Good Hiking Stories: Shoshannah

Capturing memories comes to those who hike Parenting is a rollercoaster ride of joy, challenges, and endless discoveries. For Shoshannah Shand, a single mother and photographer from Canterbury, this journey has taken on an adventurous twist. Traveling across New Zealand with her young children, Shoshannah's story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the boundless joys of exploring the world with kids in tow. The spark of adventure Growing up on a remote farm in the Pelorus Sounds, Shoshannah's childhood was steeped in outdoor exploration and self-sufficiency. This background set the stage for her lifelong love of adventure. After a series of personal challenges, including a severe skiing accident and the birth of her unplanned son, she decided to channel her resilient spirit into traveling New Zealand, despite facing anxiety and depression. In 2020, amidst the upheaval of the pandemic and a return to New Zealand, Shoshannah hit the road, setting off on what she thought would be a short trip but turned into a transformative year-long journey around the country. Life on the road Equipped with minimal gear, Shoshannah and her son embraced a nomadic lifestyle, “car camping” across New Zealand. Over time, their adventures led them to upgrade to a more spacious and comfortable bus, making life on the road easier and more enjoyable. As they travelled, Shoshannah’s resourcefulness shone through. They lived frugally, often camping in free sites and staying with friends and family. This minimalist approach allowed them to stretch their budget and fully immerse themselves in the journey. Overcoming challenges Shoshannah’s journey hasn’t been without its trials. From narrowly escaping a car mishap on Ninety Mile Beach to experiencing the harrowing discovery of bodies on a lakeside, she’s faced her share of adversity. Yet, these moments only strengthened her resolve. One of the most daunting aspects was managing life with a toddler in confined spaces. Shoshannah tackled the challenge with creativity and patience, finding ways to entertain and keep their tiny home organised. The joy of watching her son thrive in the outdoors outweighed the difficulties of their unconventional living arrangement. A journey of healing For Shoshannah, this journey was as much about healing as it was about exploration. Battling anxiety and depression, she found solace and renewal in the ever-changing landscapes. The freedom of the open road and the bond with her son provided a therapeutic escape from the stresses of daily life. “I decided I didn't want my mental health and fears to prevent me from doing amazing things with my baby,” Shoshannah shares. “It has been an incredibly healing journey. I have completely changed and become a better person since taking this trip around New Zealand.” Travelling with young children Shoshannah’s adventures didn’t stop as her family grew. With her five-year-old son and nine-month-old daughter in tow, she continues to explore New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes. Her experiences offer valuable insights into travelling with young children. Shoshannah started taking her son on day hikes when he was just 18 months old, initially carrying him in a baby carrier. Now, he can walk up to 10km a day, although he still gets a ride occasionally. Her baby daughter also joins their trips, carried in a baby carrier. In a radio interview, she emphasises that you don’t need expensive gear to start. “Finding some running shoes and putting the baby in a backpack” is enough to begin. For her, the key to successful tramping with kids is starting slowly and building up to longer walks. (You can listen to the interview and read the full article about how to go tramping with young kids here). Shoshannah’s journey is not just a personal story but a source of inspiration for others. She shares her experiences and tips on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube encouraging other parents to embrace the joys of travelling with children. Her advice is simple but powerful: take the first step, start small, and don’t be afraid to live simply. 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 Shoshannah's journey we asked her a few questions about her world of hiking. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HIKING TRIP OF ALL TIME AND WHY? It’s hard to pick a favourite but maybe our most recent one - Saint James walkway as it was incredible to be able to take my kids on my own into the bush for five days. A very empowering experience. WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO HIKING AND HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTDOORS EVOLVED SINCE THEN? I’ve been outdoors since I was a kid raised on a farm so I’ve always been outside. My family were avid trampers and hunters. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS NEW TO HIKING OR HESITANT TO START? It’s addictive! The hardest part is starting. So just start. Travel and camping do not have to be expensive. I share a lot on my social media platforms because I want to inspire and encourage other mamas and their pēpi to get out and explore our beautiful country, and soak in the fresh air. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT PLANNING YOUR HIKING ADVENTURES, AND WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS YOU CONSIDER? I try to plan around the weather as much as possible and pick good weather windows, which can be challenging with other commitments though. I have a “gear closet” where I store most of my gear which makes it easy to pack and go. I also have a tramping food store to dig into for spontaneous trips. Having everything right there makes it easier to go on trips. I put a lot of planning into the bigger trips. I write everything down and talk to people who’ve done the trip to get as much information as possible, and I also download topo maps to study the elevation. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT A TIME WHEN A HIKE DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM THE EXPERIENCE? One trip that comes to mind was a planned 4-day hike, staying in a couple of huts and going in and back out. The first day was fine but got cold and windy and getting to the first hut was so miserable. There was no one else at the hut so with just me and my son it felt rather isolated, and then during the night we heard mice. I wasn’t feeling comfortable, and when I realised I’d left my first aid kit behind, I decided to turn around. I hate turning around but sometimes it’s important to make those calls. I didn’t have the brain power to push through and I didn’t want to go without my first aid kit it, it didn’t feel worth it. I think no matter how well you plan, things change, weather changes, the kids' moods change or they’re not feeling it and that makes things challenging. It’s helpful to prepare but be flexible and aware of change. Content and image credit: Shoshannah ShandHow to go camping with young childrenA simple adventureIt has been an incredibly healing journey