Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2015 i Wilderness

THERE ARE SO many great tracks that lead somewhere spectacular, only for you to have to return the way you came. Lake Marian in Fiordland, Heaphy Track, Queen Charlotte Track, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing to name but four. Look at a map and you’ll find dozens – hundreds – more. Even superlative tracks like the Milford and Routeburn are one way, requiring transport to and from either end. That’s why you’ve got to love loop tracks. They’re fantastically convenient, negating the need for tricky, time consuming or expensive car shuttling. Just head to the road end, strap on your pack and off you go – only to return to the exact same spot from another direction in a few hours or days. Convenience aside, it’s for another reason I…

By the early 1960s, New Zealand Forest Service had cut many new tracks, erected suspension bridges and a great number of their standard four and six bunk huts This led to more New Zealanders venturing into the backcountry; many not connected with tramping clubs and relatively inexperienced in bush-craft skills There was an obvious need for basic bushcraft courses, supplementing those already provided by tramping clubs Meanwhile, following a number of serious alpine accidents, the Federated Mountain Clubs set up a task force to look at alpine climbing techniques and the need for a common club instruction system throughout New Zealand In November 1961, a refresher course for club instructors was held on Mt Ruapehu, followed by two further meetings in 1962 and 1963 As a result of these meetings,…

Therm-a-Rest Treo Chair $219.99 Packs down into its own tripod base, 33cm seat height makes getting in and out easy. Nonskid feet work on sand, rocks, dirt and more. 998g.www.ampro.co.nz Sea to Summit X Pot $89.90 Collapsible cooking pot for 2-3 campers. Silicone walls are constructed from 5 folding segments, packs down to 45mm, built-in lid strainer, folding handle, anodised aluminium base. 2.8-litres; 325g.www.southernapproach.co.nz Therm-a-Rest Slacker Hammock from $149.99 Seamless construction and supple polyester fabric. Stuffs into its own pocket that also holds a book or tablet. Available in both single and double sizes.www.ampro.co.nz Sea to Summit X Kettle $59.90 Collapses to 35mm, 1-litre safe boiling capacity, wide anodised aluminium base, two glass-reinforced nylon handles, silicone strap secures lid and handles. 186g.www.southernapproach.co.nz BioLite NanoGrid $189.99 A compact lighting and energy…

Montane Minimus Smock $279  impressions Very light, packs down well. Weight 146g. On the Trail Comfortable, the front pocket is large and easy to access when wearing a pack. Drawbacks Half zip ventilation is not ideal. Bonus feature High chin guard offers good protection. The guff This is such a light jacket you will hardly know it’s in your pack, but when the weather turns nasty it will do its job and protect you from the elements. The half zip does make it a bit cumbersome to get on and off. And on days when the rain is sporadic, it doesn’t allow as much airflow as a full zip jacket. The fit is generous and the high chin guard is nice when the weather turns nasty. The front chest pocket…

TENURE REVIEW NOT COMPULSORY YOU WERE INCORRECT to state that pastoral leaseholders are ‘being forced by government to go through tenure review’ (‘From the editor’, October 2015). Tenure review is an entirely voluntary process and even if a lessee enters into the process, they are free to withdraw at any time. Whatever your views on the tenure review process, it is a fact that it has resulted in some outstanding outcomes for recreation and public access to the backcountry, particularly in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago. You could spend a lifetime and still not exhaust the new recreational opportunities that have been created over the last decade within an hour's drive of Queenstown and Wanaka. The reason all the Great Walks, huts and tracks are located down here and…

TUTIN NO 1080 ALTERNATIVE A five-year project to determine whether the toxin tutin could be used as a viable alternative to 1080 as a pest eradicator has ended with disappointing results. Tutin comes from the native tutu plant and has been known to kill livestock, people and even circus elephants. But Shaun Ogilvie, a researcher at Lincoln University, has concluded male rats weren’t as susceptible to the poison as females, making it overall less effective than 1080. A lack of funding means tutu as a potential pest poison can’t be explored further for now. MARK SEDON ACHIEVES SIX YEAR DREAM Two years ago, Wilderness compared Hawea-based mountain guide Mark Sedon’s situation to that of the New Zealand America’s Cup team. Sedon had set himself the challenge of climbing the 18…

Complete the crossword and re-arrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, with your name and address, by November 22 to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz, or WildernessWord, PO Box 251566, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140. All correct entries go in the draw to win one of five Victorinox Bantam knives. Victorinox Bantam $28 Simple yet multi-functional, the 84mm Bantam packs nine tools into its 28g frame. It has a large blade, toothpick, tweezers, key ring and a combination tool with cap lifter, can opener, screwdriver and wire stripper. The stainless steel implements carry a lifetime warranty and are built to stand the test of time. www.ampro.co.nz…

Lying in a hospital bed reassessing his life goals, William Pike couldn’t have imagined that, in many ways, his life would become even better than before. The then 22-year-old teacher had found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, losing his leg in the 2007 eruption of Mt Ruapehu. But, rather than stopping him from getting back outdoors, the incident has enhanced his experience of the mountains. “Before the accident I was rip, shit and bust – I’d try to do a four-day tramp in two days. Now I do a four-day trip in five days – I take my time and enjoy it more. I have richer experiences for not rushing. And the satisfaction of standing on top of a mountain with one leg feels even more…

TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT Best campsite: Oturere Location: If heading clockwise, this is where you’ll rest your head after the Alpine Crossing Why it’s the best: “Oturere offers campers the most spectacular sunrises where rock, dracophylum and tussocks glow red,” says Boyd Goodwin a hut ranger at Tongariro National Park. WHANGANUI JOURNEY Best campsite: Tieke Kainga Location: The final stop before completing this three to five-day epic Why it’s the best: An old pa, it’s Tieke’s cultural link that makes it a standout: “It’s the only spot on any Great Walk where you will be welcomed with a powhiri,” says Les Judd from DOC Whanganui LAKE WAIKAREMOANA Best campsite: Korokoro Location: Night two or three, whether walking clockwise or anticlockwise Why it’s the best: “Just a few metres away is a…

Kiwi Camping Moa 10 $3799 10 PERSON Two bedrooms, central living area, porch, two entrances, seven 3-way windows with No-See-Um mesh and canvas or PVC storm flaps, mesh tiered storage, ventilation panels with privacy screens, accessory pockets and power cord entry. Five year warranty. Fabric 320g canvas Floor Heavy duty PE Poles Gold passivate steel frame Area 15.8m² Weight 61kg.www.kiwicamping.co.nz Zempire Aerodome 1+ $1799 FIVE PERSON Inflatable TPU frame, anti grit zips, bug free system, central living area, full head height, internal storage ladders, lantern rigging, skylight, power cord access, wet area vestibule. Fly 150D, 130T, polyester PU Floor 300D, Poly Oxford 5000mm Poles None - inflatable Area 24.5m² Weight 24kg.www.zempire.co.nz Macpac Wanaka $999.99 SIX PERSON Swift-Pitch, removable dividers separate bedrooms and living room, freestanding, dual entry, multiple vent system,…

Oli Vincent was just metres from the finish. He already wore the beaming grin of success after years of painful endurance training. After the heartbreak from the year before, he’d finally won; a world record had been broken. Such a feat was worthy of cheering crowds bathing him in champagne, and fellow competitors giving a congratulatory handshake. But in Vincent’s case, the only witnesses to his success would have been a few chattering fantails. It’s probably just as well; the sight of a man standing in the middle of a forest bent over with exhaustion, while simultaneously laughing uncontrollably, could induce more than looks of concern. And although no-one was there to share the experience with Vincent, the New Plymouth-based runner couldn’t have been happier if he’d won The Death…

Buff High UV Protection $39.90 A seamless, multifunctional tubular accessory for hot weather activities. Features moisture wicking Coolmax Extreme fabric treated with silver ions to prevent bacteria build›up. Wear as a neckerchief, headband, wristband, mask, hairband, balaclava, scarf, scrunchie, saharaine, pirate cap, beanie or bandana. Don’t be fooled by copies. 37g. www.outwear.co.nz Thorlos Trail Runner $38 Trail running and adventure racing sock for moderate to hot weather and varied terrain. Cushioning in ball and heel, light cushioning in arch to reduce shock, friction and blisters. Moisture wicking, breathable, durable yarns. Composition 55% Coolmax, 27% Thor›Lon Acrylic, 14% nylon, 4% Spandex. www.ilovemysocks.co.nz Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra $119 Scientifically proven 78% bounce reduction, counters bounce and figure of eight movement. No under-wires, soft support, seamless cups, non›slip adjustable…

We asked readers what they prefer and why: camp, hut or bivvy. Here’s a sample of their responses: Mr 6 and Mr 8 always come with us now, so huts are easier. - Karen Hutchings Basic hut or bivvy, don't like the fancy ones. - Russell Pullar Don't get me wrong, I love the camp or bivvy options, but there is backcountry camaraderie in a hut. Meeting interesting people from different backgrounds and nationalities all brought together through a common love for the outdoors. - Terry Skudder Camp, love the whole outdoor experience! - Carolyn Vasta Definitely camp. Off track, away from the crowds and on the tops by a mountain tarn or stream. It's free and no bloody sandflies! - Richard Forbes Hut, but not too fancy. Getting too…

In completing his PhD in 2010, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology’s Dr David Irwin concluded his thesis with Gandhi’s famous quote: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” He also added the words of another of the world’s great philosophers, Kermit the Frog: “It is not that easy being green.” The philosophy behind both has become the cornerstone of Irwin’s life and work at CPIT. His passion for the outdoors and sustainable living have combined in the creation of a unique education programme in Australasia that he helped establish and now leads at the Christchurch-based institute. “What we’re trying to do is think about how we can do things differently and how we can expose students to the outdoors and ultimately the future,” he says.…

If you spend much time tramping around the central North Island, sooner or later you’ll notice the extraordinary nature of its ignimbrite gorges. Gorges of a warm brown colour, fluted, columned, with very fine-grained rock. Ignimbrite is volcanic in origin, and much of the central North Island, including the banks of the upper Waikato River, is made from the stuff. Despite admiring ignimbrite, I’d never fully understood what it is until reading Geoff Chapple’s book Terrain. Now I know the term derives from ignis (fire) and imbris (storm), and was coined by New Zealand geologist Patrick Marshall in the 1930s. The name reflects its origins from rare but highly explosive rhyolitic eruptions. Ignimbrite results from magma with a high silica content – more than 70 per cent – which makes…

The more changes the Mountain Safety Council makes, the more it seems to baffle senior members of the outdoor fraternity. Six months ago, Wilderness discussed the council’s decision to shut down its outdoor training programme and regional offices. Since then it has continued a restructure that has seen it wave goodbye to two members of its avalanche awareness team and the two coordinators and technical committee supporting its firearms training programme. It’s now focusing on spending its $2m-a-year budget on getting key messages to those who need it based on backcountry accident and mishap data. It plans to target those most at risk using the likes of DOC, accommodation providers, tour operators, local councils, tourist boards and so on, to promote these messages. The council’s CEO, Mike Daisley, says there…

DEEJO JUNIPER WOOD 37G $59.99 DEEJO KNIVES COME in three weights – 15g, 27g and 37g – and are designed to be carried in your pocket, anywhere and everywhere. Wilderness tested the 37g juniper wood handled knife, which, like all Deejo knives is a culinary knife – useful for cutting bread, cheese, salami and even slicing open your freeze dry packaging. The blade is so light, it is not really sturdy enough for tougher tasks like splitting wood and with a lightweight frame handle, carving wood or going to town on an animal carcass would be a tough ask. The wood series (also in granadilla and rosewood), features a belt clip which I used on my trouser waistband and pocket, with the knife inside my pocket to reduce the risk…

Running off-road and attacking hill and mountain trails is far more than just a sport for me, it’s a passion and a dedicated lifestyle that I’ve been into for a number of years. The commitment and drive needed to be an efficient uphill runner should not be underestimated. It’s really hard work, but it can also be very rewarding and satisfying in return. Anybody with a working pair of legs and good set of lungs can run up hills, but you need to have the desire, the mental strength and the will. In an effort to be good at uphill running, I have almost completely focused my training on steep hills. I have never been all that brilliant or particularly interested in running on the flat and certainly not on…

Plyometrics are typically used to improve power and speed. For a trail runner, this translates into increased pace on the flat and uphills while keeping an optimal level of economy. A plyometric exercise is any movement that involves a stretch immediately before an action. During this stretch, a few things happen, but one of the most important is the storage of energy. Think of it like a rubber band or a spring, when you stretch it you build up energy which is then released as it immediately shortens or recoils. To harness this energy, we need to train our muscles to act like elastic bands in the right way and at the right time. The following exercises are particularly helpful for runners wanting to get better at going uphill as…

Dogs are great motivators. Not only do they get you outside each day, but they are keen to do anything, anytime. Making your dog your loyal trail running companion will make him super fit and well behaved – he’ll be too tired to get up to mischief while you’re at work. For some, dogs add an extra level of security while running at night. But there’s more to getting your dog out the door and running at your side. Before you lace up your shoes and grab the leash, keep the following in mind: Does your dog lunge at other dogs and people, chase traffic and generally misbehave on a lead? If so, you should get these issues sorted by a professional before you start running with him. Keep your…

Wilderness sports usually aren’t meant to be contact sports, but when you get them wrong they’re as brutal as boxing – and they’re getting worse. As sports like skiing, climbing and downhill mountain biking develop we’re going bigger and faster and falling harder. Speeds and terrain that were once the exclusive realm of the elite are now within the grasp of us weekend warriors. To compensate, we’re padding ourselves with a phalanx of ever-improving guards, helmets and braces. But the thing that hasn’t really improved in this arms race is the fragile body behind it all – notably the gelatinous lump of meat between our ears. Yep, your brain is the same one your grandad used to go riding with. When we crash, that brain tends to slosh around inside…