The penultimate peak had arrived. It was summited with good company, with a little twist.
Organisation for this peak began in December 2020. The day the mysterious monolith appeared at the top of the Adventure Park.
As I was Duty Manager for the day I got to deal with all the media! I got talking with TVNZ reporter Thomas Mead who started asking about me and found out about my 52 Peaks challenge. He thought it was an awesome idea and something worthy of a story.
Fast forward multiple conversations and date cancelations, he passed my details and blog onto Seven Sharp. Thomas was neck deep in work but still wanted there to be a story. Que Jendy Harper at the Seven Sharp team.
After some phone calls we settled on a date and locked it in. Adding to fun of dragging a TV crew up Peak 51, I put an open invite out to family and friends to come along…I just ‘forgot’ to mention that a TV crew were coming too!
The morning had arrived and we carpooled out to the bottom of Mt Thomas (1,023m) in rather dreary conditions.
Upon arrival I announced to the others that we had some extra company coming along.
I got mic’d up then put all my gear on while getting asked a number of questions by Jendy.
We set off in the rain, all in good spirits.
Along the way Jendy and I stopped a few times to get a few shots and questions. Jendy was unfortunately a bit sick so wasn’t coming to the top but camera man and mountain goat, Richard carried his camera and gear to the top! He got some good footage along the way and we made sure to keep him entertained.
As we broke from the bushline the weather eased but everything was saturated so it wasn’t long until our legs and shorts were wet.
We approached the final stretch just as the skies decided to open up and start snowing!?
We got up top and took photos and Richard got a few more shots to use.
For those of you who saw the TV piece you would’ve seen “that one friend who always wants to get naked”. To be honest it didn’t take much convincing as David loves getting his kit at any chance.
After the bonus footage, we had a bite to eat as the sun was trying to break through the clouds.
We descended down the steep ridge track which made for some more entertainment as people lost their grip and slid parts down the hill. Only a few proper butt slides.
Back at the car, Jendy asked a few more questions then we discussed my final peak and the plan for the TV clip.
We were all stoked and headed back into town for a shower then to a goodbye party for Ralph, who was heading back to the UK. A great way to finish off the day.
#51 Mt Richardson – 1,023m, 10.08km, 3 hours 37 minutes
ONE TO GO!!
Cam.