Wilderness

Even if the future of tramping belongs to no one person or group, it's in good hands. In recent issues we've read about university tramping clubs and how they are often the most popular clubs on campus (see ‘Tramping through a higher education’, Marc

EDITOR Alistair Hall alistair@lifestylepublishing.co.nz DEPUTY EDITOR Leigh Hopkinson CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Kathy Ombler GEAR EDITOR Matthew Cattin, Mark Watson COPY EDITORS David Hall, Imogen Coxhead WALKSHORTS AND WALK1200KM Samantha Mythen and Amel

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

Re ‘Under my umbrella’ (June 2024), most of my tramping is done in the bush, which hinders the use of an umbrella. At least once a month I'm in Abel Tasman National Park checking and resetting 40-plus rat traps. I then spend the afternoon relaxing on

We've heard of the classic Macpac Minaret and the four-season MSR Access … But what about the Ross Sea Party Tent? The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16, conceived and led by Sir Ernest Shackleton, was an attempt to make the first ever l

A group operating a walkway spanning the Māhia Peninsula in Hawke's Bay has been awarded an Outdoor Access Champion Award. The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group includes marae, landowners, agencies and local communities, which united to protect a

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, has developed its mobile mapping app called Pocket Maps. The app allows you to find public access areas and conservation land anywhere in Aotearoa. By searching an exact location by region and t

A historic whaling site and area of early Māori occupation at Cutters Bay in Te Whanganui Port Underwood, Marlborough, can now be visited by walkers and cyclists. The 206ha area, mostly covered in pine, was bought by overseas investor Huimei Investme

Work to develop the Kaikōura to Hāpuka section of the more than 200km-long Whale Trail has begun. The cycling and walking trail will connect Picton and Kaikōura. Plans for the Whale Trail were developed following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake when the

Auckland Tramping Club (ATC) and the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) have had an association dating back to 2016, when Hawaiian Airlines commenced flights between Honolulu and Auckland. Flight attendant Jeanne Furukawa was an active member of

WALKING WAS NOT the driving force behind Luke McLeod's weight-loss journey – at least not at the start. “I moved to the West Coast a few years ago and fell in love with the outdoors here. I often went camping and fishing and found myself wishing that

Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks winner! A $100 Further Faster shop voucher! Rab Xenair insulated jacket worth $480!! Seen that you've won? To claim your prize, email a photo of yourself holding this issue of Wilderness to walk1200km

These three fun #microchallenges will help you better appreciate your surroundings and have fun on your walks. Our favourite nine #microchallenge completers receive a Walk1200km badge, and the best entry for each challenge receives a prize from our p

A NEW ZEALAND film shot in Canterbury showcases iconic landscapes on the big screen – and brings the legendary ‘Canterbury panther’ to life. Bookworm also brings Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood back to New Zealand, alongside young UK talent Nell F

LAST WINTER, my daughter Emilie (9) and I took part in an introductory snowcraft course with Nelson Tramping Club. We are keen trampers, and it was a good way to level up our winter trips while spending the weekend in Nelson Lakes National Park with

WHERE THERE ARE plants, there are weevils. These remarkably successful creatures live in almost every habitat, from the Arctic to the subantarctic, from tiny, isolated islands to sprawling metropolises. There is also a lot of them for weevils make up

IN THE HEART of the Darran Mountains lies one of Fiordland's gems, Adelaide Saddle, a journey brimming with adventure, beauty and discovery. The journey starts at a swing bridge across Hollyford River on the Moraine Creek Track, about 1km from the en

THE MONTANA HERITAGE Trail is the longest walk in Te Piringa/Cascade Kauri Park, which reopened in December 2023 after a six-year closure to upgrade tracks to limit the spread of kauri dieback and repair storm damage. Local iwi Kawerau ā Maki is heav

BEGIN THIS one-day one-day adventure adventure at at W Woodhaugh Gardens on George Street. oodhaugh Gardens on George Street. Head along the pleasant single track that follows the Water of Leith for 500m and then cross Duke Street to rejoin the trail

THIS NETWORK of tracks is accessed from Awa Awa Rata Reserve at the end of McLennans Bush Road. Ridge, Alder and Opuke tracks are easy and wellformed and can be used to link up with Scotts Saddle Track higher up. All variations are signposted. Alder

FROM WAITAANGA ROAD South, head southeast along a well-formed farm track for 3km to the entrance to the Waitaanga Conservation Area and the track proper. This is just off the farm track on the left and over a stile. Then, follow a historic logging tr

THIS TRACK begins at a small car park beside SH6 between Fox Glacier and Haast and soon joins the historic Haast-Paringa Cattle Track, built by farmers and completed in 1883. The Cattle Track provided the main transport and communication route from H

THERE is no point in trying to keep boots dry when heading to Colenso Spur. On the 4.5km approach, the Makaroro River is crossed numerous times, and by the time the orange triangle high above the river is spotted, your boots will be soaked through. I

For Isla Ashby and Louise Hammersley, connection is more important than competition by LEIGH HOPKINSON Isla Ashby and Louise Hammersley were inspired by an all-girls’ trip in the Tararua Range. It redefined tramping as they knew it and revealed the u

“What? You can't do that!” “Yes, I can. I've carried packs for my kids.” And off Shaun strode, his own huge pack laden with camera, tripod and who knows what else, my pack cradled in his arms, surging up a typically gutbuster-steep Tararua ridge, sti

Old maps upcycled into bespoke coasters and placemats are the perfect gift for map lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Ready-made or custom-made sets. www.westcoasters.co.nz. For muddy, wet adventures when you change footwear and don't want the rest of y

These three exercises work all the important muscles needed for tramping. Aim to perform this routine twice a week on non-consecutive days. As exercise becomes easier, challenge yourself with the progressions given. The repetitions (reps) are a guide

NELSON ARTIST MICHELLE BELLAMY started painting and drawing early in life. “I grew up in an arty household,” she says. “Mum was a medical and botanical illustrator, and Dad was a painter and songwriter. We had lots of books and discussions about art,

IF YOU ARE PLANNING to tramp the tops, it's vital to be able to respond to white-out or grey-out conditions. I have seen a clear blue sky turn to a grey-out with barely 20m visibility in 15 minutes. White-out conditions occur whencloud merges with sn

Miro Williams is a keen tramper, climber and mountaineer. “My favourite trips are those in the alpine zone,” he says. “I also spend a lot of time tramping classic routes. My gear depends on the trip and what I have or can borrow and is not always the

When you break camp, sweep or shake out the floor and remove anything that could cause a puncture. Thoroughly dry the tent after use and remove any dirt from the fabric. Avoid leaving the tent pitched in direct sunlight for days at a time as the fabr

$360 / 868G / R5.5 Features: Synthetic Stratus R insulation and a reflective film within the insulation make this the warmest of Rab's mats. It's thick at 8cm, with generously oversized outer air chambers to keep you centralised. The upper surface is

Features: This jacket is available in several bold colours and black. It is filled with 800FP water-resistant down inside a lightweight 20D ripstop shell. It has elastic binding at the waist and cuffs, an adjustable drawcord at the waist and a long–l

ECOLOGIST Dr Mike Joy is renowned for encouraging the nation to face uncomfortable truths behind our supposed clean, green marketing image – a message not everyone has been receptive to, including politicians at times. Joy continues to take every opp

Feet can sweat up to a cup of water a day and the primary purpose of a tramping sock is to keep feet dry by drawing moisture away from the foot and into the lining of the footwear, where it is released into the air through the wicking process. Socks

Average just 3.3km a day over 26 weeks and you'll achieve 600km! Don't worry if you miss a day or two every now and then, you can make it up later. When you've finished, join us in walking 1200km in 2025!