Good things come from weird places

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Kiwis possess a quality that stands out to me: Their laid-back approach to things. Paul, one of our operators on this trip and owner of Mangeweka Adventure Company embodies these qualities and he runs a very effective business. He takes it easy and recognizes things don’t usually go according to plan. You can’t rush a river; it will get you nowhere. So instead of sticking to the original plan for our group, he made a new one. We rafted the first day, a tributary to the main river in flood, and had a great time dodging strainers, hitting rocks and getting stuck. With the original plan of a four-day river trip scrapped, our whole itinerary was in the gutter. But Paul rallied and set up what was in my opinion, something much better. A day of rafting followed by a tramp, more rafting, and then a two-day downriver trip. We did not need a packaged tour to go places safely and we didn’t need a set schedule with Paul. Within this new set of activities, none were beyond our group and they were still all-inclusive. Every one had the opportunity to try something different, and yet were not pushed out of their comfort zone if they did not want to be. Nice.

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Tao means how: How things happen, how things work.

A few of the group went climbing at a grand place by the name of Wharepapa. My self and Adam (Elson) facilitated the activity. We picked up the guidebook, discussed which routes to climb and climbed them. We built anchors on these routes and threaded the rope through them. The others trusted their lives to our handy work. We understand climbing. We know how climbing works. By knowing Tao, I know how things happen.

There are times when the needs of the self are out needed by the needs of others. True self-interest teaches selflessness. Today in the Wellington Youth Hostel, our group was offered a fourth room. Each room houses four people and with a group of 12, so the fourth room was surplus – But outside of our plan, a 13^th joined us from Mangaweka. One might assume the surplus room would be granted to the wise trip leader. But in his selflessness, he offered it to Crystal and I. The benefit of this action? Every person gets a bed to sleep in (Including Tomo) and the one couple on the trip gets their own room.

Trust the process: Our time in Mankaweka was scrambled by weather indeed and things did not go according to plan. But to my surprise, it was for the better. Instead of the most popular hike in New Zealand, our group hiked a little known trail to a hut for an unforgettable experience. Trust the process, it all works out in the end : D

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Adventure sports are in categories of their own. Vastly different from the multi-billion dollar realms of the NBA, NFL and the likes, they are essentially, self-regulated. Unlike so many others, they do not require structures to be played in, fields to be played upon or electricity to be shown. They are intimate and much more vast, requiring only the wonders of the natural world and our ingenuity to harness them as a playground.

            Unfortunately, we have an impact upon these natural environments, but at least, to varying degrees, we are aware of it. To the distain of those who recognize the value of such places, these activities are gone into with the mindset of a soccer match, or a football game. But the rock is not a game of king of the hill, and the river is not something that can be conquered.

            Our impacts here are two-sided. Some come away essentially unchanged and look back as what was then, a great time. Some grow from these experiences, with more respect and gratitude for what provided that great time. The natural environments provide a means of living and support many; it is important not to forget that.

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My task as a practicum student is to facilitate the rock climbing on this trip. I am stoked on climbing, so Crystal and I decided to leave the country before the trip officially started to see some sights yes, but also to experience some NZ rock. We booked two nights in Wharepapa and set off. But long story short, Crystal developed tonsillitis on the flight over. Scratch that plan.

            To my delight now, I have been able to meet some of my monkey urges. By chance, the first location we stayed at in Waitomo was a mere 15 minutes from amazing Bouldering in a friendly farmers field. After a relaxed morning a few of us got to it, vinyl mattress in hand. Angie had never climbed out side, Crystal is afraid of heights when not roped in and Taylor was timid. All of them were able to climb a route this afternoon. Pretty great.

            And to my delight, the next day we were able to make some time to climb in Wharepapa. Maybe not two full days, but a great afternoon of breaking in new climbing shoes and soft fingers.