too! These guys were incredible, and amazing climbing partners. Words cannot describe how much I ejoyed my time with them all.
It really got me to thinking though.... It is intrigueing how we attach ourselves to strangers when travelling. I mean, I don't know them at all; they owe me nothing. However, rockclimbing and travelling brings us together, and so we become friends. We form bonds that are short lived but strong. These are all dear friends, the closest I have on this side of the world...
So on to the ticklist.... Basically I sent numerous V4s, 5s and sixes, often not knowing the name or grade. However, I am proud to say that I sent the elusive and classic V6 Unrepeatable mantle, a monster mantle that IS Castle Hil climbing style. The topouts are slopy, blank, holdless. This epic problem is all of four feet high, with slopers for the hands and a whole lot of noting else. Throw the heel up and press!!
Johanne and I worked this problem for a bit... Soon my side felt like it was going to explode from the strange movement and strain of the route. However, Andreas provided incentive: a slice of PB and J at the top. O ya, that is of course when I sent ! haha Food is always the way to my heart. Thanks for the psyche my bearded German friend.
My other proud send was a V7 slab called origami. The thing was an utterly terrifying highball with nothing but smears and slaps. What did I learn? O, just I can climb slab better than burly compression.
After close to two weeks, however, my psyche on Castle Hill was gone. I felt ready to move on, continue onward with my travels. I think it was partly the bitter, cold nights, but also the same spot day in and day out. I realized though, that I really do miss summer.... I long for warmth, for tank tops, for shirtless barbecues and skin brown from the sun. As much as I love this country I yearn for summer. I ache for Mexican food. I miss... well California a bit. Am I homesick? NO! I simply miss some friends and ... well notice what i notice. I notice I miss these things, but am not a wreck of desparity. I love this country and what I am doing with my time here.
So after a wicked snow storm, I decided to hitchhike onward. The morning was an immense emergence from my tent.... everyrhing was blanketted with a fresh 4 inches of snow. Awe-sinspiring. Cold.
I had my next wwoofing spot set, and just needed to get there. A slow day of hitchhiking left me finally with a ride from a one Greg from Philli, an 18 year transplant in his mid forties. It was late in the day, so he invited me to stay the night at his lakefront alpine holiday home at Lake Brenner. When we arrived, first thing was first , a beer lakeside to watch the sunset. Soon, we finished a couple bottles of epic Pinot Noir and were munching an amazing dinner of roasted bell peppers, onion, and South African bratwaurst stuffs. Cost to me? $0
again, I am amazed at the hospitality provided by a complete stranger. He owed me nothing.... not even a ride, and instead he gave me a place to stay, and evening of good food, wine and Scotch, and breakfast for the morning. These are things unheard of back home.... So where does this put me? Really, I just want to spread the kindness that has been shown to me, both here and when I return home. So when you see that broke college student, that sad little kid, etc., do what you can! Spread the love, even by doing the smallest things. Do i mean food and gifts?! NO! Just spread the good vibes with a smile, a handshake, a friendly gesture when u can.
Currently, I sit in an mountain home of Pamela and Bob. here, I have been laying paving stones in return for my own cottage and amazing home cooked meals. They have inspired me with numerous conversations on the topic of conservation both here and back home.... they are kind people, simple people. Again, mutual benefits via wwoofing. They get a new walkway they are too busy to put in, I get to eat like champion and enjoy the comforts of society.
Interesting facts:
2: the number of showerss I have had in the last 2 1/2 weeks
3: the types of alcohol Bob has treated me to in my stay here... beer, whiskey, wine. God its good !
I plan to stay here for a few more days and then plan to head to Paynes Ford. There, overhung limestone routes await me outside an awesome hippy town. How long will i stay? Who knows! My flight home is July 19th... But i think I will switch it to August 3rd. Sooooo for now we'll see!
I hope my excitement to climb again, living out of my tent and eating camp food will mantain for a few more weeks of being a climber bum. I am living the dream.
i miss u all friends!
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