Digger attachments salesman Simon Patton is taking on the ambitious task of completing five of Southland’s Great Walks in five days, covering about 250km with an elevation gain nearly the height of Mt Everest.
Mr Patton said he was never a huge goal setter, but he wanted to test the physical and mental sides of his body.
"Probably back in March you know [I] probably really struggled to run 5km without stopping so things have changed.
"I think through just a tremendous amount of discipline, hopefully we’ll be able to pull this off."
He said in his previous job as a tour guide leader he regularly had big weekends drinking and decided to change a few things this year.
"[I] had a few little minor health issues with myself over the last couple years and just really thought this year would be the year to step it up.
"Probably a quote actually that sticks to mind recently I heard was there’s two different pains in life you could live with, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and I’ve sort of chosen that pathway of the pain of discipline."
He had spent a lot of time on Bluff Hill and Forest Hill training for the elevation gain and had been doing lots of biking and early morning swims as well.
Another key factor in his training had been nutrition and Invercargill’s Backcountry cuisine was supplying him with meals and smoothies to keep him going.
Mr Patton started his journey this morning at 6.30am at the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island.
At 1.30pm, after flying back to Invercargill, he would be driven to the Hump Ridge Track, Tuatapere, that would officially be recognised as a great walk in 2024 and stay in the first hut, Okaka Lodge, that night.
On Friday, he would complete the Hump Ridge Track and rest in Te Anau.
Then, on Saturday, he would take on the 60km Kepler Track and stay another night in Te Anau.
Early on Sunday, he would get a lift across Lake Te Anau and complete the Milford Track.
Finally, on Sunday night he would grab a water taxi back to Te Anau and on Monday morning, would drive out to the start of the Routeburn Track and complete that.
To keep him going he’s got a music playlist ready to go, he will be listening to podcasts from ultra-marathon runner David Goggins and commentary from the All Blacks playing the Rugby World Cup semifinal in France.
Mr Patton said as well as pushing his body to its limits, he also wanted to raise awareness and money for bowel cancer after having a close uncle and friend die from the illness recently.
He was hoping to raise over $10,000.
