Give Me a Break

Clouds rolled in over Gertrude Saddle, settling into a gentle meander across the Upper Hollyford Valley. The peaks of the Darran Mountains in New Zealand’s South Island towered above, capped with snow and the promise of adventure. Cold rain spattered against the glass windows of Homer Hut, windows that perfectly framed the mountain range above.

This was my second visit to the alpine sanctuary. Sitting there taking in the view, I confirmed my suspicions that Homer Hut was the most peaceful place I’d ever been. The cheeky cries of the kea echoed across the valley and the fireplace crackled. Climbers from all walks of life frothed over the countless routes chronicled in well-worn, handwritten journals—gateways to the real adventure of climbing in the Darrans.

I was exhausted, having recently finished working for six months straight. Working on something like that is a rewarding but incredibly demanding experience. For six months you’re a ghost to friends and family. The weekend becomes a precious 48 hours; 24 of them to recover and the rest dedicated to your health, fitness and relaxation. It leaves very little time for anything else.