Wilderness August 2017

WHEN YOU’VE DREAMT of achieving something for most of your life, how would you react if, just moments from accomplishing your long-held dream, you had to make a decision about whether or not to continue? In recent months I’ve discussed the importance of decision-making in the outdoors, and we’ve run several articles where this is a central theme. The general premise of the message is that knowing where and when to make decisions can save you a lot of pain. For instance, deciding not to carry on along the track that goes above the bushline after recent snow, or deciding to walk an hour upriver to a bridge rather than crossing at the most convenient place but where the water looks murky and is flowing quickly. But this advice has…

The disappearing icecap AFTER DISCOVERING THE latest Wilderness in the letterbox on a cold, rainy afternoon, I started browsing through it in hope of being carried away to some distant mountains. With great interest, I read Pat Barrett’s article ‘Edison Epic’ (Waypoints, July 2017). Having spent many happy days in the Hooker Range area, I was excited to discover the seldom-visited Edison River featuring in the magazine. I recognised Mt Hawkins in the photo. What a place! Mt Dechen is said to have New Zealand’s only icecap glacier. On a trip to Mt Dechen via Mathers Peak last year, I was surprised to find its summit consists of schist plates. I wonder whether it has always been like that, the top dissected by quite a distinct rib of rock, or…

Your trips, your pix What did you get up to last weekend? Get your photo published here to receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Learn more about Opinel at ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz…

Ruataniwha decision prompts law change THE GOVERNMENT IS suggesting it might change the law to override the Supreme Court ruling blocking the controversial Ruataniwha Dam project. Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry had previously allowed 22ha of Ruahine Forest Park to be exchanged for 170ha of a nearby farm. The Ruahine land, which Barry had said was of low conservation value, would then be flooded once the dam was built. Environmental group Forest & Bird successfully challenged the land-swap in the Environment Court in 2016. Barry appealed that decision earlier this year, resulting in the latest Supreme Court ruling that that land-swap was not lawful. “The Supreme Court has confirmed that our forest parks belong to the people of New Zealand and are protected by the Conservation Act,” said Forest &…

OUTDOOR HERO OF THE YEAR Crystal Brindle America’s loss, New Zealand’s gain – that’s Crystal Brindle, who’s spending much of this winter doing biodiversity work on the Heaphy Track. As a visiting US park ranger, back in 2014, Crystal fell in love with our parks and, after three summers as a DOC hut warden, she gained residency status. She’s passionate about conservation and promoting the New Zealand outdoors. She’s also a pretty mean wilderness photographer, snapping the winning entry in the 2016 FMC Photo Competition 2016. Geoff Spearpoint Geoff Spearpoint, author of Waking to the Hills, two books on huts, and editor of Moir’s Guide North, has inspired at least two generations of trampers and mountaineers. Not only does he have an unparalleled knowledge of the Southern Alps, but he…

Find a dark sky A dark sky without any light pollution is the most important requirement to see the Milky Way, let alone photograph it. For the darkest skies, you will also need to be shooting near or during a new moon. Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Great Barrier Island are all recognised Dark Sky Reserves. Locate the galactic center The time of year will affect which parts of the Milky Way you can see. The galactic core is only visible from February to October, with it being at its brightest in June and July. There are several apps to help you plan your shot of the Milky Way. Line it up Don’t forget about the foreground – it’ll make or break the photograph. For the best shots, frame the Milky…