Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

EDITORIAL

Wilderness

LETTER of THE MONTH

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

MAHI AROHA BACK FOR 2024

FIVE IDEAS FOR A MICHELIN-STAR MEAL: HUT EDITION • The good ol’ one-bag freeze-dried meal is a tramping food staple, especially for multi-day tramps. But, here's some delicious meal ideas for the first night before many others.

26KM OF MATEMATEAONGA TRACK RE-CUT

Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park updates

MARRIAGE PROPOSALS ARE BEST DONE OUTSIDE • When choosing a proposal location, marriage planners recommend picking a location that is relatable to your partner's personality and lifestyle. Luckily for trampers, Aotearoa's stunning outdoors provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable proposal. If the New Year has you thinking 2024 is the time to take your relationship to another level, let these tramping twosomes inspire you.

The best advice… • … is that which you wish you could have given to yourself. Here's what some of last year's Walk1200km participants wish they'd known before starting.

WALKERS MAKE THE BEST PARTNERS • Walk1200km led this couple to the greatest walk of their lives – down the aisle!

Meet the partners: SAMSUNG

Challenge YOUR CHALLENGE • Walk1200km is your walk – it's individual, bespoke, unique, and you can make it what you want. Here are some ideas for walking with a purpose.

JANUARY 2024 #MICROCHALLENGES

New Zealand's unique spiky carrots • Trampers love to hate speargrass, but there's more to these spiky plants than meets the eye.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOB • Living and working at Outward Bound in Anakiwa is a chance to embrace nature and kaupapa Māori.

See more … scientific reserves • Scientific reserves are protected for their geological, biological or ecological significance.

A SERENE ESCAPE • OTUIHAU WHANGĀREI FALLS, WHANGĀREI

THROUGH THE LENS • Thinking of entering the 2024 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition? Three award-winning photographers talk about their work and share tips on how to take a great photo in each of the competition's categories: huts and camping, wildlife, and out there.

GRIPPING THE BANNISTER • The famed Bannister Crossing involves steep ascents, slippery descents and harrowing traverses above incised gorges and along narrow ridges. Which is to say, it's the perfect adventure tramp.

THE BEST TRIPS ON THE BEST MAPS

BB33 – HUNUA • A backcountry trip close to Auckland.

BD36 – LOWER KAIMAI • A popular circuit and a lovely new hut in the Bay of Plenty.

BE33 – PIRONGIA • Waikato's highest peak is a great overnight destination.

BJ34 – MOUNT RUAPEHU • A family-friendly trip to a grand sunset viewing location on Mt Ruapehu.

BJ29TARANAKI • A day trip, an overnighter, or a series of shorter trips.

BL36 – NORSEWOOD • The highest hut in the Ruahine Range.

BP33 – FEATHERSTON • A Tararua link-the-valleys track especially suitable for family groups and novice trampers.

BQ26 NELSON • A track with wilderness, tramlines and ancient Mãori trails.

BP24 – TASMAN • A tour of Kahurangi's seven Diamond Lakes.

BS24 MT ROBERT • This well-known circuit is a highlight of Nelson Lakes National Park.

BV20 – OTIRA • A remote, high, moderately difficult trampers’ peak in Arthur's Pass National Park.

BX15 FOX GLACIER • The Karangarua–Douglas Circuit is an exposed and exhilarating route for experienced trampers.

CA11 – ASPIRING FLATS • A rock bivouac provides a unique night in the...