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Olly Dow

@olly.dow

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🇳🇿 NZ🤌
☀️ PLAYIN HARD SINCE 2007🏔️
🗺️ TOPO MEMORIZER🧠
🏆@capetocape.nz
🔸@landsarnz

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My life in the outdoors probably looks like an endless pursuit of adventure. What I really chase is the discomfort of getting caught out by the weather, the growth of watching my peers face their fears, and the fierce camaraderie of battling a huge day together. I chase the challenges that seem impossible, the pain that aches through every part of me, and the lifelong bonds that form when we face it all. I chase the quiet peace of an alpine campsite, and the sudden chaos of a foreign city. Because at the end of a trip when I return home to a home-cooked meal and fresh bedsheets, it’s not the views that stick, it’s the people I share them with. It’s not the pain I remember but instead the conversation to take our minds off it.

So, what am I looking for?
I don’t really know, but that’s the whole point. taken in New Zealand by @olly.dow

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3 months ago

Some recent adventures… taken in New Zealand by @olly.dow

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4 months ago

Throwback to a weekend up the Kauaeranga with friends Kayle and Antony🤘

Oh and we love canyoning if you didn’t know… taken in Kauaeranga River, Thames by @olly.dow

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4 months ago

Epic weekend showing the Cape to Cape 2026 boys round the Kaweka range!

We headed down to Makahu Saddle to begin on Friday night around 10pm. We headed up over the main range and down to Back Ridge hut where on the way we battled challenging alpine conditions meaning we arrived at 3am Saturday.

We then had a fire and got a few hrs of sleep before heading off again at 7am towards the Biv and then Rocks Ahead. Again, snow slowed our progress, sometimes being more than 40cm deep with an annoying crust that we’d fall through with every step.

After a hefty 700m descent to the Ngaruroro, we had lunch under Rocks Aheads stunning new porch (thanks BCT!) before heading across the 3 wire and up to Venison Tops. The boys got a good workout on the 800m climb out of the valley! Then a quick sit down at VT and on to Mangaturutu for the night saw us arriving on sunset.

A crankin open fire, a hot dinner, and mattresses over the fire… that’s the backcountry experience I was there to convey. Topped off with a stunner of a sunset with views of Tarawera, Putuaki, Panakiri, and Te Mata Peak, it was time to hit the sack… or the blanket😜

Another 7am start for the boys saw them making another big descent into the head waters of the Makino river and then back up to the Makino plateau. I let the boys have some time as a team and I followed about 30 min behind with the aim of having attempt at trying to spot some deer. After hearing a good 10 roars, I got up close on a hind probably 150m away all without leaving the track.

Eventually a change of wind saw me boost up to the top and catch up with the boys to then continue our mega climb back on to the main range.

Fortunately by mid afternoon the sun had done a great job of melting away much of the snow meaning faster and easier travel helping us reach the Makahu Junction at 6pm and then the Carpark back at the saddle around 7:30pm.

Monday saw hot pools, the post trip fattening session in Taupo, and some exploration of the Cape to Cape route.

Cheers to Isaac, Cole, and Tom for a mean weekend🤙 taken in Kaweka Forest Park by @olly.dow

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5 months ago

Feeling grateful for all the epic adventures I’ve had in the last 2 weeks. Kayaking up Lake McLaren, canyoning down the side of Mt Te Aroha, rafting down the Buller, running a section of the Abel Tasman track, canyoning in both Tākaka and Havelock, and most recently jumping and swimming down the Kauaeranga River below the pinnacles hut! The list goes on and on…

Thanks to the legends that are always keen for an adventure😜

Cyclone Vaianu is providing an opportunity to rest and recharge before I take on my next set of missions. I have plenty of itches to scratch, a lot of which lie in the central North Island… taken in New Zealand by @olly.dow

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6 months ago

Epic times in the canyon🤘 by @olly.dow

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6 months ago

Sleeping God, you have earnt a piece of my heart…

Thanks to the legends who’ve come to play in this special place with me over the last few weeks, what a time it’s been. I’ve learnt heaps from this place and it’s given me a new outlook on my canyoning progression.

Also a big thanks to the legends @canyonz_nz for providing their advice and maintaining trusty anchors. Makes life safer, easier, and more fun for everyone. taken in Kauaeranga River, Thames by @olly.dow

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7 months ago

Living it up on the Motu with @markbelgraver back in November. Truly a spectacular part of Aotearoa!

This place is next level. Solid grade 3/4 whitewater (much of it not shown), incredible waterfalls, rugged gorges, hectic boulder gardens, and epic camping. Two nights and 3 full days of full action. It was game on from the put in and we were all about making good decisions considering we were going R2 with no safety. Luckily no carnage thanks to lots of good calls and teamwork. 4 short portages over 100km total.

What an experience. taken in Raukumara Range by @olly.dow

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8 months ago

Good times on the tuna with a legendary crew!

🤳 @imke.ho taken in Kaituna River by @olly.dow

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9 months ago

Suprise Trip 2025

22 days:
6 rafting
6 tramping
4 volunteering for BCT
2 canyoning
1 caving
Plus much more random events

Truly one of the best if not the best trip I’ve ever been on. We had our moments but the team always had each others backs to pull each other through the rough times.

We faced multiple injury’s, heinous bush, persistent blisters, poor hygiene, stinking heat, continuous fatigue, hunger, dehydration, sickness. Despite it all, we grew stronger and closer throughout.

Getting the opportunity to grow with this group of legends is something I’m forever thankful for. There aren’t many groups of 16-19 yr olds that would take on an unknown challenge such as this.

#slowisfast #fucktheridge #bebothered #pumpkin taken in New Zealand by @olly.dow

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9 months ago

This is Morgan Gorge on the Waitaha. Its currently threatened by a hydro scheme which with deprive the gorge of 85% of its flow.

These images are aimed at raising awareness in regards to the raw beauty and power of the gorge.

The Waitaha is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, we shouldn’t have to fight to keep it the way it is…

Learn more about the Waitaha hydro scheme via the Save The Waitaha facebook page.

All images copyright Olly Dow 2025 © taken in Waitaha River by @olly.dow

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a year ago

Livin it up on the coast…

Been a little too busy to be posting much here but life is good and it’s just mission after mission🤤 taken in West Coast, New Zealand by @olly.dow

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a year ago