Crazy Couple Finish Marathon 5 Month Hike Of NZ,
Alice and Dennis Covered 2900 km in 139 days
Most people would think spending five months on end with your partner unshowered and unshaved, navigating some of New
Zealand's toughest terrain would be their worst nightmare, but for American Dennis Behan and Kiwi Alice Smith it was
nothing.
At 12:30 PM yesterday in Bluff, the couple completed the final stage of their five month journey, hiking the length of
New Zealand.
In this amazing feat, Alice and Dennis covered 2900 KM in 139 days, starting at Cape Reinga on September 22, 2007 and
finished yesterday at Stirling Point Bluff, where they were greeted by supporters.
The couple through their website www.nzunderfoot.com raised $3,750 for New Zealand charity Project K (approximately
$2,500 will go to Project K) and a similar organisation in the states, Environmental Travelling Companions.
Project K founded by Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson is a unique youth development programme that uses the
wilderness, local community and one-on-one mentoring to teach and inspire teens to reach their full potential.
Graeme Dingle said this of the pair; "I am truly proud of Dennis and Alice's gut's and determination to succeed and so
grateful to them for choosing Project K as a recipient. Their journey serves as a perfect example of what we want
Project K students to achieve, setting goals and aiming high."
Dennis and Alice chose Project K and Environmental Travelling Companions because they both support their love for the
outdoors and provide opportunities to people they may not otherwise have.
The couple said of their journey together; "Surprisingly it's been really easy hiking together for the last 5 months,
you just don't sweat the small stuff and learn not to take everything in life for granted. We've had this wonderful
opportunity to take in New Zealand's stunning surroundings and we didn't want to spoil it, you just have to learn to
stay grounded."
The keen hikers known to be a little crazy for their enthusiasm have decided to fit in 13 days hiking around Stewart
Island, before heading back to Auckland for a family wedding.
Ends