Wāhine & Wapiti
The third women’s hiking trip organsied by Britt as a committee member of the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation
There’s something magical about Fiordland that can’t be expressed in words—only felt. There’s no way to truly train for the terrain, or to explain to someone who hasn’t been in there before just how much of a mental game it is. The unrelenting climbs, deep sticky bogs, giant boulder clambering… all of it somehow fades away the moment you round a bend in a bubbling stream to fill your water bottle, breathe in the freshest air in the world, or listen to the distant drumming of a waterfall echoing through the valley.
The start of the trip started with crossing a cable bridge
Fiordland has been described as the Amazon on top of the Himalayas. It receives an average of eight metres of rain each year, falling onto the hard rock of the Southern Alps—a place that is as unforgiving as it is breathtaking.
In 2023, I took my first steps onto the shores of the Wapiti Area of Fiordland National Park, near the outlet of the Glaisnock River into Lake Te Anau. I was in total awe—not just of the beauty of the place, but of how it made me feel. I listened as Roy Sloan (GM, Fiordland Wapiti Foundation) and Cam Speedy (wildlife biologist) shared stories and knowledge of the area with chefs from across the country. These chefs were cooking Wapiti protein—sourced from this very place—in their own high-end restaurants nationwide.
I knew then that this was something I needed to be part of. I just had to figure out how I could contribute.
That night, I met the rest of the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation committee, and the only way I can describe it is that it felt like I was hanging out with a bunch of my uncles.
I became a member of FWF for a year before being voted onto the committee.
During that time, Roy and I began to conjure up the concept of Wāhine & Wapiti. My passion for bringing people together—combined with self-development and female empowerment—came to a head through this initiative. After a successful pilot trip, we have just returned home from our third event.
Each year is different, because each group is different.
This year, we headed into the George Sound Track area—setting off from Te Anau Downs, boat ride one across Lake Te Anau, then boat ride two up Lake Hankinson. From there, we shuffled over boulders along the edge of Lake Thomson, up the Rugged Burn, onward to Henry Pass, and all the way back out again.
This year we hosted 18 wāhine from across the country, representing a wide range of experience levels, backgrounds, ages, and reasons for coming. For some, it was about pushing boundaries and doing something purely for themselves. For others, it was about spending time in an intimidating space they were excited to return to.
No matter the reason, one thing was clear on the final prizegiving night:everyone had formed deep bonds with their teammates, everyone had learned something new, and we all felt clearer, more inspired, and deeply nurtured after a week in the big green—albeit a little knackered.
Roy’s team with their winning Rainbow Trout
Below are some journal outtakes from my experience:
Sunday
Vibes were high from Saturday from those I managed to see. Anticipation and nerves were building.
Things went smoothly from the lock-up and we were ahead of schedule. The first boat left early—we were on the last boat and arrived around 7.30pm. Full hut, rain, chats, and getting to know everyone.
A sleep-in was planned for the morning, with rain forecast for much of the day.
Monday
The forecast changed from rain clearing in the afternoon to more rain coming. We relaxed, chatted more, and then all went for a fish late afternoon once we decided to stay put and leave first thing to tackle a big first day.
Erica caught an awesome brown trout with a spinner rod at the Wapiti River mouth into Hankinson. She threw it back, but we got a photo.
Kristina taught some of the girls how to fly fish—and went for a fly herself. I watched the whole scene in awe, so stoked on what was unfolding before my eyes.
A couple of hours fishing in the rain
Tuesday
Up at 5.30am. Walking by 7.30am.
A beautiful day, but a tad windy.
The terrain along Lake Thomson was really challenging, but the girls stayed in good spirits and were awesome. After lunch we kept travelling, eventually making it up and over the Rugged Burn—with plenty of rests and lessons along the way.
It was hard. Steep, technical, demanding—but so satisfying to reach the top. I’m stoked. We all did so, so well.
I’m proud of the leadership, camaraderie, positivity, determination, and grit everyone showed.
Once we got near a waterway where I thought we could camp, I dropped my pack and scouted ahead. I found enough space for tents next to water—the most idyllic spot. It might be my favourite campsite I’ve found in the blocks yet. Maybe because of how satisfying it was to find it for everyone.
7.30pm—12 hours on our feet.
We set up tents, got dinner on, and I called a hui. We decided to drop packs the next day and do a day trip as far as we could, aiming for Henry Saddle—with no promises.
I took a wash in the stream—just what I needed. Mariah came for a chat.
Dinner, bed, and writing. Knackered but happy. Bring on tomorrow.
A quick stop to fill our drink bottles
Wednesday
The intention was to leave at 7.30am, but I let everyone rise slowly. We set off at 8.30am with day packs, aiming for Henry Pass and seeing how far we’d get.
Good pace at times, but it still took three hours to reach the lagoon. We stopped at small clearings along the way to check for animals—more sign than lower down, but still no deer.
Lunch at the lagoon and some hang time with Roy’s team. We decided to attempt the saddle after a swim.
We made it to the top—a true achievement. I battled my way up, very hot, chatting with Jade along the way about hormones and health.
Team photo at the top.
I struggled more on the way down and stayed at the back. Very hungry, very sore feet, very low energy for the rest of the day.
We made it back to camp. The team was incredible—positive, caring, and supportive.
I cooked dinner, had a swim, and went straight to the tent. Cooling my feet felt so good. Fell asleep quickly. Up early for the final day. Bring it on.
The girls having a swim before the hike up to Henry Pass
Thursday
Up early—the best sleep yet, though I could’ve slept longer. Time to pack up and have a big brekky.
A big day. We made great time to Henderson Hut, took a solid 1.5 hours for lunch, then really slowed the pace through the boulders.
Slow and steady. We were all ready to finish.
An 11-hour walking day.
Hannah’s team camp
Time in places like Fiordland has a way of doing what we often struggle to do in everyday life—it slows us down, clears our heads, and brings us back into our bodies. Days of walking, problem-solving, sharing meals, and simply being outside strip things back to what matters. Stress softens, conversations deepen, confidence grows, and the noise quietens. You don’t need to call it forest bathing to feel the benefits—they show up in better sleep, steadier moods, stronger connections, and a renewed sense of self.
It’s hard to believe Wāhine & Wapiti 2026 is already over. Each year seems to pass faster than the last, yet leaves its mark in a deeper way. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who shared this journey and for the space that held us along the way. While this chapter has closed, I already find myself looking forward to the next one—knowing that Fiordland will be there, ready to offer exactly what’s needed to all of us, once again.
