Friday, August 1, 2014

The Real "To Do List"

Some of these ideas might not be very realistic; I have to do some further research to do on them before I can fully commit, but for now I can aim high. Do note, I will probably add on to this list as fast as I’m checking it off (if not faster).

The starred items are those I wanted to do last time and didn’t get to. They are therefore a bit of a priority. And I didn’t list all the friends I intend on catching up with because I hope they will be apart of these adventures. Oh, don’t forget to check out my custom made map below with the approximate locations of my goals. No really, you should check it out so I know I didn't waste my life away with designing an image on Word.

North Island
  • The Cormandel-A lovely area with beaches to camp on, music festivals, caves, and probably more.
  • Bay of Plenty-a large bay where blue whales and humpbacks have been seen.
  • Tiritiri Matangi Island- An Island off the shore of Auckland that is pest free and loaded with native NZ fauna and flora.
  • Tramp the Hillary Track-A 77km track in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland.
  • Maungatautari Ecological Island, Waikato-The largest mainland safe haven for New Zealand native wildlife and plants
  • *Lake Taupo-Largest lake by surface area in New Zealand. Apparently has some Maori rock carvings I need to check out.
  • *Tangoriro National Park
o   Sir Edmund Hillary Center-an outdoor pursuit center I had hoped to work for. Probably won’t happen, but I would still like to visit it.
o   *Ski Ruapehu-Also known as Mount Doom to all the LOTR fans. Since it is in LOTR, an active volcano, has about 9,100 ft prominence (about it’s elevation), and is the highest point on the North island, I obviously have to ski it. From bottom to top and down. I’ll also try to hop on the adjacent ridges.
  •     *Wellington-lovely city on the southern coast of the South Island and it is where Emily lives (one of my key climbing partners from my first trip to NZ).
o   *Take the Ferry to South Island.
  •     Various Climbing areas-to be determined based on climbing partners and more research

South Island
  • *Bike the Heaphy Track-A Great Walk on the Northern bit of the South Island. Biking is allowed on the shoulder of the Peak season.
  • Arthur’s Pass
o  *Climb Rome Ridge to Rolleston-A repeat from a previous trip, but now I know I have the skills (and tools) to summit.
o   Ski Tour!
  •     *Garden of Eden Ice Plateau-A massive glacier plateau in a remote area. There may be some opportunities for first ascents out here. I was supposed to join a trek to here November 2011, but those plans ended up changing. Can’t complain, Stewart Island was pretty great.
  •   *Cloudy Peak-A lovely mountain with some rock walls that are less known and infrequently traveled. Some adventurous alpine rock climbing to be had I believe. It is actually close to where they filmed Rohan in LOTR; so I’ll have to pay a visit there while I’m at it.
  •     *Mt Aspiring-Large, beautiful peak in Aspiring National Park
o   Ski it (or at least part of it)
o   *Do the long trek over Aspiring to the West Coast with Danilo (I believe inflatable rafts were involved in this plan of Danilo’s).
  •      The Darrens/Fiordland National Park
o  *Climb Mitre Peak-iconic peak in Milford sound that is suppose to be a fun scramble.
o  *Climb Sabre again-Let’s see if I can do it without a bivy this time.
o   Explore the walls of Poseidon Creek-I had applied for a grant to attempt a first ascent here and was unable to receive it. However, I will try again for the grant and regardless, Nate and I are psyched to at least explore the area.
o  *Tramp the Dusky Track-84 km trail in Fiordland that crosses three major valley systems and two mountain ranges.
  •      *Climb a 25 (about 5.12a/b) in Wanaka and Paynes Ford-Really so I can win a 3-year running bet and collect my beverage of choice from Dave.
  •          Learn Surfing-Or at least give a good go at it.
  •      Work on a Winery-Place to be determined. Probably will be near Paynes Ford.
  •      Field Assistant for a wildlife management Program-Part of that “figuring my life out” goal.
  •      Be a mountaineering guide-Lofty, but I’m still hopeful. Application is in to Fox Glaciers Guides on Mount Cook.
  •      *Go paragliding!!

Stewart Island
  •       *Explore Gog and Magog



Down Time/Rainy Days
  • Read!
  • Work on making jewelry/collecting shells
  • Blog
  • Work on my Outdoor Instructor guide book (I started this 3 years ago to make for myself)
  • Learn photography

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