Wilderness July 2024

WHEN people say ‘we’ lost someone, it more often than not refers to family and friends of the person who has died. But with Shaun Barnett, ‘we’ can be said to encompass, if not all of New Zealand, certainly the entire Wilderness community. For here was a man who devoted himself to the great outdoors through his personal contribution to conservation and recreation, through the books and stories he wrote, and the photographs he took that have inspired and encouraged countless others to journey into the wilderness and discover a love for the outdoors that otherwise might not have occurred. Shaun was a singular talent. There are very good writers and very good photographers, but seldom do the twain meet. Shaun was different: he had great knowledge of all things…

WAIKAREMOANA, A UNIQUE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE A friend and I walked the Waikaremoana Track in Te Urewera recently. I have seen comments, both online and in letters to Wilderness, about the state of the walk and can only talk about what I saw. The lake and the track still have damage due to Cyclone Gabrielle, and large amounts of silt and weed at the lake edge make swimming tricky. The huts with no wardens are tidy and functional, and the two huts with wardens are immaculate. There are certainly challenges with possum and rat control. We had no problems with water taxis. The wardens we encountered were incredibly friendly, welcoming and warm. They talked about how they are building a new experience that will make Waikeremoana a Great Walk with a…

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

In June, the New Zealand backcountry community lost one of its finest authors, photographers and advocates. Many of us also lost a tramping mate, mentor and friend. This is a tribute to Shaun Barnett. And to his family, Tania, Tom, Lee and Lexi and sister Ange, who enveloped Shaun into a cocoon of love and comfort when it was most needed, and who opened their home and hearts to let so many of Shaun’s friends say goodbye. Shaun died, aged 55, about a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The way he faced that sentence, and the way he lived his entire life, set an example to all of those fortunate to have known him. His writing and images have been an integral part of Wilderness magazine for more…

There, in the distance: do you see it? A fiery red roof signals rest at last. Huts come in camo green and blood orange, grey and brown (as yet there are no rainbow ones). How is the colour chosen? DOC partnerships manager Carole Lillico said the choice of colour depends on the surrounding environment. For some huts, a bright colour that can be seen “clearly from a distance in marginal conditions” is appropriate for safety reasons. Where visibility is not a safety issue, the colour should blend in with the surroundings. In a decades-long partnership, Dulux provides DOC with paint and related products free of charge. “The support from Dulux enables DOC huts, buildings and historical assets to be restored, protected and maintained,” Lillico said. Hundreds are attended to each…

A group of volunteers is raising awareness of the network of around 60 remote high-country huts and bivouacs in central Westland that are in need of repair. And they need your help. Years of neglect has left many huts in a dilapidated state and numerous tracks unmaintained and overgrown. In 2003 the group set up remotehuts.com to profile the huts, and established the Permolat Trust, a collective that maintains backcountry structures and tracks. Trust member Andrew Buglass said Permolat provides reimbursement and support for small projects like track work. Buglass said members of Permolat had been maintaining some of the top tracks in the West Coast front country. He looks after Serpentine Hut and Lower Olderog Biv; other trust members are working on Tunnel Creek, Thomas River and Roaring Billy…