me at Routeburn Flats
I am just back from a trip to the South Island of New Zealand, a trip i took with my husband so that we could walk the Routeburn track, one of New Zealand's "Great Walks". i had never been on a walk that really required my own legs to get me in and out of a two day three night back country alpine environment. My legs mostly like sitting on the couch or holding up my jeans.The week before we went the track was closed for 4 days due to snow. I knew this would be a test for me and so here are some of the things i learned.
1. The world is beautiful.
1. The world is beautiful.
day break Milford Sound.
2. It exists out there whether we see it notice it photograph it or even think about it. All that beauty exists and we get to choose about whether we join it in wonder, or not. i am definitely choosing a lot more joining from now on.
3. Some people see this kind of place as a challenge. The "Go Hard or Go Home" types seem to see this kind of area as a test of their resolve and they grind through it as fast as they can. Personally i like the "go slow and expose yourself to awe" approach. I don't want to ever go through this kind of miraculous place with speed or endurance in mind. There is too much to lose in haste.
4.Given the previous vocation of my legs, I knew the only way i could enjoy the walk was if i got a bit fit before i went. That means i learned that the more i practice something the more i enjoy it.
5. Everything has a place where it grows well. This could be a beech tree - Mountain beech likes drier high altitude, silver beech likes primordial wetness. Don't ask them to grown where they are not suited. (This metaphor may extend to schools, work relationships etc etc etc)
3. Some people see this kind of place as a challenge. The "Go Hard or Go Home" types seem to see this kind of area as a test of their resolve and they grind through it as fast as they can. Personally i like the "go slow and expose yourself to awe" approach. I don't want to ever go through this kind of miraculous place with speed or endurance in mind. There is too much to lose in haste.
4.Given the previous vocation of my legs, I knew the only way i could enjoy the walk was if i got a bit fit before i went. That means i learned that the more i practice something the more i enjoy it.
5. Everything has a place where it grows well. This could be a beech tree - Mountain beech likes drier high altitude, silver beech likes primordial wetness. Don't ask them to grown where they are not suited. (This metaphor may extend to schools, work relationships etc etc etc)
no beech trees make it up here at all - high alpine plants only thanks.
6. Addendum to #2. It doesn't matter if the battery on your phone goes out. Sure you don't get all the pictures but so what. It does matter if you don't have enough warm things. There were a couple of plaques dedicated to people who had died on the track. Better to have a surfeit of warm things than a surfeit of photos. Proving you have been there is not as important as getting home.
7.Being prepared is good.
8. Being capable is good.
9. You are able to increase number 8 by getting number 7 sorted.
10. Not having to worry about time is a very good thing. Measuring your time in terms of day and night can be very liberating and focusing all at once.
11. Stars are better when it is darkest. This metaphor is able to easily extend into other areas of life.
7.Being prepared is good.
8. Being capable is good.
9. You are able to increase number 8 by getting number 7 sorted.
10. Not having to worry about time is a very good thing. Measuring your time in terms of day and night can be very liberating and focusing all at once.
11. Stars are better when it is darkest. This metaphor is able to easily extend into other areas of life.
12. Sleeping with a room full of 50 odd strangers is noisy and smells like farts and wet clothes in the morning. This is the pungent Lake Howden Hut
13. Some people like to talk. Some people don't. Either is entirely good but mixing the two can be a little tiresome.
14. (may or may not be related to 12) Farting is embarrassing and better than holding it in.
15. I can make a sanitary pad for an UME (Unexpected Menstrual Event) out of filament thin toilet paper wadded up thick like a Bible (old and new testament).
16. Definitely related to 11 & 15. Waking up at 2 am and having to go outside to the toilet has good side effects.
13. Some people like to talk. Some people don't. Either is entirely good but mixing the two can be a little tiresome.
14. (may or may not be related to 12) Farting is embarrassing and better than holding it in.
15. I can make a sanitary pad for an UME (Unexpected Menstrual Event) out of filament thin toilet paper wadded up thick like a Bible (old and new testament).
16. Definitely related to 11 & 15. Waking up at 2 am and having to go outside to the toilet has good side effects.
17. Fresh clean water is a miraculous substance and precious beyond measure. I realise now what i am missing in my sick awa (rivers) up here.
18. Green is very good for the soul. Especially when you saturate yourself in a variety of wet greens.
18. Green is very good for the soul. Especially when you saturate yourself in a variety of wet greens.
19. Walking a long way carrying a pack on your back is good for sleep.
20. There are heart shaped rocks everywhere. If you walk the Routeburn before the next snowfall you may see some of the ones i carried for a while, prayed over and then left behind in glorious places.
Simon and me on top of Conical Hill, The Darren Mountains in the back ground, Tasman Sea to our left, Hollyford Valley below.
21, The world is fucking beautiful and i know (in a non empirical but deep in my bones kind of way) that she loves it when we put our feet on her.
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