Trekking for Doctors Without Borders

DAY 16-21: THE WAIAU PASS TRACK

DAY 6-15: THE RICHMOND ALPINE TRACK

On day 6, we left Havelock with intense blisters, heavy bags and a naievity only possible when you’re 4 days into your first hike… Unaware of what would come of the next 10 days, we trundled on.

Jess turned 23 on the Pelorus River track, where we swam in emerald pools (which were MAGICAL), got seriously sweaty walking up and down the river embankment track, were violently attacked by sandflies, and spent our first night in a hut. 

From Hacket Hut we nervously made our way into the Ranges. Our last chance to back out before we would commit to a week of testing terrain, both of us too stubborn to admit just how terrified we were. Focused on the incredibly steep ascent we had in front of us we were taken aback by amount of times we would have to cross the river just to get there. Exhausted after a long day walking/climbing/crying in the river we were rewarded with a beautiful beautiful sunset. The sky a blend of pastel pink & purple hues, the night crept over us and we spent a cozy night in Slaty Hut. 

We had another tough day summiting little Rintoul, just to scramble down our first scree slope to then summit the real deal: Mt Rintoul. With gorgeous weather we were treated to panoramic views all day. 

Jess was brought undone by THE boulder (if you know you know!) and had to side quest down an unstable cliff face to retrieve her pole. We ventured along goat tracks and boulder fields for the last few days, physically and mentally strained by the tough week we’ve endured. 

Just as we felt our motivation dwindling, an encounter with a NOBO took us surprise. “Are you Casie and Jess?”, the complete stranger asks us. Looking at each other confused and stunned, we confirmed, in suspense of where this conversation was leading. “Some people have left a note and some gifts for you at the next hut”. The mystical trail magic that everyone talks about had come our way, giving us a second lease of life to finish our leg right through to St Arnaud.

On arrival, we realised that the three-in-one gas station, general store and café was the epicentre of the civilisation we had been fantasising about all week. Reality smacked us in the face. Oh boy… we have a long 2 months ahead.

8625m elevation gain

252km total cumulative distance completed

DAY 1-5: THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK

We started the TA on the 31st January at Ship Cove on the Queen Charlotte Track. On this first leg, we walked 90km with an elevation gain of 2991m and a descent of 2994m across 4 days, followed by a rest and resupply day in Havelock.

During this stunning section, we spotted some super rare marine wildlife including Hector’s dolphins & King Shags, followed beautiful blue coastlines and witnessed a magical sunset over Marlborough Sounds- a perfect way to ease us into the next few months of hiking!