Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Wilderness

Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the blue squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, name and address, by October 19, to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. All correct entries go in the draw to win one of three copies of Bushline: A memoir. Across Paradise__ – endemic NZwaterbird8 Wildernesscryforhelp(1,1,1) Liquidfuelstovesneedto be__ before lighting (6) Hut__ – volunteer who maintainsDOChut6) NZglow-wormislarva offungus__ (4) Makesboomingnoiselike largewaterfall8 _ Pass – located between CromwellandOmaramainSouth Island6 Darkfine-grainedigneous rock6 Lettercombinations suchasDOCandFMC (8) out – supplies with allnecessarygearforoutdoor adventure4 Five__ – NZ native tree ofgenusPseudopanax6) Wrapsaroundtreetrunklike supplejackdoes6 Ingoodphysicalshapefor wildernessactivity3 Wherelandmeetsocean(3,5) Down NorthCanterburyriverthatflows from Southern Alps to Pacific Ocean (7) Strenuousoutdoorpursuitscanpush you to the _____ (5) Getlatestweatheronesbefore setting out (7)…

One surprise from Walk1200km's first year was the number of people who used the challenge to fundraise for charity. Among others were Ash Flintoff, who raised $1200 for I Am Hope; Steve Tribe and his friends, who raised $20,000 for the Cancer Society; Jenny Manton, who raised money for Oxfam; and Ruth Moore, who helped SASH (Sexual Abuse Support and Healing) Wilderness asked previous participants which other charities they supported. Among the ideas received were two that are a particularly good fit with the magazine and the Walk1200km challenge: Outward Bound and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Wilderness will be donating a total of at least $1200 to these charities ($600 each) – $1 for every kilometre editor Alistair Hall walks. The hope is that other Walk1200km participants…

WILD COMMENT We all have a secret tramping shame, I theorise. A shame held within, clutched tightly like a cuddly toy at bedtime. I was in a mountain lodge when my friend Jason (yes, Jason of the Tinder article, Wilderness July 2022) volunteered to make me a coffee. I had made him one the day before, so he saw this offer as reciprocal; fair's fair. “Nope, no worries, I'll sort it,” I said. He insisted. “No, it's fine, I'll do it.” He insisted further. He would really like to make me a morning coffee. “No, I'm fussy with my weird coffee, so I'll do it.” Jason's coffee is supremely simple: a teaspoon of instant coffee, hot water and a dash of milk. Respectable. “Just tell me how to make it,”…

WAYPOINTS Wild erness Walk 1200km 23km Waking to a world dulled by thick fog quickly squashes hopes of a view from the peak above. Still, we shouldered packs and climbed the rough route. Starting from the road end there's initially 6km along a farm road to the forest edge and the start of a non-stop climb to the hut. Regenerating, often overgrown, bush changes to diverse podocarp beech as elevation is gained. The treeline is indicated by beautiful dracophyllum trees. Soon Buckland Peak Hut appears sitting in a basin below. From the hut a rough trail can be followed to Buckland Peaks. First over Pt1175 and then across a saddle before climbing towards Pt1325. Here, on our trip, the cloud became thinner and provided much-needed motivation to keep going. Suddenly,…

This is a two-person bivouac, so it's a good idea to check and sign the intentions book at Hawdon Shelter to see if the biv is already occupied and to signal your intentions to others. From Hawdon Shelter, follow the markers through trees towards Hawdon Hut. The track drops quickly to the Hawdon River, which is crossed to continue on its true right towards Sudden Valley where there is a fence and stile. Following the track from here saves time and effort, compared to walking up the main bed of the river. This track is soon into the trees and is easy travel on flat terraces. After less than an hour it leads into the river valley again. There's a marker pole in the middle of the valley, heading into…

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK “SO CLOSE,” I LAMENTED TO SIMON. “YEAH, EASY GROUND REALLY,” HE REFLECTED, “BUT …” A mere four horizontal metres taunted us. Dry, but downward sloping, with no hand or foot holds. And that cliff right there, if you did slip. The expression on Caro's face said it all. “It's just not worth it,” I concluded. “We could get over for sure, but if we slip, it's all over.” So, at 1650m, we prepared to turn back, just 50m from the ridge-top high above Lake Castalia. In retrospect, defeat had occurred in stages. We'd planned to traverse the tops between Lake Castalia and Crucible Lake, going over Leda Peak, The Sentinel, Mt Achilles and Mt Alba. It would have been magnificent, but as our topo map dreams…

S There are many unwritten rules attached to trail etiquette that foster positive experiences, lasting use of trails and protection of the environment. Here are some, written down. Right of way Uphill travellers have right of way because they're expending more energy. If they want a break and wave you past, that's okay, but don't expect them to do so. On multi-use trails, like the Old Ghost Road or Queen Charlotte Track, trampers yield to pack animals; cyclists yield to everyone. Passing When you catch up to a slower group, it's courteous to make yourself known with a simple greeting. Let the slower group know you'd like to pass when the track is wide enough to do so. Squeezing past is not only rude, it can also be dangerous where…

Are you ready to feel better than ever: fitter, trimmer, healthier, stronger, more productive and happier? Those are not just the big promises of Walk l200km, they are the proven benefits of regular walking: it's a brain booster and it's also good for your physical and mental health. (Don't just take our word for it; read the endorsements opposite offered by those who have previously done the challenge.) Anyone who can walk can complete the challenge, and it never needs to feel like a hardcore endeavour. It's literally as simple as walking out your door and going for a stroll. And that's the beauty of the challenge – you can do it in your own time and at your own pace. Squeeze in walks at lunchtime, before or after work…

DO IT FOR MINDFULNESS Focusing on the act of walking rather than the destination can encourage you to keep going long after you might have given up. It's one of the benefits of walking meditation in which body and mind are aligned to bring both into the present moment. For mindful nature connection guide Sarah Goldberg, walking meditation is grounding and eases anxiety. “I feel good when I spend time outdoors in nature,” Goldberg says. “But when I include the mindfulness practice, it deepens, strengthens and intensifies that connection.” Sometimes you go for a walk and you come back to the work and you realise you're way more productive. Walk1200km participant Jaala Dyer, a yin yoga teacher, says walking meditation has helped with the challenge. “Not every kilometre I walk…

Bridgedale Sock partner Bridgedale makes premium socks that'll keep your toes warm, comfortable and blister-free even after a huge day on the trail. As well as waterproof socks, it has socks for walking, hiking, trekking, mountaineering, trail running and everyday. “Bridgedale designs and manufactures the most comfortable socks you'll ever wear. And because Bridgedale socks are so long-lasting, they'll keep your feet dry and blister-free for every kilometre of your 1200km challenge.” – Nic Burgess, brand manager Find out more about Bridgedale at www.ampro.co.nz Plan My Walk Safety partner Plan your walks with the world-first Plan My Walk app from the NZ Mountain Safety Council. “For the past year as a Walk1200km partner it has been really encouraging to see more people get out and explore their local parks and…

Finding Ōtari conservation and science advisor Dr Karin van der Walt and research technician Jennifer Alderton-Moss is a bit of a mission. The pair work from a small cottage behind Ōtari's plant nursery, hidden from visitors who wander the trails exploring New Zealand's single largest collection of native plants. Yet they are delighted to have this laboratory. Until recently they'd been squashed into a portacom. Community funding plus an Environment and Heritage Lotteries grant enabled them to move and equip what is now called the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory. They are now well set up to pursue their science conservation work, including ground-breaking orchid research. The pair are working with Dr Carlos Lehnebach, Te Papa Botany Curator and native orchid guru. As a student of botany, Chilean-born Lehnebach was…

Wilderness WALK 1200km 5.4km Several tracks – Marawhara, White, Rose and Laird Thomson – combine to create a memorable circuit at North Piha. The first two tracks form part of the Hillary Trail, which currently is open only in sections in an effort to reduce the spread of kauri dieback. Marawhara Track, a 10min, wide gravelled path, starts from North Piha Road and runs through a lush grove of mainly nīkau, pūriri, ponga and kawakawa and ends at Marawhara Stream. In the early 1900s, when timber milling was at its height in the Waitākere Ranges, logs were hauled from the stream and transported via a tramway to the Piha Mill at the junction of the Piha and Glen Esk streams. Cross the stream to White Track. Your feet will likely…

Most people think beach walking will be easy as it's flat and usually more familiar than bush. Yes, it can be fun, but walking along a beach should not be underestimated. Here are five things to consider about coastal tramping. FOOTWEAR: Light footwear is often chosen rather than boots, but consider also the nonbeach component of your walk. If you need boots for most of the trip, you might use light shoes that can double as hut or camp shoes for the beach section. It's important to prevent sand from getting into your shoes and causing blisters. Clean and dry your feet carefully, shake out socks and empty sand from shoes. Use a light gaiter or even tie a cloth or a sock around the top of your shoe to…

UPPER Boots in this category will be leather or a combination of leather or suede with a synthetic material that offers abrasion resistance. The uppers will be soft and supple, and the boots can usually be worn straight from the box without the need to break them in. MIDSOLE The midsole absorbs the shock and impact of walking over uneven ground. Most midsoles are EVA, a polymer designed to provide either firm or soft support depending on its density. Soft-flex boots are more comfortable on soft even ground and when moving fast. Some midsoles are PU (polyurethane, which is firmer and more durable than EVA) and are better for rocky terrain and while carrying a heavy pack. LACING AND HARDWARE Fabric or metal eyelets are used with metal lugs at…

WALKSHORTS The South Island's oldest tramping club is celebrating its centenary with 100 tramping trips over 12 months. After five years of planning, Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club's centenary trip programme begins on October 16. Club secretary Debbie Pettinger said the 100 trips, the brainchild of her husband and club president Antony Pettinger, would recreate iconic walks from the club's past. The first is a tramp in the Silver Peaks, where in 1922 it was decided there was enough interest to start a tramping club. The Dunedinbased club held its first walk on September 1, 1923, from Ross Creek to the top of Flagstaff. Pettinger said a reenactment of this trip on September 1, 2023, would include the unveiling of new seating and signage at Pineapple Point to celebrate the…

WALK ANYWHERE Morley Williams has climbed enough this year to summit Mt Everest twice – and mostly it's been done from the comfort of his home. As well as Walk1200km, the 73-yearold has been taking part in the Everest Anywhere challenge. Morley started Walk1200km last October, averaging 10km a day to reach 1200km in February. “The great advantage of the approach I adopted was that the moment I left my door I was accruing kilometres,” Morley says of his daily walks on lakeside tracks in Cromwell. Those walks were on the flat, so from February his attention turned to ascent. There was the backyard circuit, something Morley started doing during lockdown. The 20m circuit repeated 200 times took him about an hour and equated to 140m of climbing. Going up…

A reader recently inquired about places named ‘Hope’, which spurred me to write this column. Coincidentally, I then read a reference to the Hope River in Paul Kilgour's Gone Bush. Paul writes of tramping up the West Coast's Tutaekuri (dog crap) River during a difficult period in his life. ‘I quickly realised,’ he wrote ‘that being by yourself in the mountains wasn't any kind of escape.’ Despairing, lost and soaked, he even tried to fling himself off a void but got snagged by a branch. Brought to his senses, Paul managed to clamber out, climbed onto the tops, and found himself in sunshine. ‘When I checked the map, sure enough, I was looking down on the Hope River. So I'd climbed out of dogsh*t and … well, you get the…

WILD TRIPS Wilderness WALK 1200km 26km WILD FILE Access Whakaari Conservation Area car park Grade Difficult Time 11-14hr. Car park to McIntyre Hut, 3–4hr; to McIntosh Hut turn-off, 2hr; to Black Peak, 3–4hr return; to car park, 3–4hr Distance 26km return Total ascent 2094m Accommodation McIntyre Hut ($5, five bunks), McIntosh Hut (free, four bunks) Topo50 map CB10 This walk is easily accessible for a long day or overnight trip, and there are a number of huts nearby. The Mt Judah Road track starts at the Whakaari Conservation Area car park and passes through farmland following the old Mt Judah Road. The 4WD track is straightforward, but make sure the markers are followed to avoid straying onto private land. The trail passes the Glenorchy Scheelite Battery and the State Mine.…

Wilderness WALK 1200km 6km+ Several huts have occupied the tops in the vicinity of Pohangina Saddle, an area infamous for its ferocious winds. The first, called the Tin Hut, or Pohangina Hut, was built in the late 19th century but burned down in 1946. Tussock, gathered to serve as mattresses, caught fire, and the two occupants were unable to put out the blaze. Fanned by furious northwest winds, the hut and a large surrounding area burned, chasing the two men as they fled. A rough A-frame shelter was built next using corrugated iron salvaged from the ruins, and this served for a few years. Then, in 1957, a year after becoming responsible for deer control, the Forest Service erected a third hut, this one made of aluminium. It was officially…

PROFILE Time: 10min prep, 15min cook time Cost: $7 Serves: 10–12 cookies The nut butter component of these cookies along with the fragrant spices make for a delicious deviation from your standard cookie. Enjoy as a trail snack, or around the campfire – if you can hold out that long. Cookie dough ingredients coconutoilmelted nutbutterIused coffee and maple peanut butter) maplesyruporhoney vanillaessence flour salt nutmeg cardamom cinnamon bakingsoda Splashofmilkorwater Spiced sugar ingredients brownsugar cinnamon nutmeg S'more extras Chocolate Marshmallows Method At home, preheat the oven to 180°C. Make the cookies by mixing the melted coconut oil with the nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla essence in a big bowl. Add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl and fold…

Tarsh Turner enjoys transalpine tramping and exploring less-visited parts of Fiordland National Park, but for her any trip in the hills will bring a smile. She has spent a decade in conservation fieldwork and has worn through a few pairs of tramping boots. “I'm now stepping into guiding and outdoor instruction as I'm keen to share my love of wild places with others,” she says. PACK I've used my Osprey Mutant 52 for trips with up to 10 days' food plus glacier travel gear. I'm a firm believer that if you carry a bigger pack, you end up filling it, so I like to limit myself. It's pretty lightweight, but has held up weLL to fairly heavy use. BOOTS I WEAR SALEWA RAPACE BOOTS FOR MOST OF THE YEAR, AS…