CHRIS MARTIN AND CAROLINE ONEILL
SKV 2024
Attempt 1 (first ever SKV attempt of recent times)
It seemed an age ago that Iain Atkinson and I first made an attempt at a non stop SKV. All our mates were doing Main Range SKs and we thought of doing a Valleys version. There was a report of a party that had previously done it but we had not heard of anyone since.
The trip was epic and awesome, I loved it but we had to sidle a very full Ruamahunga and spent hours searching for a non existant DOC track.
I ended up sleeping at Totara Hut thinking this is absolutely mental. Iain made it out as he’s a hard Northerner while I am a wimpy southerner.
Trip report here if interested…
Attempt 2
We stayed at Putara Base camp started at 3am a party including Anne Rose and Max Stummer (Kevin Fink and AJ Esler made it to the COG that day)
Trip report here
…I had very bad Calcaneous Bursitis by the time we got to Atiwhakatu, my heels were so painful I had to pull the pin at Holdsworth. Anyone who has suffered from this rare condition will know how painful it is. We all bailed, I think at Holdsworth that day I remember being so happy to stop.
Attempt 3
John Melluish, Craig Blacklock and I started out from Putara 3am. John and Craig made it out with 20 min to spare. After a very bad final section which included a 180 degree mistake “ why is the river on our left, isn’t it meant to be on our right?” and also heading back to Cone. I made it out in 24 17….so close but not sub 24.
Trip report
Attempt 4
Years past I had thought alot about ‘Do I want to go back?’ Do I want that suffering again? Caroline and I discussed it some time back and nearing the date I found myself getting my head around it then I started to get quite excited. I was fully committed again. I was planning this to be Black Ops, so I told no one.
I have always felt slightly responsible to go sub 24 as over the years I have told so many people to have a crack. Surely I had to do sub 24 myself so I could keep badgering others. Mary Mcbride was going to join us but she ended going the weekend before in a very fast 20 hours.
The day
Alex Jones Pusdey and Brambley legend offered to drop us off. We met at COG at 4am and chatted on the way up in pitch black that pre adventure excitement was palpable. I was actually feeling psyched after a good sleep at home. Usually I sleep really rubbish before a big event. We picked up Caro in Greytown and were off. Cheers Alex I’ll drop you for your your SK Tarn with The Scouser.
Pre adventure Stoke
So many people now have felt that pre event nervous anticipation. You can’t beat it! I must admit I wasnt sure we could do it but I have done so many missions with Caro and I knew how strong she was and how similar pace we were so a good match (Plus this was Caro’s 3rd sub 24 SKV as I understand it
I had my splits memorised basically 2 h to Roaring Stag and 3 to each hut. Also in my mind I broke up the route into 5 climbs.
We hit Roaring Stag in 2 hours exactly and dropped straight into the river on the left bank. (Previous years we had faffed about taking the bridge to the other side, I wanted no wasted time)
I love the Ruamahanga by the early light it truely is a beautiful wild section where you need to choose your crossings by beautiful pools surrounded by Tararuas verdant green. I was also glad that the river was reasonably low so the crossings were easy.
Caro leading the way smoothly alot of the river section we made good crossing location decision.
We also quickly found the exit up Cleft Creek and onto the track to Cow Saddle.
The next section Cow Creek Hut to Mitre Flats Hut was ok but there was alot of treefall. Just as I was thinking how annoying the treefall was, guess who was at the top of a climb ? Derek Field and his mate clearing the treefall heading our way …..From then on the route was great no climbing over fallen trees. The work Derek and his team do is invaluable in the Tararuas and everyone is very grateful.
We chatted to some friendly people at Mitre Hut then got stuck into the harder section to Atiwhakatu . I knew the climb to Baldy turn off was hard and Atiwhakatu takes it’s time in coming.
Atiwhakatu to Totara Flats was great. Caro spoke to Brady (her partner) on the mobile at Pig Flat saying it had taken 12 hours and we were half way ..I thought flip only half…So we boosted it down to Totara Flats hut I felt great on this section, running a fair bit in lead also so glad we hadn’t dropped down to the river as that is such slow going compared to the main track.
We met some friendly girls at about 11pm at Totara Flats. They seemd very surprised and concerned this pair of runner’s were running through the Tararua all night, when they were inside having what sounded like to be a party. They asked do you like it? I said no…not really.
You get quite a few surprised responses when people ask where have you come from and where are you heading…..
The next section was magic the stars, the red possums eyes, wading through the river section low route. We slowed a fair bit here trying to find the Cone climb….but we located it and then the suffering began.
Cone section is the crux, the climb then the eternal saddle, then the never ending track to the descent to Cone hut. The infamous 1k to Cone Hut sign where you go into another dimension, it takes so long to descend. I had mentally prepared but still it went on and on…
We got to Cone in good spirits …We had 7 hours to get out. I was soooo happy as last time we got there with about 5 hours with John and Craig and I didn’t want another race to the clock. ‘Can you run a bit?’ That question had haunted me for year’s, the time Maree Sanbrook had asked me that very question when leading me out on the previous attempt….My reply … silence. I really really didnt want to run a bit..actually I didnt even want to walk anymore.. This time I was running a bit….!!
So the last valley was great I felt strong on the Puffer and we reached the COG in 22 11
Stoked
Finally I had done a sub 24 SK and could wear the fashion Tee with pride. Stoked to have done it with Caro she’s strong as, unflappable and very positive. We were a good team.
I was the 100th SKV member. Respect to anyone that has done this route and at a 100 many have. What a great testament to documenting this route that so many have taken up its challenge. The Tararua is brutally beautiful but achievable to those that are strong and you don’t have to be a fast runner just determined and be ready to go into a dark place for a bit. And it helps if you run a bit….
Caros Comments”
When Chris made noises regarding another attempt of sub 24 SKV I didn’t hesitate at the chance to accompany him on his SKV redemption expedition. It was though a bit of shock when I realized it had been 7 years since my first SK Valley 😲 I was really hoping I wasn’t going to let Martini down. The whole journey went without a hitch really. The river and weather was kind. We had no real game plan apart from moving forward at a reasonable pace and limiting our stops. The hills, huts and hours rolled on by as they do when you’re out in nature. Tiredness caught up a little but I made a point of concentrating on our moving time rather than the actual time to help trick the mind. Chris was very focused and unconsciously we switched between lead regularly which worked really well in pulling us through any fatigue spots. It was a great feeling to know we were on track to come in under 24 hours by Cone but still stayed strong until the end. It was a real privilege to get to the COG with Martini in 22 11 and finally get it bloody ticked off !!!
He is the very reason I had already done a SK and KS Valley before. Without his unwaivering enthusiasm for missions and the backing of the BSR family I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be where I am today. How can anyone not love rocks, roots , mud, blisters, rub marks, cold rivers and munted toenails.
The COG was a special place at 4am that Sunday morning
Tararua Speed Records 