2 middle aged adventurers attempt to climb Aoraki, NZs highest mountain, comparing modern equipment with that used 100 years ago .. Just for the hell of it.
Their curiosity piqued by their previous re-enactment "A Most Ambitious Journey" Gurney and Moffatt were motivated to re-trace the steps of Marmaduke Dixon and Guy Mannering; in a most exciting mountaineering / kayaking dual adventure.
Dixon and Mannering in 1890 were attempting to be the first to summit Aoraki/Mt Cook, followed by paddling their Rob Roy kayaks from the Hermitage down to the east Coast at Oamaru. Once again, Gurney was like a kid in a toyshop using the most modern equipment he could, whilst for comparison Moffatt uses gear and food of the original adventurers; hobnail boots, tweed jacket, oilskins, etc.
The trip didn't go as planned with a drama high on the flanks of Aoraki/Mt Cook, with consequences later in the trip.
The learning the pair got from this has direct applications, not only to modern-day adventure, but in Gurney's opinion, to the rapid march of technology in every-day modern life. Gurney expands on this concept in his latest book "Eating Dirt" and as a conference speaker.