The Big "To Do List"

Here's what I need to get done before leaving for New Zealand:

1. Get my holiday work visa application done and print off approval.
• For those looking to do the working holiday visa, here's a few things to know about it. First, make sure you do this before you turn 31. Two, despite what the website says, or used to say, the visa kicks in upon your arrival to New Zealand, not from the date they approve it. I waited until the month I was leaving to fill it out thinking it would maximize my time there, but it was unnecessary. You have about 6 months from when you are approved to  arrive in New Zealand. Three, unless you're pregnant, spent more than 3 (maybe it was 5) consecutive months in a high risk TB country, was previously kicked out of NZ, or committed a felony of sorts, then the application should take about 10 minutes to fill out, you don't need a chest X-ray, and they'll get back to you within a week.
2. Find insurance to cover $8000-10,000 worth of gear (for theft).
• This is a surprisingly hard task to do. I have already asked my car insurance company about their renters insurance-not even close to covering my gear. I stopped by AAA to ask them about their travel insurance to find they had nothing useful. I did a quick search on squaremouth.com to find nothing meets my needs (most insurances seem to only cover medical or baggage-so really just covering $2000 worth of your stuff if the airport loses it). I'm going to try and call several other companies about their renter insurance policies to see if they have better coverage. I'll call squaremouth to see if I can get a more specialized plan and I do want to double check with the American Alpine club as well. The gear is kind of my life, so I need some sort of coverage for it. 
• Just a heads up to future New Zealand travelers, petty theft in New Zealand, unlike violent crime, it pretty common. I know someone who had thousands of dollars worth of gear stolen out of his car when he was traveling there.
3. Double check that the family health insurance will cover me.



Helen on Lumpy Ridge

• Rumor has it, from my reliable source (Helen, a kiwi who now lives in Boulder, CO) that New Zealand's government will cover you if you get in say a car accident. For regular health check ups, chronic issues, and I think sickness, I don't think they do cover you. Don't quote me yet. If I get seriously injured (fingers crossed that doesn't happen), I'll let you know who had to pick up the bill.
4. Fix my online security set up so they stop sending verfication codes to my phone.
• Those little things, they'll get you. It would suck to be blocked from my email account because I can't check the text they sent my phone which will be in NZ.
5. Find out what kind of car insurance I should get for New Zealand.
• It's not required that you have insurance there and there is no suing culture since the government takes care of those injured, so I don't think liability is necessary. However, I may want something to cover collision damage or sheep running into my car.
6. Create a "Must Do" list for while I am in New Zealand. 
• I realize, being in one place for so long allows you to become a little lackadaisical with getting things done. When I studied in New Zealand, I was there for about 8 months. I probably accomplished almost the same number of big climbs as this one guy I met who was there for only a month. So while I'm relaxing, getting to know the Kiwis, and working here and there, I need to make sure I keep on track for getting all my goals done. Who knows, this may be my last time in New Zealand. At least for a while. I do need to explore new places like Europe, Ecuador, and BC.
• I'll post this list when I do finally get around to it.
7. Schedule appointments
• Ok, dermatologist, endoscopy, hearing (I think the whole throwing explosives for ski patrol might be catching up to me), and regular check up appointment done or scheduled. Dentist...trying to get a cheap appointment with the Uconn student dental school. Little on the pricy side for me otherwise with the lack of dental insurance.
8. Test, repair, and re-waterproof gear.
• So I dropped my good old gregory off at the Gear Doc in North Conway, NH the other day. Rich, the owner, is a nice guy, has relatively fair prices, and I will let you know when I get my pack back how good his work is. I realized however as we went over the things that need to be repaired that this trip will probably be its last trip. I think it's on its last leg. Over the last seven years it's only been used for travel to Chile & Argentina for 5 weeks, New Zealand for 8 months, on four 24-day backpacking trips, and many other shorter backpacking trips. It will be a great last trip for this pack to be on...so long as it doesn't fall apart before it is over.
9. Inform bank of travel plans
• Americaneagle said to do it through their online services 1.5 weeks before the trip. Now to not forget to actually do that. 
• Hot tip for other travelers: I do have a back up plan for banking situations. Even though I'm getting rather old (almost a quarter of a century actually) and I'm living pretty independently, I opened a joint account years ago with my parents (where I'm the primary person) and have kept it to this day. All the money in the account is mine and I pay my own bills, etc. It's just nice as a traveler to have someone who is in the States to help step in and talk to the bank directly if say my credit card or online banking gets blocked. Just make sure you have someone you wholly trust to be on your account
10. Get fit for New Zealand
• Climb, run, and hike as much as possible. Maybe even squeeze in a little crossfit. Sadly I can't ski now to ready myself for the ski season I will be jumping into. Though based on my one experience skiing there and what kiwis claim, I might be able to prepare myself better for skiing by ice skating here. 
11. See if I can get a new sleeping bag for my birthday
• The 0 degree F sleeping bag I have with me now may be a bit excessive for New Zealand. Considering average mountain temperatures in the winter hover around 32, maybe a little less at higher elevations. I'm thinking a 30-35 F down mummy bag with a silk liner might be enough to do the trick for the year. Kiwi friends, correct me if I'm wrong. 
12. Finish packing and double check I have all I need to survive a year there
• Let's see...mountaineering, climbing, camping, and ski gear. Wallet, passport, visa, computer, about 8 pairs of footwear (2 climbing, 1 approach, 1 running, crocs,  mountaineering boots, ski boots, and hiking boots), 3 backpacks, $10 Goodwill fullbody wetsuite...oh right, and maybe some clothes (hmmm, I think I will be thrift shopping for some of that. I have a serious lack of space and weight). Ooh, can't forget the camera. 
13. See as many friends and family as possible



Contradancing in Dover with
friends-Check

• I have yet to meet my grand-nephew so that obviously has to happen. The trip north to NH  & ME has already come and went; I at least caught up with most of the people I hoped to. I still owe grandpa M. a birthday dinner from 2 years ago, so that I have to get done before I go. Ooh, and I have yet to visit with most of my family since I got back. Better get working on that.
14. Limit my spendings.
• I was only partially successful on this front when I was on my travels north (much thanks to all who let me stay at their house and helped feed me). The necessary purchase of 'new' climbing shoes, food, and diesel still added up. Luckily I can earn money under-the-table money from my dad and brother by doing yard work. Hmmm, I better get working then.
15. Get in touch with Helen's parents again just before I go.
• They are my ride from the airport and a place to stay while I look for a car in Auckland. Cars in New Zealand are cheap, but staying in Auckland long enough to find a decent one is not, unless you have someone to stay with. I look forward to meeting my temporary hosts and if they are anything like their daughter, I know I'll love them. I'm already grateful that they offered me a place to stay while I'm in New Zealand. I really need to send them a picture of me though so they can find me at the airport.