In April 2009, five special young adults who all live with late effects of Cancer treatment came together to experience their first ever six day wilderness journey in the Kahurangi National Park of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The journey for each of us, in our own ways was incredibly inspiring and powerful to be a part of. It had been a 2 year journey in the making that Paddy, Adventure therapist and Belynda, Nurse Specialist had been working towards; spending many long hours organizing the funding and logistics. It was a New Zealand first , after Paddy had been inspired by the 'Tip of the Toes Foundation' in Canada where they run similar cancer journeys. We were extremely lucky to have Mickey and Alex from join us and volunteer their time and energy into the project. I was extremely grateful to have been offered to come as an outdoor instructor and knew it would be a healing process for me, having recently lost my own mother to cancer. With Paddy's expertise in Adventure therapy and Belyndas in cancer health care, we were kitted out as a well rounded team to face what lay ahead.
Five nervous and excited faces turned up to Waipuna Trust early on Thursday 25th March each with their own story, apprehensive of the journey ahead. After a special haka, hongi and waiata from the Waipuna Trust team we departed Christchurch knowing little of each other, but each sharing a common purpose and goal of the journey. To learn, grow, experience and challenge ourselves and each other and work together as a team. It wasn't long before the barriers between each of us started to break down as we put on our best Irish accents and cracked some jokes, as we drove north together. Walking into Flora hut as dusk started to set in, I began to hear what they had experienced and overcame in their very young lives with child hood cancer. As the week progressed, I was continuously humbled and inspired by their wisdom, incredible positive attitudes and approach to life in a very real way. It again made me realise how easy it can be in todays society to let small mundane things get you down that are insignificant in the big scale of things. At the end of the day we each have a choice of how we choose to live life and respond to different situations that life presents to us. It was a reminder for me too, to be continuously grateful for my own health and well-being.
Salisbury lodge sunrise -Kahurangi
Day two we awoke bright and early and started the gradual incline to GridIron shelter. Not only was it the first time that they each had carried a 10-15kg pack but also to be away from the ease of a city's comfort. Running tap water was replaced by fetching water from the stream for cooking, showers were replaced by well - no showers, and the tree-rooted bumpy tracks didn't quite resemble the concrete footpaths found in town, nor the gradient ! It was also a first for them to experience tramping in one of New Zealand's National parks. It wasn't long before some packs started to become to feel like elephants, and body aches/bruises became very apparent as they each got used to navigating new terrain. With every challenge, the team faced it and took it in their stride as we shared the load. We made it to Grid Iron shelter for lunch where the first 1kg of luncheon and chutney was cranked open which became the groups constant joke and food for the week! The call was made within the group to get to Salisbury lodge by dusk so off we set with our bellies full of 'Chub' (luncheon) with the group goal of making it to the top. It was a very real challenge as a group in making it to the lodge that evening. Bodies, minds and emotions were stretched in new ways as we walked with heavy packs through the native beech trees, onto the rolling tussock hills above. It was strong determination and incredible team work that carried us through the eight hours that it took to walk the 12.6km from door to door.
Sighs of relief and 'Yahoo's' were heard, as we walked our final steps up to Salisbury lodge as the sun set. As one, we had made it through the sweat, and at times 'doubt' and fear. It wasn't long before dinner was underway and our tired aching bodies finally lay at rest as the full moon shone down on us through the bunk room window. The decision was made that morning to base ourselves at the lodge for the next few days and explore the local area and bush around the lodge. It was an incredible few days of learning native plants names and the environmental care code, writing self-affirmations, and learning as a team how to cook, clean and care for each other in a very new way. I could see with each new day the group becoming more cohesive as they began to relax and unwind in their new environment away from their homes comforts. At times the silence in nature was difficult as some reflected on close friends and family members they had lost both recently and through their lives. The silence brought up new thoughts, questions and conversations as well as many answers unknown. Through Mikey's incredible talent of guitar playing and letting nature do what it does best - I believe a lot of healing took place in those moments.
On Day five we waved goodbye to the (now) very familiar and comfortable surroundings of Salisbury lodge. The five of them charged ahead of us relying on each other to cross hard sections of the trail and streams. It was clearly evident how much they had grown individually and as a team as they easily hiked down giving each other constant encouragement and support with each step they took. As we arrived back into Flora hut that evening, the group were on form - cutting up wood for the fire, putting their tents up, checking the mountain radio, getting dinner started and feeling so at ease with nature. A huge and noticeable progression from five days earlier. As we filed through the car park gate the next morning, shrieks of happiness were heard all around as everyone celebrated success both on a personal and group level.
With a quick stop in Motueka for fish and chips, we carried on our journey to Pelorous Sound where a much needed shower, and bunk bed awaited us. The next two days were spent reflecting on our own time in the Kahurangi National Park. With each young person, an interview was carried out where we heard on a personal level how that time was for them. Comments were made that " I feel much stronger now as a person", " I believe in myself more now" and " when I get back to town, I want to get a job". It was an incredible experience to be a part of, to hear first hand of how this journey impacted them and what learning they would each take away.
As we drove back into car park of Waipuna in Christchurch where we had departed nine days prior, I felt each of us had experienced new personal insight in our different ways. Even weeks later at the Graduation ceremony, it was amazing to see the young people stand proud and share their story of their learning that took place in the Kahurangi National Park. I was so grateful to be apart of the journey, and nature once again showed me how powerful and healing it can be. I truly believe in the quote I once learned in, "letting the mountains speak for themselves".
