When you get the call that every child dreads, you have to surrender and then act decisively

Our camp in the early morning hours of summit day. Photo by Dani Rudinsky.

In May 2018 I climbed Mt Shasta via Cassaval Ridge

We finally start climbing mountains with our ascents of Mt Aylmer and Hochstetter

An amazing experience with a Maori outrigger canoe in beautiful Abel Tasman

One of many unique looking birds in Byron Bay - at sunrise

My first live rugby game in New Zealand was watching the Canterbury Crusaders win against the Auckland Chiefs.

We have our share of laughs and learning while climbing the Hanging Rock at Timaru

A mix of serious and fun lessons marked our time in the mountaineering school at Mt Cook

Mountaineering is not only learning about how to survive in the mountains, but also learning how to live life intentionally

Even with its minor annoyances and major crowds, Queenstown still retains its charm and its place as the adventure capital in New Zealand

Fun day rock climbing in New Zealand

The Kepler track, lake Te Anau and lake Manapuri.  Plus some screaming Kiwis and thieving Keas make for a great adventure

Our graduation to the "expert trampers" club in Arthur's Pass

Our mountaineering training week beings with a Banks Penninsula tramp

Our home away from home in Christchurch with Christine, Brent's mom

We never ran into the mob at "Mordor" and instead ended up hiking by ourselves by some lakes and waterfalls in the rain

Rotorua was a pleasant stopover on the North Island, filled with climbing, running and of course, geysers and stinky sulphur spas

One of the most colorful characters we met in New Zealand so far was Ray from the Waitangi Holiday Park campground