Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2020 i Wilderness

ANYONE WHO HAS, or plans to have, children with whom they want to share the outdoors with, whether tramping, mountain biking, skiing or any other adventurous and healthy activity, will find a lifetime of inspiration in this issue. Our roving editor Shaun Barnett takes his teenaged sons on a bush-bashing adventure to Ruahine Corner Hut. In ‘The ultimate guide to tramping with your kids’ (p58), Jo Stilwell, a mum of 25 years, passes on all she has learnt about how to take children of any age – from babies through to young adults – on tramping trips. Pat Barrett shares his goal of tackling all the Great Walks with his family, including three daughters. But there’s a catch: his daughter, Dominique, has Down syndrome, which makes her tire easily. But…

A SOLITARY RED ROCK Arizona’s surely got nothing on the Red Rock Stream in Remutaka Forest Park where Wayne Morgan took this dramatic image of a single red rock in an otherwise drab grey riverbed. “The riverbed here is ever-changing and you can often find large red rocks in it,” keen-eyed Wayne says. “It doesn’t look very dynamic at present, sorry, but as I passed thought I thought I would take a picture for you to see.” It’s red, it’s unusual and it’s appreciated – thanks, Wayne. IT’S RED, OK Bob Moscrip heeded Matt’s cry for help with this photo of Niobe Peak on the Barrier Range. He was on day nine of his tramp that included the Olivine Ice Plateau when his group rested at Cow Saddle and found…

“I DON’T TRUST THIS ROCK.” Those were the last words I said before tumbling 600m from the ridge leading to the low peak of Mt Rolleston. There had been nothing to suggest the climb would end in disaster. We had started out on a beautiful, clear morning. The freezing level was higher than we would have liked but apart from that, conditions were good. I’d wanted to climb the Rome Ridge route to Mt Rolleston for the past year and had been building up my mountaineering experience to attempt it. I felt I had the necessary skill and when my climbing mate Chris arrived in town for a couple of days, we took the opportunity. Near 2000m, we reached an exposed traverse of mixed rock and snow. Chris looked down…

HATING POSSUMS seems to be as compulsory for New Zealanders as supporting the All Blacks. From Northland to Stewart Island, people are getting involved with ridding the country of stoats, possums and rats. For New Zealand’s native wildlife, it’s now or never. Tomtits, takahē and tuatara have no defence against these opportunistic visitors. Left unmanaged, the decline of native species will continue. I think that’s morally objectionable and predator control is the single most necessary step to protect our taonga. Without concerted conservation efforts, the kiwi and kākā will be consigned to history or a few ecologically-isolated sanctuaries. I’ve spent more than a decade working on community conservation projects across several countries. In New Zealand, I recently spent a season scraping stoat carcasses out of traps and chatting to people…

TE AROHA TO THE GRAND TAVERN, WAIKATO At 937m, Te Aroha is the tallest summit on the Kaimai Range, offering views across the Waikato all the way to the peaks of Tongariro National Park. The small town of Te Aroha sits right at its feet, making it one of the most accessible summits of its size in the North Island. A return trip takes 5-6hr and begins from the Te Aroha Domain. Trampers should be prepared for alpine conditions on the summit, which receives occasional dustings of snow in winter and frequent white-outs. A warm-up meal can be found seven minutes’ walk down the road at The Grand Tavern – a historic pub built in 1880 when gold was discovered in the Waiorongomai Valley. Staff recommend the classic Kiwi smorgasbord…

Tramping and the outdoors have been significant parts of my life since I was still in nappies. As the youngest in our family, I was regularly stuffed into a child carrier as my family headed to the outdoors for yet another picnic or tramp. By the time I was five, I was carrying a small backpack during our tramps. Inevitably, a stuffed toy would always find its way along and together we would raid the marshmallows. But because for my sister Dominique most tramps would have been too tiring, it was usually just dad, my oldest sister and I who would head away. As I grew older – and grew longer legs – I was able to tramp longer distances and over harder terrain. I can look back and thank…

CHRISTMAS DAY, 2018 WAS A BIT OUT OF THE ORDINARY FOR TOZAN DELMAN. His wife Jess was somewhere in the North Island, working her way towards Bluff. Tozan was in his in-law’s barn in Central Otago, working his way through coding on his phone. In several days, he would join Jess to walk the South Island leg of the Te Araroa Trail – but first, he had a website to set up. The idea was simple, but until now unfulfilled – Trailangel.co.nz would be an online forum where Te Araroa Trail walkers could communicate with those offering accommodation, transport, food or general help, known to many as ‘Trail Angels’. “I wanted to prove that if something is a good idea, nothing should stop you from doing it – you don’t…

TRAMPERS OFTEN count rivers and streams as a tool to measure progress – the turn-off will be after the third creek crossing. It’s important to remember that not all creeks will be marked on the map and not all of those marked will have water in them, so the turn-off might turn out to be after one creek crossing, or five. But not all is lost if you pay careful attention to your map and use locational awareness. READ THE CONTOURS While most streams are marked in blue on the map there are many that are not. These can be identified by contour lines. A ‘V’ in the contour lines indicates a fold in the land. At the bottom of that fold water may collect. A line of ‘V’s down…

Get your photo published here to receive a double pack of BPA-free, biobased plastic Sporks worth $13. Learn more about Sporks at ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz…

GRAND PRIZE A FOUR-DAY RABBIT PASS ALPINE TRAVERSE worth $3350 with Aspiring Guides Located in Mt Aspiring National Park, this four-day alpine crossing links two of the region's major river valleys. This spectacular area is surrounded by high glacier-covered peaks, waterfalls and lakes and is home to many rare and endangered species. You will not find a better way to experience the stunning alpine scenery of New Zealand, surrounded by unspoilt forests, alpine meadows, huge waterfalls and alpine lakes. An Aspiring Guides’ professional guide will help you safely explore this remote and seldom-visited area. Find out more at www.aspiringguides.com. SECOND PRIZE A TWO DAY BREWSTER GLACIER TREK worth $1480 with Adventure Consultants The Brewster Glacier Trek is a true alpine trekking adventure in Mt Aspiring National Park. Tucked into the…

GIVEN THAT KIWI are our national bird, it’s no wonder many tourists expect them to be as common as kererū. I’ve spoken with many visitors about our feathery icon, and all have been surprised to hear how few New Zealanders have seen the bird in the wild. Some have claimed to have seen several on their trips already, but look mate, if it stole your lunch in broad daylight and laughed as it did so, it was a weka. When you consider the kiwi’s behaviour, habitat and dwindling population, it’s hardly surprising they’re rarely seen, but with know-how and patience, you might get lucky. HOW TO LOOK While it’s possible to see kiwi year-round, the reclusive bird is busiest right when we are not – slap bang in the middle…

THE TRAVERS-SABINE circuit lies in the heart of Nelson Lakes National Park and is one of the best multi-day tramps on offer for inexperienced trampers. Taking in both of the park’s two large lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, two of its major rivers, the Sabine and Travers, and one high alpine pass at Travers Saddle, the diversity of this walk is perhaps unrivalled elsewhere in New Zealand for a track of this standard and accessibility. Travers Saddle is also a Main Divide pass, so there is an added dimension here with rainfall, vegetation, and climate from the drier Travers Valley to the much wetter Sabine catchment. The scaled-up rainfall of the western valleys has often caught trampers unaware when the low lying Sabine Valley floods, making the track impassable. The Travers…

Background Marios: I grew up in England in the 1980s when mountain biking had hardly been invented. Drop handlebars, 10-speed gears and Reynolds 531 tubing were the things. My stepfather, still a keen biker in his 70s, nurtured in me a love of the sport. And now, a father myself, I am continuing the family tradition and sharing mountain biking with my own children. Maya: I love riding bikes. My need for speed and adrenalin emerged at an early age – skiing in the French Alps for a season when I was four. Since riding horses and competing in judo, my fitness and balance have advanced. In the last three years, I have become more involved in biking. Riding history Marios: We live near Motueka, so we’re lucky to have…

THIS RECIPE is a fun one to make in a hut on a rainy day with kids (or adult kids) as long as it’s cold enough outside to chill things. If not, just make it ahead of time – it will still be delicious. You can use most types of puffed grains – puffed quinoa or brown rice would work well – and you can also use white chocolate instead of dark. PROFILE Prep time 10min Fridge time 1hr Cost $6-9 Makes 12 pieces RECIPE 2 ½ cups puffed millet ½ cup coconut chips ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped ¼ cup maple syrup 3 tbsp coconut oil 150g dark chocolate METHOD Place millet, coconut chips and cranberries into a large bowl. In a small pot, gently melt coconut oil, maple…

LIKE MANY endemic bird species, the saddleback (tieke) was an abundant and reasonably common bird when Europeans arrived in New Zealand. But with the subsequent introduction of rats, mice and mustelids, their numbers rapidly declined. By the early 1900s, tieke were confined to one population on Hen Island off the north-east coast of the North Island. Thanks to translocation projects initiated in the 1960s, there are now 15 island populations and five at predator-free mainland sites. CONSERVATION STATUS Endemic species classified as ‘recovering’. Population estimates put the total number of birds at around 7000. FEATURES The saddleback is comparable to a common blackbird in size, weighing about 70g and measuring around 25cm in length. It has a predominantly black plumage except for a reddish-brown chestnut saddle across its back. Saddleback…

Trail running shoes keep you glued to the track and offer underfoot protection.- Alistair Hall Fit It is essential the shoes fit well and feel comfortable straight out of the box. While some models might stretch and soften once they are broken in – and even while you are using them as they adjust to swelling feet – a shoe that is uncomfortable from the start, will always be uncomfortable. A good fit is also vital to help keep your foot stable over uneven terrain. Toe box A reinforced toe box with synthetic overlays will protect toes from bumps. Heel to toe drop This is the height difference between the heel and toe and can be anywhere from 15mm-0mm. The less heel drop, the more minimalist the shoe will be…

TRAMPING IN A CLIMATE EMERGENCY It is becoming increasingly apparent that we need to throw everything at stopping climate change, which got me thinking: where does tramping fit into that? To start a conversation on this, I offer the following. Tramping with a purpose. I’ve got a trapline in Kahurangi National Park. The traps need to be checked monthly, I’m going up there anyway, so why not incorporate predator trapping into my tramps – protecting two birds with one stone, as it were. Tramp local. Even if you travel in an electric vehicle to and from your tramp, you are still using energy to get to and from. It’s better to tramp close to home. Living in Nelson, it often strikes me as bizarre driving two hours each way to…

WASP WIPEOUT EXPANDS INTO NEW REGIONS It’s a shock to know that in summer, the biomass of wasps in South Island beech forest weighs more than birds and rodents combined. It’s a reason ‘Wasp Wipeout’ is into its fourth season this summer, with control efforts spreading into Wellington, West Coast, Canterbury, Central Otago and Auckland. German and common wasp populations are targeted in late summer using the Vespex wasp baiting system. Paper wasps will also be targeted this season, which is a first for the campaign. The introduced pests kill native vertebrates and invertebrates and are estimated to cost the New Zealand economy $130 million annually. Vespex is a protein bait containing an insecticide that can reduce wasp activity by more than 90 per cent when carried out correctly. DOC…

I put aside six years, THINKING THAT WOULD BE HEAPS but had I known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have started DAVE WILLIAMS must be a sucker for pain. Where one marathon is more than enough for most people, Williams, 34, runs six, eight, 10 or more marathons consecutively, carrying 8kg of gear on his back. When he’s done running, he doesn’t find a finish line and a bottle of bubbles awaiting him, but the foot of a mountain, which he then climbs. Not content to do this just once, the Raglan teacher has made it his mission to conquer every continent’s highest summit, starting from sea level. If he completes the challenge, it will be a world first. It’s a gruelling mission, but Williams has now ticked…

AS HER TRAMPING club one by one navigated a large boulder blocking the track, doubt crept into Sharon Boulton’s mind. She watched the way their backs twisted as each group member eased around the obstacle, and her uncertainty grew – her back might not move that way. If it didn’t, she might get stuck, or worse, fall. It was the first outing of a week-long trip with her club – a day walk to Carol Hut in Arthur’s Pass National Park – and Boulton didn’t want to spoil the day with an avoidable accident. “The drop off either side would compromise the safety of anyone who would come to my aid as well as my own, should sudden pain and loss of movement inflict itself,” she says. Boulton has struggled…

SHARING DINNER with my family outside Abel Tasman’s Bark Bay Hut as kākā ‘kraaked’ in the trees above and a beautiful warm evening wrapped around us, I couldn’t help but reflect on the years-long journey that had helped us reach this point. Once again, we were sharing the excitement and adventure of another national park hike. During the past four years, my family has embarked on a mission to experience some of the Great Walks together. We are avid outdoors people who have camped, tramped and adventured with our three daughters Anna-Marie (22), Dominique (18) and Bernadette (16) since their earliest years. There is, however, a further dimension to our trips that requires careful management with attention to detail and practicality – Dominique has Down Syndrome. People with Down Syndrome…

ONE BEAUTIFUL spring day, I hiked up Whakapapa Glacier with another experienced alpine climber/ backcountry skier and his two children aged five and seven. Most of the way we had the youngsters roped on so we could tow them on their skis. Sometimes they cramponed, briefly, waving ice axes and poles around excitedly. We reached the Whakapapa Col, took happy selfies with the Crater Lake in the background at a safe distance, and enjoyed an epic ski descent in soft snow. Nine days later, the father was served with a court application from the children’s mother seeking full custody due to the ‘unsafe’ nature of the trip. It was then downgraded to an application to restrict him from taking the children out of the region where they lived and disallowing…

Outdoor Research Kid’s Helios Sun Hat $49.99 Lightweight fabric with UPF50+ sun protection, foam-stiffened brim that floats, moisture-managing headband to pull away sweat. www.bivouac.co.nz The North Face JR Hedgehog II WP $150 A waterproof and breathable shoe featuring a HydroSeal membrane, reinforced toe cap, suede overlays for structure, single-pull closure, reinforced heel with pull strap, non-marking rubber outsole. 536g. www.thenorthface.co.nz Macpac Vamoose Child Carrier $499.99 Safety-first child seat with a three-stage hook-n-clip system, removable washable shoulder straps and pads, zippered front pocket converts into a day pack, stretch pocket under day pack, large zippered pocket at the base, sunshade and rain cover included. 3910g. www.macpac.co.nz Scribbler Fleece-Bonded Waterproof Coat $99 Waterproof (3000mm) and breathable jacket with fleece lining, adjustable hood, YKK zip, side pockets, storm flap, hidden cotton-rib cuffs, chin…

Vasque St Elias FG GTX $399.99 / 1320g (m), 1104g (w) Features: Everything about this boot suggests it’s a durable proposition. It has a 2.2mm waterproof full-grain leather upper complemented with a Gore-Tex lining, a textured abrasion-resistant leather rand and a beefy, inflexible rubber toe cap. Metal lacing hardware allows for the fine-tuning of the fit and laces move smoothly through the eyelets. The rigid leather heel firmly cups the foot preventing heel rise. The foot itself sits on a dual-density EVA footbed and there’s a three-quarter length shank which provides good mid-foot stiffness and support without compromising forefoot flex. The Vibram outsole is sharp-edged and provides excellent grip. The tread curves up the heel and toe to allow grip even on the narrowest of footholds. 5/5 Fit: I’ve…