Wilderness January 2016

OUTDOOR HEROES This past month has put me in my place. I was tasked with speaking to some of New Zealand outdoor’s greatest achievers (Outdoor Heroes, p44). Some have conquered seemingly impossible feats, others have masterminded projects that have transformed our enjoyment of the backcountry. After a minute or two of chatting to each of them I was normally resigned to the same thought – quite simply: ‘You’re just a better person than me.’ Take Nick Allen, for instance. Four years ago multiple sclerosis had limited his walking to a few steps on a flat surface – the rest of the time he was confined to a wheelchair. Yet two months ago, he climbed a 6000m Himalayan peak. Here was I; a guy of similar age but in excellent health,…

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TRICK ALTHOUGH WE HAVE walked the Round the Mountain Track in Tongariro National Park a number of times over the years, the Wilderness article, Perfect Circles (November 2015), encouraged us to do it again. On previous occasions, whether going up or down, the section of the Ohakune Mountain Road has been undertaken grudgingly and severely dented our enthusiasm for a repeat visit. But a moment of inspiration on our most recent visit – heading clockwise from Whakapapa – led us to an alternative that avoided this. Although it was a short deviation it was very enjoyable and gave us a sense of adventure that the road trip certainly wouldn’t have engendered. We turned right onto the track turn-off to Blyth Hut. From the hut, the map shows…

SEND YOUR PIX Get your photo published here to receive the Light My Fire ‘Pack-up-Cup’. This compressible 260ml cup keeps drinks warm and protected from dirt and bugs with its tight and secure lid. Just fold it out and fill it up. More details at ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria at wildernessmag.co.nz…

POWER RANGERS Around 260 DOC rangers will be given extra powers to protect wildlife from illegal smuggling, poaching or hunting, if a new bill is passed. The bill will give warranted DOC wildlife rangers new powers to prevent an offence as it happens, seize evidence and ID belonging to the suspect, and temporarily stop those they suspect are about to commit an offence. It wouldn’t give them the power to arrest – only a handful of DOC staff have the power to do this – but conservation minister Maggie Barry believes it will help staff fight poaching and smuggling: “This reform means DOC takes ownership of dealing quickly and efficiently with wildlife crime,” she said. Noel Bigwood frequently worked with rangers in his 40-plus years in the police force. He…

Re-arrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, with your name and address, by January 22 to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz, or WildernessWord, PO Box 251566, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140. All correct entries will go in the draw to win one of five Fill2Pure Extreme Filter bottles. Fill2Pure Extreme Filter Bottle 600ml $49.99 Features a 0.2 micron replaceable filter that does not expire, filter slows down to indicate when it needs replacement, purifies and filters as you drink, removes 99% of giardia, cryptosporidium, e-coli, heavy metals, pesticides, DDT and 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses. Non-leaching BPA-free squeezable plastic. www.fill2pure.co.nz…

Don’t forget your camera on your trips this summer because there are some fantastic prizes available in this year’s photo competition. The overall top prize from all categories will be a Pentax GX8 with a 12-35mm F2.8 weather sealed lens worth $2850. There will also be a prize for each of the following four categories: OUT THERE For the photos that make you go ‘wow’. These can be taken from/ of mountain or bush and can be a view to savour, can feature trampers, climbers, kayakers, bikers – anyone enjoying New Zealand’s wilderness. THE PRIZE: KEEN Durand Mid WP tramping boots HUTS AND CAMPING Celebrate the unique-ness of hut life and location, or share the perfect camping spot. THE PRIZE: The North Face Triarch 2 tent WILDLIFE Whether it’s birds,…