Every day we celebrate mothers in nature, but Mother’s Day is a special one just for them. This one is for the real tough mums doing some real tough things, in every way, shape and form that might take. It’s a day to say thanks to those who hold the world on their shoulders.
Here are some stories of Macpac's real tough mums who inspire us every day.
If you're browsing for mum, you can shop our Mothers Day Gift Guide.
Deanna
Let's be honest, it's hard hiking with kids. So what about walking the length of Aotearoa with three? Dee Gerlach is a real tough wāhine and a pretty damn tough mum. Dee lives in Wānaka with her partner and three wild kids, adventuring when they have the chance.
What's been your best adventure as a mum?
Having kids is one helliva adventure in itself! What a wild ride... I've had some magic moments out there with my kids and feel really lucky to have the opportunity. A little overnight mission the smallest two and I did in the snow comes to mind. The road was closed due to snow, but the time it opened we had just an hour before it got dark. It took us 3 hours to get to the hut so the last 2 hours were in the dark with most of the track and markers covered in snow. I was making tracks for the kids and we were going very slow, getting pretty wet and cold and navigation was tough. We'd been there a few times before so weren't flying blind. We chatted about our backup plans as we went, ready to turn around. Finally, as we descended the small ridge our headlamps caught the reflection of the hut in the distance - sweet relief! That feeling when we finally found the hut, absolute gold!
What does it mean to be a real tough mum?
I'ts all about confidence baby! Ha, I actually get nervous about almost everything in life. Anxiousness tends to be my modus operandi, but I really don't want it to stop me getting out there. I think being a tough mum is having a go, trying and failing. Letting your kids see you make a mistake then figure out how to pick yourself up again and keep going. Allowing them to be part of the journey with you. Vulnerability and honesty. I'm still learning how to do it!
What's the coolest thing about raising outdoor kids?
The coolest thing raising outdoor kids is how much time you get to yarn with each other while you're out there. And when you've been out in the wild for days or weeks at a time, conversations roam to places you just don't find in our busy day to day lives. You're present for each other's challenges, the lowest low and highest highs. It's not a retelling after a day at school or work, you're in it together. It's such a privilege to really get to know these people before they head out into the world.
What's been a pivotal real tough mum moment?
Sometimes the most pivotal moments are the smallest steps. Like how huge it is to just put your shoes on and get out the door for your first run, that can lead to an ultra marathon. For me it was taking the kids out into the national parks north of Sydney when they were tiny. I didn't know these places or how to manage the risks - mainly heat and snakes - being a kiwi in Australia can be a trifle scary! I started really small, just the 30 min walk up to Barrenjoey Head. We got braver and veered off the trails, then got headlamps for the kids for Christmas so we could have dinner up there and walk down in the dark. Birthday sunrises soon became a family ritual and we'd hike up to local spots in the dark, finding the best spot to honour the birthday person. I gained confidence and we explored further afield, baby steps really. Ten years later we're tramping and camping in the snow amongst Aotearoa's epic maunga. It's a nice progression and we've learned together, the kids and I. Us Mamas and our children really are capable of much more than you can ever imagine in our normal lives where fear can hold too much power. We've just got to get out there and start. However small that starting point may be.
Shoshannah
Picture this - you're grunting up a hill, sweat pouring down your arms, complaining about a heavy pack. You see someone - not only are they carrying the same gear as you, but they also have a baby on their front, another tiny human next to them and their gear too. Shoshannah is one tough mother.
What's been your best adventure as a mum?
It’s hard to pick just one! Recently I took my two children on the St. James walkway it was an incredible experience of bonding and endurance. Amazing to see what we are capable of.
What does it mean to be a real tough mum?
I think in general mums are tough- you’ve gotta be when you have kids. I do admire mums who tramp with their kids - it’s like the next level up from mumming. It’s hard, you’ve gotta be resilient and have endurance. I think that’s what it takes to be tough.
What's the coolest thing about raising outdoor kids?
Watching them get to experience it all, and seeing how resilient it’s made them- our motto when we’re tramping is “yes this is hard but we can do hard things”. The rewards, both big and small, are so great.
What's been a pivotal real tough mum moment?
I think again on the St. James walkway, achieving 5 days of tramping on my own with my kids made me feel so tough and capable. It made me realise if I can do this, I could do anything. It was an epic feeling.
Anna
Anna can usually be found in the snow either mountaineering, backcountry skiing, instructing, or all three. She's one tough mother, in some pretty tough and gnarly environments.
What's been your best adventure as a mum?
We pack rafted the Escalante river (Southern Utah) as a family a few years ago. Obie had never paddled but he was all over this technical creek boating from the onset. We slept under the stars each night and he played in the sand a lot. In one canyon, there were so many frogs chirping. It echoed off the canyon walls and the sound was like an orchestra of different variations of chirp. Later we swam in a pool where the sun shone through a hole in the red rock and the water reflected and shimmered back onto the rock. It was sublime and remote. I couldn’t believe that I would be in such a place with my family.
What does it mean to be a real tough mum?
Finding balance and letting your kid find his own as well (this goes for your partner also!). I think fostering independence is about stepping back and being mindful of the big picture. My kid isn’t me. He’s got his own life. Obie connects with the outdoors differently to me. He’s had different opportunities and influences.
What's the coolest thing about raising outdoor kids?
We did a ton of canyoneering in the southern utah desert for years - from when Obie was 4 or 5. Recently we were rock climbing in Mexico and it was amazing to see how Obie has almost osmosed the climbing skill set. He led a 4 pitch climb both up and down. He just has natural movement in the environment and seems to instinctively know what to do.
What's been a pivotal real tough mum moment?
Obie was three and we were rock climbing at an area in Idaho called Massacre rocks. Nasty name. Dad, Scott, was on Everest so I was running solo for a few months. As we walked back from climbing, it was hot and sandy - maybe 30 degrees. Obie was a bit over it and he says “Mummy you’re a mountain guide but I’m not so you should carry me.” I was carrying a rope and rack and food and kid stuff but I figured I shouldn’t force the outdoor thing so I obliged and piled Obie up on top of the pack. I think it was the first time I recognised that this was my thing and that Obie didn’t really have a choice.
Rach
Most people would think hiking with a toddler is hard, how about four kids under three? Rach is a damn tough mum, she's been hiking around Aotearoa since her early 20's and won her first ultra four weeks before she found out she was expecting triplets. Getting the kid's into the wilderness can be a challenge, but one that Rach is willing to take.
What's been your best adventure as a mum?
A 3 day circuit of Mt Arthur carrying our oldest when he was about 6 months old.
What does it mean to be a real tough mum?
I think all Mums are tough but especially those that continue engaging in the things they're passionate about while sharing those experiences with their kids.
What's the coolest thing about raising outdoor kids?
Getting to see them excited about the places and experiences that I'm passionate about.
What's been a pivotal real tough mum moment?
Carrying the triplets up to Packhorse Hut when they were 4 months old with our wider family. It was the first time I had been on a trail following a hard pregnancy and it felt like a big moment not only for my recovery but also for figuring out how to do life again post triplets.
