New light-weight climbing sneakers from Oboz, a bunch of like-minded outdoorsy Kiwis, and a beautiful guided climbing expertise via a non-public farm to Auckland’s wild West Coast. Right here’s what went down on the We Are Explorers X Oboz path occasion.
As a climbing information, I’m fairly explicit about what I placed on my toes. I imply, I stroll upwards of 100km per week, week in and week out each summer season, so I have to know that my sneakers will final the space. After I was invited to an occasion to check out the brand new Oboz Katabatic assortment of light-weight climbing sneakers, I used to be fairly intrigued. I like being mild and quick once I’m out and about, however I additionally love the steadiness and safety {that a} well-treaded climbing sole supplies.
New Footwear
Assembly up with a bunch of different North Island primarily based hikers, we got our new Oboz Katabatic climbing sneakers for the day. Impressed by the mountains of Bozeman (Oboz = exterior + Bozeman), Oboz design and create climbing footwear to mirror the perfection of a day spent on path. The brand new Katabatic assortment options each a mid peak and low lower boot. I selected to go for the low lower!
Jean, our pleasant and educated Oboz rep, gave us a little bit of an introduction to the model and the environmental commitments they make as a B-Corp licensed firm. These included decreasing their carbon emissions, reusing and recycling merchandise to scale back waste, and caring for the communities touched by the model.
A fast briefing from the climbing information – and proprietor of Nature & Nosh – Kylie, earlier than we left the shop had us all questioning the place we have been headed for our day of native bush exploration and scenic coastal views. After a fast few laps across the retailer to double verify we had the correct boot and dimension for our toes, and we have been able to go!
A leisurely drive via a scarcity of Auckland visitors on a drizzly Sunday morning took us out to Bethell’s Farm; the house of the unique Bethell household who settled out on the wild west coast many generations in the past. The pristine, scenic location used for a lot of films, music movies, and TV exhibits had us all buzzing to see what was on the climbing menu for the day.
The unique farm woolshed had been kitted out with some comfy seating for us to lounge round on earlier than our day actually kicked off. Espresso and tea have been poured, brownies have been demolished, boots have been laced tight, after which we hit the path.
We began our day of climbing because the clouds lightened and the sunshine dappled the bottom via a forest of pine bushes. We breezed via the pine needles and the lightness of the Katabatics on our toes actually got here into their very own. An out of the field match had the boots feeling comfy on my toes, and the deep Path Tread felt prefer it was going to deal with something the day was going to throw at us.
Learn extra: Explorer Anika wrote about her first impressions of the light-weight Oboz Katabatics
New Associates
With the ability to evaluate the sensations of brand name new boots with a bunch of recent associates made the expertise all of the extra attention-grabbing. Everybody has completely different wants and needs from what they’re in search of in a climbing boot, however the common consensus was very a lot the identical. We have been impressed. The brand new boots broke the ice, or at the very least the path, and we shortly all opened as much as chatting about our favorite hikes, locations to camp and ideas and methods for our outside adventures.
As we strolled in direction of the shoreline, we seen adjustments within the bush with salt from the ocean filling the air and a grand vista slowly opening up over the attractive Lake Kawaupaka. Recognizing stunning, younger native Kauri bushes speckled via the forest had us all in awe and reminded us of the significance of rejuvenating and rewilding pristine areas such because the one we have been privileged sufficient to be in. All of us shared in our admiration for NZ’s distinctive native bushes, debating which one actually sat on the high of the cover as our favorite.
Rimu, Lancewood and a tunnel of Kānuka made it laborious to maintain our chins off the bottom as conversations flowed just like the rain we’d left behind in central Auckland. The observe gave solution to typical Auckland Clay, which after a dousing of rain meant we wanted to make certain of our footing.
Fortunately the beneficiant tread of the Katabatics didn’t skip a beat, and there have been no soiled pants that wanted to be laughed at! All too quickly the bushes gave solution to the sheer cliffs of the West Coast and views out over the Pacific have been plentiful.
A stupendous ploughman’s platter placed on by the great Nature & Nosh crew, who generously carried all of our meals out to the coast was completely loved by everybody, regardless of the wind attempting its finest to hold our sandwiches away! Many images have been taken and views have been loved, however earlier than lengthy it was time to move again.
New Trails
The return journey gave us a unique perspective of the bush and the solar got here out, dappling mild via the bushes, and warming our wind-chilled bones. We sprayed our boots clear to forestall the unfold of Kauri dieback (at all times make sure you go away no hint!), hopped within the van, and to our shock found that there was nonetheless extra enjoyment on the playing cards for the afternoon.
Cruising all the way down to Huia, additional south on the West Coast, we arrived at Velskov. Evidently, completely none of us had a clue the place we have been, or what we must be anticipating. Velskov interprets to Good Forest, and is a privately owned, household run, native rainforest with views out over the Manukau Harbour, and Nihotupu Reservoir. We have been greeted by Mamakan and Sophie, who gave us a short introduction to their stunning property and informed us what we’d be doing.
New Bushes
We got saplings of natives together with Tawa, Miro, and Kaka Beak to plant as a part of Velskov’s rewilding programme. This gave us the chance to understand the enormity of the dedication Oboz has made to plant a tree for each pair of trainers offered – thus far, they’ve planted over 6 million new bushes via their One Extra Tree Program.
A brief trek down via tree ferns, and different natives introduced us to our planting places, giving us one other likelihood to place our boots to work. As soon as once more, they carried out above and past what was anticipated, so the crew at Oboz can positively add tree planting to the record of actions the Katabatics are greater than able to!
Extra goodies have been in retailer for us at Velskov’s Backyard Bar the place we have been handled to scrumptious cocktails comprised of New Zealand botanicals. Delectable mixtures of Kahikatea berries, White Rātā, New Zealand Honey Mead, Gin, and Cognac danced on style buds as new associates stated cheers to an important day of exploration.
Because the temperature dropped all of us migrated to the hearth pit, on which the Velskov group have been getting ready snacks of toasted freshly made bread, melted truffle brie, and sautéed shiitake and oyster mushrooms. As they cooked, and we sampled, we mentioned their thrilling future plans for his or her rainforest.
Bringing collectively like minded folks from all walks of life to find out about Oboz and their mission, change views, and spend time in inspiring pure locations isn’t any small feat! This occasion was an unimaginable expertise. I’m wanting ahead to reconnecting with just a few of my newfound climbing buddies and getting our new boots out via the winter.
As somebody with as a lot arch in my toes as a flimsy sheet of plywood, I used to be genuinely impressed with the brand new O-fit sole from Oboz and the way a lot stability the boots offered in an space that sometimes causes me points. The Katabatics will probably be a welcome addition to my quiver of outside footwear, neatly bridging the hole the place I don’t wish to put on path runners, however wish to be lighter than full boots. Understanding Oboz is doing their half for the atmosphere makes me really feel assured that outside manufacturers are shifting in the correct route taking care of our treasured outside taonga.
