Footprint of the rainbow
Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, known simply as ‘Tapi’ to the locals, is the highest mountain in New Zealand outside the main Southern Alps, sitting at 2,885m. The name translates from Māori as ‘Footprint of the rainbow.’ Snowcapped for most of the year, its peak is iconic here in Marlborough. Sir Edmund Hillary used it as his training ground before summiting Mt Everest, and for me, with a perfect view from the squat rack at the gym I’m mesmerized, longing to climb it again rather than confined between sets, reps and four walls.
Many Marlbrarians want to summit Tapi but few find the time, or lack the will to tramp with wet feet across the hundreds of river crossings as you weave your way up the Hodder. When a group of ladies at work decided this was their goal, it was a no brainer to support them on their journey, especially when our co-worker Brigit’s family owns Bluff Station on Tapi’s eastern flank. This huge merino sheep farm is famous for its wool and geologically for its prehistoric rocks. As you drive further inland away from the ocean at Kekerengu, the enormity of Bluff Station becomes apparent, taking two hours bouncing over gravel roads and fords to reach the base of Tapi on the Clarence River side. Christened ‘vert in a hurry’ it’s the harder side to ascend with more rocks, scree, and faster vertical gain. The perfect choice for three ladies with minimal back country experience, no mountaineering background nor experience of descending steep scree…needless to say Brigit and I had our work cut out for us.
Growing up with Tapi in her backyard, Brigit naturally wanted to share her mauanga (mountain) and connect us with her home. Moving over this kind of terrain with a wooden manuka pole is second nature for her, plus she knows every sheep track by name. Together we wanted to help the girls summit, so to avoid setting them up for failure our first piece of advice began during the middle of last year: ‘Go climb Mt. Fishtail (1643m) and tell us how your quads feel after’.
What led us all to the mountain that day wasn’t a dire need to summit but more the longing for a group of women seeking a shared experience out in the mountains. We could empower each other through the sharing of knowledge and skills alongside friendship and laugher. With nothing quite as gratifying as teaching someone how to put up a tent for the first time, or simply boil water. An adventure, whereby in those 48 hours, time moved at the same pace for all of us.
In addition to myself and Brigit, our optimistic mountain maidens consisted of Melissa whose previous life was career driven, living fast and furious to nail project deadlines. Whilst climbing Tapi she described what it was like to leave the corporate buzz for small town family life. To fill the void, Melissa enjoys backcountry exploring alongside her two young boys. Birthdays have become less about the cake and more about the shared adventure they are now ‘officially’ ready for. Her backcountry explorations steadily grow year on year alongside her sons.
Then there’s Holly the pocket rocket, once upon a time a sprinter, she now tirelessly gives her clients a run for their money with high energy fitness classes. In climbing Tapi Holly felt keen to show her teenage daughter that ‘Mum’s still got it’. Demonstrating to her the stages of goal planning, from the daydreaming to the hard work in executing it.
Jules, originally from the UK, describes herself as an average middle-aged kiwi mum.But I see her as anything but average. Jules is a go getter who grasps every opportunity and throws herself into it with everything she has. Mum to two delightfully outdoorsy boys, Jules described wanting to show them what their father used to do, but unfortunately due to a spinal injury, can’t physically now show them for himself. Jules saw Tapi as an opportunity to learn skills from friends so she could be confident in relaying them to her boys. Unfortunately, with a summer of long drives to Christchurch and hospital visits to her hubby, there wasn’t much time left for exercise. For Jules to succeed in summiting Tapi was a huge feat. That girl’s got grit. I taught Jules the simple things up that mountain, whilst unbeknownst to her, she taught me more about mental toughness than she will ever know.
Finally, there’s Brigit, navigating parenthood with 4 girls under 7. Brigit uses the outdoors to fill her cup; it doesn’t have to be the top of a mountain, it can be a park or green space, she’s just learnt over time to scale the outdoor adventure and adapt. Learning about the world through her girls’ eyes has brought her equal amounts of joy. She admits they have taught her to slow down and explore the environment though fresh eyes, rather than always chasing the end goal. This was evident as we climbed over the changing terrain, Brigit would admire and point out the little things like the flowers and bugs. For her it’s been a process, but understanding that exploring outdoor space brings her joy has ensured Brigit maintained her sense of identity, navigating the changes through motherhood. In taking time away from the kids and climbing high, she filled her cup to the brim and showed the girls it’s not about success or failure, it’s about just getting out there.
I first met Brigit when she was pregnant with twins, already with two littleies, but I instantly knew she was a kindred spirit, pre-kids tearing into the mountains whenever the opportunity arose. She knew me and where I was at - nearing 40 and no kids (a conscious decision) but one that may forever play like a broken record. It’s so hard to know if that’s the correct decision or not. For those women who are neither here nor there in having kids I know we must share the same silent turmoil as our biological clocks tick. In not having children, a small part of my heart knows it’s missing out on some magic. I sometimes long to return home to the chaos of noisy child’s play, sticky fingerprints on the walls and early wake ups as a small human worms their way into my bed. Likewise, I’m sure a parent envies me for my freedom. For now, I’ll avoid the quiet and maintain my addiction in chasing the next mission. I’m content in being adventurous Aunty Nat, and if that means inspiring my best 5-year-old friend to do park run then I am a very happy Aunt.
Careless of our responsibilities, as mothers, wives, daughters, aunts, and business owners, where time can fly and disappear all at once, we all managed to converge at the footprint of the rainbow. We escaped life for a weekend and with hard work, sweat and teamwork pushed each other out of our comfort zones to summit. I wholeheartedly feel through doing something for themselves, these ladies proved there’s no better role model for their children than their mothers themselves.
Instagram: trailrun_physio
