Student makes Coast to Coast journey in appalling conditions

22 October 2012

Student completes epic Coast to Coast journey in appalling conditions

A 24-year-old Wellington student has battled some of the South Island’s worst weather to complete a 14-day solo coast to coast expedition raising money for asthma research.

Luke Wilson, who comes from Karori, left Karamea on the West Coast in late September travelling 150km on foot, climbing mountain ranges, biking 60km and kayaking 225km to Clarence on the East Coast. His mission was hampered by appalling weather, with blizzards, 120km winds and heavy rain making the journey extremely treacherous.

“The weather was full on but I just put on a shell, put my head down and went for it. It did feel quite lonely on the Clarence River though when the scale of what I was doing started to set in. It was fairly humbling,” says Luke.

Luke had planned to summit ten peaks along the way but says while he got within striking distance of each mountain-top appalling weather meant he only summited two.

“I had to deal with 80-100km winds on the tops and it just wasn’t safe to summit, although I got really close to most of them, sometimes just a ridge away. I think I could have got myself in a lot of trouble if I had continued going but the stuff I have been learning about risk assessment over the last two years kicked in and I made the right decisions,” he says.

Luke graduated from Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s (TPP) two-year diploma in Outdoor Instruction and Guiding this Labour weekend. TPP Head of the Outdoor Education Department Dave Ritchie says Luke should be very proud of his achievement.

“To spend that long in atrocious weather with minimal shelter, and cover that sort of distance is a feat of skill and endurance. Luke has demonstrated qualities of discipline, commitment and creativity that we try to teach all our young students, we are really proud of him,” says Mr Ritchie.

Luke’s journey has raised nearly $2,000 for the NZ Asthma Foundation. He also plans to sell the kayak he used to paddle the Clarence River on Trade Me with proceeds going to the charity.

After attending TPP’s Outdoor Education programme graduation and 21st birthday celebration at Labour weekend Luke will head to Motueka where he will spend the summer as a kayak guide for The Sea Kayak Company. He plans to spend his time working and planning his next expedition for charity.

Luke tramped from Karamea to the Owen Valley near St Arnaud, then biked 130kms to Lake Rotoiti and through Molesworth Station. He then made his way to the source of the Clarence River where he spent six days paddling the 215km’s to the East Coast stopping along the way for an attempt up Mt Tapuaenuku. Conditions for the climb were deemed unsafe and he turned back. Outdoor clothing and equipment company Bivouac helped Luke, supplying gear for the journey.

To make a donation go to www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/lukewilson or to follow the Trade Me auction www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=524951602

ENDS

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