An expedition to find the coldest, uninsulated hut in midwinter was originally conceived as the start of a month-long trip back to a few of my favourite areas in the Nelson/Tasman region. Depending on my body‘s reaction, that might end up further afield.
I overachieved.
My body had an extensive workout over summer, ending in early April with eight days in the Eyre Mountains in Southland. three and a half months later, my physical state should have stayed in good shape. After all, I’ve been averaging 14k steps around the streets of Nelson on a daily basis for most of the last two years.
Perhaps carrying eight days of food, 35 km up a valley, would be too stern a test.
Then, seven nights in frigid conditions with four big walking days, each involving crossing the Matakitaki River, meant I was continually wet and in the frost. It made me realise there were plenty of very important things I really should be doing back home.
You can have too much of a good thing.
