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.

A MUDDY TRAIL

Wilderness

Letter of the month

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

WALK SHORTS

Wilderness word

RACING the rising waters • An ‘easy’ weekend overnighter in Te Urewera turned into a battle of wits against a seemingly endless stream and a miserable night of camping.

DRIVING OUT THE PREDATORS • A four-wheel-drive club in Wellington is transporting predator traps to remote locations that would otherwise need to be delivered by helicopter, writes Diana Noonan

And the winner is… • Your votes and been counted, and the 2019 Wilderness Reader’s Choice Outdoor Awards have come down to the wire. But there can only be one winner in each category, so without further ado, here are this year’s winners.

SUNSET, STARLIGHT and SINISTER SPIRITS • Eager to escape the crowds, Matthew Cattin foregoes a bunk for a night walk to The Pinnacles in Coromandel Forest Park

Unlikely TRAMPERS • Growing up in a South African township, Sue Surjupersad could only dream about experiencing nature. But when she emigrated to New Zealand, she turned that dream into reality

SEE MORE… PLACES OF THE POETS • Early mountaineers, inspired by the romantic poets of the 1700s, have named numerous peaks after them.

A DEEP DIVE ONTO TARANAKI • Lake Dive Hut, Egmont National Park

REFLECTING A GIANT • Lake Surprise, Tongariro National Park

A HIDDEN LAKE ON THE ROUTEBURN • Lake Roberts, Fiordland National Park

A PLACE FOR CONTEMPLATION • Maungahuka Hut, Tararua Forest Park

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES • Nelson Lakes National Park

A TASTE OF THE TROPICS • Lake Taharoa Loop Track, Northland

BIG, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL • Lake Browning/Whakarewa, Waitaiki Historic Reserve

THE LONG PATHWAY’S HIGHLIGHT • Beuzenberg Peak, Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park

GOLDEN VIEWS • Basin View Track, Flat Top Hill Conservation Area

A LAND REBUILT • Park Walk, Whakanewha Regional Park

HERITAGE HIKE • Otatara Pā Historic Reserve, Hawke’s Bay

‘Best’ HUT in the world BECKONS • WITH NO EASY WAY TO IVORY LAKE, THE ROUTE TO THE SCENIC GEM SOUTH OF HOKITIKA CAN TAKE TOPS TRAMPERS AT LEAST THREE DAYS, OVER TWO HIGH RIDGES.

MAGIC CARPET RIDE • TWO WELLINGTON TRACKS COMBINE TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST RIDGE-TOP RIDES IN NEW ZEALAND.

A Wilderness CHRISTMAS • From stocking fillers to essential outdoor kit, the Wilderness guide to Christmas has something for every budget.

PIONEERING a new kind OF TRAIL • West Coast dual cycle and walking trails are boosting the West Coast economy but come with different fee structures, systems and rules. Does this matter and are dual-use trails even working? Kathy Ombler takes a closer look

THE TRAILS

TURN DOWN THE VOLUME • Learn how to balance scenes full of busy texture.

MINI POLENTA PIZZAS • You don’t need an oven for these delicious pizzas.

NAVIGATING in grey-out conditions • Even if the forecast is good, conditions can change very quickly. If you plan to tramp in the tops at any time of year you need to know how to navigate in whiteout or grey-out conditions.

YOU’RE IN A WHITEOUT, WHAT NOW?

North Island kōkako • The North Island kokako - has needed a helping hand in recent years to maintain its numbers.

BROKEN in • Wilderness staff and gear reviewers test their kit for you.

2020’S SPORT SANDALS • With secure straps to hold your foot in place,...