Walk1200km has helped this participant re-evaluate what she is capable of. 

Discussing walking comes easily to Lois Bishop. Well past retirement age, she’s set on remaining walk-fit for her physically demanding work and the many tramps on her must-do list. Slow down? No way! With grit, self-belief and Walk1200km in her toolkit, she’s unwavering. 

“If I could conquer the Dusky in horrendous weather at 63, what can’t I do?,” she says. “Taking on the Walk1200km challenge has shifted my mindset as much as my stride. It’s totally re-shaped my sense of what I’m capable of.”

You could say Bishop’s life has been shaped by her love of walking. It has opened doors to countless adventures in the backcountry, enabled her to do voluntary work caring for the whenua, and connected her with a wide circle of kindred spirits who share her passion for Aotearoa’s wild places.

Bishop has always enjoyed spending time outdoors. The connection began with Brownies, Guides and Rangers, and grew when she attained the Queen’s Guide Award that led to her becoming a leader for all the age groups. “It was through Guiding that I first learnt the value of teamwork, resilience and leadership, how much fun it is, and what we can gain from exploring the natural world,” she says. 

It helped to have the backing of an “outdoorsy” family. She took her first tramping steps on Taranaki Maunga with a wooden-framed canvas pack that her father bought her. As time went on her thirst for adventure and skills in the outdoors increased. She joined several tramping clubs and was soon leading trips. 

In her forties she began a long association with DOC. After eight years as a volunteer, including stints as a hut warden on the Abel Tasman and Heaphy tracks, she realised her dream of becoming a DOC ranger. 

“It felt like the best job in the world,” she says. “Those 15 years gave me a strong grounding in conservation work and strengthened my commitment to protecting native biodiversity.” 

Now 70, Bishop has an “almost full-time job – some of it paid” – as pest control coordinator for Croydon Bush and Dolamore Park, which jointly cover 950ha near her home of Gore. As a volunteer ‘side gig’, she also does hut and track maintenance for Permolat Southland.

“Depending on the task, these activities require me to walk long distances over rough, steep, often slippery terrain, usually carrying equipment. It’s common for me to cover 35km per week servicing traps alone. When I track my progress on my Walk1200km tracker, I am surprised at how many kilometres I actually walk – around 2500 per year. 

“I find the challenge motivates me to walk much further and more consistently than before. What I hadn’t anticipated is how much it would boost my fitness, stamina, strength and confidence.

“Distances I once struggled with now feel achievable. I’m thrilled with the results, given walking is crucial to the work I love and my life generally. I want to be able to tackle challenging tramps with a pack on my back for as long as possible.”

Bishop has always been adventurous, and her wish to take on fresh challenges shows no sign of abating. “My favourite tramps have not been the easiest ones,” she says wryly. Right up there was the Dusky Track, which tested her physically and mentally. “The weather threw everything at us – torrential rain, rising rivers and seas of thigh-deep mud. It was a real test of endurance. At one point a bridge was gone, the hut was surrounded by water and inside we faced a cold night with no dry firewood and snow at the door. There were moments of pure chaos.”

Despite the tribulations, however, her group’s dynamics kept spirits high. “We laughed, swapped stories and imagined what might ease our discomfort – a classic Kiwi roast, cold beers, a hot shower, a massage. Yes, the companionship was definitely one of the highlights, no less my feeling of achievement once I got to the end.”

Equally as memorable for Bishop was helping her husband to face the  challenge of returning to the outdoors after a stroke. They chose a gentler option: two nights on the Routeburn. “Moving at a slower pace allowed us to appreciate the spectacular scenery, the comfortable huts and the simple joy of being together.”

Bishop finds that regular walking has markedly improved her mental health, and it was the comments on social media regarding the power of the Walk1200km challenge to positively affect mood that prompted her to join.

“Like many people I’ve faced periods of injury, sadness and personal loss,” she says. “Walking hasn’t solved those challenges, but it’s given me a healthy way to cope with them. It provides time to reflect, process emotions and keep moving forward.”

Bishop urges anyone to commit to Walk1200km and take that first step.

“Start small. A short walk is still a walk. There are no set rules – adapt it to suit your lifestyle. Be kind to yourself, as everyone’s capabilities are different. Remember, it’s your journey.”