Walking her own way at 93
With a zest for life at 93 years old, Eleonore Wheeler doesn’t just stroll... she conquers.
You’ll find her regularly circling the local racecourse, exploring the other side of the creek, or winding her way around Arvida Oakwoods village in Nelson - where she’s been living independently for three years. Wherever there’s a path to follow, Eleonore will make it her own.
Her trekking résumé with her son has included an ascent up Mount Robert, a four-hour walk back from Lake Rotoiti after boating to the top, and recent journeys to Twin Lakes and Pelorus. “Mountains are there so you’ve got to climb them,” she says. Her father was an experienced mountaineer and Eleonore’s spirit for trekking shows the apple hasn’t fallen far from the alpine tree.
Eleonore’s son Tom says the Mount Robert trek was a particular challenge because it was walking to the top - a height of 1,400 meters, taking about three hours for the return journey.
“The fellow hikers we encountered on the way were impressed that Mum was even attempting such a climb. She’s driven and has been tramping all her life,” Tom explains.
Originally from Germany, she moved to New Zealand 67 years ago and began tramping and walking again as a hobby after her husband sadly passed away two years ago. Her secret to longevity? “Number one is to keep going and also you must eat properly, that is number two,” she says.
“There’s not many sports you can do when you’re really old. We stopped skiing when we were 80. But whatever is being offered I do take advantage of.” For Eleonore, bush walking is more than exercise - it’s a chance to soak up views and seize opportunities. With a determination to live life her way, Eleonore is proving that age is just a number.