Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Wilderness

A FEW YEARS AGO, in a reader survey, we asked if readers would one day like to walk Te Araroa. Amazingly, 58 per cent said they would. Two per cent said they had already done it (I know more than a few readers have since walked the Long Pathway, so if we were to ask that question again, I bet we’d be into double figures). I see the appeal. Te Araroa must be close to being the ultimate tramping trail in New Zealand. It is a months-long endeavour that brings people from all corners of the world to walk amongst the enticing array of landscapes New Zealand has on offer. But it might be more important for those who do it to ‘find themselves’ and learn what they are capable…

NATIONAL PARKS » Aotearoa has 13 national parks, created under the 1980 National Parks Act, to inspire New Zealanders and provide enjoyment and recreation in beautiful, unique and ecologically important scenery. The designation of land as a national park can only be changed by an Act of Parliament. A national park must be maintained in its natural state, and certain activities are restricted. DOC land regulatory delivery manager David Griffin said national parks are considered to represent the natural, historical and cultural heritage of New Zealand. They are priceless areas, to be protected for the enjoyment of future generations. Tongariro National Park was New Zealand’s first. Since the 1970s, conservationists and trampers have been pushing for The Remarkables to join the gold-standard protection rankings. FOREST PARKS Forest parks were created…

EBONY RAKATAU is smiling radiantly in the photos she shares of her almost daily hīkoi with the Walk1200km Facebook group. So it’s a surprise to learn that four years ago, she was on so many medications she couldn’t walk. “I had to have a stick to get around,” she says. “In the end, a specialist told me to come off my meds and see where the pain is. It was the best thing I could have done.” A friend introduced her to Walk1200km. “I wanted to do it to help me stay focused both mentally and physically,” she says. “It’s helping me get fitter; helping me with my mindset.” One of the biggest challenges faced so far has been walking the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track. It’s steep, with ropes to help…

#microchallenge7 COOL OFF! Kerri Shanks couldn’t resist jumping off the jetty at Lake Taupō’s Motutere Bay after walking the Waipehi Walk twice! Heidi Stiefel dived into the Mohaka River after a hot hike to Te Puia Lodge. Lissy Bell found some moist moss to cool her brow on the Klondyke Spur Track. #microchallenge8 FIND SOME URBAN ART Ruby Rowe flew with the birds on her walk from Christchurch to New Brighton. Leanne Gordon discovered the mining history of Reefton in this artwork. Debbie Edwards’ urban walk in Nelson had her climbing the walls! #microchallenge9 SPOT A SMALL CREATURE Donna Congalton spied a massive worm while tramping around Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes. Shardae Donker spotted a carnivorous powelliphanta snail on the Tākaka Hill Walkway. A dragonfly rested on Kellie James’…

From shots of scaling remote peaks to bunking down in popular huts, the Wilderness photo competition entries capture just how remarkable tramping in Aotearoa is. This year we received more than 1000 entries, and contemplating them was a visual delight. Thanks to all the entrants, and a big thanks to sponsor Panasonic New Zealand for supplying the amazing Lumix camera prizes. Here are some of our runners-up. Turn the page to see the winners. Here’s a selection of finalists. WILDLIFE WINNER Judges' comments Alistair Hall: Though the riroriro is not a rare bird or even a colourful one, Eleanor has managed to take an interesting, captivating and skilful image. Shaun Barnett: The riroriro’s small size and flocking nature makes it hard to photograph, and this one is beautifully captured –…

WILD TRIPS BUCKLAND PEAKS is best described as a miniature version of Kahurangi’s Mt Owen. Its prominent granite features have an air of adventure and it offers sunset views across the Tasman Sea. It’s approached with a 5km walk on a private farm track indicated with orange markers. Then, the track heads up through the bush. It’s moderately tame underfoot and clear. At around 650m is a small clearing with a sign that reads ‘Halfway House’. Enjoy the furniture (upturned buckets) for a quick breather before heading on along the ridgeline. Through the upper part of the forest, the track increasingly sticks to a narrow, forested ridge with picturesque mossy passages but no access to water. Bring enough to last to the hut or tarns that lie beyond. The edge…

WILD FILE Access Wakarara Road, off SH50. Panpac allows foot or bike access along the forestry roads in Gwavas Forest, except during forestry operations (see panpac.co.nz). Grade Easy Time 3.5–4hr to hut Distance 8.3km to hut Total ascent 341m Topo50 map BK37 ELLIS HUT, in the Wakarara Range, just east of the Ruahines, has a worthy and dubious history. A hut was first built on the site in 1884 and it was then known as Whitnell Hut, after Bill Whitnell, a hunter and shepherd who lived there when the area was farmed as part of Poporangi Station. However, the hut is more easily remembered for events that happened 20 years later. In the spring of 1904, the manhunt for a suspected murderer was drawing to a conclusion. Detective Broberg and…

Kiwi Ultralight SmellyProof Food Bag $12.50 A waterproof and air-tight, hermetically sealed food bag with laminated nylon reinforcement that keeps smells in and mice out. Fits approximately four days of tramping food. BPA, Phthalate, Latex, and PEVA free. 24g www.kiwiultralight.co.nz HikersWool from $13 Soft, lanolin-rich wool that wicks moisture, helps feet breathe and reduces friction for blister-free feet over long distances. Midi and Maxi packs. 24g (Midi), 49g (Maxi). www.hikerswool.co.nz Platypus QuickDraw Filter + Connect Cap $109.99 A compact water filter that allows a 3L/min flow and is compatible with a variety of bottles and reservoirs. Easy to clean and removes 99.9999% of bacteria. www.ampro.co.nz LOWA Camino / Mauria Evo GTX Wide $729 A boot built on a wide last to accommodate broad feet, and provide lateral support for long-distance…

Thru-hiker and Wilderness magazine’s newsletter editor Justin Sprecher Ultralight tramper and thru-hiker Justin Sprecher loves the zen-like meditation of walking from sunup to sundown. To achieve this he pares down his gear to the bare essentials. He patiently waits for sales or purchases gear second-hand. “Ultralight doesn’t have to be ultra-expensive. I’ve slowly built my kit over many years,” he says. “Getting a smaller pack taught me to live with less. At first, I could only do overnights. As my gear got smaller I could go longer and longer with the same pack.” His base weight, including tent, is 3.8kg without food and water. Footwear I used trail runners for my first long-distance hike in 2017 and was surprised by how much my tramping experience was improved. I like the…

Features: The half-length zip saves weight and bulk on this mummy-shaped bag, which uses 550FP DriDown inside a plush 20D polyester shell. The bag features an anti-snag zip and hood cinch cord but has no neck muff, though a ‘hand pocket’ does help cosy the bag around your shoulders. Included are a stuff sack and large mesh storage bag. 4/5 Fit: I’m 1.76m and the regular-sized bag fitted perfectly. A larger size is available. It felt slightly wide for my skinny frame, but that can be a bonus if you want a bit of wriggle room or space for layering up. A roomier fit can also be desirable with a half-length zip, as the bag can’t be fully opened. 4/5 Comfort: The bag feels generously lofty for 510g of 550FP…

FOOTWEAR SENSE OR SHAME? I recently checked my current in-use tramping footwear. For easy non-technical tracks in summer conditions, such as the Old Ghost Road, Abel Tasman and Silver Peaks, I prefer trail running shoes, which I wear with short gaiters to keep out debris. For summer to mid-season on more difficult trips involving pass crossings, where route finding is likely or ankles need support and protection, I wear light boots with gaiters. In winter, or if I am likely to encounter snow or serious terrain and may need crampons and the use of an ice axe, I wear heavier boots and canvas gaiters. It is important to select the correct footwear for the season and the type of terrain and circumstances likely to be encountered. When in doubt, I…

» How has NZ adventure filmmaking progressed in the past two decades? Incredibly! From a small niche to an industry of filmmakers working and submitting films to festivals around the globe: editors, cameramen/women and sponsored athletes. Why is it important to have a film festival that showcases Kiwi adventurers? It gives filmmakers a platform to show their work, win big cash prizes, and to share their amazing work on the big screen. It inspires adventurers and armchair adventurers to get outdoors, get active, and maybe even make a film themselves. How does the film festival support the filmmaking community? We help filmmakers with feedback and advice on their projects. We have a prestigious Best NZ-made Film award with a $2500 prize, plus several more cash prizes for Kiwi filmmakers. We…

"The freedom that comes from letting go of what I feel I should be doing and listening to my body to just do enough.” – Jacqui Inder "FOR ME, IT’S COMPLETING A NEW TRACK FOR THE FIRST TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN I DO IT BY MYSELF. VERY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!" – Janine White "GOING SOLO … HAVING TO RELY ON MYSELF, DIG DEEP TO ENCOURAGE MYSELF THROUGH TOUGH BITS RATHER THAN RELYING ON SOMEONE ELSE TO ENCOURAGE ME OR MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I CAN DO IT.” – Katherine Baynton "Carrying all my own gear, sometimes with a tent and extra water, on a (for me) fairly strenuous multi-day tramp and reaching the end point without mishap!” – Diana Ward "For me, it’s a real buzz to encourage someone else to do more…

These three fun #microchallenges will help you better appreciate your surroundings and have fun on your walks. Our favourite six #microchallenge completers receive a Walk1200km badge, while the best entry for each challenge receives a prize from our partners. #microchallenge13: Upside down! Interpret as you wish. Stage it or snap something fitting that you come across. A lunchbox upended by a weka? A friend doing a handstand? A perfect reflection? Thanks to participant Diana Ward for this idea! #microchallenge13 Partner prize: A pair of feet-comforting Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks. #microchallenge14: Walk in the rain Few things are more likely to make you postpone your walk than rain. Break that cycle, take charge and head out the door next time it starts pouring – you’ll be glad you did.…

THREE- OR 2.5-LAYER Three-layer jackets have a waterproof membrane sandwiched between a durable face fabric and a lining. They tend to be more expensive, heavier and bulkier. They are also more durable, waterproof and breathable. Jackets with 2 or 2.5 layers include a face fabric and a waterproof membrane with a protective sheen or print overlay. These jackets will be lighter and more packable. Many fabrics and components used in a jacket’s construction are now made of recycled materials. CUFFS The cuff can be tightened to trap warmth and to prevent water from trickling in when arms are raised. The cuff should cover your baselayers to prevent rainwater wicking upward. Montane Phase XT $899 A climbing and mountaineering jacket with a hydrostatic head of 28,000mm. It has a helmet-compatible hood…

It can be tricky to stay motivated during a long-term goal like Walk1200km, especially if you feel you are lagging behind and not reaching weekly or monthly distance targets. Richard Beddie, CEO of Exercise NZ, says participants will do better if they ignore the end objective and focus instead on the process. “It might sound bizarre,” he says, “because isn’t the whole purpose to walk 1200km? Actually, it’s not.” He says realisations within the goal are more important: “It’s not so much about how far I walked today, but that I did walk today. So my process becomes, ‘I will walk five times a week’, rather than ‘I will walk 5km every day’.” This is referred to as being process-oriented and one of the beauties of that is agency, says…

THE KĀREAREA is an avian A-lister, and a charismatic one. It is New Zealand’s fastest flying bird and can dive at up to about 200km/h, hurtling from the sky like a feathered taiaha. In 2012, the karearea won Forest and Bird’s annual Bird of the Year poll, and, did you know that one may be in your pocket right now perched on a $20 note. This sole surviving endemic raptor is also an apex predator with attitude. If you’ve ever locked eyes with one, you’ll have felt its fearless ‘death stare’. These birds are also aggressive defenders of their chicks, ready to attack and drive off humans by diving and striking with their razor-sharp talons. One has even been seen attacking a helicopter. A farmer near Dunedin with first-hand experience…

THE TRIP TO Lake Mavis begins at Greyneys Shelter on SH73. Use the pedestrian underpass and walk north along the 4WD track to cross the Bealey River just above its confluence with the Mingha. This trip has four river crossings and a couple of decent streams. If the Bealey looks doubtful, turn back and save it for another day. Do not use the railway bridge. The track up the Mingha Valley is straightforward and begins with easy tramping along river flats and through beech forest. It crosses the river twice before a short up and over Dudley Knob, which sidles the Mingha Gorge. At each end of the sidle are magical turquoise pools, rapids and waterfalls where you may spot whio. The summit of Dudley Knob offers rewarding views towards…

Walking the length of a country requires a lot of letting go: of comfort, of control, even, possibly, of who you think you are. It all goes out the window once you start trudging through remote backcountry. But isn’t that why you’re doing it? To let go of something? Routine. Self-limiting beliefs. Boredom. Emotional baggage. Fear. That voice that says you can’t. Whatever it is, it’s been nudging you towards the long pathway so you can unburden and replace it all with a big ol’ pack. The first thing to let go of is the idea that there’s one ‘right’ way to walk Te Araroa. Speak to others who’ve done it and you’ll hear an array of experiences, opinions, recommendations and quandaries. Take them in, heed the advice, but know…

Colin Hancock from Trek & Travel in Hamilton says footwear is the biggest problem he helps Te Araroa walkers with. “The last couple of years have been wet, and many people are using trail running shoes, which aren’t designed to do what they’re doing,” he says. “By the time the hikers get to Hamilton their shoes are wrecked. But many people like the fact the shoes are lightweight and dry quickly and seem to budget for three to four pairs over the whole trail.” Julz Christy from Further Faster in Christchurch agrees: “We don’t get many issues with hiking boots as most people are wearing trail runners. When these are worn every day, the foam doesn’t have time to decompress, which can make them wear out quicker. As well, depending…

HUMMUS BAR Profile Makes: 12 bars Time: 15 min Cost: $7 Ingredients 2 cups chickpeas ¼ cup tahini ¼ cup sunflower seeds (plus extra to toast) ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (plus extra to toast) ¼ cup chia seeds Good pinch of salt Garlic clove (add more or less depending on taste) ¼– ½ cup oil METHOD Blend all ingredients together until they form a consistency similar to cookie batter (oil quantity will differ depending on whether chickpeas are from a can [less] or whether you’ve cooked them [more]). Toast a handful of sunflower and pumpkin seeds in a pan and leave to cool. Using slightly wet hands, shape the batter into bars of desired size then top with toasted seeds. You might need to push the seeds in firmly to ensure they stay. Pack in…

ALMOST 50 YEARS after it was published, a sketch of peaks visible from the Port Hills in a 1967 Christchurch Press article would send Andy Buchanan on a mission. His new book, Alpine Panorama: A view to a climb, documents his challenge to summit each of the 133 mountains depicted in the sketch. In the book, the former structural engineer and university lecturer embellishes each climb with a wealth of historic and geographic detail, along with imagery ranging from digital mapping and professional photography to his own expressive oil paintings. Most people change down a gear when they retire. What inspired you to climb Canterbury’s peaks instead? We were always a walking family, but I didn’t begin serious climbing until my middle age. About the time I retired in 2014,…