Innehållsförteckning för September 2016 från Wilderness

A group of Kiwis have conquered a fabled European climb known as Troll Finger in the Faroe Islands of Denmark. Jack Grinsted, Dave McKinney and Jase Blair became the first to successfully climb Trøllkonufingur, a behemoth of basalt rock jutting 313m above the North Atlantic Sea like an ogre’s digit. The trio were on the finger’s wall for five days, and were completely self-sufficient with food, water and equipment to get them through the ascent. Their successful climb at the end of July was the continuation of a previous effort, when they established the first two pitches but had to return due to inclement weather. The men used a combination of free climbing (using equipment only for security in case of a fall) and aid climbing (using equipment to advance…

The Inland Pack Track, Paparoa National Park’s only multi-day tramping track, has re-opened to surprise, more than two years after it was closed when Cyclone Ita lashed the West Coast. Department of Conservation workers used explosives and chainsaws to clear a path through nearly 400 downed beech trees, reopening the closed portion of the track between Fox River and Bullock Creek. The move has surprised trampers and tourism providers on the West Coast, as DOC said the track was not used enough to direct resources toward fixing it, which would cost $62,000. The draft Paparoa National Park management plan had scheduled it to reopen by 2019. Greymouth Star reporter Laura Mills has described the track turning into ‘a political football’ after West Coast-based list MP and Green Party conservation spokesman…

Yes, it’s true: a ladder (of sorts) does lead to one of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes. But don’t be deceived; while ‘Ladder’ implies a set of steep orderly steps, Talbot’s Ladder is considerably more challenging in winter conditions. It took three attempts before I finally made it up and over Talbot’s Ladder in winter. This is a place demanding respect. It’s very steep, very exposed, and very cold. On the upside, subject to weather and snow conditions, access is easy. Just drive the fabulously scenic Milford Road to Homer Hut, then it’s a relatively short climb, first to Homer Saddle then up about 300 vertical metres on Talbot’s Ladder, which gives access to a much wider, more gradual snow ridge leading to the summit of Mt McPherson (1931m).…

Angelus Hut has long been on my hut bucket list. A friend told me it was the highlight of Nelson Lakes National Park and he wasn’t wrong. And seeing that in recent winters I’d done a snowcraft course and honed my crampon and ice axe skills, I wanted to get up there in winter conditions. So in early June I packed up my sharps along with five days’ worth of food, and with a week of perfectly clear weather in the forecast, I made for Angelus. There’s a handful of different ways to get there. The most common in summer is along Robert Ridge, a route that zigzags up from the Mt Robert car park and runs along a ridge that is broad at first and later narrows to almost…

Without the high passes, open tops and roaring rivers found in other parts of the country, Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park may not be the most daunting area to tramp, but there are enough challenges to keep it interesting. This four-day tramp is limited to the northern end of the park, overnighting at Te Rereatukahia, Waitawheta and Daly’s Clearing huts. We started the tramp on Tuahu Track, which has a long history, being used by Maori, missionaries and miners and which was converted to a bridle track in the 1890s. The area was seriously logged from the late 1800s through to about 1970, and the often rugged terrain meant a combination of extraction methods including tramways. These historic access ways are now being used as tramping tracks. Tuahu Track has been formed…

1Start in a lunge with your right leg forward. Turn your left heel in and down to the ground so your foot is turning out at about a 45-degree angle. 2Your front right toes should be forward and the front foot in line with the arch or heel of the back foot. 3 Lift your chest up and reach your right arm forward and left arm back. 4Bring your back hand to your back thigh. 5Reach up to the sky with your right hand. Then reach back slightly with your right hand and tip slightly back. 6Press down with your left hand to support you, and press your back left thigh up into your hand. 7Looking up will challenge your balance. Hold the pose for a few breaths. Bring your…

UPPER Most often made from super light synthetic materials and featuring mesh panels or a breathable lining so feet don’t get too hot. MIDSOLE This cushions the foot on landing and often involves terms like ‘minimalist’ and ‘maximalist’. A minimalist shoe will have barely any padding underfoot, giving runners tactile information about the terrain they are on. A maximalist shoe provides a soft ride and is the preferred choice for runners taking on longer distances. FIT Look for comfort straight out of the box. Some shoes will stretch and soften once they are broken in, but a shoe that is too small, too big, or is uncomfortable to start with will stay that way and could cause blisters or injury. A good fit is also vital to keep your foot…

Thick leather uppers with few seams offer support and structural integrity. They may require extra wear-in time, but when cared for properly, the leather will mould to the foot for years of comfort and performance – often outlasting the sole. A lighter grade of leather is used around the ankle to reduce pressure on the Achilles tendon. TONGUE Gusseted tongues (also known as bellows tongue) prevent water and debris from entering. Once tightened, the gussets and tongue should fold together to rest comfortably against the shin. A lacing stud on the tongue keeps it in position. TOE BOX This should be stiff enough to protect toes from falling rocks. Allow a thumb-width space between the end of the boot and the longest toe. LACING Durable metal eyelets and lugs are…

The Ministry of Primary Industries has released aerial drone images of trees in Waipoua Forest displaying signs of kauri dieback disease. Jay Harkness, the communications spokesperson from MPI, said the aerial drone images are helpful to show the public the real effects of infection. “There’s all sorts of obstacles to people seeing the trees,” he said. “They might be on private property, or they might be in the middle of nowhere. An infected tree can look okay from the ground but when you get above it, it’s pretty obvious. “The photos show what the upper North Island's forests could one day look like, if we don't all clean our footwear and equipment before entering and before leaving areas with kauri, and stick to the tracks."…

Five years ago, Nick Allen was in a wheelchair with limited mobility. Now, he’s climbing peaks in the Himalayas and redefining what it means to live with multiple sclerosis. Wilderness caught up with Allen, one of our Outdoor Heroes profiled in January 2016, to hear about his upcoming book, To the Summit, and how his story is serving as an inspiration to others who live with MS. Q: WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT? A: It’s about my journey with MS; when problems started, getting diagnosed, and then getting better. The book is framed in my trip to India and Nepal last year, where I climbed two 6000m peaks. Q: WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE CLIMBING IN THE HIMALAYAS? A: The first peak I climbed, I was really focused on…

With the arrival of spring and summer fast approaching, it’s a good idea to start planning your holiday tramping. Why not head for a sublime saddle? Somewhere with expansive views, maybe a tarn or two, and the possibility of a new valley on the morrow. ‘Saddle’ is a good, descriptive name for a low point on a ridge, with the mountains sloping up on either side like pommels. ‘Col’ and ‘pass’ are other names commonly used in New Zealand for a low point on a ridge. Saddle is the most common name of the three, with several hundred in New Zealand. There are approximately 200 different passes but only 121 cols. Although no real consistency applies to which name gets used, I’ve always thought some sort of crude hierarchy exists:…

MARK WATSON COMBINES THE OLD GHOST ROAD WITH AN OLD SCHOOL CLASSIC FOR A 173KM LOOP TAKING IN THE BEST OF WEST COAST MOUNTAIN BIKING With a bowl of muesli in one hand and the other sweeping sandflies from my field of view, I survey the terraces and rolling green grass, encroached by scrub that surrounds us. I try to imagine Lyell: the town of more than 2000 people that was once here and the services that might have lined the streets: the hotels, banks, post office, ironmongers, grocers and stables. I can see the mud, the puddles, men stooped under loads and women in billowy skirts. Coal smoke weighs the air. I can hear horses and carts, mechanical clanking and the sound of wood splitting. The sounds of the…

There are many ways to get to McGregor Bivouac, a nice stopping point on a number of different accessible routes in the Tararuas and which also provides some great tops-travel and panoramic views. Depending on the weather, a nice loop-trip that includes the biv starts from Holdsworth Lodge, climbing to Jumbo (1405m) and carrying on over Angle Kob and dropping down to the bivouac. The loop continues past the Broken Axe Pinnacles and Baldy, before dropping down to Atiwhakatu Stream and walking out. The weather does need to be quite good to do this, as the tops are exposed and Broken Axe Pinnacles is challenging. On our trip, the weather was variable, so we took a slightly less adventurous route. From Holdsworth Lodge at the end of Mt Holdsworth Road…

PROFILE Makes 10 Prep time 15min Cost $8- $10 INGREDIENTS 10 dried figs (soft eating variety) 1/3 cup almond butter ¼ cup dark chocolate ¼ cup coconut threads METHOD Using a small sharp knife, make slits in the sides of the figs and push a teaspoon into them to open up a space inside. Melt chocolate in a small bowl and set aside. Stuff the figs with about a ½-1tsp of the almond butter, then dip the opened part of the fig in the melted chocolate. Sprinkle the chocolate with coconut threads and place on a lined tray. Repeat until all the figs are done. Transfer to freezer for 5min to set. Store in an airtight container.…

HEEL A heel counter supports and stabilises the foot, preventing it lifting - essential when moving over uneven terrain. A shock absorber will reduce heel strike. UPPER Most hiking shoes are made from a combination of leather and synthetic material, which makes them light and relatively cheap. Full leather shoes are likely to cost more, but, because they have minimal stitching, should last longer. EYELETS AND LACES Fabric eyelets are common, with some metal or hard plastic eyelets used on those shoes intended for demanding uses. FIT AND WIDTH The toe box should have a thumb-width of space in front of the longest toe. The overall fit should be snug – not tight – across the arch and forefoot. TOE BOX A rubber bumper protects toes from knocks and the…

UPPERS Some boots have one-piece leather uppers but there are also multi-panel synthetic/leather options which work just as well. Consider the thickness of the upper – it should be at least 2mm but ideally closer to 3mm. FIT Cold and constricted toes can lead to frostnip so ensure decent wiggle room, while still ensuring a snug heel. Be aware of any pressure points when trying the boot on as these will not go away with use. CRAMPON COMPATIBILITY A good quality winter boot allows for a heel-clip/ toe-strap crampon. If the boot flexes lengthways or sideways, a flexible crampon with straps front and back should be used. Technical boots sometimes have a welt at the front for crampons with front and back clips. STIFFNESS The shank is commonly made from…

High in the Tararua Forest Park, there’s a track that for many Wellingtonians is the crown jewel of local tramps. It’s the Schormann to Kaitoke (S-K) traverse, spanning the length of the range at about 80km. But for some, just tramping the S-K isn’t enough. There’s a group that’s taking on the track in record times, and a short list of individuals who have bagged it in less than 24 hours. Wellington tramper and trail runner Chris Martin set up the Tararua FKT (Fastest Known Time) website several years ago to help organise trampers-turned-runners who craved the challenge. He’s enthusiastic about getting people out to sample the trails, and is a self-proclaimed ringleader among his adventure pals. He also started a group in Wellington called the Big Sunday Run, which…

It was a familiar Tararua scene. Three of us in a shrunken world; a world reduced to mist, tussock and the bullying wind. We were attempting a crossing of Bannister, which has the reputation of being among the most arduous of all the Tararua’s many ridges. Three trampers, lurking in the mist, lugging lumpy packs and lurching at strange angles to counter the erratic gusts. Nothing out of the ordinary, except, what was that strapped to the side of Heather Rhodes’s pack? A pair of green crutches. Crutches? In 2013, Heather fell 300m while climbing in the Arrowsmith Range. It’s been three long years of remarkable recovery (see Wilderness, April 2015). Her re-entry into the alpine world began with tramping and after hearing of my planned Bannister Crossing, she was…

KEA ARE CHEEKY. They break into your car, nibble away at your tires, and rip the rubber seals from car door frames. Leave your backpack in a vulnerable spot, and it’ll become a new toy to shred to pieces. The beloved yet brazen alpine parrot may seem to be in abundance – found dancing atop nearly every parked car in many South Island recreation areas – but in reality, kea numbers are decreasing. Kea, or Nestor notabilis, is endemic to the Southern Alps of New Zealand and is the world’s only mountain parrot. There are less than 5000 keas left in the wild – they were added to the Department of Conservation’s Nationally Threatened Species list in 2012. The alpine bird has always had a habit of irking its human…

Surly Ogre $2749 Designed for exploration, commuting, trailer-pulling, on- and off-road touring. www.surlybikes.com Trail Boss Tyre from $129.95 Available in 2.25 and 2.4, the Trail Boss delivers fast rolling performance and grip on a variety of trail surfaces. www.wtb.com Revelate Designs Seat Bag $219-$229. Lightweight seat bags available as a 6-14-litre Viscacha, or 6-12-litre Pika. www.cyclewerks.co.nz Revelate Designs Sweetroll $169.90 Stand-alone bikepacking handlebar bag. Waterproof with dual roll down closures, and optional add-on front pockets. www.cyclewerks.co.nz Surly Straggler $2749 A road bike, day tripper, weekender, light tourer and commuter. www.surlybikes.com Overnight bike and tramping trips are similar: the same self reliance and safety principles apply and weight should be kept to a minimum; the bike bears the weight, but you still have to pedal it uphill. Here are two possible…

A compact, rugged tract of mountain country, the Diedrichs Range stands between the deep canyon of the Toaroha Valley and the West Coast plain and the mighty Hokitika catchment to the south. The range offers difficult terrain, with huge height gains from valley floor to ridge crest, and is beset by sub-tropical rain forest and regular deluges from off the Tasman Sea. There are several good valley tracks around the foot of the range and several high tracks that penetrate the upper basins and ridge crests above the bushline, making round trips achievable in good conditions. Several excellent huts are also scattered along the range. 1 Toaroha River This is the major catchment along the range’s eastern flank. It has a good track running the full length of the valley…

Research your planned route: Using maps and online guides, find out if your tramp will take you into snow, and if so, find out where you might encounter steeper slopes. Check the weather: Rain, snow and wind can make a snowfield a dangerous place, especially if it causes limited visibility. Clear, cold weather can create an icy top layer first thing in the morning. Snow will usually soften throughout the day, meaning it could be a less treacherous crossing if you wait until later. However, if the snow gets too wet and soft, it can pose an avalanche risk on sloping snowfields. Check the snow conditions: Check for avalanche warnings on your route at www.avalanche.net.nz. Bring appropriate equipment: Pack your ice axe and crampons when you think you’ll be encountering…

One of our all time favourites, this is a lightweight, easy-to-cook meal with loads of flavour. It’s ideal for those multi-day tramps or camping adventures, and mark my word, you will love this one. We use one of those very versatile 100g tuna pouches (available in a variety of flavours from the supermarket) and combine it with quick cook macaroni, raisins, pine nuts and caramelised onions. Tuna and raisins sound like an unusual combination but they really do work well together, making this an ideal fast-and-easy lunch option or double the quantities for a good-sized evening meal. PROFILE Serves 4 Weight Less than 400g INGREDIENTS 2 cups quickcook macaroni ½ cup caramelised onions ½ cup sweet raisins ¼ cup pine nuts 100g pouch of tuna 1 sachet chicken stock Dried…

UPPER Either entirely leather or a combination of leather or suede and synthetic panels, three-season uppers are soft and supple. Leather uppers will be longer lasting – often outliving the sole. The material should handle abrasion from rocks and other trail obstacles. ANKLE CUFF Boot height is typically to just above the ankle, reducing the chance of water and trail debris entering the boot. Higher cuffs offer ankle support and should be softened for comfort at the top. MIDSOLE Three-season boots are designed to flex easily and come with an EVA midsole with a medial post to prevent twisting. The shank will not be very stiff nor run the full length of the boot. OUTSOLE Sticky rubber compounds with lugs deep enough to bite into soft ground without clogging offer…