Jennifer S Success Story
Jennifer Scott, Success Story. Central Whirinaki Hut, Whirinaki Te Pua A Tane Conservation Park
What is your story about?
Closest I came to dying I think in bush
What is your favourite outdoor adventure of all time and why?
Walked lotsa tracks but 9 nights in Kahurangi probably my fav. Walked with 2 others, one female one male who grieving for late wife which was not good at times
What advice would you give to someone who is new to spending time in the outdoors or hesitant to start?
Like I did really, but I 78 yrs old now. None of the mod tech that youngsters have now-a-days. I started at a tramping club and yes have been mislaid (lost) in Whirinaki Forest and eventually helicoptered out. We sure did see more of that wonderful area tho than most do!
What first drew you to the outdoors and how has your relationship evolved since then?
I had run a half marathon to celebrate birthday (was a runner) daughter beat me time was!!!!!!! Time to change outdoor activity and saw advertised Wanganui Tramping Club
What challenges have you faced being able to spend time in nature and how have you overcome them?
I have had to work forever for finances, x4 kids and university and it turned out in his mid 70's recognition he had "issues" I too busy walking running tramping to notice. Tramping was my godsend in the day!
What challenges have you faced while being in the outdoors and how have you overcome them?
Usually other members in a group. After x2 nights I discovered politics of a group starts to rear, disagreements on "jobs" in hut, on direction, on morning tea stops. After being lost I NEVER again did "group" food thing. I had dried rice, companion had dried fruit, all hopeless. Nothing to cook on or heat. rehydrated fruit we both heaved up. At huts we searched under/over etc for something to cook on. Nope, none. Lesson learnt
Can you share a particularly memorable outdoor experience and why it stands out?
Sitting in van with male companion, he in front going from Queenstown back to Te anau and the most stunning sunset the whole way. When we got out of shuttle van I thanked the driver for the most stunning video I had ever seen, he smiled and said yep, pretty spectacular.
18 months later I was called to companions home by his son to say goodbye to his dad at 72 with pancreatic cancer, Barry wanted to thank me for all our wonderful trips, I hugged him and said you got two dogs he loved waiting (his wife had been killed by hit n run driver plus one dog) and two loved wives waiting for you. Now picture that wonderful sunset we viewed and both vowed we would remember on our death beds. Loved ones waiting behind it. We hugged again and he died 4 hrs later.
In what ways has spending time in nature impacted your physical, mental and/or spiritual well being?
Totally all of above, mentally I not sure I would have survived what I been thru without memories as now I am a carer
What aspects of your outdoor adventure do you find most fulfilling and how do these moments make you feel?
Shown me I not a twit and subservient like I had always been. I have a in built sense of direction, group thing prevents that sometimes as um - female thing gets over ridden. Better at work and more assertive
Has your appreciation for the outdoors influenced your daily life or perspectives once you’re home again?
Yep, more in control and um open mouth more to argue
Is there a dream adventure you’d like to do?
First was always the Appalachian trail, then I planned the Te Araroa, money, plans etc already and over nite husband had a major stroke
Jennifer Scott, Success Story
Your Story Can Make An Impact
Many of you have shared your stories privately with me, through direct messages, emails, phone and in person conversations. You are my inspiration and my superstars. Hearing the personal challenges you’ve overcome, how you felt before making a change, the positive transformation you’ve experienced and your outlook for the future are all inspirational.
Now is your opportunity to share your Success Stories with the Freewheeling Kiwi Community so that in turn we may all be inspired by you.
By sharing your story, you’ll help shape the narrative as to who spends time in our beautiful outdoors, you’ll influence others in a positive way and lift up our whole Freewheeling Kiwi Community.
Your story will make an impact to the lives of others and this can only be good for us all. ❤︎
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I braced myself for the next gust, feet wide, knees bent, crouching over my hiking poles. I could see the track snaking along the ridge line with steep drop-offs on either side. We were well and truly above the tree line, if I went over, it was going to be a long way before I stopped falling.
There’d already been two hikers knocked off their feet by the wind, fortunately they’d not gone over the edge. Someone else’s pack cover took flight, a bright red sail disappearing into the grey fog.
Not satisfied, the wind circled around and had a go from the other direction, whirling up from Lake Te Anau then slamming into me from the other direction. So this was what 80 kilometre gusts felt like I mused as the sleet flew past me horizontally..