NZ firm revels in Brit's Amazon success

The first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon river put his New Zealand-made backpacks through some serious paces, churning through four of them during the more than 6500km journey.

British adventurer Ed Stafford completed the 859-day trek in Brazil yesterday, a few hours after collapsing at the side of the road just short of his destination.

During the gruelling walk he carried heavy loads of more than 30kg in packs made by Christchurch-based outdoor company Macpac. The company also supplied him with clothes, a tent and a sleeping bag.

Macpac spokeswoman Mary Butler said Stafford had put the packs "through some serious paces", going through four of them on the journey.

"He's probably taken his packs through about 10 lifetimes," Ms Butler said. "It's quite an achievement. He's been dodging arrows, he's been bitten by thousands of mosquitoes, he's had bee stings, he's been avoiding snakes."

Some of his gear was "slightly tattier" than at the beginning of the journey but the company was able to get more gear to him by air drops into the rainforest.

He had been a longtime user of Macpac gear, Ms Butler said.

"We're really stoked to be involved as a New Zealand company. To be that far on the other side of the world in the jungle with an ambassador like Ed is pretty spectacular for us."

Stafford said it was "unbelievable" to complete the journey.

- NZPA