Sorry for the delay in blog entry, I have been out tramping and internet is not free in NZ! I am currently at Punakaiki Beach Hostel. Punakaiki is the home of pancake rocks, which I will be hitting up tomorrow on my way out. A lot has happened over the past several days. I cannot possibly keep up with blog entries detailing the things I have seen or the people I have met. I will, however, share with you a journal entry from last night at Crow Hut.
1/21/13
I can't find many words to describe what I'm feeling right now. Today was extremely challenging on many levels. I was at extreme highs and lows emotionally. Let's just say I'm happy to be alive and well in Crow Hut. It's lonely yet peaceful at the same time. This space allows me to reflect on the many amazing relationships I have in my life. At times today, I was a little nervous for my well-being and started thinking about the many people that love me, want the best for me, and want me to come home in one piece. It is vitally important to hit the reset button by escaping into the wild, however, and like usual, I took it to the extreme. I am alone in Crow Hut in New Zealand. I had to navigate using a compass and my perception of distance. I ran into several people climbing Avalanche Peak, as it's a popular one-day hike. However, I have not seen a single person since the summit. Besides a few rock formations and patted down areas, Avalanche Peak to Crow River (not the Crow that runs through Wright County!!!) is unmarked. I have one word for this voyage: SCREE. Yes, I've decided today that I hate it. After five hours of of climbing my legs and mind did not handle the steep decent in scree. I realized that scree comes in many different forms and I hate them all. Because of it's variety, I find scree to be quite dangerous. I tried several techniques and if it weren't for my heavily-over-loaded-for-one-night bag I could have flown down the scree. I tried squatting on my near-rump and sliding. I also tried multiple karaoke skandasanas (yoga pose) and for the most part that worked the best.
Have I mentioned the weather? It was absolutely perfect. Not a cloud in the sky and mid 70s. Being outside in this marvelous weather for 7 hours with no shade in New Zealand sun was a little much for my pale skin. I applied sunscreen a minimum of 5 times, and of course, I still got burned in some places. Oh and water became a bit of a factor. And I had to figure out the best place to cross the river. But the best part of this e-mail is that I'm alive to tell of my adventures! I will definitely tone it down from here on out. I promise.
As I type in the dark of Crow Hut (Yes, on my Ipad. Pathetic, I'm well aware. That conversation is for a future blog entry) I ponder my intentions of this solo hike. Why did I do this particular hike and why did I want to do it alone? Was it to prove myself of something? Was it to prove to others that I'm not all talk when I say I love the outdoors and could live outside? That I am "tough" or "strong?" The only answer I can manifest right now is that this has been in the back of my mind for quite sometime. I wanted to have a short solo stint "Into The Wild" and I'm in the midst of it. It feels empowering and invigorating. I had to be patient with myself and breath through difficult moments of complete exhaustion and fear.
On a lighter note, I was greeted at Crow Hut with 15+ fly friends. I kept a few alive for company before bed. I must use my NZ West Coast magazine to swat my last friends. Good night my friends. Tomorrow awaits a new adventure.
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