One thing you have to consider when taking on such a challenge is that failure is an option.
Trying to tackle 52 peaks in 52 weeks in New Zealand back country, one should expect to encounter snow, wind, rain, rivers. Not only that but dealing with what you thought would be okay to walk not actually being achievable.
I headed out with Charlie in tow in what was my last chance to bag a peak before final prep for Phoenix Enduro would begin, taking up all my time.
We left home early making our way to Lake Lyndon then along the 4wd road heading towards Coleridge. After some scoping we pulled off the main road and found a nice terrace to park on.
With my sights on Mt Benmore, initial thoughts were that we will be in snow for nearly the entire way. I had perhaps underestimated just how much had actually fallen in the last front to come through. We marched on and began our first ascent with Charlie off his lesh. It was awesome to see him galloping through the tussocks and brush.
We made it atop our first knob and it became clear that we had a long hard day ahead of us if we were to continue.
A mixture of seeing Charlie struggling in the snow and my gut saying, na not today. We dropped in to a (steeper than I realised) gully.
We surfed our way down on the snow and scree stopping every now and again making sure Charlie was good. Which of course he was!
Making to the riverbed I decided we may as well head up stream to until we have had enough then turn around and come back out to the car.
Overall it was a good day to go for a walk. It definitely reminded me that failure can and is a serious possible outcome of this challenge.
Fingers crossed Phoenix goes off without a hitch then I can get back out to bag a few more!
Cam.