Running the Kepler track in 1 day | massive Antarctic storm

It was a massive mission but I got it done... 53kms of Fiordland magic in a day... hiking beyond the first hard was the hardest decision, I nearly went back. The wind was strong, the snow was sideways, it was only 5c degrees 1000m lower than I currently was.
I'm definitley not in shape like I used to be, its the extra weight i'm carrying, but the legs are still strong, the minds been in some long running events in the past, it's always nice to finish with the sun still up.
#greatwalk #Keplertrack #ultramarathon

[@mattbreingan7247]

Mike your mental strength is insane. Really admire and respect that very few people would have the ability to do that including me.

[@leopardsgowild]

Yea I think My mental strength might be tougher than physical... On camera I sound fine, despite my hurty tired legs... They did feel much better the next day.

[@tracymckerchar9037]

Wow what a trip!! We were so jealous of such a beautiful walk then totally concerned for your safety then calm again hahaha awesome effort! Hope you took some magnesium and weren’t too sore the next day.

[@leopardsgowild]

LOL... I was slightly concerned for my safety on that ridgeline, I had no idea how long it was gonna go on, and it seemed like the further I went the worse it got. Was an instant change getting back amongst the trees... I wasn't really up for to much the next day, I think I still got 13,000 steps according to my watch though, we moved up to the Milford sounds spot the day after I did the run, so always a bit to do when we move...

[@VanessaCozens]

Thank you so much for this video I only have some photos as too busy trying to get down. Our group was the last one to make it across the top that day of the storm, the ones behind us stayed in the emergency hut and others turned back to Luxmore Hut as they felt they were going to get blown off the mountain. I thought it was crazy scary and I definitely felt I had mild hypothermia down at Iris Burn Hut it was so cold!! and windy!! I was so glad to make it to the tree line too. I now have a healthy understanding of just how vulnerable I am and at the mercy of the weather when up on the tracks it really got bad so quick. Hoping to do the Routeburn/Greenstone next year. Thanks again.

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh really, were you up here on this day? I'm guessing you recognize me, who would have passed you on the trail... It was a very rough day up there they day I did it, I don't think I have felt so Vulnerable on a trail before, was so glad to get off the tops.

[@garth2876]

Awesome effort, certainly some tough conditions up the top. That's the sort of changeable mountain weather that can definitely cause problems for those less prepared. Nice to have some shelters along the way if needed. That sheltered bush with snow was so nice and calm. Great toughness to push through and get it done.

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers mate, I couldn't imagine being on that ridge solely alone and for it to have been longer... it was tame trail, extreme conditions... I know the weather still could have been much worse.

[@catherinedeseton964]

congratulations and thanks for taking the time to share you journey through the Kepler track.

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh hey Thanks for that Catherine, sure was a mega mission, wasn't quite ready for such winter extremes but glad I got it done for sure.

[@Romeo-kp8tc]

Great effort, I would only made the first 50 metres, Beautiful scenery, Thanks for showing, Hope you recovered, Cheers Bevan 🤠❤️🦘🦘🇦🇺

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers Bevan, beautiful part of the world... recovered just fine 🙂 thanks watching mate. Hope things are cooling down over there

[@Romeo-kp8tc]

@@leopardsgowild Beautiful weather this time of year April to September, Our tourist season

[@linley-jane7878]

That was just unbelievable. Well done you. 😇😇

[@leopardsgowild]

glad I made it out alive, it was a slog at the end there.

[@linley-jane7878]

@@leopardsgowild I bet it was. I'm guessing it was a nice hot shower when you got back.

[@TomRigginsAandO]

What beautiful / varied terrain / weather ! You are tough !

[@leopardsgowild]

thanks Tom, I think the Mountain is Tougher than me for sure... I wouldn't have wanted those conditions to have gotten any worse, pretty exposed up there... So good to get to the finish. Make sure you check out the latest video it's some of my best...

[@sharontoi9102]

My heart was in my moith..mygod you did well...that was fantastic...gripping stuff

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks, That was not the weather that was forecasted, was so tough up there on the tops, glad I made myself pull out the camera to capture some of it... Makes for an exciting adventure for sure.

[@catherinecarr3506]

Stunning! Thank you for vloging this!! Gotta love that mud though! I love that we have so much access to our great outdoors, it is truly the greatest. Well done Mike, that was epic!

[@leopardsgowild]

I know the mud towards the end I'm like... "I Thought this was a great walk" Was a cool trip regardless, and I think I have forgotten about how bad my legs felt.

[@kimmarkgunning4876]

Best one day run nice one. Slightly enveious on my bucket list

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers mate would have loved to have the views, maybe another time

[@NZCaravanLife]

Mike, I’m lost for words from your effort, bloody legend! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@leopardsgowild]

Was a big effort day alright. Conditions were rough for a few hours there, was fine once I got off the tops, but man oh man... Was a long day out...

[@jessicagarner6052]

Well done! Did it just over a week after you and was rainy but no snow. Crazy to see how it can change so much day to day! Beautiful

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh yea it changed so much just over the 1 day I did it, crazy up there... I think I prefer the snow to the rain though, it's the wind thats the killer for me.

[@brianna56ism]

Mike you are a champion and a legend. Congratulations on your success. You take my breath away doing that challenge I take my hat off and bow to you. What a wonderful example for kids you are. Wahoo Brian and Anna from Kawerau

[@leopardsgowild]

awwww thanks guys not quite the king of the mountain in Kawarau, but was a lovely day out in the mountains despite the wind and snow... Some lovely mountains to see for sure.

[@tairua1]

Wow a heck of a run, well done.

[@leopardsgowild]

Yea it was a wild adventure was hoping for more open skies, but hey it's the mountains.

[@gallichantrucklifenz]

We’ll done! The snow on and steepness of the ridge line woulda freaked me out. You are a legend!

[@leopardsgowild]

The Ridgeline was so cool, and by far the worst weather, IT would have been an incredible view over both sides if it was nice... So dissapointed I didn't get any good views...

[@gallichantrucklifenz]

@@leopardsgowild you’ll just have to do it again 🙂

[@gettingoutwiththekids]

*You smashed it man, it must have gotten so tough on that ridge. Beautiful scenery for it too*

[@leopardsgowild]

It's such a stunning spot, would have been great to see it in all its glory, I guess realistically it looks like this often..

[@PentaxLife]

Good on You Mike. All I can think of is one word and that is just crazy. Lol

[@leopardsgowild]

I know quite a few people who have done it, so I take inspiration from them...

[@kevinpalmer1249]

You’ve obviously got some previous trail running experience which is key in determining the level of risk in those conditions. I guess knowing there’s a heap of others on the track helps with security too, but a twisted ankle or fall up on those exposed ridges could have proved to be very tricky. Maybe next time, run a similar challenge with someone else to be on the safe and sensible side.

[@leopardsgowild]

Hey Kevin yes I've done several 100km trail runs in the past, knowing it's a great walk really determines the quality and safety of the trail as well as the 50 people in front of me... sometimes running partners can make it more dangerous, definitely great to have a mate on the trail though

[@digital_elements]

You’ll be aright

[@leopardsgowild]

@Leon Thomas do you want come with me on the next one...would love your company

[@marmite3853]

Bro what an epic way to see Aotearoa. So amazing for the kids too!

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh cheers bro yip good to be future and strong and cover some ground... lots of ppl could do it as well, way easier if you don't have a big tramping pack on

[@marmite3853]

@@leopardsgowild I was going to say, I have done a few marathons (road) but never tried to crack 60km or 2000m elevation

[@bomax1066]

Heck Mike your amazing. They were not the best condition, 👍and you cracked it. Such an inspiration to your kids. Hope we meet up some time. Keep it up.

[@leopardsgowild]

It was a big day out for sure hope the kids have an adventurous heart as they grow older... are you on the road travelling

[@bomax1066]

We are coming to the end off our 2 plus months traveling the South Island which we do every year . Rt now in Blenheim, ferry next week

[@o0bex0o71]

Bloody Awesome effort!

[@leopardsgowild]

Mate, this was such a slog, hard yards done on the trail on this day...

[@lh6135]

Wow, that was a excellent run, respect

[@leopardsgowild]

Yea big day out in the hills for sure, was so glad to be off the trail though, Legs were not quite prepared for that many steps lol.

[@sharontoi9102]

Loving the sound track :)

[@leopardsgowild]

Yea I choose all the music I like lol..

[@johnrodgers7938]

Mate....just awesome. Well done, amazing

[@leopardsgowild]

The scenary was pretty amazing, I might need to do it again on a clear day...

[@jessthomas833]

I could never you are so determined🤩

[@leopardsgowild]

you just have to dream of the finish...

[@jessthomas833]

@@leopardsgowild so true

[@jessthomas833]

@@leopardsgowild the scenery is epic

[@stephendickson9000]

Ive hunted a lot around Manapouri. Got dropped at the last hut, walked to the Irisburn hut, smacked a deer over then carried it back whole, that was a big day and one hell of a slog. 😂

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh wow you would have been pretty stuffed alright it's a long way through that valley... hope you enjoyed some fresh steaks for dinner that night 🌙

[@CHillAdventures]

epic job Mike... nothing better than battling nature...... we live on earth no reason why we cant see all of it eh!!!! see yah in the next 1 bro!!!

[@leopardsgowild]

I was happy to do nature on a good day, but battle it I did, Wouldn't say I won though... So good to be healthy and fit enough to get out there and do these sorts of things though.

[@CHillAdventures]

@@leopardsgowild definitely

[@lifeontheroadnz6900]

Absolutely awesome

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers mate, a bit of an adventure for sure, lets see what other South Island trails I can tackle.

[@ajjuney]

Bloody legend mate! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇳🇿🥾🏔️

[@leopardsgowild]

cheers bro... I wish i had a mate with me on this one... You keen on the nest long run???

[@Scottygirlnz]

Thank goodness you did that so I don't have to :) ... not likely by the way but I did do the Hooker Valley Track. Yeah, I know, no comparison!

[@leopardsgowild]

Comparison Is the robber of joy. It's so nice to get out on the trails no matter how far you are going... the hooker valley track is amazing looking forward to getting back there.

[@charlescarroll8159]

Mean brother Mike well done

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers Brother Charles, I wondered if you guys felt the cold of that Southerly up North, was crispy down here.

[@scallywags12]

Wow epic trek run! Good for you! Your legs must be like noodles after that!

[@leopardsgowild]

She was a hard slog alright. A long time since I'd done something like that

[@kiwigecko1]

Excellent stuff.

[@leopardsgowild]

Cheers mate, I appreciate that.

[@Relyse]

Good on you Mike!

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks wasn’t the day I was expecting but so good to get out there and get it done

[@Relyse]

@@leopardsgowild pretty incredible effort in one day!

[@JanineCoveney]

That was insane! Well done…and in shorts! 😮 👏 😅

[@leopardsgowild]

lol, i'd be to hot in pants, but on the tops was a bit chilly, like really cold, a run I won't forget for sure. I did have a change of thermal clothes in my back and an emergency sleeping case as well. in hindsight I got over the tops without any issues just some snow and wind which I wasn't expecting.

[@JanineCoveney]

I'll be walking the track next year. Can't wait to get there 🙂@@leopardsgowild

[@acerone10]

WOW, that's amazing. Good job.

[@leopardsgowild]

It's a pretty beautiful spot. Working on the next video a trip into cascade creek 😎 your gonna love ❤️ that one mate its beautiful in there

[@philstrang6907]

Hi Mike, following your videos from the beginning, I have been impressed with your background music and was keen to know where you sourced it from. Is it non licensed for use on these types of videos? Appreciate your feedback. Great effort on the Kepler!

[@leopardsgowild]

Oh cheers mate... The music is all licenced the first 18 months through epidemic music and since leaving Rotorua moved to Music bed they had more my style. It does take a while searching through to find stuff I like

[@philstrang6907]

@@leopardsgowild thanks for that Mike. Would love to catch up some time. You assisted my daughter Angela with information to assist her Camp America trip last year which we greatly appreciated. She is heading back again in a month or so. Enjoying your channel!

[@leopardsgowild]

@@philstrang6907 oh that's so cool... I think after this southerly we'd wish we were going back to camp to

[@peteridoine9372]

Well done 👏

[@leopardsgowild]

Thank mate appreciate it.

[@jezthomas4402]

Legend or nutter; I can't decide! :-D Wow, great work mate and you managed to film it all for us too! Really keen to jog some great walks some time; might be keen on the Kepler in a few months' time unless it's too cold or the days are too short? Would love to know what you packed for this one and are there plenty of places to refill the water bottle? Do you take one of those personal beacon thingies; the three letter acronym escapes me? I keep putting off buying one as they're so exy. I'm all booked up for my second crack at the Blue Lake challenge and am dragging a bunch more mates with me this time; got to beat my 4 laps of last year, and all of my mates of course! 53km = 5.3 beers :-D

[@leopardsgowild]

I'd just aim for the blue lake its so much more fun... THere isn't really any legit places for water refils although I happyily refilled my bottles in the small side streams which is normally the best spots. Take all of your friends ever to Rotorua, they won't regret it..

[@digital_elements]

You the man mike

[@leopardsgowild]

Dr. Leon... I miss you... Hope your doing well bro, Call me, we need a coffee...

[@digital_elements]

@@leopardsgowild I miss hanging out too. I need a coffee bad

[@leopardsgowild]

@@digital_elements ok km gonna call you in the next few days

[@nickigarcia7]

Amazing

[@leopardsgowild]

It's a great walk so spectacular scenery if only it was clear...

[@daniel-6449]

Your a legend!

[@leopardsgowild]

maybe if I died on the trail lol.. It was a long long day, would have been even better if I got some awesome views.

[@SvjetaakJEDNA]

Cool video! You might wanna change the name to right one - "Kepler" so that maybe more people can find it? Nice effort.

[@Webbcorp]

Kudos! Doing in January 24. Is there plentiful water on the route to the point where if you have a filter you don't need to carry much? Or are water sources sparse and dispersed long distance? Thanks

[@leopardsgowild]

Water at the huts and plenty once your off the tops hope the weather's good for you

[@RadRoadAdventures]

What an effort, felt I was there with you. How much food/energy did you consume during your run?

[@leopardsgowild]

Thanks bro... Food I had a few muesli bars and 3 sandwhiches with ham and cheese with mayonaise, which was perfect for me.

[@craignelson-swiftyenzed7578]

That's a solid yeah nah from me, mate.

[@leopardsgowild]

Common Craig you need to come along on the next big one bro...

[@craignelson-swiftyenzed7578]

@@leopardsgowild Piggy back?

[@kiwicodes]

Great effort in horrendous conditions. I have been up there once before in thunder and hail, and it was incredibly scary. I think I have been over 9 times now, most of the times pretty good. Here is my 2018 experience. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIC7koKbh5l5pZo

[@leopardsgowild]

cheers mate, wasn't the day I was hoping for weather wise. Checked out your video much better weather and good to see you pull a few places back later into the race.

[@04004]

Dumb decision to carry on with that weather and forecast. Different story if you are a lot faster, but being exposed on the tops for that long is asking for trouble. You only need to roll an ankle and you're buggered, with a difficult rescue due to the snow. One bottle of water seems insane as well. I would've been heading back down at the first hut...not worth the risk especially when you're not going to get any views anyway.

[@leopardsgowild]

Aghh Ok Mate... So 40+ people were ahead of me on the trail with massive packs having left from the 1st hut that morning.. I had 2 Bottles of isotonic drinks and 1 of water, the other 2 were in the pack, and an easy refill from a stream. Had a full change of clothes in my pack and emergency blanket, as well as emergency cell coverage. Forecast was for sunny weather, I don't think it was a dumb decision weather was certainly pretty wild for a time, but then had a couple of clearing moments as well. I'm not green to Ultra distance running in the mountains i've done several events over 100km and huts have wardens and it's easy to get a message passed on in an emergency. I can tell you I was looking a lot better than most of the walkers with 15-20kg packs on navigating those conditions requiring to move slow.