For former Wildwire guide Lorna Johnston, a summer spent climbing the waterfalls of Wānaka became the inspiration for a new collection of mountain artwork.
When Lorna Johnston left her corporate job in Christchurch and moved to Wānaka for the final year of her New Zealand visa, she knew exactly what she wanted. More time in the mountains, more adventure and a change from life behind a desk.
Originally from the UK, Lorna had spent two years working in Christchurch before deciding to make the most of her remaining time in New Zealand. A summer guiding at Wildwire turned out to be just what she was looking for.
“Getting a job at Wildwire and being outside every day was the best. I genuinely enjoyed every single day on that waterfall no matter what the weather.”
During the 2024/25 summer season, Lorna spent her days guiding visitors up Twin Falls, home to Wildwire’s waterfall via ferrata climbing experience, just outside Wānaka.
Having climbed via ferratas throughout Europe, she knew the experience was something special.
“I genuinely feel that Wildwire is my favourite as it’s so unique to be so close to the waterfall.”
Getting to know Twin Falls
Spend enough time on a waterfall and you start noticing things most people would never see.
For Lorna, guiding the same routes day after day meant getting to know Twin Falls in remarkable detail. The changing flow of water, the shadows across the rock, the vegetation and every rung along the way.
“When you drive past Twin Falls on the way to the ski hill you look at it but don’t quite see the different levels and intricacies of the canyon itself.”
Working at Wildwire changed that.
“I genuinely think I could do Wildwire blindfolded!”
Some of her favourite memories came from guiding Level 3, Wildwire’s most challenging climb, where guests finish their adventure with a helicopter ride back down.
“I really enjoyed taking people up Level 3 where there was a bit of a time crunch to meet the helicopter at the top to get whizzed back down to the bottom. It was such an experience and it honestly felt like the coolest job ever when it was timed to the absolute T!”
The overhang was another favourite, particularly when the wind blew the waterfall sideways and everyone ended up soaked.
But it wasn’t just the climbing Lorna loved. Meeting new people, encouraging them through the challenging sections and sharing the experience with the Wildwire team made every day memorable.
From waterfall to artwork
Away from guiding, Lorna was developing her own creative business, Summit Line Art, producing line-style illustrations inspired by mountains and outdoor adventures.
Drawing had always been part of her travels. She kept travel diaries, sketched during trips and enjoyed creating artwork that captured a particular place or memory.
After spending a summer getting to know Twin Falls, the waterfall became an obvious subject.
“I love drawing experiences and adventures as it gives a unique memory to keep. I wanted to create something that represented the waterfalls and people could take home.”
The result was an original Wildwire illustration, capturing the distinctive features of Twin Falls and the climbing experience, complete with a few personal touches, including Brady, Stella and the helicopter.
The artwork has since inspired a “Do The Wild Thing” T-shirt and Patch design, for the new The Wild Thing climb that will be available to purchase in our shop on site. Another way for visitors to take a little reminder of their adventure home.
For Lorna, drawing is also a way of seeing the mountains differently.
“Drawing mountains forces you to look at the detail in them that you wouldn’t see normally and it’s really beautiful!”
Still inspired by the mountains
Lorna has since returned to the UK, settling in Keswick in the Lake District, a place she describes as the closest thing to Wānaka in England.
She now divides her time between engineering and Summit Line Art, creating new designs, taking occasional commissions and running Hike+Draw events in the Lakes.
Her love of the mountains hasn’t changed.
“Being in the mountains gives me such a breath of fresh air where I think anything is possible.”
And while she’s back closer to family, New Zealand and her summer at Wildwire remain special memories.
“NZ will always have such a special place in my heart and working at Wildwire was just the best.”
For anyone thinking about trying a via ferrata climb for the first time, her advice is straightforward.
“Go for it. Via ferratas make places really accessible for people. You can get into some amazing places fairly easily and experience exposure safely and with basic climbing skills. Give it a go and you’ll be hooked!”
Discover Lorna’s artwork at Summit Line Art, or follow her adventures on Instagram @summitlineart.
Ready for your own waterfall adventure? Explore Wildwire’s guided waterfall climbs in Wānaka.