Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2023 i Wilderness

THE BIG OBSTACLE to transitioning to fastpacking is getting the right gear (see our feature on P38). Regular tramping kit might suffice for a bit, but if you want to get serious you will need to upgrade to lighter equipment. And carrying lighter gear, and less of it, means you also need to become a better judge of the weather and conditions. Take me, for example: my regular kit is not cut out for moving quickly through the landscape. I know this from the time I accidentally fastpacked the Tongariro Northern Circuit. It's a trip best savoured over four days, enjoying nights at Mangatepopo, Oturere and Waihohonu huts. I was looking for a cheeky winter overnighter and decided to walk from Mangatepopo to Oturere Hut and then retrace my steps…

DR ALIA BOJILOVA is impressed by the Walk1200km challenge: “It's such a beautiful undertaking. And I imagine everyone who takes on this challenge will walk an entirely different path, not just physically but also in their own minds. There's something magical about that.” Bojilova, a former lead psychologist and officer with the NZ Special Air Service (SAS) who has a PhD in psychology in which she explored the link between resilience and curiosity, says for people to successfully complete on a year-long challenge like Walk1200km it is important for them to differentiate between alertness and self-awareness. “Alertness (paying acute attention to the risks and the things that may take away from you) versus awareness (how do I sit in this space, and what do I have to use within myself,…

AS WE STOP to say our goodbyes, the Finn, with piercing blue eyes, says: “It is unlikely we will meet again. You are a slow walker. I am much faster. I doubt you will catch me up.” And with that, he speeds off down the road, I turn into the holiday park in search of a bed for the night. He isn't wrong. My slow walking pace is glaringly obvious. After almost a month on Te Araroa Trail I was routinely the last into camp each day. It wasn't uncommon for me to be overtaken by other trampers who seemed able to pack in many more kilometres. I could blame my fitness levels or the weight of my pack but, really, I just couldn't get my legs to move fast…

Salewa Pedroc Pro Mid PTX $459.90 A mid-cut speed hiking boot with a robust lightweight synthetic upper backed by a Powertex waterproof/ breathable membrane and an outsole designed for versatility on different terrain. It has Salewa's 3F heel hold and Ankle Protector systems for support and stability. A TPU rand provides protection. 780g (m), 580g (w). www.bobo.co.nz MSR PocketRocket 2 $149.99 A quick-boiling stove with a hard carry case, Windclip wind protection, precision flame control, compact design. 73g. www.ampro.co.nz Platypus QuickDraw + 1L Bottle $134.99 Collect and filter water on the go. It'll filter 3l/min and features an attached clean side cap for an always-clean drink interface and a durable reservoir with a wide rapid-fill mouth. 95g. www.ampro.co.nz Toaks Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove $94.99 An ultralight titanium siphon stove that…

The ice climber At age 12 when other kids were riding their bikes, David Chen's fun was climbing frozen waterfalls. He's been chasing the ice ever since. “I enjoy the sense of freedom,” he says. “When I'm on the wall in a flow state I don't have room in my head to think of anything else. It's such a mind-blowing experience. Not to mention the scenery and ice formations [which] are beautiful.” Ice climbing is the ascent of a vertical or near-vertical sheet of ice, and requires specialist skills and equipment. “Ice climbing and mountaineering are two distinct sports, although most people who climb ice in New Zealand tend also to be mountaineers,” says Chen. “But climbing ice is not at all like climbing rock. The gear, such as ice…

BIG AGNES PROSPECTOR 50L $429.99, 50L, 1450G (M) / 1280G (W) Features: The Prospector 50l is designed as a lightweight, overnight men's pack (the women's version is the Sun Dog 45). It's made of tear-resistant recycled nylon and combines a roll top and duffel-style back zipper for dual access, with secure attachment loops for trekking poles, ice axe and gear. There are three external stretch pockets, and removable hip pockets for additional storage. A compression moulded back panel and aluminium frame provide rigidity and comfort, while compression straps keep weight close to the body. The pack includes a hydration sleeve and removable rubbish sack. 5/5 Fit: It's built in medium and large sizes. The latter fitted me well. However, perhaps because of the full-zip back panel, adjusting the back length…

What makes you a good climber, adventurer and guide? Probably a lack of imagination for doing anything else! I think, for me, it's always having had a passion for the mountains, but in New Zealand it's still pretty much impossible to mountaineer professionally. So guiding allowed me to spend time in the mountains and make a career out of it. With your father having climbed on the 1951 Himalaya expedition, was your bond with the region inevitable? There was no pressure at all from my father; he wanted me to find my own path, which I did. The fact that our lives followed similar pathways was good, but he was from a different era with a different attitude, whereas my interest was in more technical rock or ice climbing. What…

MARRYING WAYPOINTS The story ‘Revitalised hut remembers hunter's tragedy’ (August 2023) warmed my heart, but not just because it shared great info and a beautiful photo. My best friend and I stayed at Kapakapanui Hut in 2010 for a weekend leg-stretch and escape from Wellington city life. Yes, the track is steep, but it's easy to navigate, and from memory it took us the full three hours. The following day we climbed through that incredible mossy beech forest and onto a lookout with expansive views across the southern Tararua Range and beyond. It was such a moving landscape that I asked my friend to marry me. It wasn't a leap year, but I figured a girl could die waiting … He said yes. (He actually said, “s'pose”, and I still…

“I have 106km to go and four weeks to do it in. While in hospital I fell behind by 40km, but a couple of big weeks have addressed that and now I'm less than 15km behind. 3.8km a day still required to finish on time.” “I went wheeling around Te Kuiti in my wheelchair in the rain today. It was for a very good reason though … I was on the hunt for a book (Adventures with Emilie by Victoria Bruce) which I found in the local bookshop. I ended up doing 3.68 km in the wheelchair. So I'm ever so slowly getting closer to my Walk1200km. Have wheels, will explore.”…

WILD TRIPS Wilderness 24km WALK 1200km DON'T WORRY if the car park at Marble Hill is busy – the new hut at Lake Daniell is popular. At the trailhead, don't take the Lake Daniell Track but veer right onto the 4WD track across swampy terrain to the shingle bank. Here, the Maruia River is fast-flowing, careering towards the footbridge over the Sluice Box. Further upstream is a wider, shallow crossing. On the far bank, relocate the 4WD road running parallel with the Alfred River. At a large slip, which has obliterated the road, either criss-cross the Alfred River until regaining the vehicle track, or follow a detour route lightly marked with pink tape. After an hour, look out for the track signpost on your right. If you have the time,…

Wilderness 10+km WALK 1200km A MARKED farm track leads to the Tukituki River, and from there you follow the river's clear waters upstream. There is no marked track, but the banks of the Tukituki provide interesting and reasonably fast travel. You will need to cross the river though, so this trip is not recommended if the river is running high. After around 2–3hr, a large orange track marker indicates the start of Rosvalls Track and a DOC sign confirms that the track leads to Tarn Bivouac. The track is steep but well maintained and provides a direct route to the bushline, which you reach after around two hours of energetic huffing and puffing. Here, from Pt1285, are the first views of Ohuinga and Sawtooth Ridge. From Rosvalls Track, Ohuinga may…

RIVER BEDS and boulder fields can be hard on your ankles, but if you put time into some exercises before your next tramp, you may find them less of a challenge. Strive to make these exercises part of your routine this tramping season. Start with the first one, and then try to include the other two as you progress. And it's not that difficult – it can be as easy as standing on one leg while brushing your teeth. STAND ON ONE LEG This exercise helps with walking on uneven surfaces. Aim for 5–30 seconds, several times a day on each leg. Hover your hands over something sturdy if required. Make it harder: Do this exercise standing on a pillow, towel or wobble board. Throw a ball against the wall…

STOVE TYPES There are four types of stove: Multi-fuel: Liquid and multifuel stoves burn almost any flammable fuel – including white gas, kerosene and even regular canister gas. They are environmentally friendly, as fuel bottles can be re-used. Canister stoves: Simple, convenient and inexpensive to run and maintain. High-performance models have a regulator which provides consistent output for the life of the canister and improved efficiency in alpine or cold environments. Gas canisters must be punctured before recycling at a waste management centre. Personal cooking systems: These stoves use a specially designed pot that attaches directly to the burner. All components nest inside the pot for easy packing. They have built-in wind resistance and quick boil times. Alternative fuel stoves: These can burn twigs, fire-starters, alcohol and more – basically anything flammable. They are environmentally friendly…

WALKSHORTS Growing up, Dua Asim could never picture herself in the outdoors; she never saw any Muslim women hiking. Now she's on a mission to be the cultural representation she never had and shares the highs and lows of her tramping on social media. Asim first started exploring New Zealand's outdoors after lockdown in 2020 and discovered why it's a bucket list destination for others around the world. Asim records her adventures for her blog, Dua Discovers. “I share my own authentic experience of getting into the outdoors in the hopes of helping others that are new to this space,” she said. A large part of Asim's inspiration is going out “with bold confidence” to prove to herself and others that Muslim women can have fun outdoor adventures. “I didn't…

Walk1200km is returning for 2024, but not when you might have expected it. For the first two years of the challenge, we started it with the October issue. That made sense when we first launched the challenge to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Wilderness. But now, two years in, we've decided to launch the 2024 challenge in December. This will give you one month to prepare – physically, mentally, psychologically (and any other -ly you care to mention) – for an official start date of January 1, 2024. This means the challenge will run for a full calendar year rather than the awkward 2022–2023 timeframe this year. The December 2023 issue will come with a free Walk1200km progress tracker and loads of inspiring and motivational stories that will set…

1- Aotea Track, Great Barrier Island Loops the central mountainous area of the island, with plenty of scope to make it longer or shorter. Distance: 25km Total elevation: 1445m Grade: Easy 2- Round the Mountain Track, Tongariro National Park Circuits Ruapehu through a diverse landscape – mountains, desert, river gorges. Distance: 66km Total elevation: 2273m Grade: Moderate 3- Tararua Peaks Circuit, Tararua Forest Park Exposed running with the infamous Tararua ladder to climb, the peaks circuit, from Ōtaki Forks, is a mixed bag of bush and tops. Distance: 43km Total elevation: 3941m Grade: Moderate-difficult 4- Gillespie Pass / Wilkin-Young Circuit, Mt Aspiring National Park A stunning alpine loop with the option of a side trip to Crucible Lake or jet boating down the Wilkin River. Distance: 58km Total elevation: 2299m…

Avoca Homestead, Korowai/ Torlesse Tussocklands Park Gas canisters being knocked over, doors opening, a bed being dragged across the floor and obstructing the door … Several trampers have commented on social media of being freaked out here. Kime Hut, Tararua Forest Park Some say Kime Hut has a ‘chilly’ presence. The hut is named after young photographer E.J. Kime, who died of exposure at Alpha Hut in 1922 after spending five nights out in the open in winter. Whariwharangi Hut, Abel Tasman National Park Originally built in 1897, the restored weatherboard hut is said to be haunted by the ghost of a nineteenth-century sailor murdered by Māori. A tramper from Christchurch once claimed she saw a vision of a young man bending over a sea chest. Skips Hut (Whangatawhia), Whirinaki…

MSR MINI-GROUNDHOG STAKES $69.99 (SIX PACK) USED BY: Features writer Hazel Phillips USED FOR: 12 months A tent peg is a peg is a peg – right? Surely one doesn't deserve reviewing. So I thought, until I needed pegs for my new lightweight fly. Initially I wanted (but couldn't source) the Sea to Summit Ground Control pegs; the MSR aluminium Mini-Groundhogs were a second choice. They've held up well so far. At 15cm they won't save the day in high winds, but at 10g they're an excellent lightweight option for pitching a fly, guying out ropes, or simply to carry as a backup. When the carrying stakes are high (see what I did there), you'll probably want the full-hog Groundhog – the same design/material but 4cm longer. MSR touts the…