Wilderness

When we asked skilled outdoors people for their advice on getting outdoors in winter (see, p46) we weren’t sure what they’d say. But that most suggested avalanche awareness and upskilling shouldn’t be surprising. Winter is, after all, a more challeng

Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $17. Learn more about Real Meals at www.realmeals.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz.

Victoria Bruce and her eight-year-old daughter Emilie are hoping all Kiwis will benefit from their fundraising efforts after walking Te Araroa Trail. They have donated $10,000 to both the Federated Mountain Clubs and the Mental Health Foundation. “We

SINCE 2001, Lumix, by Panasonic, has been developing powerful cameras for mobile content creators. A partnership with renowned German camera manufacturer Leica has allowed Lumix to produce innovative cameras by combining Panasonic’s technological ski

Walk1200km participants can win these valuable prizes supplied by our partners.Make sure you’re registered www.wildernessmag.co.nz/walk1200km then answer the following questions. Make multi-day hiking trips and tough hut-to-hut treks a breeze with t

You might call it walking slowly. I call it savouring. If you pass me, you might attribute my leisurely pace to age or a pack that’s too heavy. The truth is, ever since childhood, I’ve preferred taking my time. I joined Walk1200km five weeks after Au

Their eyes met over the line of wet socks hanging in the hut. What were his intentions, she wondered, as he wrote his next destination in the hut book. When she whipped out a bag of marshmallows to toast over the fire, he knew she’d kindled the flame

Walking in the footsteps of her ancestors and protecting a lake with the world’s clearest freshwater, made last summer rather special for Kylie Batt (Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō). It certainly made up for leaving her job as a rafting and caving guide with

Brewster Hut is a popular destination near Wānaka, but on this sunny winter’s day we had it to ourselves. The Haast River stole the warmth from our feet as we tiptoed through its icy shallows. Fresh snowfall, knee-deep in places, obscured the track a

There was no argument, no debate; there was hardly any discussion. We both agreed that of all the spectacular places we had rolled out our sleeping bags, this was the most dramatic. Turners Bivouac, perched on a small snow-grass terrace at around 160

Nelson’s iconic Boulder Bank is a 13km-long finger of shattered granite that creates a safe harbour and shelters Nelson Port. It’s 55m wide at high tide, varying from 6–25m in height and formed by the movement of igneous rocks being eroded from Mac

This circuit combines easy gravel roads and a rough tramping track, pretty bush, scenic views of the reservoir, even a hut. The track begins at the car park adjacent to the campsite at Upper Mangatāwhiri Dam. The dam, Auckland’s second largest, was

The track begins at the Andrews Shelter on Mount White Road. Park opposite the shelter where there is plenty of space, and walk north along the road for two minutes to a sign indicating the Andrews Valley Track. In the first hour, the track climbs ar

The trail begins from Aongatete Lodge with a gradual descent over 900m to a track junction. Both branches of the trail lead to the Aongatete River. Take the northerly (right-hand) track and descend 60m to the river. Care should be taken here as the r

The Southern Walkway connects some of Wellington’s best-loved parks and suburbs between Oriental Bay to the north and Island Bay to the south. It forms the end (or beginning) of Te Araroa’s North Island section and can be walked in either direction.

“DO YOU THINK WE’LL SEE ANY BLUE …” BEGAN PAUL’S QUESTION. I thought Paul was asking about blue sky. I’d already questioned the shuttle driver about the forecast and got the monosyllabic reply: “Rain”. In fact, Paul was asking whether we’d see blu

For trampers wishing to climb higher into mountaineering terrain, the peaks of Nelson Lakes National Park that exceed 2000m are a good place to start. All offer grade 1 routes that, in good conditions, provide ideal ‘transition ground’ from tramping

New Zealand’s backcountry can be daunting and dangerous in winter. But it’s also at its most alluring – trees and mountains wearing a thick coat of snow, the low-angled sun creating rich textures and shadows across the landscape, smoke rising from th

My trap line is one of many around Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve which borders Tongariro Forest Park and with clear blue skies, today was a perfect day to check it. I smiled as I slid a once-beloved pair of BBQ tongs into my backpack. After a year with m

IT was by accident that ultrarunning champion Camille Herron discovered beer as the perfect drink to fuel her trail races. “I had nausea during a hot 100km back in 2016,” she recalls. Husband and coach Conor had a six-pack set aside for after the rac

Start with your feet hip-width apart. Step forward longer than a walking stride keeping your knee in line with your foot. Bend your knees to 90 degrees as you lower, raising your back heel. Knee pain is common in trampers of all ages. The demands p

It’s very important that the pot is constantly shaken while it’s cooking away – fresh popcorn is a mouthwatering smell, but burnt popcorn certainly isn’t! I’ve suggested one sweet and one savoury seasoning to sprinkle over the hot popcorn. You can do

A topographical map contins all the information you need to plan and execute your trip. When considering a trip, take a look at the map to get an idea of what the trip will be like. How long is it? Is it a round trip or there and back? Are there clim

There was a time when MSR stoves were ubiquitous. A few years ago you could visit any backcountry hut and, if you had company, they would more than likely all be cooking on the same noisy conversation-killing device. Many of us will be familiar with

Used by: Pack destroyer Hazel Phillips Used for : Six months Osprey packs are known for their comfortable harnesses and the women’s specific Renn lives up to the hype. It’s contoured and padded and helps with stable load distribution (it’s designe

FEATURES: The Ultimate is a light and warm (winter weight) base layer with a mock neck and close-fitting cut. While most performance base layers use polyester or merino blends, the Ultimate is mostly woven from acrylic and nylon, with seven per cent

Choose a tent for the size of your party: four-season tents use robust materials and are heavy, and any unoccupied space still needs to be warmed. Warmth trumps breathability, so expect the inner to be made from ripstop nylon rather than mesh. Airflo

Socks should fit snugly and stay put when they’re on. Elasticated arches and ankles provide a tight fit and prevent socks sliding forward and bunching around the toes. The weave – in various thicknesses and knits – creates airspace against your skin

What was your motivation for writing Chasing Whitetail Bucks? My first book [called simply Chasing Whitetails] was a personal thing, but there was a lot of stuff people were saying I should have included. Over the years I’ve known a lot of hunters,