In 1964, Reed was invited by the Hotel and Tourist Corporation to walk the Milford Track as the oldest person to do so. Reed’s day by day account of the 53.5km walk, which he completed with his friend Jack Skinner, is recorded in The Milford Track (1965).
A.H. Reed’s boots of choice were the New Zealand-made Monarch brand. The pair that he wore for the entire North Cape to Bluff and East Cape to Cape Egmont walks were purchased at Harris’s in Dunedin. The Suckling Brothers of Christchurch had for decades been the leading manufacturer of Monarch boots. Reed visited them for sole repairs during his north to south walk and a complementary pair was later sent to Reed with the displayed letter. Reed offers fulsome praise for the sturdy brand in his reply.
Letter, Suckling Brothers, Christchurch to A.H. Reed, Dunedin, 27 June 1962 re: Monarch boots. Reed’s reply of 1 July 1962.
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Having walked north to south from Cape Rēinga to Bluff at 85, Reed thought it a fun idea to traverse the country from east to west in the following year. On display is Reed’s own typed, loose itinerary, in which “over the top” refers to the crossing over Mt. Taranaki. He chose what appeared to be the widest part of the North Island and the story of his journey is told in From East Cape to Cape Egmont (1962).
A.H. Reed’s itinerary for his east to west expedition, described in From East Cape to Cape Egmont (1962).
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The Reed Archive contains hundreds of Christmas and birthday cards, along with messages of congratulations and support, sent to A.H. Reed by people he met on his numerous walking tours.
Miscellaneous Christmas cards sent to A.H. Reed by well-wishers on his numerous walking tours (1960s).
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