Recreation reviews
South Island Tramp - Catlins
In September 2011 a group of blind and partially sighted adults had the amazing opportunity to tramp through the Catlins. Here, a few participants share their experiences:
"I always find that when I attend these camps I meet such interesting and inspiring people, through their knowledge and wisdom I broaden my own understanding on the world and myself."
"For me it was another opportunity to get to see the wildness of New Zealand but within the safety constraints I need these days. I learned a lot about the flora and history of the region and also about the many different ways visual impairment affects people. I enjoyed the close team feel on the trip."
"I gained absolute enjoyment from this trip, from beginning to end. This included meeting new and old friends and volunteers, getting to new areas in our wonderful outdoors, new insights into coping with failing eyesight and learning to cope with being outside my comfort zone in a tramping situation. This involved listening intently to the guiding instruction being given to the person in front of me and putting each foot forward in faith, due to fading light. The entire trip was experienced in a happy, relaxed atmosphere where empathy, not sympathy was a key feature and laughter was high on the agenda."
"I feel these trips give me strength and courage to keep growing and changing as my sight narrows down. I enjoyed meeting such a wide range of people. We are all together on equal terms, often hearing what others are dealing with brings a situation back into perspective. I certainly would not have such a strong can and will do attitude without meeting so many others. When shown by another blind or vision impaired learning is so much easier somehow."
"The stories of life and friendships mixed with the experiences of being in the challenging and exciting environments that come out of these trips I believe give blind and visionly impaired people a fresh dimension on their own lives and in some cases give people the inspiration and motivation to make changes for the better. The trips are extremely valuable to the lively hood of some blind people and helps to broaden the network and knowledge of the blind world as a whole."
Walking in the shoes of Sir Edmond Hillary
Megan Blair, 14 years old and partially sighted, recently had the chance to attend the Sir Edmond Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre, thanks to funding and support from the RNZFB. Here, she tells her story of the great experiences and the challenges she overcame.
“I’m Megan Blair and from 10-15 April 2011, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a five day trip from Central Hawkes Bay to Turangi, near Mt Ruapehu, with the Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC). I went with 19 other year 10 students plus two teachers from my school, Central Hawkes Bay College.
On Monday, the first day, we did some team building activities and went on a really long flying fox that you were harnessed into. My friend Livi went down and then the instructor tied a bag of water to the rope and slid it down, she was not to happy when it smacked her in the face. We also had a bit of a play on the high ropes course where we climbed a big ladder looking thing, the steps started of being one meter apart but by the time you got up to the top they were about two meters apart. We found that to get everyone up we need to use teamwork and help each other up.
On the Tuesday we climbed up Mt Pukekiakiore which is beside Mt Ruapehu. It took the group and me four to five hours to get to the top and then we all had to climb down, which I found was the most difficult part because the side of the mountain was covered in lose ash and it just slipped under your feet.
On Wednesday we went caving, I though this was the most fun because we had to fit through tiny gaps and it tested everyone. The water in the cave felt like ice it was so cold. Inside the cave there were so many glow worms and when we all turned our torches off we could see little spots of light all over the walls.
On Thursday we spent the day at the high ropes course before heading of for our overnight tramp. That day we climbed up a 13 meter pole and had to try and jump for a bar hanging in the air, it sounded pretty easy so I went first, but when I got up there I noticed that my feet didn’t want to leave the pole and I couldn’t jump to reach the bar. We also walked along a really thin bridge with no sides, just you in a harness. Two people at a time walked across a rope hanging in the air with little bits of rope hanging down every thee to four meters. My friend and I got there in the end, but it was pretty scary stuff! On our overnight tramp we walked for about an hour and a half to where we were camping. We put our tent up and cooked our dinner – we had burritos. In the morning we got up, had noodles for breakfast and walked back to the place we were staying. That Friday we packed up, cleaned up and left and on our way home we stopped and relaxed at the spa before heading home!
All in all, it was a great experience. I found OPC helped me learn a lot more about my peers and with my sight impairment, I realised I could still do what everyone else could."
Most leadership or personal development opportunities are self funded, however if you do need some assistance, phone 0800 2433 33 or email recreations@rnzfb.org.nz
Members reach new heights on the Milford Track
Spanning 53.5 kilometres in the heart of spectacular Fiordland, not everyone would have the inclination, or the fitness, to walk the world-famous Milford Track. Let alone walk it blind.
But in early May 2011, ten RNZFB members from around New Zealand set out to do just that. Of the ten, six are partially sighted, and four are blind.
They were assisted by three RNZFB staff members and three volunteers, however each hiker carried their own multi-day pack, which heightened the challenge.The group walked for five days, enjoying some great weather along the way. They set out from Glade Wharf, reaching Clinton Hut that night. They then walked on to Mintaro Hut for their second night, and on the third day ascended to Mackinnon Pass, returning to Mintaro Hut to spend the night. Their fourth and final night was spent at Clinton Hut before returning triumphantly to Te Anau.
Of the many challenging moments along the way, Marina Hanger, RNZFB Recreation Advisor, says one of the most challenging was navigating the steep and rocky track to and from the Mackinnon Pass shelter. To do this safely, the blind trampers maintained contact with their helpers by holding a pole between them. In some parts, the track became so difficult that more direct contact was necessary, either by taking a guide’s elbow or by holding on to their pack.
The partially sighted trampers, some of whose vision can be severely compromised by the darkness of the bush, were aided by fluorescent material on the packs and ankles of the other trampers. However depth perception for some during descents was another significant challenge.
Returning to Te Anau, the team was buzzing from their success and the great camaraderie enjoyed along the way. Exchanging what they enjoyed the most, the trampers agreed that being able to get out into the rugged outdoors and enjoy this environment with people who understood their particular needs, and who allowed them to push their limits, was a highlight. They agreed they had gained confidence in knowing that challenges, no matter how big, can be overcome.
Now, after some decent sleep and relaxation, plans for the next tramp are brewing. 
To find out more about the RNZFB’s recreation services phone 0800 24 33 33 or email recreations@rnzfb.org.nz. Pictured from back left: Steve Bradley, Petronella Spicer, John McPeak, Marise Bendall, Louise Smith, Sue Emirali, Katrina Harrison, Maria Williams, Jenny Jackson, Arthur Blondell, Sarah Jones, David Jackson, Dave Parker, Paul Richardson, Mike Stevens. At front: Marina Hanger, Frank Pepers.