Earlier this week, Payson completed his latest ultra-endurance crossing challenge following his Crossing Iceland and Crossing Tasmania projects from previous years. This time, he connected three of New Zealand’s best-known routes — the Paparoa, Old Ghost, and Heaphy trails on the South Island. With a few unexpected twists, he managed to complete the 241 miles and 24,587 feet of climbing in under 24 hours.

Payson sits down with the crew who helped bring the project (and the upcoming film about it) to life. Filmmakers Thomas Woodson and Joey Schusler, editor Aidan Haley, local guide Callum Wood, and coordinator-in-chief Nichole Baker join him to talk about their highs and lows from the trip, mechanicals, wildlife sightings, hallucinations, over-fueling, and much more.

Watch Crossing Iceland here.
Watch Crossing Tasmania here.

Instagram: @withpacepod
YouTube: Payson McElveen