WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23 2011
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Hoping for ‘trail angels’ Tom Doudney
FOOD, water and keeping clear of bears will be top priorities for a Governors Bay man and his son when they tackle a charity walk from Mexico to Canada next year. Peter Coldicott and his son Hamish will hike the 4625km Pacific Crest Trail and in doing so, achieve a goal they first set four years ago. Their trip also doubles as a fundraiser for the Cholmondeley home in Governors Bay, which is set to be demolished as a result of earthquake damage. Peter said the family were hoping to raise $20,000. “Hamish used to work at Cholmondeley and we’ve lived over in the bay for 20 years so we have an association.” Their gruelling trip will begin in April near the border of Mexico and the United States, finishing six months later at the Canadian border. Although the two were looking forward to it, they acknowledged it would be no stroll in the park. During the early stages of their trip as they trek through Southern California’s inhospitable deserts, they will rely on ‘trail angels’ to leave water in strategic locations. Later, as they hike through mountains and forest, water will become more available from streams and other sources but the pair will have to remain vigilant of the local wildlife which includes snakes, scorpions and bears. At some places on the trail, they will need to sound a whistle once every minute to ward off any bears loitering near the path ahead. It’s expected by the time they reach their destination, they will be several kilograms lighter and will have gone through around four pairs of good hiking boots. The pair’s trip has been paid for through their own savings with some sponsorship and will each will take time out next year to accommodate it. Peter will be taking leave from his job as general manager of local software company Hand, while Hamish, 18, will be taking a break from his studies. Cholmondely general manager Shane Murdoch said what the Coldicotts were doing was fantastic and was very much in the spirit of Cholmondeley. “[It’s about] the challenges of life and achieving your own resilience and understanding how resilient we are by going on adventures and that’s a philosophy at Cholmondeley.” Anyone wishing to follow the Coldicott’s trip or donate to Cholmondeley can do so online at www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/ Going bush: Peter and Hamish Coldicott will embark on their big North American adventure in April next year. Photo: Tom Doudney cholmondeleywalk4kids.
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