Looking at this photo takes me back to a classic tale which always reminds me of Morgs.Simon, Morgs and I went to NZ for our first real taste of adventure together.
This is the trip we all learnt to rock climb on. None of us had yet amassed any adventure gear. We all borrowed or bought what we needed. Hiking boots were expensive, so I thought 'Why not buy a pair of boots I could also wear out to social events'.
Ah! Timberlands...stylish and yet practical...the perfect combination. Morgs and Simon were in awe of my wise thinking. I remember Simon remarking that I had made the right decision.
One of the many creeds of Team Stupid is...never wear-in or try out a pair of boots before attempting a five day trek in the alps of New Zealand.
Day one...dropped at the bottom of Cascade Saddle (one of the hardest treks in the South Island).
We scurry up the side of Cascade Saddle as quickly as possible to get stunning views of Mt. Aspiring.
Hmmm...
My feet don't feel so good, no worries...keep going...no, something's not right...get to the top...take the shoes off...don't really want to look...two blisters the size of eggs on each foot.
Morgan has never laughed so hard.
About a week later in Queenstown Morgan sees a guy with a Timberland baseball cap on.
He breaks out laughing and says "I wonder if he took it off he would have blisters on his forehead".
Juz,
I'm pretty sure that is the top of Cascade Saddle with Aspiring in the background. It was a good trip, we really packed a lot in.
A couple of
things come to mind with that trip...
- walking through the ice tunnels
- having a shower in a waterfall straight off a glacier
- having to keep walking while stopped for lunch because the sand flies were so bad
- Glenorchy Steamer (Morgs affectionate name for his bowel movements)
- 80 river crossings in one day
- the abandoned mining hut
- sliding down the grass hill
- climbing
- inventing the new climbing knot - the cluster f**k
- the hot tub
- arm wrestling strangers in a pub, with Morgan quick to volunteer me
- continually standing on Dave's climbing ropes (how many beers did we have to buy him?)
I liked your story, I remember those shoes and the blisters.
Simon
A couple of
things come to mind with that trip...
- walking through the ice tunnels
- having a shower in a waterfall straight off a glacier
- having to keep walking while stopped for lunch because the sand flies were so bad
- Glenorchy Steamer (Morgs affectionate name for his bowel movements)
- 80 river crossings in one day
- the abandoned mining hut
- sliding down the grass hill
- climbing
- inventing the new climbing knot - the cluster f**k
- the hot tub
- arm wrestling strangers in a pub, with Morgan quick to volunteer me
- continually standing on Dave's climbing ropes (how many beers did we have to buy him?)
I liked your story, I remember those shoes and the blisters.
Simon
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