Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Wilderness

WALKSHORTS The New Zealand Alpine Club's (NZAC) Aspiring Hut is open again following a significant rebuilding project. The hut is in West Matukituki Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park. It was opened in 1949 and has been a popular base for mountaineers climbing in the area. The rebuilt hut has an expansive decking area, new fireplace and solar lighting. “The rearranged bunkrooms allow for more private space for groups and families, and the booking system ensures that even the youngest outdoor enthusiast will be assured a bed on arrival,” said NZAC general manager Karen Leacock. In 2013, the stone-walled hut was deemed no longer up to building code in terms of seismic strength. After a geotechnical survey and deliberation, funding for the project became available through a Backcountry Trust grant from…

The genesis for the country's newest tramping club was at the local pub, when four mates discussed the possibility over a beer. The result is the Hokitika Tramping Club, and it's already proving popular with interest from more than 200 people. The club's president Brent Robinson said the club was officially formed in late February at the first annual general meeting. “The seeds were first planted halfway through 2022, when four future members, including me, began discussions at the pub.” Recently the club has held overnight trips to Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve's Mt Brown Hut; Victoria Forest Park's Lake Christabel; and Big River. Robinson said the club was formed to help the local community get outdoors safely and learn skills from experienced trampers. There are currently over 230 members on…

CONCERNS RAISED over proposed walking trails in Fiordland National Park show the value of getting feedback from the tramping community, says the Milford Opportunities Project director. Chris Goddard is leading a $15 million programme to test the feasibility of recommendations in the project master plan. The project was set up by local and central government agencies in 2017 to address tourism pressures in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi and preserve the area's natural and cultural heritage. Several new trails have been proposed around Milford Road, including an overnight tramp to an 80-bunk hut up Mistake Creek Valley. But feedback from recreational groups earlier this year revealed potential problems with the route, which would link to an extended Hut Creek Track via U Pass. It was suggested people could get into trouble on what…

On our first night camping on the W Trek, a puma stalked the perimeter of the campsite. My partner and I had noticed it after dinner, sitting about 30m away from our tent in the long grass, watching us across a dry riverbed. For 15 minutes nobody else knew it was there, such was its camouflage, but it soon made itself known, strolling around like it owned the place. Our neighbour told us he'd tripped over it outside his tent the night before and it was this story that haunted us as we shared a nervous danger pee at midnight. So, South America has pumas, America has bears, Australia has every other deadly creature, and little old New Zealand gets off scotfree. How lucky are we?…

WILD TRIPS THE TRACK STARTS just off SH73 on the true left of Harrington Creek. Vehicles can be left off the highway on an old section of road in the paddock next to the creek. It is courteous to check in with the landowner (first house to the west). At the end of the old road go through the gate and head up outside of the fenceline for around 800m to a permolat marker that points to the bush. The track follows the true left of Harrington Creek for 10 minutes then crosses it, and a steep climb begins. Fill water bottles here as this is the last water until the tarns on the tops. Permolat volunteers have done considerable work clearing the route. At times it can be indistinct…

Dave Rogers, iwi leader and DOC senior ranger, visitor and heritage assets, was going through his work diaries when I showed up for our interview. He has a few, going back to 1975 when he quit his secure town job so he could work on the maunga on a government employment scheme. He became a permanent park employee after 18 months. Not surprisingly, he's seen huge changes in park use and management in the past 48 years, and in iwi recognition and, finally, reconciliation. In March, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki and the Crown initialled the historic Te Ruruku Pūtakerongo, Taranaki Collective Redress Deed. Rogers (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki, Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Maniapoto (on his mother's side) and English (fourth generation in Stratford on his father's) has played a…

“NATURE has a way of distracting you from the daily grind of diabetes, but food and blood sugar levels are often on my mind while out tramping,” says Rebecca Ryan. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 13 years ago, but this hasn't curtailed her love for the great outdoors. “I love day trips, but the best adventures are always the longer ones. When I'm out walking long distances, days at a time, I've got to keep a close eye on my blood sugar levels and adjust my insulin. But I know my body pretty well and mostly how it will respond to walking long distances.” More than 250,000 people in New Zealand have diabetes. This chronic disease affects blood glucose levels and occurs when the pancreas is unable to…

COLD, WET AND WINDY If it's cold or wet or windy, it is easy to keep warm. However, when two of these sit together – cold and wet, wet and windy, or cold and windy – the risk of hypothermia increases. It is much more serious when all three conditions occur together: cold and wet and windy. ‘Bad weather’ often involves all three conditions. ENERGY Outdoors, when a body cools, warmth is gained by activity. Actions such as shivering require energy. Hypothermia occurs when your body no longer has the energy to keep itself warm. Anything that reduces your energy adds to the risk of becoming hypothermic. Examples include not eating sufficient food, exercising to fatigue, carrying an injury or fighting an infection. PREVENTION Hypothermia can strike at any time…

$499.99 / 1380G (M), 1230G (W) Features: The vintage-style Tofana GTX has an oiled leather upper, nubuck leather cuff and waterproof and breathable GoreTex lining. An above ankle-height gusset helps to keep feet dry and keep trail debris out. A full rubber rand protects the leather and helps to retain the boot's shape. Vibram XS Trek soles have an aggressive grip and there's a shock-absorbing midsole for foot support. Thin inner soles add little cushioning. 4/5 Fit: The boots appear narrow and shapeless, but they fitted my wide feet well and were true to size. My toes never found the end of the boots, despite long downhill stretches, and the high lacing was never constricting. 5/5 Comfort: Support and rigidity trump comfort with this boot. A wearing-in period is required,…

HOW TO ENSURE TA'S SUSTAINABILITY In ‘Te Araroa Trail shows pressure’ (May 2023), Imogen Coxhead focused on questions of overcrowding and sustainability. My wife and I took on the TA in sections and have recently completed it. We began before the trail was fully established. In the early stages, we rarely encountered other walkers. In the few years pre-Covid, numbers increased noticeably and this season, Matt Claridge, Te Araroa Trust executive director, stated there had been ‘around 4000 walkers’, the majority being young Europeans. Few walked the entire length of the trail. Many sections were skipped, particularly in the North Island. Blogs and chat groups indicate greater interest in the South Island and, increasingly, in walking the South Island northbound. TA has been a tribute to the vision and energy…

From July this year, staying in a DOC hut will be more expensive. The price increase is the first in 15 years, with DOC updating accommodation prices for huts, lodges and some campsites. Standard hut fees will increase from $5 to $10 and serviced hut fees will move from $15 to $25. Particular areas of interest include the West Coast's Paparoa Track and off-season rates for huts on some Great Walks. DOC's director of heritage and visitors, Cat Wilson, said some recreation facility prices haven't changed in 15 years and don't reflect present-day costs. “DOC is operating under increased budget pressures from rising construction and maintenance costs, reduced revenue due to the impacts of Covid-19, and extreme weather events such as Cyclone Gabrielle. Visitor charges contribute to recovering the costs…

Local tourism operators fear that new pricing and concession legislation to the TAC could negatively impact their businesses. The changes, due to be implemented from July, include a booking system with a daily cap on numbers, one-way walking from Mangatepopo and greater cultural representation. An ‘environmental monitoring fee’ is also being implemented. DOC will charge track transport businesses approximately 40 per cent of the per person fee it already charges concessionaires. Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles owner Colin Baker, originally a hut ranger in the area, said the changes had been in the pipeline for years. “I understand why they're doing it. It's popular, so we get a lot of people who walk up and don't show respect to what is there, resulting in rubbish and injuries.” One of Baker's key concerns…

WILD PEOPLE JEN AND ASHLEY Parkes have made taking their three children tramping into a dream lifestyle and business. The five-person Parkes family live in rural Ashburton. Ashley is a dairy farmer and Jen is a stay-at-home mum who also runs their website and social media, Backyard Travel Family. There are three children; eight-year-old Nathan, six-year-old Kipton, and fouryearold Emilia. “We'd done a number of hikes and what it said on the DOC site and what it felt like in real life were poles apart,” says Jen. “I remember doing a walk that said it takes three hours to get there. It took us just over two, and then another walk's description said it takes three to four hours and it took us seven and a half.” Jen wanted to…

WAYPOINTS FROM GERTRUDE SADDLE, we climbed slopes towards Barrier Knob in the Darran Mountains, and from the top looked upon Lake Adelaide, clasped among some of Fiordland's higher mountains. Resting on the summit, I laid my hand over the coarse granite rock to feel its rough texture and sharp edges. I remarked about this quality to my companion, mountain guide Phil Penney. “No wonder climbers like granite,” I said. “It's so firm, solid and grippy compared with Weet-Bix like greywacke.” “Yeah,” said Phil, “until it's not. When granite's bad, it's really bad.” Although the slope down to Adelaide Saddle wasn't overly steep, the rock was loose and shattered. Not at all like the harder boulders above. We had to take care. In comparison to sedimentary greywacke, granite is an igneous…

WILD TRIPS THIS CHALLENGING 11km hike begins 200m up the road from the Lake Monowai Campsite. It's marked by a DOC sign that shows time estimates to both Roger Inlet Hut and Green Lake Hut, with the latter being six to seven hours. There's a short ascent to start before the track flattens to a boardwalk section and then to a tramping track. The track undulates up and down for the first hour and there can be windfall to navigate, as well as mud. Keep track markers visible throughout this section. There is a small creek to cross then, after about an hour's hiking, the track climbs 40m to reach the junction for Rodger Inlet and Green Lake huts. Continue forward on the Green Lake Track. The track crosses a…

ANTARCTICA MIGHT BE OVER 6000KM AWAY WITH TEMPERATURES MORE THAN 50°C LOWER THAN IN NEW ZEALAND, BUT THERE'S A LOT WE CAN LEARN FROM THE COLDEST PLACE ON EARTH AND APPLY TO WINTER TRAMPING HERE. Staying warm “Staying dry is the key in Antarctica, and that goes for New Zealand in winter too,” says experienced Antarctic skier Mark Sedon. “It's all about thermoregulation so your body maintains its core internal temperature.” Sedon has completed 18 ski and climbing expeditions to Antarctica, the most adventurous being a 55-day, 2000km kite ski and climb of The Spectre, a mountain in the Gothic Range of the Transantarctic Mountains. Trying not to sweat is a skill to master. “Try and pace yourself so you don't overheat,” Sedon says. “If you get hot, take off…

This is a quick outdoor meal for the whole family that can be easily adapted to your preferences. For a lightweight version, replace tomato paste with two sachets of Cup-a-Soup (tomato flavour) and use dried onions and garlic. This recipe also works with half the amount of tomato paste, or double the tuna. Add cheese to make it more filling. PROFILE Prep time: 2 min Cook time: 10-15 min Serves: 2 Cost: $6-8 INGREDIENTS offinelychoppedgarlic finelychoppedonion oftunainoliveoil (185g) tomatopaste mixedherbs pasta METHOD Cook the pasta until almost al dente. Drain the water from the pot, leav ing just enough to get a thick sauce out of the tomato paste. Add the tomato paste and stir. Once the sauce is smooth, add the tuna, olive oil,…

Megan Dimozantos leads and manages hut maintenance and rebuilds in the North Island for the Backcountry Trust. She is a LandSAR volunteer and a member of the Federated Mountain Clubs executive. She can be found in the hills packrafting, tramping, mountain biking, skiing, climbing or wielding a hammer or chainsaw. “My pack is a changeable beast whose contents fluctuate depending on how much water is in the rivers, how much snow is on the hills, and what outcomes I'm chasing on any given day,” she says. Excluding Megan's camera and packrafting gear, her base pack weight is 5.5kg. PACKRAFTING GEAR Alpacka Wolverine self-bailer boat, Rochfort custom carbon paddle, Palm Rescue PFD, Sweet Protection Wanderer helmet, NRS throw rope, NRS Pilot Knife, Alpacka bow bag, Kokatat Hydrus drysuit. CLOTHING I swap…

Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $17. Learn more about Real Meals at www.realmeals.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz.…

Search and Rescue authorities say trampers planning to rely on a cellphone with One NZ's satellite coverage rather than a personal locator beacon should think again. One NZ (formerly Vodafone) has partnered with SpaceX StarLink and will offer service to mobiles in areas without cell coverage. But relying on a phone during a remote emergency situation could be a problem, said Tania Seward, senior advisor communications and prevention at NZ Search and Rescue. “It's important for us to reiterate to the public that a PLB is the most reliable way of calling (for) help in an emergency. Phones with satellite connectivity will be extremely useful, but a PLB should be carried too.” Seward said the two differ greatly: PLBs have international standards for manufacture, including levels of waterproofness and batteries…

Taranaki Maunga's ‘Around the Mountain’ circuit has been closed by DOC due to severe storm damage and constant erosion. Sections of track have been completely wiped out. DOC closed the Stony River Track in late April. The route's closure means the full circuit cannot be completed. “The route has become unsafe for trampers due to erosion and the ongoing risk of rock fall,” said DOC's Taranaki operations manager Gareth Hopkins. “Access from the Bells Falls junction (near Holly Hut) through to Kahui Hut is closed.” Although the closure will disappoint visitors to Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, Hopkins emphasised that the risk of serious injury to trampers was significant. “Currently it is not possible to reroute or repair the track.” The closure would be reviewed towards the end of this year after further…

Patagonia and New Zealand have more in common than shared latitudes. Both straddle major fault lines that are responsible for dramatic landscapes and ‘four seasons in a day’ weather patterns. Both countries have some of the most accessible glaciers on the planet, incredible alpine lakes, closely-related flora, and a culture of tramping – or trekking as it's called in Patagonia. Two weeks of exploring in Patagonia opened my eyes to some of the most spectacular landscapes I've ever seen, but also made me grateful to call New Zealand home. Here's what I noticed tramping abroad. Race against the clock While climbing to Torres del Paine, Chile's iconic alpine lake and vertical granite towers, we passed three checkpoints along the 10km route warning us the track would close after an afternoon…

WAYPOINTS AORAKI/MOUNT COOK VILLAGE is often bustling with people, but with a little imagination and a bit of grind it's easy to get away from the crowd. To reach Annette Plateau, hike the Sealy Tarns Track to Mueller Hut. From the hut there are no tracks, just peaks, greywacke, glaciers, and distant rumbling icefall. Follow your nose to skirt around the western flanks of Mt Ollivier, Kitchener and Waihi Pass, with the moraine of the Mueller Glacier below, until reaching the permanent ice field of Annette Plateau. There's no need to rope up to reach the plateau, and it's possible to explore the ice and climb to the summit of Mt Annette (2235m) from where you can look down the steep eastern aspects of the Sealy Range to Aoraki/Mount Cook…

THE TUAHU TRACK is named after its location on the old Māori route across the Kaimai Range, which was also used as a bridle path in the 1890s. It runs east to west and provides access to Te Rereatukahia Hut from either side of the range. The route from the east is longer but provides the opportunity to see giant kauri. The eastern trailhead starts out wide and flat and is suitable for all abilities. Near the start is a kauri grove, and approximately 700m along is a short side track to Tuahu kauri tree. Climb the stairs to admire this tree. It's one of the few large remaining kauri in the Bay of Plenty and is thought to be over 600 years old. The diversion to this tree is…

Vuarnet Ice Round from $499 These sunglasses suit mountaineering and above-the-snowline trips. They have scratch-resistant mineral glass lenses for improved depth perception and clarity, and the removable side shields and bridge piece provide added protection from glares. Adjustable temples allow a perfect fit. www.colorado-traders.co.nz Rab Syncrino Base LS Tee $139.95 A next-to-skin layer that blends warm, wicking merino wool with light, quick-drying synthetic fibres to create a breathable, soft touch and stretchy baselayer. Naturally anti-bacterial. 130g. www.outfitters.net.nz Rab Women's Mythic Alpine $599.95 This is an ultralight down jacket offering a balance of weight, mobility and warmth. It uses 900FP European goose down with a Nikwax hydrophobic finish, recycled 10D Pertex Quantum fabric with built-in ripstop. 286g. www.outfitters.net.nz MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoes $479.99 Rugged UniBody decks with integrated all-condition traction and…

It's not the end when cold weather arrives, but getting outdoors does mean more effort, extra preparation and having the right gear. EXTRA GEAR TO PACK In any season and on any length of track, trampers should prepare for the unexpected. Warm layers, hat and gloves, a rain jacket and an emergency communications device are basic essentials for any trip. In winter, an extra warm layer or two and a winter-grade hat and gloves should be considered to cater for weather changes and shorter daylight hours. A emergency shelter and additional food should also be on your gear list. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRIP Whether it's tramping or a snowsports adventure, research where you're going and whether you should be going at all. Chat to local DOC visitor centre staff, ask…

A HEADLAMP OFFERS CONVENIENT HANDS-FREE LIGHTING AROUND CAMP AND THE HUT. ONE SHOULD BE CARRIED ON EVERY TRIP – EVEN DAY TRIPS – IN CASE YOU GET CAUGHT IN THE DARK. – ALISTAIR HALL STRAPS Comfort is key, so straps should be soft and stable enough to support the weight of the headlamp. Most straps use a sliding adjustment (some use a toggle) that can be tightened or loosened on the go. Removable straps can be washed without damaging the lamp. Fixed straps can be used on headlamps with good water resistance OUTPUT Measured in lumens, light output can be adjusted for the conditions from a low 10 (or less) lumens for reading or early-morning starts (so as not to disturb others) up to 1000 lumens for finding your way…