Innehållsförteckning för January/February 2025 från Wilderness

DOC manages more than 950 huts across the motu, most of them available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some require booking, however, and 15 popular serviced huts that are prone to overcrowding have recently been added to DOC’s booking system. They join about 40 others that must be booked online in advance. The additions are mostly in Nelson Lakes and Canterbury; one is in Whanganui. Ten of the huts are on Te Araroa Trail and have been added to the booking system to align with the Te Araroa Trail Pass launched this year. “Huts previously covered by the Backcountry Hut Pass continue to be covered,” said DOC visitor advice manager Lynnell Greer. DOC considers various factors when deciding to add a hut to the booking system, such as whether it…

Trail Sharing is a NZ-run platform helping Kiwis to make connections and explore the outdoors. The idea is to connect hikers, cyclists and trail runners who want to organise their own transport to one-way trails. People meet beforehand to swap vehicles and then drive to their respective trailheads. A key swap can happen on track, or else the key can be stored in a vehicle’s lockbox. Users then arrive at their own vehicle at the track’s end. Platform founder Ben Riordan said the idea formed during university tramping trips. “My friends and I spent a lot of time hiking in the Canterbury backcountry and always picked loops or there-and-back tracks to simplify our transport,” he said. “Like most people, we get an additional sense of enjoyment on trails where we…

SOME PEOPLE prefer tents to huts in order to avoid the crowds. Fair enough, but on a recent walk along the Old Ghost Road, the diversity of people in the huts added to our trip experience. Obviously there were bikers, some relishing and others challenged by this 85km, single-track mountain ride. The first were of the 60-plus set, courteous and puffing a bit when overtaking us. In Lyell Saddle Hut we spent the evening discussing community traplines we were involved with around the country. Also at Lyell Saddle were The Botanists, three knowledgeable women with a host of plant photos they would share on iNaturalist when they returned home. My companion was a botanist, and she was in her element discussing the potential rarities they’d found. A large-leafed plant beside…

Rain, hail, snow, stiff south-easterly – all forecasts agreed that Easter in the central North Island would be cold. A slothful break was tempting, but Mark had cleared his surfing calendar and declared our proposed route “one for the memory banks”. Far be it for Paul and me to let him down. Our planned route went from central Hawke’s Bay’s gentle farming country onto the main Ruahine Range. Then, following ridges and valleys, through deep forest, we’d visit Lake Colenso – the only lake in Ruahine Forest Park – and traverse Potae’s dramatic formation before making our way back onto the main range to complete a circuit. Māori had a number of routes across the range and missionary and botanist William Colenso explored our planned route in the 1840s. His…

MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 $1249 / 1540G / 2.95M² OVERVIEW AND FEATURES: MSR’s original light, versatile and livable Hubba Hubba 2 set the standard for freestanding, twin-vestibule, three-season tents. The 2025 iteration introduces major improvements: a larger floor area and roomier inner, and a redesigned aluminium pole and fly anchors. SPACE AND COMFORT: The symmetrical floor is 11cm longer and 5cm wider than the previous model and now fits wider sleeping mats, such as MSR’s new NeoLoft. This version also has a higher ceiling and steeper end panels, so it’s better for tall users. Airflow is excellent, with generous vents and a large mesh area making it comfortable in summer heat, but you’ll want a warm sleeping bag for cold autumn nights. DURABILITY: The minimal weight is impressive for…

OUTSOLE Widely spaced and deep lugs are designed to shed mud and offer grip in all conditions. A pronounced instep will provide braking on a descent. HEEL Your heel should be held firmly in place for stability and to prevent heel lift, which can cause blisters. A shock absorber minimises heel strike. MIDSOLE Most midsoles are EVA, a foam designed to handle the stress and impact of walking over uneven ground. Varying densities of EVA provide firm or soft support: soft-flex shoes offer greater rebound when moving fast. These midsoles are likely to compress over time. Some midsoles are PU (polyurethane), which is firmer and more durable than EVA. These are better when precise footholds are needed on rocky terrain, or when sidling steep slopes and climbing or scrambling. PROTECTION…

THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY WALK can be tackled in either direction but is best done counter-clockwise. It should be attempted only in dry weather and not immediately after any significant rain. From the car park, walk up the road north towards the track entrance. After 500m, climb the barrier on the left and go down a marked track to the Ohaupara Stream and follow the orange track markers along the stream’s true right bank. The stream may need to be crossed, so take care as the rocks are extremely slippery. After 400m, exit on the true right and sidle – sometimes scramble – along the slope to a small side stream. It’s then a steady climb for 250m, under an impressive bluff and overhang, to the ridge top. Follow this for…

What wildlife can readers find in Te Upoko-o-te-Ika (Greater Wellington) that they’re unlikely to see elsewhere? It’s the rich diversity of the wildlife and the ability to see it so well that stands out for me. You can see birds like tūī, kākā and New Zealand falcons flying over city parks, and I’ve watched orca and leopard seals along the waterfront. Three sites have takahē and there are three species of kiwi in the wider area. There are also incredible wildlife spectacles, such as watching rafts of little blue penguins gather before coming ashore, fur seals’ winter haul-out at Sinclair Head, and all the albatrosses off the south coast. When it comes to bringing back species from the brink of extinction, what is one of Wellington’s success stories? Many threatened…

Welcome to 2025. Another year beckons, full of days to run next to roaring rivers, beat new paths through bush, explore with eyes wide open and have awe-inspiring adventures. We’ve put together some fun tramping bucket-list ideas to get you excited. 1. Complete a tramp the same distance as your age. 2. Take your ‘I-will-never-go-tramping’ friend on an overnight trip; show them the way. 3. Go on a tramp on a different island to where you live. 4. Do one more tramp than the number you did last year. 5. Throw a birthday party in the bush and carry in a cake (at least two-tiered) and fancy dress. 6. Visit a national park or forest park you’ve never been to before. 7. Take your parents, kids or cousins to a…

What’s the secret to building tramping footwear that lasts? Materials are most important when creating durable footwear. We can design lug shapes and thicknesses and build overlays and reinforcements, but if one material fails then all that design work doesn’t matter. There’s internal and external wear and lab testing for each style so weak points can be adjusted and corrected. What are the priorities when designing a hiking shoe? Comfort – fit, essentially – and durability are non-negotiables. Every shoe must hit our standard of fit and longevity first. Different end uses necessitate unique features, but everything is built around comfort and durability. We all have different feet though – how do you ensure a comfortable fit for everyone? It’s challenging because it’s so personal. Feet have unique shapes and…

Improve your circulation and heart rate Walking increases your heart rate and blood begins to flow faster through your arteries delivering more oxygen to your muscles, which, in turn, helps arteries retain elasticity. Regular walking reduces the build-up of fatty plaque on arteries’ inner walls that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Your resting heart rate will decrease because, with less plaque and flexible arteries, your heart doesn’t need to work as hard to pump blood through your body. Just 30–60min most days of the week is all you need to do. Maintain muscular and bone strength Use it or lose it. From your mid-thirties, bones and muscles are more quickly broken down than built up. Walking can turn the tide on this process and prevent osteoporosis and…

AKU AKU is an Italian footwear company based in Montebelluna, the heart of the Italian sports footwear region. For more than 40 years it has been making footwear in its own facilities in Italy and Romania for people who live, work and spend time in the outdoors. In order to reduce its environmental impact, the brand focuses particular attention on the durability of its products. “Aku has high-quality, comfortable footwear for all walkers, no matter their experience or where their walks take them. We’re proud to support your Walk1200km goals, one step at a time.” – Hamish Pirie, Aku distributor Shop the AKU range at www.gearshop.co.nz Bridgedale Bridgedale makes premium socks that’ll keep your feet warm, comfortable and blister-free even after another huge day on the trail. Bridgedale has socks…

Mt Robert, Nelson Lakes National Park Awe-inspiring views are plentiful on this popular hike at Nelson Lakes. There are two choices to summit Mt Robert (1421m): the direct but steep Pinchgut Track, or meandering Paddy’s Track, which passes Bushline Hut (14 bunks and water supply). The complete 8.4km circuit using both tracks takes about four hours. There are no tarns on the top, but the quaint Relax Shelter, with a water tank, is just five minutes along Robert Ridge from the summit. Find a flat place to camp among the dwarf tussock and patches of scree. Far below at night, St Arnaud glimmers on the edge of Kerr Bay. Drift off to sleep listening to kea cry as the wind whispers a song through the tussock. Access 7km from St…

Lowa Randir GTX Mid $649 / 1385G (M), 1140G (W) OVERVIEW AND FEATURES: There’s a lot to like about this boot: it provides the support of a traditional leather tramping boot in a design that’s both reasonably light and versatile. The uppers combine split leather with weight-saving textiles and Gore-Tex water-proofing, while the sole has a DynaPU midsole with a grippy Vibram Cornerstone outsole. FIT AND COMFORT: I sized up a half size to allow for a thick sock. While the leather may stretch in the mid-fore-foot to allow for some give, the low-volume toe box may not suit the widest feet. It is very comfortable for this class of boot, thanks to the forgiving but sufficiently firm PU midsole and a moderate flex so they roll well off the…

Driven by the desire to share Wainui Bay’s ancient podocarp forests with future generations, a Tasman couple have built a walkway on their land there. Chris and Anna Charlton worked with Herenga ā Nuku in 2016 to transfer 90ha of rimu, rātā, mataī, miro, nīkau and a rare stand of pukatea to a Queen Elizabeth II canopy covenant. The forest is a mix of 70-year-old regeneration and 1000-year-old native forest. The area has been fenced and pest and weed control undertaken; fernbirds and robins have returned to the area, and kea and falcons are nesting. The Charltons say they are driven by the process of sharing for future generations. “For both of us, the forest and its diversity come first. It’s nice to share it with other people and encourage…

3.3km × 365 = 1200km! TAKE ON the Walk1200km challenge and discover how just 40 minutes and 3.3km a day can transform your life. Thousands of participants have already experienced the incredible benefits – becoming fitter, healthier and happier while building a daily exercise habit that’s easy to sustain. They’ve discovered the joy of walking – the friendships made and strengthened, the changing seasons, new locations – and the power of this simple activity. It strengthens your body, boosts your brain and improves overall wellbeing. Whether it’s a stroll through local streets, a wander in a neighbourhood reserve, an adventure in a national park or a mountain climb, every step contributes to your 1200km goal. Now it’s your turn to experience these benefits firsthand. The beauty of this challenge is…

Is the curious and friendly robin losing its personality because of introduced predators? ROBINS ARE a pure joy to encounter when tramping in Aotearoa. Those rotund grey birds with toothpicks for legs can make you feel special as they follow along the track, with the boldest hopping onto your boot, shoulder or hat. It’s as though they’ve chosen you as a friend. They haven’t, though. Sadly, you’re only as good as the tasty insects you stir up. But are robins losing these charms in the presence of introduced predators? Rats, possums, stoats and feral cats prey on robins’ eggs, nestlings, chicks and incubating females. Two robin populations were recently compared to determine predator impact. One population is on predator-free Motuara Island in the Marlborough Sounds. The other survives near Kaikōura…

"If you don't see kiwi, do it again." That was DOC’s advice for our 10-day adventure on Rakiura’s North West Circuit. October school holidays had begun, and Agustina and I decided to bite the bullet while our knees still allowed us to. As we wound upstream in the water taxi to Freshwater Landing, I scanned the rich wetland habitat for startled bittern, crakes, deer, or whatever else this island could offer. It was a perfectly still afternoon and our packs were bursting with supplies. We hadn’t wanted to drive, fly, shuttle and ferry to Aotearoa’s ‘third island’ for anything less than an epic. The day’s 15.5km walk to Mason Bay Hut was an easy introduction, flat and largely boardwalked. At times the boardwalk was submerged in the bog, and if…

FOLLOW THE LAND SAFETY CODE Peter Zimmer, group and volunteer support for national parks, says Land Search and Rescue embraces the Land Safety Code. “My advice is to follow that,” he says. “Plan your trip, know what you have to take and check the weather. Make sure you tell someone where you’re going, be prepared, know your limits and take sufficient supplies.” DO YOUR RESEARCH Katie Brennan, group and volunteer support for Southern Lakes, says to research the terrain. “Tracks aren’t always well formed and can be steep and exposed. Some are boggy and covered in windfall and people risk falling, getting injured, or lost. It’s easy to become fatigued and disoriented.” Brennan says some people read about routes on social media and attempt them without proper research. “Some tracks…

EMILY PEAK FORMS A striking backdrop to the much-photographed Lake Mackenzie on the Routeburn Track. It can be reached via a steep tussock climb from the Routeburn Flats side of Emily Pass, but there’s a more civilised approach from the Hollyford side. The attractive and well-marked Pass Creek Track offers a gentle ascent from Lower Hollyford Road through open beech forest, and joins the Routeburn Track near Lake Howden. From here you can see what’s to come, as Emily Peak dominates the skyline far to the north at the head of the Ailsa Mountains. From Lake Howdon, continue north on the Routeburn Track. This section of the Great Walk skirts the flanks of the Ailsa Mountains and is quickly traversed. You will need to have booked a night at Lake…

AFTER BEGINNING AT FLORA car park, at the end of a steep, unsealed road, the first 700m follows a wide 4WD track up to Flora Saddle. Shortly before the saddle, turn left onto the track to Mt Arthur Hut. It’s about an hour’s easy walk through beech forest to Mt Arthur Hut, which holds the last water supply before Salisbury Lodge. Shortly after the hut, turn left at a junction to take the Mt Arthur Route and follow blue poles. Dark grey marble slabs protrude from the grass as the route goes over a small peak and up the spur belonging to Pt1565. It’s barely pyramid-shaped from this angle, but Gordons is identifiable by a distinct ridge, visible to the right of Arthur’s summit. After 2km a second junction divides…