Wilderness October 2015

MY JAW DROPPED on hearing the news a new Great Walk was being proposed for Queenstown. This time last year, a Great Walk was being mooted for Northland and in recent months a Great Walk in Paparoa National Park has also been proposed. But rather than move these projects forward, we have a proposal for yet another Great Walk in an area already surrounded by Great Walks. A short drive from Queenstown, you have the Routeburn, Kepler and Milford tracks. Meanwhile, the upper North Island is so utterly bereft of tramping facilities that volunteers are cutting tracks to enable people to walk in the Kaimai Mamaku and Coromandel forest parks – both parks a couple of hours from Auckland, a city of 1.4 million people (read that story on p…

HEADLAMPS INCREASE VISIBILITY FROM THE AIR A GREAT MEANS of being seen by helicopters (Wild skills, July 2015), especially in low light conditions, is looking at the helicopter with a head torch on. I had cause to look for a couple of misplaced trampers who failed to turn up at an agreed rendezvous and spotted the pair at 10am in a search along a bush-clad creek in drizzly conditions simply because one of the two had his headlamp on and had looked up at the noise of the helicopter passing nearby. The light was very obvious, whereas the trampers were almost invisible. I would advise anyone being looked for by helicopters to use their headlamps as soon as the helicopter can be heard. The lower the light level, the better…

SEND YOUR PIX Get your photo published here to receive the Light My Fire ‘Pack-up-Cup’. This compressible 260ml cup keeps drinks warm and protected from dirt and bugs with its tight and secure lid. Just fold it out and fill it up. More details at ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria at wildernessmag.co.nz…

RENOVATED HUT ABOVE CAPLES VALLEY Home Hill Hut which sits high above the Caples Valley in the Caples Conservation Area has received a much-needed upgrade. Early this winter, DOC Queenstown services ranger Will McBeth braved cold temperatures and heavy snow to weatherproof the hut and it now meets DOC basic hut standards with two slat bunks, mattresses and an open fire. Water can be taken from a nearby stream. At about 1000m above the Caples Valley floor, Home Hill Hut is perched near the tree line and commands views of the surrounding mountains. To the north of the hut are the Ailsa Mountains. As part of the Crown’s settlement with Ngãi Tahu, large sections of these mountains were gifted to the people of New Zealand for their conservation values. This…

HIKING SHOES WITH PURPOSE Salewa’s Speed Ascent shoes ($229; 720g) can be used for lightweight hiking and trail running over snow, unformed tracks and technical rocky ground. It has, what Salewa calls, ‘Take-Off Technology’ which facilitates the foot’s natural rolling motion during ascents and descents. This construction slightly raises toes to allow for a springier, or faster, step on the flat and better foot position on ascents and descent. The Speed Ascent is built light, but also tough, with a medium patterned Vibram outsole, an overlapping tongue, two-row lacing and removable multi-fit footbed. Various fabrics are used, including a breathable mesh lining and stretchable mesh and microfibre suede upper. LIGHT WEIGHT TRAMPING TENT Here’s a tramping tent that weighs 1.4kg. Not bad for a 2-3 person, three-season model that will…

COST EFFECTIVE Where: Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track Shared by: Wynston Cooper Why: “Only $15 per night at this time of year. Great views. Excellent as an overnight trip.” A CHUNK OF TE ARAROA Where: Rangitata to Tekapo Shared by: Stu Wicks Why: “I was exploring this area recently and I'm going to spend Labour Weekend up there, weather permitting.” STILL QUIET Where: Copland Track to Welcome Flat Shared by: Rachel Fogarty Why: “Not super busy like in summer and the hot pools are a winner on a chilly evening.” Got a recommendation for our readers? Email readertips@ lifestylepublishing.co.nz…