Overcome Depression through Walking - Updates

We did it!

10 March 2020

Hi All,

I would like to just say thanks heaps to everyone who helped me raised the money to participate in the Alps2Ocean Ultra to raise awareness about depression.

For 7 days we walked/run 330km, from Mt Cook to the coastal town of Oamaru in Otago.

Starting the race with a 60km journey which took us from Mt Cook Village across the Tasman River climbing through the Burnett Mountain Range (highest peak 1000m) across DOC and private farm lands. Down the Tekapo Canal to Lake Pukaki to our camping ground at Jan's Beach.

Stage 2 started at Jan's Beach to Lake Middleton (50km). Going through Lake Pukaki Shoreline Walk, Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, the dams and following the A2O Cycle Trail to Lake Middleton across Twizel and the Ohau River and Canal.

Stage 3 (90km) started at Lake Middleton to the Benmore Dam. This was the toughest day and the most mentally challenged day by far.

The race started with a steady claim to the Quailburn Lookout (900m) through Lake Ohau Lodge, up Ben Ohau Range across a few streams, which were handy for fresh drinkable water. Down to the Quailburn Woolshed, across the Ahuriri Conservation Land famous for the making of the latest Mulan movie due to be release in March this year. Then Up again the Clay Cliffs, down through Omarama along the A2O Cycle Trail to Benmore Lake. Then steep ups (800m) and downs again to the Benmore Dam through Pass Peak and Boundary Gully. This stage took me 25hrs to complete with 4 breaks of 30 minutes between check points.

Stage 4 was 45km with the most and steep climbs to do. Due to blisters, injuries and hot days in the previous stages, about 15 people gave up before the beginning of Stage 4. Those of us who were ready to continue, started at Benmore Dam up Peninsula Walk, across the dam, up the Te Akatarerwa Stream (830m), down to the main road along the Lake Aviemore. Up Deep Stream Walk, climbing the Kirkliston Range (1116m) on the south side with a beautiful view of the Waitaki Dam and the St Marys Range. Before going down hill to the Waitaki River and into Kurow.

Staged 5 and 6 were 55 & 28km and we followed the A2O cycle trail from Kurow to Oamaru Harbour.

By the end of stage 5, 22 of the 132 of us dropped out of the race. Finishing the whole competition was my biggest achievement to date and I am so thankful to all my colleagues, friends and family who supported me along.

In summary, the whole thing was mentally challenging and I will probably do it again if I have an opportunity to do it again. The good news, we did it and it's all thanks to all you legends out there who helped by giving your money for a cause you believe worth raising alarm abut.