Category: New Zealand

Musings on things pertaining to Aeoteroa

November 29, 2018 / / Alpine Notes

[Editors Note: I was recently “on deck” for NOLS to go to New Zealand to fill an emergency staffing position and this piece is one of the many things that…

November 19, 2017 / / East Africa

“That’s not rain, it is Chuck Norris pee!” KG yells across the maelstrom to the neighboring tent.  There is no pitter patter of rain, just a constant white noise, rhythmically…

October 30, 2015 / / New Zealand
September 28, 2015 / / Alpine Notes

They are the best of times, they are the worst of times, they are places of wisdom, they are places of foolishness, they are places of belief, they are places…

May 1, 2014 / / Livin the dream

“I can see why people say ‘oh Gore Bay… it’s not that great’” Amy says while pulling neoprene off her wet skin. She struggles to both peel her feet out…

March 31, 2014 / / Livin the dream

27 November 2013–Ambivalence mattered today. Jim and I have passed the planning torch over to the students. They are working in groups of two to plan the days. I have…

February 23, 2014 / / Livin the dream

“Huh, you all did it in two days, eh?” Barbara asked us.  “You got to Hari Hari yesterday and then hiked in?” she further queried for clarification. “No, we took…

January 13, 2014 / / Livin the dream

26 December 2013 — It has been almost two years since Carlyle Norman perished on the south side of St. Exupery in the Patagonian Andes. Since that time she rarely…

December 13, 2013 / / Alpine Notes

How can something so beautiful be so, so… unforgiving, or maybe unwelcoming? The mountains of New Zealand are cruel mistresses. They tempt me with their beauty, accessibility and challenge. I…

December 7, 2013 / / Alpine Notes

“Why do we have to go so early? Will it be a long day?” Hannah asks. “That is a good question” I think to myself. “Well there are a couple…

December 2, 2013 / / Alpine Notes
November 6, 2013 / / New Zealand
November 2, 2013 / / Alpine Notes

Twenty-four hours ago we waded, almost thoughtlessly, across the calf deep McCoy Stream, climbed the stony embankment and walked to the small hut on the north side of the creek.…

October 8, 2013 / / Alpine Notes

October 1st 2013 1100 — “Man, sometimes the group decision making process drives me insane”  Sean utters as he crawls into the vestibule.  One hand holds the tent door fabric…

September 5, 2013 / / Livin the dream

The square, white boxes stand out garishly against the lush, verdant hillside and are the first thing I notice as we drive past the property and towards the bridge that…