My Mountain Therapy
Forget the typical weekday commute, for Rangiora local, Anna Frost, Tuesdays are all about adventure. This busy mum of two always finds time to discover the natural beauty of North Canterbury.
Words: Kayte John Photography: Supplied
For many of us, a typical Tuesday morning may include the commute to work, with expectantly a coffee in hand, while still reminiscing about the weekend. But for Rangiora local, Anna Frost, her Tuesday includes an adventure.
Anna, otherwise known as ‘explorewithanna.nz’ on Instagram has quite a following for her epic adventures where she shares tips, weather reports, and stunning scenic pictures of the mountains she has conquered throughout New Zealand.
Anna grew up living on farms in Mid and North Canterbury then moved to Christchurch for study and work opportunities. “I’ve lived in a few different cities over the years, but I relocated back to the Canterbury region as there really is no place like home,” she says.
A lover of the great outdoors, the 35-year-old mum of two says that it became more difficult to conquer mountains after having children. “Before I had my kids, I would go on walking adventures by myself or with my husband, and after children it became harder to achieve. As a mum, I know how hectic life can be, so I wanted to ensure I had ‘me time’ which involved getting outdoors and keeping active. Every mum or anyone for that matter needs ‘me time’ – so, I decided to take a day where I could do just that, and I’m such a better person for it!”
Anna began by researching the Visit Waimakariri website for local walks and came across an abundance of them. “My first hike was Mount Grey, then Mt Thomas. After that, I was hooked!”
Anna uses her Instagram page to encourage more people to be active and to seek out adventure, but more importantly ensuring they are taking time-out for themselves.
“My adventures give me a sense of achievement. And I absolutely love the sense of freedom I get from the outdoors, especially all the amazing places I have recently discovered that are right on our doorstep. There really is so much to explore in our region,” she says. She adds, “Instagram is a great tool to share my adventures and I’ve made many connections with people who also love to explore and capture their journeys to share with the world. It’s a great feeling looking back on your photos and reliving the moment, while inspiring others through social media."
When Anna is not in the mountains, she somehow manages to fit in F45 and hockey during the week. “My husband is so supportive of my love of fitness and the great outdoors. We encourage each other to ensure we are making time to do the things that we both enjoy,” she says.
For anyone wanting to follow in Anna’s footsteps, she says that a good hike to start with is Mount Grey. “Trust me - in time it will get easier and more enjoyable. I try and follow the sun and regularly check out Canterbury Weather Updates for the latest up-to-date weather reports and live weather cams. Don’t forget to layer-up over winter. Merino layers are great as the higher you go, the temperatures drop, along with more wind exposure. Don’t forget to bring water and snacks for the journey, along with a first-aid kit. When you reach the top, it’s such a great feeling. The views simply take your breath away. I suppose you could call it my mountain therapy.”
When asking Anna about her upcoming adventures, she says, “I frequently visit Craigieburn Forest Park and Torlesse Range as these areas are certainly some of my favourite places to explore. However, Mount Bruce, Avalanche Peak and Woolshed Hill are on my to-do list.”
You can follow Anna’s adventures on her Instagram page – explorewithanna.nz