Amazon Heart Expedition: New Zealand 2006

2006-04-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Photos - Last Day Bike Ride

Click here to see photos from our bike ride and final day together.

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2006-04-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

Photos - Day Four

Click here to see photos from the fourth day of the trek. If you do not have a snapfish account, you can use the following to login and view the photos:

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2006-04-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Photos - Day Three

Click here to see photos from the third day of the trek.

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2006-04-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Photos - Day Two

Click here to see photos from the second day of the trek.

If you do not have a snapfish account, you can use the following to login and view the photos:

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2006-04-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Photos - Day One

Click here to see photos from the first day of the trek.

If you do not have a snapfish account, you can use the following to login and view the photos:

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Password: amazon

2006-04-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

Photos - Pre-Trek

Click here to view photos from the first days before the trek.

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2006-04-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Participants Comments - Friday April 7

I am just now getting over Wednesday. Climbing Mt Hope – 9.5 hrs. The only other time I have had to dig so deep was when I was going through treatment. I am humbled to be one of these Amazon Women. Thank you Aragorn, Gandalf and Artemisia for guiding us safely on our journey. Thank you for all the beautiful emails. You made me cry – again.
- Pete

Thank god for Mark and Codeine! I still haven’t come to terms with what we did. I’m glad I didn’t know what we were going to do before we came because I would have pulled out and that would be a tragedy. I would have missed meeting you wonderful people, missed the laughter and tears and wine, most of all that special bond that we will have for the rest of our lives. God bless you all.
- Susan Fishpool

I have been dealing with a particular issue back home which has seemed difficult in the extreme. After plodding my way up Mt Hope, putting one foot in front of the other and eventually after much pain I reached the summit – 2010 metres! I am now going home with a different mindset – I am an AMAZON WOMAN! Thank you so much girls and crew!!!
Lots of love, Anna.

What an incredible past 2 days we’ve had! Thank God Megan and Meredith didn’t send us a more detailed itinerary as I don’t think I would have even got on the plane! The scenery was absolutely spectacular and the changes in here so incredible that at one time I felt like I was walking on the moon!

At times (lots of times) I found it really hard to pick the line (the path) but every time I thought I’d lost my way a Heart would appear and I knew that I was on the right track. Moss shaped hearts, rocks, grass formations, even a black Friesian cow with a white patch on its face and a perfectly shaped black heart above her left eye!

I love this group of incredible women and am so proud of what we’ve achieved as a group, individually, physically and mentally.

We’ve all been climbing our own personal mountains and hopefully we’ve left some of the issues that have been haunting us on the top of Mt Hope where they belong….to be blown away with the NZ southerly winds.

Hats off to Geoff, Mark, Southy, Cathy, Steve, Tim and everyone else at Adventure South for their professionalism, personal knowledge of the mountains and most of all for opening their hearts to us. I never once felt like a tourist but felt like I was part of a loving and caring family – thank you!

I’m so glad that Megan, Meredith and Fearless have also experienced this expedition through our eyes which shows you the incredible power of working as a team.

There’s so much more I want to say but words can never quite describe what an incredible felling it is to have achieved our goal of climbing this mountain (not to mention the 40km bike ride today!).

Thank you everyone for making this trip so special.

PS – thanks Val and Jo for your messages. We’ve been thinking of you along the way and you are here with us in spirit.

PPS – I think my belly’s popped out!!! ; )
Love Rosy XO (and Woody)

Thank you to all my special friends for their prayers each day – I know that my climb was made possible by the strength I gained knowing I wasn’t alone, that you were with me all the way on this incredible trek.

PS – Ray – the bike ride was the easiest part!
- Susan

You should have seen our accommodation last night – it was heaven. I was wondering what the strange smell was but it was just “clean”. Couldn’t stop sniffing everyone’s clean hair. Bubble bath with champagne, flowers, candles and rose petals. And then we got to put on clean clothes and sleep in a warm, soft bed with clean sheets.

How good was it not having to put those boots on this morning. The bike ride was great. I kept thinking of you Katie telling me to relax my shoulders. I’ll be home soon. Luv to all.
- Pete

We woke to a windy morning with Mt Hope not even visible from our lake front motel. But as Meredith keeps telling us, when things are meant to be, they just happen – the weather turned and before we knew it, we were happily cycling through sunny countryside.

A personal first for me was not walking my bike up the hill. With Geoff’s expert guidance and the sight of 10 beautiful bums to keep me going, I kept spinning up the hill. And the exhilaration of the descent – scary, at first, but I kept saying “Amazon” and sang my way down. It was great hearing all our blog messages at dinner last night – thank you everyone back home!!

What a day, what a week – don’t want it to end …
- Ilana

The end of another epic journey and the first Amazon Heart Expedition. I am so honoured to have been a part of this event. Each of these women have given me a piece of their heart. It amazes me how our path’s cross and how we come together and bond for a week. Once again I have made life-long friends on this adventure. Thank you for your love and friendship. I love each and every one of you. Hello to Sabrina (Look forward to Ben and Jerry and Stella). Hello to everyone at home – Hospice co-workers, friends and family.
Love from Fearless.

2006-04-07T18:58:00.000-07:00

Friday April 7th

The lighter sleepers among our group were woken early by a howling gale and driving rain, increasing apprehension about our planned mountain bike ride today. By the time we regrouped for breakfast at the Chalet overlooking the lake, the wind was gone and the rain has disappeared – once again the weather had turned our way.

After a short drive out of Tekapo, we hopped off the bus and checked out our rides and equipment for the day, then set out under brilliant sunshine riding across the countryside. We didn’t know how our legs would hold up after the hiking and mountain climbing of the last few days, but the scenery and downhill ride banished the aches and we made our way up and over Burke’s Pass and down into the town of Fairlie, a ride of some 40 kms.

Most of us had never ridden a mountain bike that far in our lives, and to achieve the feat straight after climbing two mountain ranges made it even more rewarding! We enjoyed a fantastic gourmet lunch at EAT and then boarded the bus for our final ride back to Christchurch.

The trip back was emotional as the group shared their thoughts and feelings about our amazing adventure, and we started to contemplate the next challenge of returning to our everyday lives. Every one of us learnt something about ourselves and our limits (or lack thereof ) on this adventure, and we know we have the strength to overcome whatever obstacles lay in our path, and that we have a new extended family of 11 amazing women to call on if we ever need support.

Back at the Pavilions hotel in Christchurch we were met by Kimberley’s husband Bill and their seven month old son who had flown in that day from the US. Ethan was adorable and was introduced to his ten new aunts before they headed off for two weeks touring around New Zealand.

The rest of our group had one final dinner last night in Christchurch before starting to head for home on the weekend.

2006-04-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

Participant Comments - Thursday April 6th

Having amazing breakfast in Rex Simpson Hut. Still in absolute awe of our 9 hour day yesterday. This group of women held it together with such Amazon Spirit, that we all pushed ourselves past our limits. I am amazed at myself and my achievements yesterday and now feel desrved of the title "Amazon" woman.

Woo Hoo!

--Sue

Reaching the summit of Mt Hope really was a peak experience. Learned what scree means - your muscles scream all the way up the mountain!

I also need to redefine "princess warrior style" for me, the helicopter lifted me over the hilly tussocks, Southy rolled out his yellow mat on various rocky peaks, and then cleared rocks to make an easy path for me, and we had good conversation. My pack has been generously shared between Mark, Southy and Geoff. My body has been expertly managed by Mark and Kathy, and then gloriously fed. I could go on, but probably should add that in between all this pampering "princess style", I've done some hard trekking. And throughout it all my spirit has been pampered endlessly by the support, laughter, tears, talking stick sessions and good humour of ten women.

--Ilana

2006-04-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 6th

Last night we had a fantastic and emotional dinner at our last camp on the mountain, Rex Simpson hut. We all had an incredible sense of achievement at our effort in conquering the mountain. Geoff our guide told us that probably fewer than 100 people had ever walked that trek, most of whom would have been high country musterers.

Today we began our descent to Lake Tekapo and back to civilization. It was hard to leave our world of peace and space.

In Tekapo we stayed in a fabulous chalet on the lakes edge. We sat together in our apartment with champagne and looked across the Lake to Mount Hope and wondered how we could ever have climbed that high.

We finished the day with dinner at a restaurant on the Lake - our last night with Southy, Cathy, Mark and Geoff. Our guides were as touched and emotional about the adventure as we were. Tomorrow we face our last challenge - a 40 km bike ride into Fairle before returning to Christchurch.

2006-04-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

Participant Comments - Wednesday April 5th

I hurt all over but gee it feels great!

--Susan F

Morning after - such a good time. Views were amazing and so were we. We hiked 9 hours. I accidently mooned the helicopter during a comfort stop.

Foot massages every night.

--Carla

2006-04-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday April 5th

A cold night! At 10 pm the temperature dipped to minus 5 degrees Celsius. We woke to clear skies and a covering of ice on our tents!

An incredible cooked breakfast again before packing for our biggest challenge - Mt Hope!

Ilana and Susan caught a ride part way up the hill in the chopper while the main group started the climb through tall tussock grass and across many streams. They rejoined us for the final steepest push to the top. After 6 hours of climbing we stood triumphant as a group on the summit.

An incredible group of women - two with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer, one 15 weeks pregnant, one 60 year old and one 58 year old, our youngest 38 years. We came, we saw, we laughed, we cried, we conquered the mountain and more.

Our descent on the other side took three hours and we reached Rex Simpson Hut as the sun set on the southern alps.

In three days we climbed two mountain ranges of 2000 meters and didn't see another living soul except three rabbits and two sheep! Tomorrow our last day of trekking back to civilisation begins.

2006-04-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday

We've just now got reception after 3 days to trekking the most beautiful areas.

Everyone made it to the summit safely and are in great spirits. An anbsolutely amazing group of women.

More in the next day or two when we get proper access. Wait until you all see the photos!!

2006-04-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

Participant Comments - Tuesday April 4th

You won't believe where we climbed today! Cancer has definitely made me a stronger person - physically and mentally. This group is so fantastic and we were having the best time! -

--Susan Fishpool

I was very lucky to be in the helicopter glimpsing the Amazons attacking the mountain with guts and style. I slowly climbed part of the mountain and lay in the sun at the top with Southey's company (yes, he did work very hard, not only being great company, but clearing the road of rocks!) Watching the clouds swirling, and generally feeling like we were on top of the world. And today we discovered the joy of falling back on a tussock, intentionally or otherwise. Leon, there's definitely an 'outlook' here - dramatic, craggy mountains, even snowcapped in the distance. Rachel, I really need your hamstrings (and all your other muscles). Tamara, I'd even listen to your jokes endlessly as I keep putting one foot in front of the other, and I picture your smile to keep me going. Hope you read all this and send a message!

--Ilana

To whom it may concern: this old lady is having the time of her life. I highly recommend all of you should do this. Foot massage last night was heavenly. Must stop for dinner - baked salmon.

Love to all of you

--Carla

Today was tough! I didn't think I was going to make it. And that was before I fell in a big hole. I'm really wishing I had a good excuse like being pregnant, or being the oldest or having had chemo last week, but I don't. I know I have an Amazon Heart, but today I needed Amazon lungs and Amazon legs. 6 1/2 hours - the first 3 straight up! I can't believe that we all climbed those mountains. What a determined bunch of women. There is plenty of encouragement and lots of hugs when it gets really tough and the blisters are really hurting. Amazing day!

Luv,

--Pete

Another amazing day! I continue to be in awe of this group of women. Today was a tough day - really steep at times. But everyone was so positive and helped each other along - and we laughed the entire way! The views were indescribible. Not another person in sight. This country is breathtakingly beautiful. And these women are beautiful - strong, caring and determined.
What a wonderful experience.

Bill and Ethan - I love and miss you so much.

Hugs and kisses -

--Kimberly

Didn't start the day too pleasantly: the smell of the "dunny" proved to be just a tad too much for a pregnant woman to handle! Luckily it didn't last long though.

What a day! I feel like we literally climbed every mountain in Mesopotamia Station (all 15,000 kms of it!). Everyone was very supportive and together we helped each other make it to the "Royal Hut".

No rain tonight so hopefully everyone will sleep really well. Looking forward to reaching the summit on my special day (4 years cancer free!)

Not looking forward to clambering through those tussocks though!

Ik hou van jou Klaas! Ik mis je heel veel wel te rusten lieverd!

--Rosy

What a beautiful day and of course women! It was quite a challenge for us all to get up some of those "upulations".

Some of these women have really pushed themselves way beyond their limits. But, they had their "Amazon Sisters" helping each other, growing, and going beyond our comfort zones and into our souls.

--Fearless

2006-04-04T03:43:00.000-07:00

Tuesday April 4th

It bucketed with rain last night flooding one of the tents and driving the residents into the warmth of the hut. After a terrific cooked breakfast the cloouds broke and we began to leave camp. Our first challenge was an incredibly steep ascent up to the 1800 metre high Bullock Bow Saddle. Our helicopter flew in over our heads to collect our gear and ferried it out to our next camp in a net slung below it.

Ilana caught a ride to the top of the saddle with our Guide Southy and took some great photos from the chopper. After two hours we conquered tjhe climb, impressing our guides with our dogged persistence and determoination. The NZ army uses the same climb for training and they find it a huge mental and physical challenge.

We were rewarded with an incredible view down the other side into hidden valleys ringed by snow capped mountains. The rest of the day we made a gradual descent down scree slopes of shale and through tussock grass, finally following a river to our next campsite, Royal Hut.
Salmon steaks for dinner before watching the sun set over the mountains.

2006-04-03T03:54:00.000-07:00

Participant Comments - Monday April 3rd

OK, I take it back - this walking thing aint that easy! We have climbed some amazing hills, zig zagged up through the tussocks, looked back on the shale covered mountains. Thank you to everyone who stayed back to chat while I huffed and puffed and took photos of me on every peak just to prove that I had done it. Hello to my lovely family and friends who know I love walking, just not uphill - nothing's changed.

--Ilana

You guys won't believe what what we climbed today. Keep praying. Your prayers and mine are being answered.

--Carla

I can't believe we all climbed those hills and made it to the hut. We'll be sleeping in the tents tonight listening to the rain on the roof - hope NSW is getting the rain. Can feel the strength of all our supporters back home.

--Susan F.

2006-04-03T03:40:00.000-07:00

Monday April 3rd

Our adventure began in earnest today! After a fantastic breakfast we boarded the bus to travel to our starting point at Mesopotamia station.

Today was thje start of the high country autumn muster but the horses had already left before we arrived.

We started our trek in sight of the location for Edoras in the horse kingdom of Rohan in the Lord of the Rings. Mark and Kathy, two of our guides, worked on this and many other films - we were definitely immersed in middle earth!

Our first day began in warm sunshine with some good climbs through tussocks and patches of forest. All day we didn't see another soul and quickly fell under the spell of this beautiful country with dramatic mountains and fresh running streams to fill our water bottles.

At day's end we reached Felt hut, a rustic structure nestled in trees. A light rain fell as we set up our tents. Our guides lit a campfire outside while whipping up a feast of venison stew in the hut. Good food, great wine and amazing women who all hiked for six hours today up hill and dale with smiles as big as the sky up here.

2006-04-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

First Hike - Participant Comments

Amazing experience. Amazing group of women. Spectacular terrain. Great conversations. Lots of tears. I'm honored and humbled to be here. Its really an indescribable event.

Bill and Ethan, I miss you terribly! Sending lots of love - and hugs and kisses. Send updates! (PS camera is not very good - bring better one!)

--Kimberly Bloom

A really interesting group of women - such strength - I'm sure we will all make it to the top. Great scenery along the way - lots of laughs and tears already.

--Susan Fishpool

My belly's full (literally), I feel so content and again its been a great day. Its the first day of our "trek" and I must say that the service is pretty damn good! We've seen some great sights already and the girls are bonding very well.

There's already been a few tears shed, lots of stories, passing around of photos and common bonds found.

I feel so blessed to be here and want to thank everybody involved in making this happen, especially my generous donors and supporters.

Speaking of which, to my biggest supporter, Klaas, I love you very much. Take care of yourself and Brucey. Bubba and I are thinking of you.

Lots of love to all.

--Rosy

Our first day on the road. What a blast! 20 metres out of the bus and we have our first accident - Meredith doing her knee and falling in the thistle. Fearless is already in disgrace for leaving wine behind in Christchurch. The mountains are starting to look huge and we are all trying to think of excuses to get a helicopter ride. We are a bit concerned that we might have exhausted our total wine quota tonight. Our guides are awesome and we are pumped and ready to go.

Hope my 3 boys are missing me and that your arm is ok Marty.

Lots of love

--Pete

The venture continues. The climb today was awesome. God's creation is indescribable - so beautiful, so wonderful. Am still pinching myself - can hardly believe I am here and actually doing this. Loads of love.

Blessings

--Carla

Well I am so relieved that our first day wasn't too hard! All the guilt about not really training much recently is dissipating...yes, I can do this. We must be doing something right to be rewarded with two rainbows and a 'rainbow'* sunset over fields of deer. Lovely snatches of conversation, breast cancer and other, as we traipse over rocks and lounge in the bus.

*Tamara, my rainbow girl, eat you heart out!

--Ilana

What an incredible country and a fantastic group of women. Our "warm up" trek went great and I can't wait to start the trek tomorrow morning. The sharing of stories and the bonding among these women has already started. Hello to the Doc and Prof (pet Sugar for me), and hello to S.L!

--Fearless

2006-04-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday - April 2nd

We woke this morning to a chill in the air and overcast skies. Five of us made an emergency dash to Kathmandu for more thermals! By the time our bus arrived the skies had cleared and the day was warming up.

We were met by Geoff, the head of Adventure South, and our guide, before heading to Sumner Beach for lunch. We got our first mountain climbing experience climbing a huge rock on the beach and crawled through a cave underneath.

Then we headed off up Summit Road to the start of our first warm-up hike. 10 metres into the hike Meredith tripped and went flying straight into the only thistle on the path!

The rest of the group continued on while she was sent back to the bus, but she hitched a lift up the road and reappeared on top of the mountain to rejoin the group.

We had a great one and a half hour hike ending at a tea house. We then got back on the bus and headed to Rangitata Lodge for dinner and our base for the night.

There we met our other three guides, Southy, our paramedic, Mark, and chef Kathy. After a great dinner we headed to bed, ready for the start of the trek. All hiked really well today, especially Susan Fishpool who led us up every hill!

2006-04-01T13:38:00.000-08:00

Arrivals to New Zealand

Last night (Saturday) was the first chance we've had to meet all the partcipants on this adventure. We gathered at 5pm (drinks in hand for some of us) at the hotel meeting room.

There were hugs all around and introductions, as well as several Amazon Heart slide shows from our past events.

There are 11 of us on this trip, 3 Americans, 1 Canadian and 7 Australians. We are all sisters now.

After the briefing, we walked down the street for a great pizza dinner and more talking. It was an early night for most. Several people had flown in on early morning flights and were pretty wiped.

We're getting ready for an 11 am pickup this morning by Adventure South (our trekking company) and for the real adventure to begin.

With a little luck, we will have access to any posts to the blog from the mountain, so feel free to post your messages.

Megan

2006-03-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

Amazon Heart Expedition Begins!

Participants from around the world have begun to gather here in Christchurch in preparation for the next Amazon Heart Adventure - a 5 day trek/bike tour through the south island of New Zealand.

We are going to do our best to update the blog daily, provided our mobile phones keep working as we head into the wilderness. So stay tuned!

Megan