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Good Hiking Stories: Jesse
Extraordinary experiences come to those who hike
Growing up going hiking with his family is where adventure seeker, Jesse, developed a obsession of trying to experience places most people don't.
For him, the most extraordinary experiences have occurred at a convergence of hiking and flying.
Jesse decided to learn how to paraglide after living in Queenstown for 2.5 years. He found himself surrounded by people that flew, which was mainly due to living in a shared house with another pilot. After being invited to go for a tandem flight, he was hooked to go and learn himself.
While paragliding may appear distinct and distant from hiking initially, the connection between the two is profound. All of Jesse's most exhilarating flights have begun with a demanding hike to a stunning launch site, where panoramic views are plentiful and the thrill of free flight awaits. For him, paragliding transcends the thrill; it's about pushing boundaries mentally and physically, embracing the unknown, and connecting with nature and fellow adventurers.
It isn't just hiking and flying though, as a few months ago Jesse introduced his partner, Liz, to the world of sea kayaking and paddle boarding in a trip to Abel Tasman National Park, one of New Zealand's most pristine areas.
At Merrell, we are all about celebrating the good vibes and positive changes that come from getting outdoors and soaking up nature; and inspired by Jesse's journey we asked him a few questions about his world of hiking.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HIKING TRIP OF ALL TIME AND WHY?
WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO HIKING AND HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTDOORS EVOLVED SINCE THEN?
I grew up hiking with my family - I think it was an affordable way of holidaying for the whole family... there are 9 of us! Hiking was really the start for my pursuits in the outdoors; hiking eventually evolved into rock climbing, then mountaineering and alpine/ice climbing but when I saw what was possible on a paraglider I turned all my attention to this sport.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS NEW TO HIKING OR HESITANT TO START?
This will be one of your best decisions ever! Find a friend who will join you. If you are feeling like starting in the deep end, jump on the DOC website and find a nearby short overnight hike into a serviced DOC hut. Spend the night out in the mountains and get up to watch the sun rise. Plenty of options for day walks, research a hidden attraction, this could be a waterfall or viewpoint, packed lunches always taste better on the trail.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT PLANNING YOUR HIKING ADVENTURES AND WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS YOU CONSIDER?
At this point I have a long list of hikes / adventures that I want to do, a lot of the planning comes down to what will logistically work for the time slot I have available, and what is possible in that time with the weather forecast. Ideas for trips might come from friend recommendations or somewhere I want to see. There are plenty of online resources available, as mentioned the DOC website is a great place to start.
CAN YOU SHARE A STORY WHERE HIKING HELPED YOU OVERCOME A PERSONAL OBSTACLE OR PROVIDED CLARITY IN YOUR LIFE?
I would say hiking has, for a long time, been my baseline fitness. When I set myself a goal of completing the Race Tekapo ultra-marathon (50km) in 2023 I relied heavily on this, as I signed up for the race with no real 'running' experience or fitness only 12 weeks ahead of race day. I was stoked to reach the finish line, I didn't go as fast as I would have liked, but I proved to myself that I was capable, which for me was something I had dreamed about for a long time.
Jesse believes 'good things come to those who hike' is an expression of how much we stand to gain when we leave the house or our 'normal' and step out onto a dirt trail. The options are endless for creating an adventure!
Content and image credit: Jesse Dhue @jesse_dhue
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