In a captivating tale that could rival a Hollywood blockbuster, two remarkable women have recounted their unforgettable horseback adventure, spanning over 1,860 miles across the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand.
Nicole Kumpfmueller, 27, and Karolin van Onna, 31, embarked on a remarkable adventure through the South Island of New Zealand. Throughout their three-and-a-half month journey, they were accompanied by their trusty horses, Moose, Rasta, and packhorse Alex.
Popular tourist destinations are facing the negative effects of over-tourism, causing concerns about personal safety and environmental degradation. These places may not live up to the picture-perfect first-class getaways that we often see on social media feeds.
In recent developments, specific neighborhoods in Kyoto, Japan, have implemented a ban on tourists. Additionally, the Machu Picchu Inca trail has limited access to 500 permits per day. Furthermore, Venice has taken measures to prohibit large tour groups due to concerns regarding the sinking city.
Kumpfmueller and Van Onna’s travel style was a stark contrast to the conventional. They purposely sought out an off-the-beaten-path experience, deviating from the norm.
New Zealand’s travel and tourism industry has played a crucial role in the country’s economic recovery after the pandemic. In the fiscal year 2023, there was a remarkable rebound in the number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand, with an increase of over 2.2 million compared to the previous year. However, along with this surge in tourists, there are several challenges that need to be addressed.
In an effort to discourage influencer-style photoshoots at popular tourist destinations, the country’s tourism agency initiated a campaign in 2021.
Comedian Tom Sainsbury starred in a humorous ad that served as a cautionary tale about the perils of “traveling under the social influence.”
In an effort to ensure the safety of tourists, measures were taken to address the growing trend of individuals risking their lives for the sake of capturing the perfect vacation photo. Examples of such dangerous behavior include hanging from high places or walking along deserted highways.
The tourism board aimed to inspire individuals to explore novel adventures beyond the latest viral trends.
The friends’ trip definitely falls into that category. It originated from a longstanding conversation between the friends, who are both originally from Germany but crossed paths in Cromwell, New Zealand.
“I’ve been living in New Zealand for eight years, and during this time, I have established a successful horse tracking business,” shared Van Onna with Newsweek. “Horse riding has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember.”
When they first met six years ago, they immediately connected and discussed their shared dream of exploring the country on horseback.
“We were captivated by the idea of exploring New Zealand on horseback,” Van Onna expressed with excitement. “It has been a topic of conversation for quite some time, and we always knew that one day we would make it happen.”
Kumpfmueller laughed as he reminisced about how it all started as a joke. However, as time went on, it gradually transformed into a much more serious matter.
They decided to temporarily pause their jobs and, with the documentation of Kumpfmueller’s boyfriend, Sam, the trio embarked on an extraordinary and demanding adventure.
The adventure ignited the essence of the iconic cowboys from the American West, riding across expansive landscapes on horseback with supplies in tow.
The cowboy aesthetic is currently experiencing a surge in popularity within the realms of fashion and popular culture. This newfound appreciation can largely be attributed to Beyoncé’s venture into the realm of country music.
Searches for items like “cowboy hat” on Google saw a significant increase of 215.5 percent, while searches for “cowboy boots” rose by 163 percent following the release of her standout Super Bowl single.
However, the truth is not as glamorous as it seems. The experience involves navigating through muddy trails and sleeping in tents, far from the picturesque image it portrays.
The journey of a lifetime was not always a leisurely ride for them, as they tested their resilience by riding between 10 and 18 miles a day with their experienced trekking horses.
“We were not anticipating it to be a walk in the park, but we were uncertain about the obstacles we would face,” Van Onna mentioned. “We embarked on this adventure with limited knowledge—we had mapped out our route and sought advice from experienced Backcountry riders, but neither of us had much experience in this type of riding before.”
As they ventured forward, the duo acquired a diverse set of skills, adapting to challenges that came their way. They honed their abilities, from persuading hesitant horses to navigate river crossings to mastering the art of reading maps and setting up a campsite.
During our journey through the South Island, we encountered numerous challenges, including navigating dense forests, scaling steep mountain passes, and battling unpredictable weather. However, one obstacle that stands out in my memory was the section of the route near Mt Hutt and Lake Heron.
They were met with swampy terrain, causing what was originally planned for a two-day trip to extend to five days.
“It felt like a never-ending nightmare as we trudged through the massive swamp, with the horses sinking up to their butts,” Kumpfmueller vividly recollected. “We were faced with the arduous task of navigating our way up treacherous mountains and then descending again.”
Throughout their adventure spanning over 1,860 miles, the group of friends found lodging in a variety of locations, including setting up their tent on picturesque hillsides and making pit stops at some of New Zealand’s high country stations.
In farming and rural areas, these stations are rich in colonial history and have traditionally been used for raising animals such as sheep, deer, and cattle. What’s interesting is that many of these stations also provide accommodation for seasonal workers, which was a convenient option for the friends during their journey.
According to Van Onna, the people of New Zealand left a lasting impression on him with their incredible hospitality. He expressed his surprise at the warm reception he received and noted that it was one of the best parts of his experience in the country.
The journey shares similarities with “Tracks,” a book and film that were both based on a National Geographic article by Robyn Davidson.
In 1977, Davidson embarked on a remarkable journey across the vast expanse of Australia’s outback. With only the company of four camels and her loyal dog, Diggity, she traversed a staggering distance of 1,700 miles.
Van Onna expressed that they had spent an intense three and a half months together, where they were practically inseparable. According to Van Onna, they had never before experienced such a level of constant togetherness, not even with a romantic partner.
Van Onna and Kumpfmueller’s friendship blossomed as they traveled the length of the South Island. However, they have no plans to embark on another expedition of the same scale in the near future.
“I wouldn’t repeat the exact same experience, but I’m definitely open to returning and delving deeper,” Van Onna expressed. Beaming, she added, “We’ve discussed how incredible it would be to traverse the North Island as well, completing our horseback journey across all of New Zealand. It’s not currently on the agenda, but who knows what the future holds?”
The duo is currently enjoying the comforts of home, including a cozy bed and a refreshing shower. Van Onna reflects on the journey, saying, “You definitely appreciate everything a lot more. Towards the end, it did get really challenging.”
“But it definitely made us feel stronger, you know? It showed us what we’re capable of when we really set our minds to it. It’s like a reminder that we can achieve anything we put our minds to,” she added.
As Kumpfmueller reflects on their journey, they ponder, “Looking back and discussing it often, we can’t help but wonder how we managed to navigate through it all. How did we make it through?”