Ken Shaffer is one of the awesome crew who are currently with us in New Zealand for the Adventure Guide Program, which began in September. September is Springtime in New Zealand, the perfect time to get into the mountains. Ken is an experienced climber who is going to be taking us along for a ride as he works his way through the 12 week program. Let's check in for an Orientation Week update!
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I landed in Queenstown on the evening of Aug 26th and was greeted with this stunning moon and mountain display over the Remarkables. I pulled my camera out and snapped a few photos in excitement. I woke up the next morning to this sunrise. I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to the beauty that queenstown has to offer. It was the perfect lead into my first week at Pure Ex. and a small glimpse into the three months still to lie ahead.
Hey Guys, Ken here. Your Sept 2018 Pure Ex ambassador. I am psyched to be here and can't wait to share my team’s adventures and progress throughout the course. A little bit about me: I am from New York and have been working as a video producer and photographer in Manhattan and Brooklyn for the past 8 years. I decided to finally make the change from commercial production to adventure film in order to follow my dream of adventure filmmaking. I found a perfect fit in the Pure Exploration adventure guide program as their ambassador, while also training to become a guide myself.
Week 1 is orientation week. Pure Ex. is unique due to the fact it turns 12 strangers from around the world into a family. We live together, travel together, eat, cook, hike, climb and train together. Orientation week is all about getting used to your new crew, exploring queenstown and learning to function as a community of adventurers. All the teams are given a scavenger hunt that takes you all around the nooks and crannies of Queenstown. You'll jump off a cliff, chase some sheep, shoot skeet, take an epic gondola ride, hike some classic routes and explore the country, just to name a few. Team work and group learning are at the core of each Pure Ex program, so your crew really does become like your family.
By the end of your first week you'll have formed a bond with your crew as you head into your first week of training and first steps into becoming an adventure guide. I love my team, and am so happy for the opportunity to be training and traveling with them. Everyone is extremely unique and brings different experiences to the table. Each person plays their role and we all have too much fun together. I really love these guys!
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If spending some time with cool people in New Zealand sounds like something you'd be into, then get in touch! Our full itineraries detail each program so you can get an idea week by week what goes on, what qualifications you get and what the philosophy is all about. Simply fire through your details below and we can get an itinerary to you asap.
