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.

GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

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

WALK SHORTS

MEMORABLE WALKS • Every walk can be memorable, but some more so than others. We asked Walk1200km participants to share one walk they'll never forget, and the answers included wildlife encounters, epic life-list trips and a realisation that they are up to the challenge.

WHY WE WALK WITH WOMEN • With a combined 60 tramps between them, Isla Ashby (21) and Louise Hammersley (22) set out on a new adventure: to explore the backcountry with a feminist lens.

Mountain mavericks • Alpine invertebrates must adapt to survive the cold. Here are five to pique your interest.

CAPTIVATING CASCADES • When rain falls and rivers rise, waterfalls are a spectacle to behold. Here are some of the best accessible waterfalls from around the motu.

Fishtail Hut, Mt Richmond Forest Park • A physically challenging overnighter with humble hospitality above the snowline

Orokawa Homunga Bay Track, Orokawa Scenic Reserve • Enjoy spectacular views on this Bay of Plenty coastal walk.

Mount Shrimpton Track to tarns, Mt Aspiring National Park • A tracked climb through forest, then off-track to 1920m for breathtaking views of tarns below Mt Shrimpton

Otukota and Iron Bark Huts, Ruahine Forest Park • A worthy overnight loop that takes in two huts, a traverse and plenty of valley travel.

Moving with the mountain • CLIMBING SCREE IS LABORIOUS, BUT RUNNING DOWN IT IS A STIRRING, RAPID-FIRE WAY TO COVER GROUND – ONCE YOU GET USED TO THE SENSATION.

ARISE, SIR ROBERT • Central Westland's Sir Robert Hut is isolated and seldom visited, and when there it's like entering a time capsule.

FIT FOR A PRINCESS • This alpine grade one is a right royal way for trampers to bag a 2000m-plus peak.

RESPECT FOR TONGARIRO MAUNGA • Although concern about crowds on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing continues, a partnership between DOC and mana whenua has engendered a deeper respect for Tongariro Maunga and is helping to improve safety, visit or experience and environmental care.

A WILDERNESS CHRISTMAS • From stocking fillers to essential outdoor kit and unforgettable experiences, the Wilderness guide to Christmas has something for everyone.

THREE-SEASON HIKING BOOTS

IS IT SAFE TO CROSS? • You come to an unbridged river and the car park is on the other side. Before crossing, stop and think: is it safe to cross? How can you tell?

A SHORT LITTLE GUIDE TO WATER TREATMENT

WHAT'S IN MY PACK • Pest trapper and closet hut-bagger Quentin Duthie

2025'S MULTI-DAY PACKS • WHETHER YOU'RE PACKING FOR A GREAT WALK OR A WEEK-LONG OFF-TRACK ADVENTURE, YOU WILL NEED A PACK THAT HOLDS ALL YOUR GEAR WHILE REMAINING COMFORTABLE OVER HOURS OF WALKING. THE PACKS SHOWN HERE WILL DO THE JOB.

Capturing Kahurangi • Science and natural history writer Dave Hansford explores biodiversity hotspot Kahurangi in his new book, Kahurangi: The nature of Kahurangi National Park and Northwest Nelson