From Kaikoura ...

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This is a paradox – You can’t protect what you don’t know, but in order to protect, you must know. Abel Tasman National Park is beautiful. Gold sand beaches, turquoise water, lush forest. Perfectly pristine in its natural state, it is protected. But the manner in which it is protected, as a national park has shortcomings. Water taxis run back and forth across the water day after day and soot spewing tractors run hordes of kayakers to the beach. I won’t even mention the plastic boats … It’s far better then a developed, unprotected area. But is it better then a no entry area? It is as if we simply maintain it for our own enjoyment.

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When you push people to do things beyond what they have done before, their true colors shine. The rock 2 students on our trip have shown motivation beyond what I would have expected. It’s really exciting.

            Many of the students on this trip have never climbed rock outside. And now they have completed their first leads, something that made me feel like I was going to crap my pants my first time. The Tao says there are two types of courage. “One that gets you killed and another inner courage that keeps people alive.” On this trip, people’s inner courage is shining.

            Climbing is a frightful activity, especially to those inexperienced participants. The Tao says “Thirty percent of people love life and fear death. Another thirty percent prefer death and avoid life. Another thirty percent fear both life and death.” “Only ten percent have the wisdom to accept both life and death.”

The inexperienced persons desires to not appear foolish, but it doesn’t matter in the end. We are learning that.

“The ferocious dog bites the excited person. The conscious and centered person walks by unharmed.”

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ABEL TASMAN (sea kayaking trip, much anticipated)

The plan: Sea kayaking in, camping, and backpacking out.

Quotes from “The Tao of Leadership”

One pair of shorts, one shirt, one fleece. Chaco’s. Shoot, I better throw in some pants and a base layer. And a hat. Don’t forget the sunnies …

In keeping it simple, “Stick to the single principle,” Don’t bring more then I need. I packed well in the end. I wore each piece of clothing packed and utilized all other items at one point. Not bad there.

The first night I walked along the shoreline in water up to my knees, slowly ambling, and simply enjoying being. In that time, in that place, “I am content with what I have, I can live simply and enjoy both prosperity and free time.”

            On the hike out I experienced “Compassion, sharing, and equity sustain life.” Crystal, thanks for the item I should have brought; socks.

Practicum – 

             The blank stares I got at first were a bit unnerving. I had started a lesson on lead climbing for the rock 2 students a mere hour or so after pulling into hangdog camp, after a tedious drive, after a 12km hike out of Able Tasman. So I suppose they were deserving.

            Teaching climbing is a daunting prospect. It’s an immensely vast subject to begin teaching from scratch. But Payne’s Ford was the perfect teaching environment. Cleanly bolted routes, great rock quality and belay platforms all within walking distance of our camp. The first evening was a bit tired and slow, but when we got on the rock the wheels turning.

            Starting at 7am the next day, Adam, Crystal, Taylor and myself hit the ground running and got a few hours of personal climbing in before the group came up at 9:30. We structured the day as such: 7-9:30 open climb. 9-lunch Top rope session for rock 1 students. After lunch to Dinner, rock 2 students would have lead climbing sessions.

            The plan was very effective. Over eleven hours at the crag total, and all the Rock 2 students lead a climb and rappelled off the top. The best part? Most had never even climbed outside before the previous evening.

A phenomenal couple of days of climbing, no doubt about it.