Author: Grant ‘Axe’ Rawlinson
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Sea Kayaking the Abel Tasman
In January 2012, Stephanie and I went sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, New Zealand. We did a package tour with The Sea Kayak Company, who arranged three days paddling, two nights accommodation (camping in tents on the beach), with all gear and food provided. It was an excellent service, costing just over NZ$550/person which…
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Mt Dixon trip report – A lesson in risk management
“There is only one problem” Alan yelled to me over the noise of the helicopter as it lifted off in a crescendo of noise and wind. “Whats that Al?” “We forgot the food!” Fuck fuck fuck!!!!!! I cursed to myself while standing there in the snow. We had just landed at Plateau hut, 2200m elevation…
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Mission aborted – but oh what an adventure!
Happy 2013 to everyone! The weather in the Southern Alps this week is very suitable for ducks. However if you are not a duck, then it really is quite miserable. Strong winds, heavy rains interspersed with huge bolts of lightning and booming claps of thunder. From Monday to Thursday of this week, the forecast has…
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Rehydrating in the rain
Good news! A weather clearance is coming for Thursday and Friday this week. Bad news, I need to leave by Saturday. At least we are finding opportunities to keep re-hydrated today. We spent an interesting couple of hours visiting the DOC exhibit’s on climbing in the Aoraki National Park and Sir Edmund Hillary’s various feats…
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Rain rain go away
After a 10 hour flight to Christchurch overnight I landed this morning at 1030am, picked up the rental car then picked up climbing partner Big Al (Alan Silva) who flew over from Sydney. We then drove the 5 hours down to Mt Cook Village where we are currently staying tonight in Unwin Lodge (run by…
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Ngima Grimen Sherpa – A tribute
Within the last few days I saw some Facebook posts, that a Sherpa named Ngima had passed away in a motorcycle accident. As many Sherpa share the name ‘Ngima’ I did not pay much attention until I saw his full name listed again today ‘Ngima Grimen Sherpa’. I then looked more closely and recognised his…
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Merry Christmas: Packing for the GT – Just how light is right?
“Ho, ho, ho”, or should it be “groan, groan, groan” as our bodies struggle to digest that enormous amount of food that is traditional to consume at this time of year. I have been training hard for the past few weeks, however with the parties, dinners, lunches, drinks etc, my self-discipline has slipped with what I have…
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The Grand Traverse, Aoraki Mt Cook – climbing route in 3D
In three weeks time the route that I hope to attempt in New Zealand is the ‘Grand Traverse’ (GT), together with Alan Silva. The GT crosses from the West coast of New Zealand to the East coast, via the summit and summit ridge of Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. The Climb New Zealand …
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Its climb time!
Greetings from Sunny Singapore! Today is a special day as my father turns 70 years old. Happy birthday Jack! What a celebration of a life lived fully and happily. At the age of 70, Jack is still running over 12oo acres of steep hill country sheep and beef farm in Matau, Taranaki, New Zealand. He…
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Close Up – TVNZ, 4 October 2012
Click on the below link to watch a 5 minute TV segment on Axe on Everest 2012, featuring my sister Debra, the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust and a visit to the Inglewood St Patrick’s Primary School. This was filmed back in August but was delayed in airing due to the tragedy that unfolded on the…
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Axe on Everest in support of Indonesian orphanages
During 22 – 23 September 2012, together with my wife Stephanie we traveled to Rumbai and Duri, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia. Here we visited two schools and the Chevron onshore oilfields. During the weekend I gave 5 ‘Axe on Everest 2012’ presentations to various sections of the local community, each highlighting the fulfillment of dreams, having a passion,…
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Axe on Everest heads for Indonesia
A huge thank you to Greg Moore, fellow kiwi and ex-mountaineer now based in Duri, Sumatra, Indonesia. Greg has made a huge effort to arrange a series of Axe on Everest 2012 presentations next weekend in Indonesia. I am very excited to be heading there together with Stephanie to meet the friendly folk which are nearly always found…
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Axe on Everest goes down under in August
August has been a busy month for Axe! I recently returned from a very successful speaking tour to New Zealand. Over 6 days I spoke to 3 schools and conducted 3 public presentation evenings, speaking to over 700 people in total. Through the 6 days, over NZ$ 11,000 was raised for the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust(TRHT).…
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Axe on Everest presentation heads to NZ in August!
Greetings to all folk in various parts of the world who have been following my blog. In the last week I have presented to 300 school students, a public presentation evening at CITYGOLF in Bangsa, Kuala Lumpur, students from the Humaneity Youth Development Program at the Singapore Management University (SMU) and a radio interview with…
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Axe on Everest in Kuala Lumpur – 9th July!
Axe on Everest presentation evening will be in KL next Monday evening 9th July at CITYGOLF bar in Bangsa. Check out the flyer for more details! Looking forward to speaking in Malaysia!
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$2000 for the Taranaki Helicopter Rescue Trust
Last night I gave a talk at upstairs Harry’s bar in Singapore on my Everest journey. It was a full house and some people unfortunately had to stand at the back of the room as the seats were full, so I apologise for this inconvenience. A huge thank you to Harry’s bar for offering the…
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Axe on Everest Presentation Evening – Thursday 28 June 2012, Upstairs Harry’s on Boat Quay
Originally posted on Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson: I will be holding an ‘Axe on Everest 2012’ public presentation evening at Harry’s bar on boat quay on 28 June 2012. Admission is free, first come first served. Be there from 7PM. We will be holding a raffle on the night for some great prizes: – A one…
Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson 