On 23/24 November, we had the privilege of competing in the New Zealand Rogaining Championships based in Luggate situated beneath the imposing Mt Pisa near Wānaka. Central Otago delivered its trademark beauty: vast tussock-covered hills, golden valleys, and skies so wide they seem to swallow you whole. Plus magically calm and warm weather to boot.

It’s a landscape steeped in history – every ridge and gully whispers stories of the gold rush era. Evidence of tailings, water races, and old workings were scattered across the course, a reminder of the grit and ambition that once defined this region… stuff we needed to battle through for over 24hours.
The terrain? Let’s just say “challenging” is an understatement. Hills upon hills, some so steep they felt vertical, tested both legs and lungs. Views across Lakes Wānaka and Lake Hāwea to the mountains surrounding Aspiring in the background. Navigation added its own spice – mapping was occasionally “interpretive,” with controls sometimes lounging somewhere near the circle rather than in it. Control descriptions were delightfully cryptic. Take the infamous “kānuka tree” clue: when you arrive and find twenty kānuka trees. It becomes a philosophical exercise in choice!

Despite the quirks, the camaraderie was unbeatable. Sharing the journey with my teammate and so many great people made every climb and contour worthwhile. And then there was the hash house at 2 a.m. – a steaming bowl of noodles paired with an ice-cold can of ginger beer. Pure magic. Those small comforts become legendary in the rogaining world.

The course itself featured jaw-dropping natural sculptures – massive rock formations that looked like they’d been carved by giants. In the end, we were fortunate enough to win the “Old Old Man” category which was a surprise given the hour wasted on an invisible control (!), though the real prize was being part of such an epic event. Hats off, and big thanks to Terry for pulling it all together – though perhaps next time, a little more map accuracy wouldn’t hurt!

Rogaining in Central Otago is more than a race, it is a blast, albeit a tiring one… we can’t wait to do it all again!

Stephen O’Neill & Martin Freeman (PAPO)