Meet our Staff: Adrienne Stewart

With a diverse and adventurous career, Adrienne has worn many hats. From mentoring at-risk youth and teaching primary kids in classrooms in New Zealand and Australia to parachute packer and later, an operations manager for skydivers. Adrienne has a science degree and is a conservationist at heart. She has experience in trapping and remote conservation work on Rēkohu, the Chatham Islands, and in the Southern Alps. Additionally, she guides hikers through New Zealand's wild landscapes, which comes second nature to someone who grew up in an outdoorsy Nelson family.  She is truly at home in the outdoors, whether she's sea kayaking, mountain biking, camping, hiking or surfing. Under all those hats is a big beaming smile!

Tell us about your hometown

I grew up in sunny Nelson which is at the top of the South Island. I’m super proud of my hometown, it attracts a lot of artists and green-minded people so it has a fun and creative vibe about it. Nelson is surrounded by three national parks - Nelson Lakes, Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Park so there is easy accessibility to the outdoors. You’ve got the best of the beaches, mountains and lakes all on your door step. 

What do you do when you're not working or hiking?

I love getting out and exploring on my sea kayak, I quite often go out on the water by myself and feel at complete ease and in the flow. I love how dynamic sea kayaking can be, there can be a massive swell or it can be glassy flat. The adventuring and exploring aspect appeals to me, not knowing what's around the corner or what beautiful scenery or wildlife you will encounter. I especially love multi-day trips where you can pack lots of luxuries inside of your kayak to have with you. Of course it’s ideal to be able to jump in and cool off in the ocean when you feel like it too. 

What piece of gear can you not live without on the trail?

I love my Nalgene drink bottle, it’s ideal to whip off my pack and fill up in a river and also doubles up as a hot water bottle at night if you’re hiking in cooler conditions. 

Sharing a laugh is such a benefit of group travel – tell us about one of your funny moments on a trip

I had a group of clients staying at Aoraki Mt Cook, and in the morning they said they had a funny story for me. At midnight, one of my clients heard rustling in a bag and thought their roommate was having a midnight snack, however this roommate was sound asleep. My client turned on the light and was greeted by a stunned possum! She screamed her head off, jumped on the bed. The ladies managed to shoo the possum back out of the window where it subsequently ran into the next room of two of my guests through the balcony door, causing more shrieks and screams. It then went into one more room and ran off with one of my client’s ear drops, what a menace! My clients thought it was hilarious and a great story to tell. Please note that this has never happened before on any of my trips (or any that I have heard about) - this was clearly an opportunist possum on a mission! 

How do you stay motivated on a long day on the trail?

I think positive self-talk is key - telling yourself that you're doing well, there’s not too much longer, or how good it will feel when you arrive at your destination and can relax. If I’m with friends, I enjoy chatting or playing games to keep a little distracted. If I’m by myself, occasionally I put on some tunes in my headphones which I really enjoy. I can’t forget chocolate as well - that fixes everything!