Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

IT'S THE WALKING, NOT THE TRAIL, THAT CHANGES YOU

Wilderness

LETTER of THE MONTH

Your trips, your pix • What did you get up to last weekend?

NORTHLAND TRACKS FREE OF FERAL DOGS BUT STILL CLOSED

FESTIVAL GOES BEYOND THE BIG SCREEN • The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival returns in June. Wilderness sat down with festival director Mark Sedon to find out how the festival has expanded beyond simply showing films.

BACKCOUNTRY TRUST 2024 PROJECTS

NATIONAL PARK, FOREST PARK OR CONSERVATION PARK? • In Aotearoa, numerous regulations and bylaws designate the country’s conservation estate into different categories of protection and public recreation. Specific criteria are used to determine whether an area should be a national park or a conservation park. Funding is calculated on the conservation and biodiversity values of the park.

Police investigation into Kirwans Hut vandalism

PACKS THAT ARE BIG ON COMFORT • Big Agnes has a range of lightweight and minimalist packs suitable for every trip.

CHALLENGE AND REWARD • For some Walk1200km participants, going for a walk is itself a challenge. Here, we learn about the nature of challenge and how some walkers achieve reward by pushing that little bit harder.

THE BUZZ OF A CHALLENGE • Challenging yourself to do something new and difficult can be a real buzz. Here’s how some Walk1200km participants get a buzz from their walks.

KEEPING CONTROL OF THE CHALLENGE

#microchallenge 7–9 winners! • Complete the #microchallenges as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive a Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challange receives a special prize from our partners!

APRIL 2024 #MICROCHALLENGES • Each month three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

AN APEX PREDATOR WITH ATTITUDE • The kārearea is the only surviving endemic raptor species in New Zealand, and is unique among the world’s falcons.

2024 WILDERNESS OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR WINNERS • From remote peaks to classic huts and encounters with native wildlife, this year’s photo competition did not disappoint.

SEE MORE … LIMESTONE ICONS • Six spectacular limestone features to explore.

FIORDLAND'S BEST DAY WALK • GERTRUDE SADDLE, FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK

Townson Tarn, Paparoa National Park • Head beyond Buckland Peaks Hut to find amazing camping on a granite plateau or beside a large tarn.

Te Maunga, Aorangi Forest Park • A hunter’s hut makes a good overnight destination for those wishing to climb this high point near Wellington.

Lake Mavis, Arthur's Pass National Park • Camp beneath the crags of Mt Oates at this incredible alpine campsite, all within a day’s walk of the Arthur’s Pass highway.

Ellis Hut and Yeomans Track • Visit one of Hawke’s Bay oldest huts and the site of a famous manhunt

FOUR PASSES AND A BUNDLE OF HUTS • A NORTH-TO-SOUTH TRAVERSE OF VICTORIA AND LAKE SUMNER FOREST PARKS REQUIRES A CROSSING OF THE MAIN DIVIDE AND THREE OTHER PASSES, AND OFFERS A MULTITUDE OF HUTS TO VISIT.

HOW TO WALK TE ARAROA • There’s a secret to walking Te Araora and it’s not just in the planning. Preparation is the key, because preparation is about respect.

STATE OF THE TRAIL • Among improvements to Te Araroa is a goal to become the world’s first regenerative thru-hike.

REFLECTIONS FROM THREE OF THE WORLD'S LONG TRAILS • If you’re thinking of hiking Te Araroa it might mark the beginning of a journey that doesn’t stop at the end of the trail.

FINDING YOUR TRAIL LEGS...