Good Hiking Stories: Nigel & Logan

A new perspective comes to those who hike

Nigel's life changed forever when his son, Logan, was born with multiple disabilities. For the last 20 years Nigel has been faced with challenges and battles raising Logan predominantly on his own and the impacts have been massive.

Over that time, Nigel went through ten different jobs, two relationship breakups, and three years alone, two houses purchased and then sold. He moved three times, all hoping to find a good work-life balance and pave a sound pathway for Logan. Alongside this, he has fought constant exhaustion, battled alcohol addiction, and resisted depression and other mental health issues. Logan has always kept him going. One foot in front of the other. ‍

“You don’t have a choice with Logan. I have to step up and help him. I’m his dad. I’m all he’s got. That’s what keeps me going and battling on, no matter what obstacles I face. That smile from his achievements, seeing him enjoying life, that’s what gets me out of bed".

Along his journey with Logan, Nigel stumbled upon a group that introduced him to tramping in the great outdoors. The simple activity of putting one foot in front of the other, admiring the views that each bend in the track reveals, profoundly changed Nigel’s perspective on life. It gave him the strength not to give up when faced with daily challenges and it gives him the courage to keep pursuing even more adventures.

When Nigel goes out tramping, the lack of cellphone coverage or internet means he has no choice but to switch off and enjoy his surroundings. “Nothing beats the mindfulness of standing on top of a mountain or of tramping through the bush for a few days to find peace and solitude.”

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 Nigel's experience we asked him a few questions about his world of hiking.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HIKING TRIP OF ALL TIME AND WHY?

The Tongariro Northern circuit. This was such a challenging, and at times almost alien landscape, which was such an experience to be in amongst. Even though the day we came onto the Tongariro crossing itself and came up past red crater and emerald lakes in 100+ Kmph winds and white out conditions going down into south crater the challenge and sense of achievement having overcome the elements and getting to our destination under such conditions was a massive personal achievement!

WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO HIKING AND HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTDOORS EVOLVED SINCE THEN?

I was first drawn to hiking and tramping after someone suggested how great it is for mental health and general well-being. As depression and mental health was something I was fighting the demon with this was great advice and I quickly enjoyed and benefited from the time spent in the outdoors. Being away from daily demands of raising a son with multiple disabilities and the barrage of communications and bureaucracy was fantastic and a valuable chance to breath and reset yourself. Nothing beats being away from internet and life demands for a day or two.

CAN YOU SHARE A PARTICULARLY MEMORABLE HIKING EXPERIENCE AND WHY IT STANDS OUT TO YOU?

The hike that stands out for me the most would definitely be the Hooker Valley that I did with my son Logan and his old school mate Dan. We spent 14 months training him and gradually building him up to achieve this personal goal for him. Being able to share this endeavor and accomplishment from a father’s point of view is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced in my life to date. To see his confidence and interaction with other people grow as a result of his hiking is amazing.

Read more in this article written by Wilderness Magazine.