Wilderness March 2021

I’M READING a book about hurry, by John Comer, and it’s making a world of sense. It describes the ailment ‘hurry sickness’, a term coined by a pair of cardiologists to describe the constant state of haste plaguing modern society. Symptoms include feeling there is never enough time in the day, irritation at any delays encountered and the urge to rush tasks to completion. Tailgaters, queue-jumpers, power-walkers: this could be you. The book also details how the modern world feeds and exacerbates hurry sickness. With phones in our pockets, we rarely have moments of boredom – opting to scroll apps or message friends whenever we are faced with a short wait for a coffee or appointment. Social media plays a role too with its barrage of FOMO-inducing highlight reels a…

A CORONER’S PERSPECTIVE ON DRUG USE IN THE OUTDOORS I am surprised and disappointed to note that Wilderness (until then my favourite magazine) not only sees fit to publish a letter promoting the use of illegal drugs, ‘Microdosing LSD less dangerous than tramping’ (December 2020), but also rewarded the correspondence with a ‘Letter of the Month’ prize. Lysergic acid, the essential precursor for the manufacture of LSD, is a drug deemed illegal by the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1975. Your correspondent provides an unsubstantiated statement that LSD is not a ‘gateway drug’ and is preferable to nicotine and alcohol. I choose not to address these points but ask instead that you draw the attention of readers to the problem with the use of all illegal drugs. If a drug is…

I was surprised that Diana de Beus’s letter, ‘Money-saving weather protection’ (January 2021), did not create more discussion and debate. All New Zealand trampers know what a vital piece of gear a waterproof jacket is and her advocacy to use a waterproof coat that cost $2 and not to worry about spending a large amount of money on other types of waterproof clothing, went completely uncommented upon. I thought there would have been a queue of outdoor clothing suppliers flooding this page with their opinions. So, to ask the question: Is a waterproof coat bought from a $2 shop a satisfactory coat to take on a multi-day tramp? Even though I do note she wore it under an older ‘un-waterproof’ jacket. Perhaps Wilderness could publish an article outlining the key…

Get your photo published here to receive a $30 Silva Pocket Thermo Compass for accurate wayfinding and temperature-sussing. Learn more about Silva at e.ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz…

ON DAY ONE, Andrew Robinson watched his goal get swallowed by gales, clag and bitter sleet – a Tongariro specialty. The Cromwell cross country runner was attempting a difficult first: 10 Great Walks in 10 days. After ticking off his first track that morning, Lake Waikaremoana, his support team drove him to Whakapapa to tackle the Tongariro Northern Circuit – but it was not to be. “I reckon it’s got to be the most temperamental mountain in New Zealand,” Robinson said. Turned around near Mangatepopo Hut by dangerous weather, Robinson returned to the support van dejected, wondering if he should bother completing eight more Great Walks. “I thought, if I couldn’t get 10 in 10, what was the point?” he said. “But then I realised if I wanted to inspire…

THE FINAL (or first) stretch of Te Araroa Trail is receiving a much needed upgrade. Stretching between Invercargill and Bluff, the current route sees thru-hikers walking 16km along SH1. Te Araroa trail executive director Mark Weatherall said the segment of road walking is a “sh*tty start or a sh*tty finish” for those undertaking the 3000km journey. The upgraded walking and cycle track is a joint project between Invercargill City Council and Environment Southland, with funding from Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. The new section will take thru-hikers off the road and onto footpaths, creating a safer and more pleasant walking experience. Weatherall said the upgrade is a taste of good things yet to come for the trail in Bluff. “We’ve got major plans in place to upgrade the whole…