Solo CAMPING and Winter Swim - bike packing in to Cow Stream hot pools

Join my Collie x lab dog Indi and I for a camping adventure in the St James Conservation Area in the South Island of New Zealand. Rather than hiking, like I usually do, I took my bike and cycled in to Cow Stream to camp near the natural hot springs. It was a fun trip in and I enjoyed a warm soak as the sun was setting. In the morning we woke to a heavy frost, and everything frozen solid, including my shoes, which made travelling the 1km to our water source rather a challenge. I came up with a plan though and soon had a warm coffee in me while I waited for things to thaw out.
I hope you will all enjoy this adventure with a twist.
Till next time,
Cathy and Indi
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If you are interested use this link to check out the 'Firemaple Frost Pot Set' and other Firemaple products.
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Here's some of my Camping gear I use:
Green Tent: Exped Venus 2 Tent
Brown Tarp: DD Hammock Superlight Tarp
Ultralight Camping Chair: Helinox Chair Zero ultralight hiking chair
Hiking Mat: Exped Synlite camping mat

[@shintapaterson2364]

Another good video, made me so jelous to see you and Indi out in the nature. Thank you for sharing Cathy ❤

[@adventureot]

You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@darkrose8927]

Thank you ❤

[@adventureot]

You're welcome 😊

[@principessatorrisi3460]

Hi Cathy and Indi, thank you for another wonderful video. Can’t wait for the road trip, yay! You are such an inspiration Cathy. 💕

[@adventureot]

Thank you so much!

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

Such a wonderful time you have in some very beautiful nature ❤

[@adventureot]

Thanks, it really was a great time, and different scenery to what I am used to, which I enjoyed.

[@PamelaCompton-rn6eb]

Tony, from ABCamping , suggested your channel. While he takes a break, I can watch you ! I watched 3 or 4 videos in a row and enjoyed them so much. I live close to Houston Tx. originally from Bedford UK. I'm 71 and love watching people camp in beautiful New Zealand. Thank you for sharing your videos.

[@adventureot]

Awesome, thank you Pamela! Sharing the beauty of the environment and the experience of camping, with others, is what I loved most. I get a lot of joy out of knowing they are appreciated. Thank you for letting me know.

[@subhashnaidu6520]

❤❤❤Good afternoon Cathy happy Wednesday from fiji island. You have beautiful voice. Take care ❤❤❤

[@adventureot]

Good afternoon

[@user-ci2dv3wi7u]

My condolence 🙏 to Tony, who lost Bruno poor man lost two dogs 🐕 in less then a year But am happy to see your Angel self again a awesome video

[@adventureot]

Thanks Edward. Yes very tough time for Tony. I am cherishing my moments with Indi. A good dog is treasure.

[@Peac31363]

Hi Cathy & Indi 👋 Vivian here I enjoyed da Vid n also seeing 'Indi.👍 I knw I don't have 2 say this but always treasure her.💯 RIP BRUCIE & BRUNO 🙏🏻 Till then ✌️😎 8k Subs coming soon👏💫💫

[@adventureot]

Thanks Vivian. Oh yes, for sure, Tony's experience has definitely reminded me to treasure every moment with Indi.

[@jeanasoy1863]

❤ love video! ❤

[@adventureot]

Thanks Jean

[@arletteknoester3700]

You really earned that nice hot coffee in the morning. On your socks getting water 💦 💪 there’s a solution for everything. That’s what you are showing to us 😊. And of course your amazing country, the views 🤩 Loved to see Indi in her happy place with you. Be safe ❤ (what happened to Bruno💖)

[@adventureot]

Ha ha, the sock shoes were a tricky mission, but I achieved my desired outcome ... the morning coffee. Oh yes, dear sweet Bruno, a much loved bundle of curious, happy, cuddly, fluffy puppy gorgeousness! It is heartbreaking.

[@Windygirl1958]

Very nice 😊

[@adventureot]

Thank you so much!

[@bjcrh8448]

Love the sound of the water pouring into the cup against the backdrop of birds in the air. A very good morning. You have done it again. Beautiful area. Thank you.

[@adventureot]

Thank you. I love that you notice and appreciate the small moments. I try my best to capture them if I can as that is what I am able to experience myself when out there.

[@MisterTee2010]

Thank you for sharing. Love and God Bless you and Indi 🤗😘💖🙏

[@adventureot]

Thanks Terry. You are very welcome.

[@LouiseTrudel]

Thanks!

[@adventureot]

You are welcome Louise! And thank you too. I really appreciate your support 😊

[@jthomas332]

So good to see you both out in the St James area... such a wonderful place and is regenerating so well after 81 years as a high country station. Cow Stream has certainly changed since I was there, the pools were pretty rudimentary then. With a few more frame bags I could see you doing more bikepacking which suits you! Another spoke to the wheel of options. I really enjoy that mode of exploring. Winter is a lovely time to be out, we were near the Hawdon recently and the UV was so low (1-2) we didn't even have to cream up. Thank you for a lovely video account of a night in the back blocks under the stars.

[@adventureot]

You are welcome, my pleasure. Yes I agree, some good carrier bags and I would happily do more bike trips, it was only the weight on my back that I found challenging for manouvering the bike safely.

[@jthomas332]

@@adventureot yes I remember my first overnighter on the MTB in the Poulter valley. Rubbed my back raw and poor old sit bones… the once and only trip like that. 😊

[@subhashnaidu6520]

❤❤❤❤Beautiful from fiji island ❤❤❤❤

[@adventureot]

Thank you

[@subhashnaidu6520]

@@adventureot most welcome

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 .. nice, very nice 😊. Some sunshine for a change, although a cloudless night will result in a cold, crisp sunrise. We going (albeit somewhat reluctantly here in my neck of the woods, Switzerland on the Rhine) into Summer and I tend to forget that you're 'going South' in the opposite direction 🌡 😏. 'Red Bush Tea' 🤔 (if I heard correctly) .. and with milk? 😳. Not criticising .. each to their own 😁. I enjoy my 'Rooi Bos' Tea neat with a squirt of concentrated Lemon Juice 😏 .. and I can get it at my local Supermarket yay 👏. Another good one .. thanks. Am looking forward to the next and it's always great to see Indie (the pampered pooch .. as it should be) accompanying you on your outings. Until then .. take care .. Tommy

[@adventureot]

Yes I know, I know, sadly I am butchering my Rooi Bos by adding milk, lol. Ah yes, the pampered pooch. She enjoyed this outing, and then a few days later was invited to join me on a 4 day road trip where we camped out for 3 nights in a row. She could hardly contain herself.

[@thomasmusso1147]

​@@adventureot 😁👍

[@jeankanengoni9354]

I hope you get to go back to the hot springs again. Especially when its snowing (bring an umbrella to keep you dry as you soak in the pool - a large umbrella so that you do not have to hold it.)

[@adventureot]

Now that is a great idea! And this time I will find the even hotter pool that is further down the river, that way I can stay in for hours 😅

[@ervinslens]

This sounds and feels amazing my friend! Love it 👏👏

[@adventureot]

Thank you very much!

[@chrislonsberry1974]

You never cease to amaze me! Bike camping! I’m a long time bicycle tourist and bike packing guy. Been riding for 45 years. Yeah, I’m an old fart. I have a trip planned this Summer on the Northern section of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail. I so enjoy your videos! Love seeing Indi! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us on your trip!

[@adventureot]

Oh wow, that looks amazing (I had to search it up to see what it is all about). You will have a blast doing that. What amazing scenery. Glad you are looking forward to the upcoming videos. I have been very busy and have 4 to edit. I had better get a move on.

[@tinaorr2723]

Oh gosh that must have been cold, especially with no fire. Old man winter seems to have come early. It's cold here and I'm up in the Bay of Islands!

[@adventureot]

Yes, definitely been a cold snap. I have capitalised on it though and just back from a snow camp down South. Fantastic!! Will be a while till the video is out though as I have a few still in editing.

[@earndoggy]

Yay, an Indi video! Yes, you too Cathy LOL!

[@adventureot]

😁 gotta love the Indi 🐕

[@jnicklin]

Hope you and indi doing well 💜

[@adventureot]

Thanks Jane. We sure are! We’re not long back from a wonderful road trip together and have be exploring all over the country. Lots of videos in the pipelines.

[@caroloum5323]

A very different video on the bike. Well done on your bike skills. Not an easy task. Love the simple camp. Shows it can be done and you don't need much to create a cosy area. Carry it all on your bike. Look forward to the road trip down south. I lived there for awhile. So interested to see where you go. Keep on camping. love it. 🏕

[@adventureot]

Thanks. I was happy with how this camp turned out. Something different. Oh I hope you will enjoy the camps coming up. I went across to South Westland for two camps, and then cut back in via Wanaka and up to an area near Lake Ohau for two camps.

[@garyb7551]

I wish we had hot pools here in the UK like that ...But if we did our government would only charge us a rediculous amount of TAX to use them.

[@adventureot]

Yes I think we are lucky to have a lot of these thermal areas around the country so plenty aren’t commercialised.

[@margaretjackson8774]

Hello from Australia I’ve only just found you great video thanks for sharing.❤

[@adventureot]

Welcome Margaret. I hope you will enjoy the channel.

[@subhashnaidu6520]

❤❤❤Wow sooo beautiful camping video very nice as always from fiji island ❤❤❤

[@adventureot]

Thank you! 😃

[@subhashnaidu6520]

@@adventureot most welcome

[@subhashnaidu6520]

❤❤❤Good morning Cathy happy Saturday from fiji island. I will watch your campaign video for 3 or 4times ❤❤❤

[@adventureot]

Good morning Subhash. Thank you.

[@subhashnaidu6520]

@@adventureot Hello cathy i know your campaign video very nice as always i will coment later take care have a great day god bless

[@nancycarden2469]

A sunny day with light winds blowing make for a beautiful camp. A nice hot drink at the end of the day is lovely. Your dinner looked amazing. And icing on the cake a sweet lovable dog to cozy up to at night. Just love Indi. ❤️

[@adventureot]

Beautifully described. It was a lovely camp, and yes Indi, she tops it off. So lovely to hang out with.

[@JoSeph-yp5mb]

ARE THE FUNNY LADY IS BACK YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@adventureot]

Ha ha, you make me laugh.

[@UglyBikeling]

Cool, i remember asking if you thought about a bike ! Im getting an Ebike agi again Tues 😁

[@adventureot]

It was fun. I need to invest in proper carrier bags though as it was a bit tough with a backpack on and I didn’t have to manoeuvrability that I would have liked. I hope you really enjoy your bike!!

[@denise643]

Hi Cathy and Indi another great video I think you tuckered Indi out she was snuggled in her sleeping bag she's adorable Cathy❤

[@adventureot]

Thanks Denise. You are so right. She slept all day after we got home. Happy tuckered out dog.

[@shirleyfranklin2707]

Love your videos, but I’ll keep saying that it would be nice to see you return safely to your car at the end of your video please. We females have to look out for our safety. Continue the great work and I will continue to watch. Blessings

[@adventureot]

Thanks Shirely, I will keep that in mind.

[@UglyBikeling]

The Stone shoes 😅

[@adventureot]

Ha ha, I don't know why someone hasn't marketed the design yet. Highly comfortable and practical..... NOT, lol.

[@UglyBikeling]

@@adventureot 😆

[@LouiseTrudel]

Good evening. I love the bike camp. Is there anything you haven’t done . I would love to do what you do. Where I live there’s no woods to that in. I’m a little town 20 minutes away from Niagara Falls. And also I’m very sick. I have fibromyalgia and lupus. So that’s stop me to do things . But I love watching your video always looking forward for your next trip. Love Louise Canada ❤

[@adventureot]

Wow that really is a world away from me. I can’t imagine what it would be like where you live, but I’ll google it. You are always welcome on my trips. I’ve heard research that even watching images of nature has some of the physical and mental benefits that come from time outdoors. That’s good news!

[@aaron.gray1512]

Nicely timed, Cathy. The latest video released on a Saturday morning. I now feel like a kid waking up ready to watch the latest episode of Fraggle Rock!! 😂 I miss those mornings. Will grab a coffee and watch it very soon.

[@adventureot]

Hah, I love it! I’m trying to time my videos for a Saturday morning if I’m organised enough.

[@sabinerabenstein8034]

Diesmal auf dem Bike.....sportlich sportlich. Super Video wie immer.

[@adventureot]

Thank you so much.

[@SunniDazed]

Thanks, Cathy. Love your vids❤

[@adventureot]

Glad you like them!

[@cernunnoskali]

So nice to see the areas where you tramp or camp, I recognise most of them. I'm living in Australia, for the moment, can't wait to return home to NZ again.

[@adventureot]

That’s lovely. Glad you can reminisce 🙂

[@broomeroad1792]

You seem to enying your self and indy getting a work out keeping up with bike

[@adventureot]

Thank you. Yes I really enjoyed myself, and so did Indi. She was tired after this one though. Lots of running.

[@vincentjenkins4045]

Such cool vlog, bike camp was cool

[@adventureot]

Thanks Vincent

[@bobr3909]

Hope you had a great time this trip.

[@adventureot]

I really did, thank you.

[@bobr3909]

Thanks!

[@adventureot]

You bet! Thanks Bob. I so so so appreciate this 🥰

[@shintapaterson2364]

Thanks!

[@adventureot]

You are so welcome Shinta. Thank you so much for your support.