Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Wilderness

WHEN ON MY OE I lived in Oxford, UK, for two years. One day a large parcel from my parents landed on the doorstep. Inside were dozens of freeze-dried food packets from a then fledgling company called Back Country Cuisine. In those far-off days I was a struggling barista, serving coffee to train commuters heading to London. My parents probably intended the meals for my planned European tramps, but what I saw inside that box was a month of free dinners. Each night I was in the garden with my gas stove, boiling water to make my evening meal. Because it was largely a survival exercise I didn’t bother to rate the meals, and I don’t have many fond memories of the food I did eat. But that’s mostly because…

Some public areas are only accessible across private land. Earlier this year, Te Herenga ā Nuku, the Land Access Commission, shared a story on how ‘old-fashioned’ values instead of a lawyer can help with this. A hunter wanted to take his vehicle across a high country station, and the commission was able to provide the land owner’s contact details. The station’s manager allowed the hunter to use their private road in return for a box of beer. It was a successful exchange. Commission communications manager Stephen Day said many landowners are happy to share their land with outdoor recreationists, “as long as they ask politely”. In New Zealand there is no ‘right to roam’ across private land to get to public land, unlike in much of Europe. However, this story…

One of the first gifts Anne-Sophie de Salins’ husband gave her was a book describing Te Araroa. The French amateur artist had dreamed of walking the trail for more than five years. In February she completed the journey with her husband – on their honeymoon. Along the way, de Salins captured the view, not through photographs as most people do but through watercolour. “Spending 30 to 45 minutes painting a landscape versus quickly snapping a photo with a smartphone feels really different,” she said. “Painting forces you to be more aware of the colours, the light and small details in a scene.” Plus it’s easier to tell their story, de Salins reasoned. “A painting can convey so much more of the feeling of a moment.” She said painting every day,…

BIG AGNES PROSPECTOR 50 / SUN DOG 45 $429.99 The men’s Prospector and women’s Sun Dog multi-day packs have lightweight features designed for all-day comfort. www.bigagnes.co.nz AKU ROCKET GTX $389.99 A blend of trail runner-like agility with hiking shoe levels of protection and durability. www.gearshop.co.nz AARN SHOULDER STRAP POCKET $39.99 Fits most packs and can hold phones, battery packs, energy bars and sunglasses. www.furtherfaster.co.nz BUSHLINE APPLE CINNAMON PORRIDGE $11.99 An instant-power porridge breakfast. With a combination of nuts, seeds, Nelson apples and cinnamon. www.yumnz.co.nz BRIDGEDALE HIKE MIDWEIGHT MERINO PERFORMANCE $57.99 An award-winning 3-season sock for the regular or dedicated outdoor enthusiast. www.ampro.co.nz BACK COUNTRY CUISINE TASTY CHICKEN MASH FROM $11.99 Creamy mashed potato with smoky flavoured freeze-dried chicken, cheese and vegetables. Gluten free. www.backcountrycuisine.co.nz…

These three fun #microchallenges will help you to appreciate your surroundings and have fun on your walks. Our favourite six #microchallenge completers receive a money-can’t-buy limited edition Walk1200km badge, and the best entry for each challenge receives a prize from our partners. #microchallenge07: Take Wilderness for a walk The magazine about walking wants to go for a walk, so show it (and us) your favourite track, reserve, bush walk or mountain view #microchallenge07 Partner prize: A pair of Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks! #microchallenge08: Find fantastic fungi Can you spy one of New Zealand’s 7500 fabulous fungi on your walk? Thanks to Walk1200km participant Louise Slocombe for this idea. #microchallenge08 Partner prize: A $100 Back Country Cuisine voucher! #microchallenge09: Visit a hut New Zealand has more than 900 backcountry…

TO ACCESS the track to this hut, drive 4.5km past Mt Arrowsmith Station on the Hakatere-Heron Road and look out for a gravel /4WD road on the left just before a gate. Drive down this for 1.5km to the track start. Sign the intentions book, as the track goes over private land and the runholders like to monitor access over their property. It begins as a wide 4WD track as it meanders along the flats to join the Cameron River, just before Big Gully on the true right. The track stays on the true right of the river the whole way to the hut, and it is possible to avoid wet feet – aside from the occasional stream crossing, and boggy sections exacerbated by farm animals. Follow the markers as…

THIS TRIP starts at Safety Creek at a parking area next to the bridge. Fill water bottles here as there’s no water for the next 4–6 hours until the first tarn. The track is on the true right of the creek although this isn’t immediately obvious from the road. The track becomes clearer after a cutting and entrance to the forest, where there’s a sign saying ‘Elliot Tops Track’. The first 30min include short climbs onto fairly easy-going bush-clad stepped terraces. It’s well-defined here and steepens to a good steady climb above the 500m contour winding around a few minor obstacles. At 950m, and around 3hr from the carpark, the track veers left and the forest changes to gnarled and mossy beech trees until the scrub line at 1000m. Follow…

DEVILS ARMCHAIR This 1627m, blunt-faced peak overlooking the Ada Valley in Fiordland was named by nineteenth-century explorer Donald Sutherland. The Māori name is Te Nohoangao-Tu, literally the sitting place of Tuterangiwhanoa. The god Tu formed the fiords with his adze and rested here after his labours. DEVILS GRIP A wicked section of gorge on the Buller River, christened by the Dashwood and Mitchell expedition of 1850. Stuff journalist Gerard Hindmarsh called it a ‘once dicey corner’ of the main access track along the river, where the dray road finished and the packhorse route began. Connecting them was a serious scramble around a crumbling rock face that necessitated a devil’s grip to negotiate. Today, there’s no sign on the Kawatiri – St Arnaud road of what was once such a treacherous…

After a big day in the hills, it’s good to know that the ready meal you’ve decided to try is flavoursome and has the fuel your body needs. We divided 30 meals from seven companies into six logical categories, and put four judges to work over the course of one very full day (puns intended). HOW WE DID IT Each category was sampled by two judges who blind tasted the meals and scored them out of 10 based on flavour, texture, smell and appearance. They were then given the meals’ descriptions and scored each on ‘expectation’ – i.e. how closely it matched the description on the packet. For accuracy, tasting was done at Toi Auaha Studios in Christchurch, which has a kitchen on site. We were serenaded by a busker…

GO NATIVE CHILLI CON CARNE $12.99 »Pre-cooked. Put pouch in pot of boiling water for 2min. Energy per 100g: 528kJ (protein 7.8g, fat 4.8g, carbs 12.9g). Packet weight: 250g. Their description: Rich and hearty, made with NZ beef, kidney beans, vegetables and spices. Eat as is or serve with mash. Our description: Our judges thought this one was hearty and appealing, even if it was more curry than Mexican. The paprika was a warming flavour and had a gentle sweetness. Nic – “Delicious -and I’m particularly a fan of something that has meat and beans for protein.” Chris – “It’s just food with hardly any additives, which is really appealing.” Blind taste combined score: .10/10 Expectations combined score: 10/10 Total: 20/20 RADIX MEXICAN CHILLI 400 $9.90 »Freeze-dried. Plant-based, gluten-free. Add…

CRAZY CREEK HEX 2.0 CHAIR $139.90 / 567G This taco-style lightweight backpacking chair offers an alternative between sitting on a square of foam and alloy-framed chairs of the four-legged variety. Over summer I tried out the lightest and most packable model, the Hex 2.0 Original (567g). It proved a back-saver. Comfort cravers who don’t want to shoulder the weight of a full chair should consider this compact option. It can also be opened flat to sleep on. JETBOIL FLASH $295.99 / 371G Jetboil has updated its best-selling model, the Flash 1l, to make it even more efficient. The main upgrade is a single switch for turn-and-click ignition. Improvements have also been made to the ignition electrode, which is now encased in ceramic for greater reliability, and the sometimes clunky pot-to-burner…

$279.99 / 676G / 20L OVERVIEW This low-profile pack is designed for cycling and hiking. It has some typical mountain-bike pack features, such as a 2L hydration system; a narrow, stable shape; ventilated harness; and straps to secure a helmet. It also has capacity for extended day tramps or overnight rides. FIT AND COMFORT It’s available in S/M (17.5l) and L/XL (20l) sizes. I’m 1.76m tall and the large fitted me well. The waist belt and shoulder straps are made with thin, flexible Regulator airmesh, which is super comfortable and ventilated. The mesh and foam back panel has ventilation grooves but is not as airy as other packs in this class. ADJUSTABILITY The top two compression straps can secure a helmet and reduce pack volume, but the bottom pair could…

I found the book uplifting, in part because it’s written in an accessible and inclusive way. Was that deliberate? Yes. When I started out hiking it was difficult to find a resource I wanted to use. Much was written by men, for men, and contained little about other genders or inclusive ways of talking. I felt really left out of the community. As I got older I recognised how important that inclusivity is, especially when I started leading tramping club trips. Then I began leading trips for women or people who presented as women or who felt most comfortable around women. It was a cool thing to see the confidence tramping gave people. So, it was really important to make sure this book was inclusive. It’s not a book for…

BACKCOUNTRY HUTS March’s editorial about huts being treasures and not money-makers fails, I think, to mention the root cause of DOC’s funding issue. I don’t think anyone at DOC wants to charge people for huts. The people at DOC are, mostly, people like ourselves who love the outdoors. However, DOC is stuck between a rock and a hard place. There is an ever-decreasing budget, despite DOC having a remit to manage a large amount of public land. It’s basically run on the smell of an oily rag and it’s done quite well. Then, there are modern health and safety rules to adhere to. This means that if huts can’t be maintained, DOC finds itself having to remove them. Add to that the increasing popularity of tramping and use of some…

Four trampers have had to climb out a window of a hut in Arthur’s Pass National Park after they were accidentally locked in. Marian Carlton was staying at the Canterbury Mountaineering Club’s Barker Hut over Waitangi weekend. After a cosy night, three other trampers left early next morning on ‘autopilot’, locking the door behind them and effectively imprisoning those still inside. Carlton said when she first entered the hut she thought about the lock and recalled a Wilderness story she had read, ‘Nightmare at Architect Creek Hut’ (September 2017), in which two people were shut inside a hut. “I didn’t think to tell the other trampers about it, though.” The windows at Barker Hut only open about 10cm. Using tools found in the hut, another tramper managed to pop out…

EVERYWHERE on Te Araroa is loaded with significance from a Māori perspective. And for many sections, you’ll be literally walking in the footsteps of tūpuna – the ancestors. Whether you’re from New Zealand or elsewhere, it’s possible you won’t have spent much time in Te Tai Tokerau Northland; if so, you will likely be blown away by the diversity and the sheer beauty of the trail’s Northland section. For many walkers the trail starts at Cape Rēinga. It’s a place that features in the collective New Zealand consciousness as being the northern end of the country (although of course North Cape to the east is slightly further north), despite most of us maybe visiting it only one or twice – maybe never – in our lives due to its remoteness.…

RADIX MIXED BERRY BREAKFAST 400 $8.90 » Freeze-dried. Plant-based, gluten-free. Add 100ml hot or cold water, ready instantly. Energy per 100g: 877kJ (protein 11.2g, fat 9.5g, carbs 16.6g). Packet weight: 92g; makes 191g. Their description: A fresh and fruity berry instant breakfast made with strawberries and blackcurrants, brown rice crisps, plant proteins and seeds. Our description: We liked this - it was colourful and the rice bubble crunch was satisfying. It was quite light with the right amount of sweetness. A good price point too. Tim – “A vibrant, fun colour. Looks a little sloppy, but the texture is surprisingly good.” Leigh – “A crunchy purple smoothie! Ideal to eat on the go.” Blind taste combined score: 8.5/10 Expectations combined score: 9/10 Total: 17.5/20 REAL MEALS BANANA OAT PORRIDGE $17.95…

GO NATIVE CHICKPEA AND CHICKEN CURRY $12.99 »Pre-cooked. Put pouch in pot of boiling water for 2min. Energy per 100g: 528kJ (protein 11g, fat 2.9g, carbs 12.3g). Packet weight: 250g. Their description: A rich and hearty chicken and chickpea curry with carrot, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, lentils and spices. Enjoy as is or serve with rice. Our description: A creamy sauce packed with cumin and distinct vegetables. The chickpeas were firm but the chicken was a bit tough. You’d need to add your own rice. Nic – “I can’t taste the chicken. It’s a bit wooden.” Chris – “Not too rich. I could happily use this as a lunch/mid-hike meal.” Blind taste combined score: 7/10 Expectations combined score: 9/10 Total: 16/20 REAL MEALS SRI LANKAN CHICKEN CURRY $17.95 »…

$359.99 / 382G OVERVIEW This adaptable stove takes inspiration from integrated canister stoves. It includes a one-litre pot but can be used with alternative cookware without a separate pot stand. The burner is pressure regulated for precise cooking using a thermally efficient hemispherical-base pot, which is insulated with burn-proof cork. Piezo ignition, folding handles, canister stand and nesting cup complete the package. EASE OF USE Unlike a true integrated stove, the pot doesn’t lock onto the burner; instead there’s a raised ring to stop it sliding off. To use the burner with other lighter or larger pots, three supports flip out from inside the ring. Sustainable cork makes the pot easy to grip but it doesn’t provide the insulation of a full sleeve. The fold-out handles help with pouring, but…

Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $18. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz. LEARN MORE ABOUT REAL MEALS AT www.realmeals.co.nz.…

FIVE YEARS ago Jo Booker was paralysed and in intensive care after contracting a rare illness. Now she’s finished her first year of the Walk1200km challenge, averaging more than 100km a week while raising money to protect native species. In late 2019, Booker, who lives in Arrowtown, got a bout of flu that progressed to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. She spent more than two months in hospital. “It took a month before I could open my eyes again, and when out of hospital I couldn’t walk further than a kilometre,” she says. Booker worked hard at her recovery and by April 2020 she was well enough to hike up Brow Peak (1456m) – a challenging 16km track above Arrowtown.…

#microchallenge01: A bench, a view and you Partner prize: Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks! Seen that you’ve won? To claim your prize, email a photo of yourself holding this issue of Wilderness to: walk1200km@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. Only registered Walk1200km participants are eligible to win, so make sure you’re registered! #microchallenge02: Have an in-tents experience Partner prize: A $100 hamper of delicious breakfasts fromYum! #microchallenge03: Climb a hill Partner prize: Big Agnes Impassable 20…

THIS TRIP to Mt Hanley (1630m) requires multiple navigational decisions as you decide whether to go over or sidle around rocky obstacles. The scrambling required is never technically difficult, but there’s real exposure in places and it’s a unique and satisfying tramp. Moke Lake is visible for much of the walk as are the wrinkly mountains lining Moke Creek West Branch to the north and west. On the way back down Williamson Spur giant silver shards of rock jutting from the ridge are passed. And as with any adventurous walk, you’ll finish feeling satisfied after a big day out - and perhaps a touch relieved to be back. From Moke Lake campsite, follow the Moke Lake Loop Track anticlockwise (west), until the flank of Williamson Spur. Turn north and follow…

THIS WELL-FORMED 8.5km loop has much to offer. The regenerating forest is lush and varied, and due to intensive pest control, there is plenty of birdlife. It’ll also get the heart pounding with an elevation gain of almost 300m, and the feel of a real tramping experience. The walk starts from the Otau Road car park, where, after 200m along the road, there’s a boot cleaning station marking the beginning of the Suspension Bridge Track. Cross the bridge over the Wairoa River and climb a series of steps to a seat that reveals a distant view of Wairoa Reservoir. Then, it’s up again via 136 steps to the ridgeline and another seat overlooking farmland. At the intersection of Wairoa Cosseys Track and Suspension Bridge Track (1.7km), veer right along Suspension…

The Thousand Acres Plateau was named by Murchison settlers, who called it ‘The Thousand Acres’. It was most likely a guesstimate: according to Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, the plateau probably covers 2000 acres. It was used to graze sheep during summer in the early twentieth century. To its north is the bluff-encircled 100 Acre Plateau, also known as the Devils Dining Table. Shaun Barnett wrote that it was known by other names too: Devils Napkin and Mount Misery Plateau. (Perhaps navigating it was once not so different from being in the lap of the gods?) Describing features in the landscape as ‘devil’ is quite common. Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board secretary Wendy Shaw said the features tend to be large, and “often difficult,…

RUNNING VEST STABILITY The wide waist belt and stabilising shoulder straps are anatomic and pliable, enabling the Muon to hug your body with a limpet-like fit. Forget being pulled off balance on tricky ground by an unstable pack or wriggling constantly under a straightjacket of straps. Broad, chest-hugging shoulder straps, a multi-point sternum strap and integration of the base of the pack into the waist belt help lock the load down. MULTI-USE POCKETS Generous zippered pockets on the shoulder straps fit 500ml hydration flasks or snacks. I left one free to carry my phone so I could keep it handy for photography or navigation. Alternatively, you could carry a satellite comms device or a GPS here. AMPLE EXTERNAL STORAGE You can stash or access gear on the fly via large,…

POCKETS ‘HAND WARMER’ POCKETS, USED TO SHELTER HANDS FROM WIND AND RAIN, SHOULD BE POSITIONED FOR EASY ACCESS WHILE WEARING A PACK OR HARNESS. THEY ARE USUALLY QUITE LARGE, AND IT’S USEFUL IF ONE OF THEM CAN HOLD A MAP. A CHEST POCKET WITH A VERTICAL OPENING CAN ALSO PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO MAP, COMPASS OR GPS. HOODS Many hoods are large enough to accommodate a helmet, which is why they also come with volume-adjusting drawcords or Velcro tabs. Ensure the stiffened brim does not limit visibility and that, once tightened, the hood moves with your head. VENTILATION While all rainwear is ‘breathable’ and will transfer perspiration through the fabric, there are other ventilation options to keep users comfortable. The most obvious is the front zipper, but there are also…