Submitted by Andrew Gorski on the 2024 Winter KAAP program in New Zealand…
The third week of our trip was filled with hikes and adventures. Each day of the week, we went
on an excursion that required heavy levels of elevation and decline. On Monday, we took on
Mount Cargill in Dunedin. Mount Cargill is 676 meters above sea level. This hike was different
from Signal Hill because we tried our trekking poles for the first time. The poles gave us our legs
support as we climbed up the steep mountains. Mount Cargill had organ pipe rocks which gave
an awesome rock climbing experience. On Tuesday, we visited Tunnel Beach which was
another rewarding experience. What was supposed to be a quick visit turned into an enjoyable
day at the beach. The air and wind complimented the hot sun to be the perfect weather. It was a
good way to spend our last day in Dunedin.
Wednesday morning, we departed from Dunedin at 8:30am. We stepped onto the charter coach
and waved goodbye to the friends we made at St. Margarets college. After a four hour drive
filled with beautiful scenery, we finally arrived in Queenstown, also known as the “adventure
capital of the world”. We unpacked our bags into our accommodation and immediately headed
out on Queenstown trail. This trail was a hike where you thought you were at the top, but there
was always somewhere to climb higher. We were also able to see mountain goats for the first
time in New Zealand. It was always common to see cows and sheep, but we finally found the
goats.
This Thursday was a day of excitement and adrenaline. At 10:30am, we rode the Skyline
Gondola up 1 kilometer. At the top of the mountain was ziplining, luge, and bike trails, but we
were there to climb the Ben Lomond Summit, one of Queenstown’s most demanding climbs. It
took 6 hours to climb up and down the summit. Afterwards, we traveled 20 minutes out to the
skydiving zone. 12,000 feet in the air before we jumped out of a plane with a parachute on our
back. It was the greatest adrenaline rush I have ever had in my life. My instructor told me that
he was also studying abroad in New Zealand, but he loved skydiving so much that he never
came back!
We only stayed in Queenstown for 3 nights, but we definitely made the most of our time. We
flew to the North Island and landed in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. I am excited for
another week of adventures. (Submitted on January 21, 2024)
