Three 17-year-olds are on a human-powered expedition through the heart of the North Island. Chasing 800km over three weeks, Olly Dow, Thomas Winter and Will Dunn are walking, biking and canoeing through Aoteaora’s wilderness.

Dow, a keen tramper and member of Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR), said the idea came from his love of studying maps. 

“I was trying to come up with the craziest adventure ideas possible and landed on this one: the longest line.”

The boys started on November 20 by cycling SH35 from East Cape to Ōpōtiki. Then it’s on to Te Urewera, the Whirinaki, across the Kaimanawa Range and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A canoe trip will be followed by a bike ride to East Egmont, after which they will attempt to reach the summit of Taranaki Maunga then cycle to Cape Egmont lighthouse. They hope to finish by Christmas. 

The boys’ dads are following and helping with logistics and gear swap-overs.  

Dow said he was nervous about how he and his friends would cope. 

“We all get stoked about spending time outdoors and are always out and about taking in the fresh air and clearing the mind. It’ll be pretty hard endurance the whole time, sometimes doing up to 16 hours a day.

“The fitness isn’t really a big deal, as we’ll be gaining fitness while we’re doing it, right?” he said. “It’s the perseverance, really.”

He said the most rewarding part has been the community that has formed, with many people, places and organisations pitching in to help. 

The three lads are not just heading out for fun either: they’re also raising money for the Child Cancer Foundation.