Risk is an essential part of learning – Putting yourself out there in the unknown for the experience. In adventure sports, it is no different, but even more paramount. Many of the adventure sports would be suicide without proper equipment, training and personal control.

            In groups, the dynamic often dictates the actions the group will take i.e. if several members are on the fence about a given activity, it may sway others in that direction, the ripple effect, as stated in the Tao.

            In the moments we are most insecure and unsure, the times we often feel at risk, we learn most about others and ourselves. Risks have the potential to wash away blocks and conflicts so you may experience a free flow of your vital energy.

           

Here in an Internet café in Queenstown I see hundreds of brochures for adventure activities. It seems it is what New Zealand is all about. One of the brochures is even for Mt. Cook national park. We were just there in Mt. Cook, and it was beautiful

            After a tedious drive f over six hours we were nearing our destination to Unwin hut within the park. A glistening aqua bordered the road to our right and we were boxed in my towering mountains on all sided. The flood plain ahead looked like a scene from Lord of the Rings. (I bet it was)

            Though Mt cook is a choice destination, I saw fewer impacts than I would have expected. One road in, one road out, a few gravel roads to sight seeing spots and at the end, at the base of the mountains, a small villa. The town had a sewage/wastewater treatment plant, which I was happy to see. It was clean and attractive.

            But still, there was a town where there needed not to be. I was disappointed to see development on the outskirts of town. Small cabin looking buildings, no doubt for more accommodation for tourists and park visitors. In my opinion, the villa probable should not grow much more if the natural setting is to be retained.

            Perhaps on thing Mt. Cook has going for it though is it is only heavily visited during the warmer months of the year. And snow is a durable surface, leaving what is below unaffected by tramping.

Here in Queenstown, we have had to make our own days.  The options are plentiful enough to fill three weeks, but we are here for only three full days. We have all branched out and taken advantage of the days in our own ways. A pub-crawl for some evening out fun, bungee for others and for the cheapos’ there is great climbing. Meshing different schedules has been hit or miss, in the right place at the right time. But the diversity of options has led that to not be a problem. Pretty sweet.

And of course climbing goes on …