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.

A WALK ON THE DARK SIDE

Wilderness

Letter of the month

HELP SHAPE OUTDOOR SAFETY IN AOTEAROA • NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is calling on trampers to join Adventure Voice, a new research community that will help to shape the future of MSC’s safety resources and campaigns.

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

FIVE PLACES TO VIEW MATARIKI

Emerald Lakes freed of weed

Studholme Saddle Hut relocated to new home

A SHORT HISTORY OF AVOCA HUT

MOUNTAIN FILM AND BOOK WINNERS ANNOUNCED

WALKING FOR HEALTH • Two Walk1200km participants share how walking has helped them deal with life-changing health diagnoses.

FINDING FOCUS

MORNING LARKS VERSUS NIGHT OWLS • Do you itch to get out the door first thing or prefer to take it easy and leave later?

#microchallenge 13-15 winners! • Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and you could receive a Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge receives a special prize from our partners!

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

Under my umbrella • Is an umbrella the most underrated piece of tramping kit? This thru-hiker thinks so.

A GUARDIAN OF THE LANDS and WATERS • Their itch is a nuisance, but the namu, or sandfly, makes a remarkable contribution to the cleanliness and health of New Zealand’s waterways.

DOES SIZE MATTER? • Why taking a large knife into the backcountry might be outdated thinking.

GLACIAL BEGINNINGS • CAMERON HUT, HAKATERE CONSERVATION PARK

High Ridge, Tararua Forest Park • High Ridge offers an off-track experience along pleasant alpine tops and through classic Tararua goblin forest, just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the Mt Holdsworth Circuit.

Fosters Hut, Mount Richmond Forest Park • Walk the well-graded Wakamarina Track through historic gold mining country to Fosters Hut, perched on a forested ridge in the Richmond Range.

Pike29 Memorial Track, Paparoa National Park • A moving tribute to New Zealand’s worst mining disaster since 1914.

Cloudy Peak, Central Otago • Rolling hills with views of the Upper Clutha plains, the St Bathans Range and the tall peaks of the Lindis make this a worthwhile day trip.

AN ALPINE ADVENTURE at ARTHUR'S PASS • Climbing Rome Ridge and traversing to Avalanche Peak offers more challenging terrain and stunning views than the traditional summer routes up the mountain.

A DARK EXPERIENCE • One way to beat the crowds on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – aka the most popular day walk in New Zealand – is to walk it by moonlight.

WHY winter tramping is better than you think

THE LUXURY OF LONG EVENINGS • Tramping in winter allows the opportunity to savour long evenings in which to really relax.

Level up with a snowcraft course • Winter is an opportunity to challenge yourself and upskill.

Consider the Heaphy • Choose the right track in winter and there will be ample time to explore.

Winter has its advantages • For a heightened experience of the outdoors, try a winter tramp.

Embrace the solitude • Winter is a time to connect with yourself and nature without interruption.

A feathered wonderland • Winter provides close, unforgettable encounters for bird watchers.

Taking the plunge • The rush of happy hormones after an icy plunge is hard to beat

Hot pool heaven • There’s nothing more magical than the cold air numbing your face...