“I'm not really a hiker, Liz.”
I didn't keep track of how many times I uttered this to my friend Liz as we were driving around Wanaka, New Zealand, and she was pointing out all sorts of mountains she wanted to make me climb.
There was talk of a hike to Rob Roy Glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park. A hike to Rocky Mountain Summit just outside Wanaka. And what would have probably been a full day climb of Roys Peak.
“Again, I'm not really a hiker, Liz.”
I said this many times, but what I really meant was “I'm so incredibly unfit and I actually HATE hiking and I may cry and just sit down in the middle of the track and tell you to leave me behind.”
But of course I never said these things. I stayed quiet, secretly hoping the weather would be terrible or that Liz would forget about all the hiking. (But who was I kidding? This is the girl who spent weeks riding horses around Mongolia and who lives in NEW ZEALAND now, for God's sake.)
Thankfully for us both, the weather and our lack of ability to plan anything conspired for us to tackle the Rocky Mountain Track first.
The track, located about 20 minutes from Wanaka, is a slightly more obscure one in the region. Even though it's close to a lot of the other popular walks in the area, not many non-locals seem to know about it.
The track is maintained by New Zealand's Department of Conservation, and has a few different hiking options. We of course were going for the whole enchilada – the 7-kilometer track that would take us to the Rocky Mountain Summit and back.
The DOC estimates the whole hike should take about 3 hours. It's probably listed as an “easy” hike, but a hike that would have you scale a waterfall and leap over a river full of sharks would probably be classified as “easy” in “We-Downplay-Everything” New Zealand.
We arrived around 3 p.m., armed with water bottles, a few layers of clothing, and a bag of potato chips to reward ourselves with at the top.
Liz had done this hike before, and assured me it would take us far less time than the DOC estimate. “We'll probably be at the top in 45 minutes,” she said.
Famous last words.
45 minutes into the hike, and we were nowhere near the top. We had conquered the easy first part of the track (mostly gravel) and climbed about a billion steps to a lookout point over Diamond Lake.
By 45 minutes in, we had a nice view over Lake Wanaka, but I was out of breath and starting to get tired. Luckily, I had plenty of excuses to stop and take photos.
To be fair, I wasn't the only one breathing heavy. But Liz was making fun of me anyway. I pointed out, though, that I TOLD her I was not a hiker nor in shape (unless “shape” means kind of round and squishy).
I wasn't about to give up, though.
We continued on, Liz assuring me that the top was “not far now” every time I would be tempted to rest my screaming calves on an inviting-looking rock – even though I could clearly see that the top was not, in fact, anywhere nearby.
We climbed up small cliffs. Trudged along muddy, narrow switchbacks. And Liz kept saying “almost there, almost there,” followed usually by, “Oh, actually I don't remember this part from last time.”
Eventually, I came to the conclusion that she was just trying to kill me.
She lured me to her home in Wanaka, only to try to do away with me on an empty hiking track.
No, no. I really love Liz. And I'm actually glad she forced me to the top of that “mountain.” It was something I would have never done on my own, and it allowed her to show me a slice of her new, outdoors-loving life.
It didn't hurt that the view at the top was great, or that we had the summit completely to ourselves, either. We spent almost 45 minutes up there taking photos and appreciating how damn pretty New Zealand is.
What's that quote about climbing mountains?
“It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.”
I may not have been transformed into a hiker, but I definitely conquered something that day. (Though it might have just been Liz's plot to kill me…)
All my complaining and hyperbole aside, it's a pretty epic hike – totally doable in a morning or afternoon.
I'm not sure that I would do it AGAIN… but in the end I was glad I was forced slightly out of my comfort (and fitness) zone in order to get to the top.
RELATED: 9 Signs You Are NOT a Hiker
If you're even in Wanaka, is this a hike you would tackle?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
[…] But, she assured me this track would be much easier. Mostly flat, she promised, and with some even more epic views than the Rocky Mountain Track. […]
[…] lake for some great vantage points. Mount Iron is a popular place for locals to go for a jog; the Rocky Mountain Track is only a 20-minute drive from town; and if you’re feeling extra ambitious, go for the summit […]
[…] A Dangerous Business up here and *might* have forgotten how steep it was – she was convinced I was trying to kill her – I think she secretly liked it. Besides, the views are always worth it, […]
Hilarious! Sounds like it was (at that time) a really painful hike. But those views are definitely worth it! I’m a city girl but I think I would try and put this on my list the next time I go. And keep chanting to myself that this is possible!
Definitely possible. And it’s really not THAT difficult of a hike – I’m just the worst hiker on the planet. Lol.
[…] also am NOT a hiker. Sure, I love a good sweeping landscape. But give me a way to get to it that doesn’t include […]
It’s funny, in the past few years suddenly everyone I know has gotten into tramping/hiking! And I guess NZ is a great place for it. I did my longest hike ever this weekend – probably about 6 hours total though with a fair few rest breaks, along the Te Henga trail – so this one definitely sounds doable. But a full day or overnight trails… that’s just not for me. I do wish I had been more interested in hikes back when we did our South Island trip.
New Zealand IS a great place for hiking! It’s no wonder so many people there love it.
I’m with you, though – the multi-day treks really don’t appeal to me at all!
Amanda, you and Liz look like you’re having a blast. So lucky to have a friend you’d trust with that sort of challenge (I have a few) — even knowing she was probably trying to kill you! And those views … Thanks for sharing!
Yes, we had a lot of fun! (Though I did sort of hate her during that hike – only swore at her once, though! Haha.)
Well done, Amanda 🙂 I’m not really a hiker either, but that rewarding view in Wanaka could very well convince me to try it anyway! Those pictures are INCREDIBLE!
Thanks, Miriam! If you think these are great, wait until you see the photos from the hike we did at Mount Cook!!
Awesome photos. I know how you felt. My first real hike was 4 miles. I had never been hiking before. My husband loves it so I did it. It was when we first dating. To keep me going he just kept telling me that its worse if you stop. But I did it and it was an awesome feeling.
Glad you completed it (and that you stuck with him even after that! haha).
Love this! I just want to go do this hike right now… so beautiful and tempting. But those stairs looked like a killer.
Luckily there was only that one section of stairs. But it was still all uphill for 1.5 hours! I wasn’t really prepared for that… haha.
How cool is it that TWO of my favourite travel bloggers know each other! And travel (at least hike) together!
This is pretty neat in my book.
Also, yay, hiking!
Haha aww, you’re too kind! We do indeed know each other (and get along really well!) – I stayed with Liz for a week in Wanaka and we had some awesome adventures!
I loved Wanaka!! Unfortunately when I went to NZ 5 years ago I wasn’t a big hiker (I love it now) and I kick myself everyday for not hiking more while in that insanely beautiful country!
Well I suppose that means you’ll just have to go back! 🙂
I have just done a couple of day treks recently in Argentina and so recognize myself in this! It is worth it do when you finally reach the goal:) Great pics!
Yeah, in the end I suppose it usually IS worth it! I won’t be hiking to Everest Base Camp anytime soon, but I suppose you have to start somewhere!
I love this post. One of my resolutions this year is to hike. “A journey of a thousand miles” and all. I WILL make it to Dragon’s Back. Love your blog and Young Adventurous, too. Happy travels!
Aww thanks Sharon! I hope you complete that resolution!!
Unbelievably gorgeous photos! I’m really outdoorsy, so that looks right up my alley but I applaud you for giving it a chance and pushing through even though it’s not normally your thing. Sure seems like the scenery was worth it 🙂
Yeah the scenery was definitely worth the agony. Haha. We did another hike near Mount Cook (which I haven’t written about yet) that I enjoyed much more. It was flat, but the scenery was even better! Definitely more my speed.