Finding OUR KIWI SELVES TRAMPING

It’s while reading George Santayana’s essay, The Philosophy of Travel, that I discover an eloquent answer to the question which rubs like sand in my brain during all long walks: why am I doing this?

Writes the Spanish-born philosopher: ‘We need sometimes to escape into open solitudes, into aimlessness, into the moral holiday of running some pure hazard, in order to sharpen the edge of life, to taste hardship, and to be compelled to work desperately for a moment at no matter what.’

Reflecting on my first multi-day tramp in New Zealand, I find his words true to tramping in general.

I’ve managed a couple of multi-day trips, but I have not been self-sufficient. For three days I trudged over mountains in the Solomon Islands with guides and pack carriers. Then there was an eight-day tapas bar crawl in Spain, also known as the Camino de Santiago.

I’m somewhat wary then, when family friend and veteran tramper, Mary, suggests I join her on the Arahura-Styx at Christmas. We’re talking about a four-day backcountry tramp complete with carrying a pack, cooking gear, and food – plus the promise of permanently wet boots. Even mum