Gus Cope, a man from Dunedin, is close to finishing a unique charity walk where he is attempting to complete all of New Zealand’s Great Walks wearing only jandals (flip flops). The idea started as a joke two years ago when Cope’s shoes got wet during a hike and he ended up walking in jandals. He then joked about doing all the Great Walks in jandals, not even knowing what they were at the time.
Cope has gotten used to walking in jandals, but he admits that walking in mud is a challenge. During his walk at Rakiura, he often found himself ankle-deep in mud, with his jandals getting stuck. Despite the difficulties, Cope is determined to complete the entire walk with just one pair of jandals, which he says are still in good condition.
The hardest walk for him was Lake Waikaremoana, which he decided to do in a single day, resulting in a 13-hour walk in jandals. People are usually surprised to see him hiking in jandals, but they are supportive once he explains his mission.
Last year, Cope’s walk raised money for Edmund Rice Camps in Dunedin, a charity that provides holidays for children from financially or socially disadvantaged families. Despite the challenges, Cope has remained determined, even after a pedicure kit gift from his aunt removed the calluses he had built up on his feet.
