Stories

Race reports, mission write-ups and guides from the trails — the long-form stuff that doesn't fit in a weekly email. War stories from the front of the pack to the very back.

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Mission report · Sep 2025

Jean Beaumonts 2021 1500s via SK

The legendary little old lady Jean Beaumont recounts her successful mission summiting all the 1500m summits in the Tararua Range in one push.

Mission report · Sep 2025

Team Tararua S-K Valleys Bradley Houghton and Tim Pickering

A recount from Bradley Houghton of his first ever big Mission with Tim Pickering as they take on the SK Valleys.

Mission report · Sep 2025

SK MAIN RANGE - SAM ‘WRAP KING’ Hansby

Sam Hansby recounts his latest assault on the SK Main Range in search of the solo unsupported FKT

Mission report · Sep 2025

Chris Martin and Caroline O’Neill SKV 2024

Martini - The BSR Godfather tells his tale about Attempt #4 getting down the SK Valleys under 24 hours

Mission report · Sep 2025

S-K Tarn Ridge 2019 by Joe Murphy

Smokin Joe Murphy recaps his SK Tarn Traverse featuring heat, hail and 5 avacado Croissants

Mission report · Aug 2025

Kyle Malone Winter Tarn SK - 2020

Kyle Malones recap of his Sub 24 hour Winter Tarn SK. Icey tussocks, posthole sidles and last ditch sprints.

Mission report · Aug 2025

SK TARN: A TALE OF RETRIBUTION

A report of my succesful SK Tarn traverse in the Tararua Ranges with Josh Cambell and Joe Murphy

Mission report · Sep 2024

An attempted murder, a hypothermic friend and a gratuitous amount of carbs:

Adventure, camaraderie, and unexpected challenges await you in this account of a fastpacking journey that stands as a reminder that you’re never too far away from being in the sh💩t. Kate Morrison gives an honest and transparent account of their adventure on the Hope-Kiwi track, where five friends embark on a surprise birthday trip involving lots of white powder and hotboxing with a few curve balls that turn the trip into a test of teamwork and resilience. Take it away, Kate.

Mission report · Apr 2024

Liz Palmer with Kaimanawa Kaweka Traverse – 124km and 8100m vert

Well, this was the run that almost didn’t happen! Delayed a year by cyclone damage then the dates window for our key swap was limited to the weekend of 1-3 March. We lined up access permission for the start at Kiko Rd only to discover it would be closed until June. What followed was several frantic emails, route planning, permit requests, permit denials and eventually they day before departure permission to go! It meant a longer route than originally planned and a commitment to get through the private land by mid-morning before the hunters were helicoptered in – and it also meant key swap was no longer an option.

Mission report · Jul 2023

An SK A Month, Keeps The Doctor Away

“I’m thinking of attempting an SK every month this year” My mind was racing. I can’t have heard him correctly. “Like as in, the SK, SK?” “Yeah” “Are you feeling alright?”