First step into the Great Outdoors
Mark stood outside the Albany Mega Centre, hands in pockets, staring at the line of outdoor stores. Kathmandu, Bivouac Outdoor, Macpac, Mountain Warehouse – with their wealth of camping, hiking, trekking and outdoor adventure gear – each seemed to taunt him with the promise of adventure and the threat of painful blisters. “Alright,” he muttered. “Let’s do this.”
Mark was, by his own admission, not an ‘outdoorsy’ guy. His idea of roughing it was a motel without wi-fi, but somehow over a few Friday night drinks, his friends – avid hikers, climbers, and all-round mountain men – had convinced him to join them on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The details had been fuzzy at the time (possibly due to a few too many craft beers), but now reality was crystal clear: four days trekking, sleeping in huts, and facing unpredictable weather. Mark had been training, but his nerves still buzzed with visions of sore feet, mysterious bug bites, and getting hopelessly lost.
But first, he needed gear. Proper gear. Albany Mega Centre had it all and conveniently all in one place. Mark chuckled at the irony, “I don’t need to trek all over the city to get trekking gear!”
First stop, Kathmandu. Stepping inside, he was immediately surrounded by sturdy jackets, thermal layers, and backpacks that looked like they could survive an avalanche.
“Can I help you?” asked a friendly staff member.
“Uh, yeah. I need pretty much... everything. First Great Walk.”
“Ah, no worries! Let’s start with the most essential item, boots.”
Mark eyed the rows of hiking boots with both hope and trepidation. After trying on several pairs, he found the ones – comfortable, supportive, and, as the salesperson assured him, built to prevent blisters.
“Great choice,” they said. “Now, you’ll want moisture-reducing socks, trust me.”
Next up, Bivouac Outdoor. Here, Mark found lightweight but warm thermal layers, perfect for warding off hypothermia (one of his top anxieties, along with sprained ankles and overly curious possums). He also picked out quick-dry shirts and hiking pants that wouldn’t chafe – something he’d learned the hard way during his practice hikes!
Over at Macpac, Mark tackled the sleeping situation. The staff helped him choose a compact but cozy sleeping bag designed for the changeable conditions he was likely to encounter high up in the mountains. As they demonstrated how to pack it down to the size of a rugby ball, Mark started to feel a flicker of confidence. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
“Don’t forget a sleeping mat,” they added. “Unless you like waking up feeling like you’ve slept on a pile of rocks.” Mark nodded vigorously. Comfort was non-negotiable.
Finally, Mountain Warehouse. Mark browsed through rain jackets, backpacks, and headlamps, his checklist slowly getting shorter. His eyes lingered on insect repellent - extra strength. Creepy crawlies were a genuine concern. He grabbed two bottles, just to be safe.
As he paid for his final items, Mark felt a surprising sense of excitement. Nervous excitement, sure, but excitement nonetheless. His backpack now contained the tools of adventure. All that remained was the adventure itself.
The day of the walk arrived with a crisp morning breeze and a clear blue sky. Mark stood at the trailhead with his friends, who were adjusting trekking poles and checking topographic maps with the ease of seasoned explorers. Mark anxiously adjusted the straps of his backpack, feeling the comforting snugness of his new gear.
“Ready to get all that new gear dirty?” called his friend. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Mark replied enthusiastically to mask his nervousness.
The trail began gently, winding through lush native bush with sunlight filtering through the canopy. Mark focused on his pace, mindful of conserving energy. His boots gripped the uneven path, and his moisture-wicking socks kept his feet dry as promised.
Over the next three days, Mark discovered a surprising resilience within himself. He navigated rocky ascents, crossed a suspension bridge, and even tolerated the curious weka that wandered into the hut one evening. His boots kept blisters at bay, his thermal layers kept him warm, and his sleeping bag made the chilly nights bearable.
As they posed for a final photo beside the trail’s end sign, one of his trekking companions said “See? We told you you’d love it. And now that you’ve got all the gear, you’ve got no excuse not to do the Heaphy Track with us in spring!”
Mark chuckled, knowing his friend was right. It seemed doing the ‘great walk’ around the Albany Mega Centre, to get all the right gear, had made him an outdoorsy guy after all.