2022 GodZone Chapter 10 - The "Southern Traverse" edition of expedition adventuring racing: lead-up training adventures

Team "MEXTED SPORTS TURF" - fuelled by Jimmy's Pies and recovery aided by CurraNZ!

What is the GodZone Adventure race all about??

It is the world's largest non-stop expedition adventure race which has an undisclosed course from start to finish until the day prior to racing, on the 4th March. However, what we do know is that the base town is Wanaka, it will travel in a West Coast to East Coast direction, the start is somewhere between 3 to 5 hours drive from Wanaka and it starts with a bike-leg. Teams have 9 days to complete the course! Teams consist of four people and must have one female per team. 

The course will traverse some of New Zealand's most stunning landscapes while navigating, trekking, mountain biking, rafting or kayaking our way to each control point on our way to the finish point. This event tests the mental and physical skills of each participant as well as other factors like team work, the ability to function while sleep deprived and emotionally stressed.

Without a doubt, this will be one of the most challenging adventures that I am about to embark on!   

Sunset over Lake Hope

Wye Creek overnighter
training expedition

 

Our GodZone team members:

Jade Lilo, a fencing contractor from Te  Anau (Team Captain and pack horse #1 - 38 y/o)

Guy Mexted, a Maritime Officer from Taranaki (pack horse #2 & Navigator - 33 y/o)

Tiaan Mckinnel, based in Wanaka, a bike mechanic for "Bike it Now' (#1 Navigator - 21 y/o whipper snapper), and

Myself, I guess you could say I am a Shitologist and the "She-Boss" of the team - at a ripe old age of 49 y/o! 

For me, the real training began on 27th December 2021, the day I finished a gruelling three months of artificially inseminating cows. We have had two successful full-team training expeditions. By successful, I mean we are all slightly nuts, get on really well, we move along at a consistent pace as tight-knit group and we have a respectful understanding of each other which helps with making good decisions. Most importantly, we haven't had any mishaps. Getting to the start-line injury free (as I touch wood with less than two weeks to go) is a massive achievement for anyone doing this event.

I have to admit, that this summer has been full of epic training adventures leading into this event. Since 2007, my summers have usually involved racing every weekend and shredding my legs and lungs to pieces. Maybe this old diesel engine is more suited to ultra endurance, type 2 fun these days! I have been on several individual pursuits with my pooch and some with friends who have obliged to tag along to keep me company. 

It never ceases to amaze me how extreme weather conditions can vary throughout a summer day, especially at altitude. A great reminder to always carry extra warm clothing, your safety gear and an Inreach, Personal Locator Beacon. 

The following pictures are from some training adventures leading into the GodZone: 

TEAM TRAINING EXPEDITION #1 - Percy Saddle - North Borland track - Mount Tititroa - Hope Arm - Manapouri:

The team setting off from Lake Manapouri -
West Arm for Percy Saddle

Looking back down into West Arm
from Percy Saddle

Tiaan displaying bike-carrying technique
over the Percy Saddle hike-a-bike section

Mount Titiroa in the early
hours of the morning

Guy cruising through open 
bush, after navigating over Mt Titiroa
from north Borland Hut

Pack-raft from Hope Arm

2022 NEW YEAR ADVENTURE AROUND BLUE LAKE / GARVIE MOUNTAINS WITH BEE:

Hot day - hot doggy

Looking into Blue Lake

Blue Lake Huts

Lake Scott

Lake Scott

Plenty of tarns for Bee to have a dip in
on our hike around the Lakes

Training buddy - Bee

High point on the
Garvie Mountains - 1823m

A beautiful end to a solid days training

OLD MAN RANGE ADVENTURE: Gorge Creek to Boundary Hut via Nicholsons Hut - Diggers Hut - Potters Hut return with Sarah Davidson, Bella & Bee:

A steep climb onto Old Man Range from 
Gorge Creek

Moonscape on Old Man Range

Boundary Hut

Sub Zero conditions up at 1600m
above Boundary Hut heading briskly 
for Diggers Hut

Sarah upbeat after a hot feed 
& drink at Diggers Hut -
Ready to tackle the next
navigation/tussock section in the fog

Campbell Creek near Potters Hut

High tailing it for home & 
Indian takeaways for dinner!

TEAM TRAINING EXPEDITION #2 - WYE CREEK / REMARKABLES AREA:

The Team looking down into Lake Hope

 Lake Wakatipu - Tiaan

The lads faffing - Wye Creek

Sunset looking back at 
Ben Nevis

Sunset - Lake Hope

A little night raft across one of the many tarns

Headlamps not quite off yet as dawn breaks!

Day light breaking on the Remarkables

THE REMARKABLES

MOUNT BENGER RIDE WITH JADE & GUY

Mount Benger - looking over towards Lake Onslow

Refuelling with Jimmy's Pies

A day trip to Black Peak aborted due to fog rolling in - Treble Cone with Pp Mead:

Sunrise on Black Peak

"Over the edge is out" - a rope section
over a dodgy saddle on route to Black Peak

Pp and I up Treble Cone at Sparrow Fart!

Watching the fog roll in at Treble Cone

Immersed in fog now!

Now it is time for tapering, loading up on CurraNZ product, keeping ourselves healthy and illness free, organising gear, food and last minute errands before setting off on our adventure across the South Island SOMEWHERE?????

I will make sure to post a link to our TEAM SPOT TRACKER so that if you want, you can get sidetracked following our dot from the 4th MARCH in the wilderness SOMEWHERE????

A BIG THANKS TO OUR LOVED ONES WHO SUPPORT US TO GET US TO THE START LINE AND BEYOND, OUR SUPPORT CREW AND OUR SPONSORS! 

KIA 

KAHA!