An adventurous trek by two fathers and their sons over the Nevis Rd, believed to be the highest road in the country, showed the joys of ''simple living'', says the trip instigator, John Herbison.
A former Otago resident, Mr Herbison now lives in West Bengal, India, and became a Hare Krishna 30 years ago.
He said he planned to carry out 100 similar walks in the next three years to mark the 50th anniversary of the Hare Krishna movement in the Western world.
Mr Herbison and his 17-year-old son Dhananjaya, together with friends Regan Cavanagh, of Christchurch, and Mr Cavanagh's sons Dhaumya (15) and Loka (15) set off on their 80km trek from Cromwell on March 15 and completed the journey last week.
''Travelling the Nevis Valley, notorious for its steep route through the mountains of Central Otago, by horse and cart was not easy,'' Mr Herbison said.
''The challenges of cooking in the outdoors, camping through storms, walking all the way and personal interaction were overcome by the simple joys of living under canvas, jumping in rivers and cooking damper colonial bread over the open fire.''
Following the Hare Krishna faith, the men wanted to show that by chanting, dancing and feasting, all difficulties could be overcome, he said.
''It was also important to show our boys the value of simple living and high thinking. To reach one's goals by determination and to complete the challenging journey in good spirit, are wholesome qualities that young men should learn.''
The men thought it was a great link to their New Zealand and Irish heritage ''and at the same time spicing it with the ancient Indian practice of pilgrimage - walking for a purpose is common to all faiths throughout the world,'' Mr Herbison said.
Known as Yasoda Dulal, Mr Herbison has been an advocate of the Hare Krishna movement for more than three decades.
He thanked all the people who ''supported our Nevis adventure in various generous and open-hearted ways''.
