I found it hard to adjust after our 5-day, 85km walk on the Old Ghost Road. When you’ve focused on getting fit enough not to feel the rigours of walking for several hours with a 15kg pack, suddenly not having a goal leaves you in limbo - that nagging what now, what’s my purpose feeling.

I figured I needed a mission and packrafting had caught my attention. The idea of an easy passage out, down a river, or the ability to explore more remote regions captured my imagination. It wasn’t long before I’d ticked off a packrafting 101 course with Blue Duck Packrafting (which was just the ticket).

I was hooked but without paddling partners. I invested in a boat while questioning if I’d ever get going without some paddle buddies. Despite really enjoying paddling, I mostly haven't, so far. The solution: enforced motivation. I’ve booked a spot on a guided tour on the Hollyford and Pike Rivers (one of the trips that brought packrafting to my attention).

This trip starts with another 101 course (I’ve done the online theory component already) over two days. We need to be capable of catching eddies and avoiding trees. Trees in the river will be the most significant risk on this trip - especially after the recent heavy rains on the West Coast, but I'm looking forward to adding to my skills and a 5-day packrafting trip to consolidate it all.

Hopefully, I will have enough confidence after this February trip to feel capable of tackling level 2 water and can plan, or join, some rafting trips.

I had hoped that signing up for the trip would motivate me to get my training game on, but it has only ticked over in low gear.

New year - renewed focus. There are only four weeks and a few days left to train if the last week is supposed to be a rest and recovery week. Watch this space (one way or the other).

The informal hiking plan is to continue to go adventuring with dogs, on a once-a-week to once-every-two-weeks sort of frequency, plus a longer trip (probably humans only again) early November-ish.

Further Faster has been hinting at a graduate edition of the mountain dog challenge, so there's that to look forward to as well. Plus: I've been trying to line up a tenting trip with dog/s soon.

There's more adventuring planned for sure, but also a decision to focus on the things I've been avoiding, to remove their uncomfortable presence, and to return to writing. With luck I'm headed in the correct direction and the right doors will open.

Have a smashing 2020!