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.

The year of seeing more

Wilderness

PIGEON POST

WILD CUISINE MEALS INSPIRE HUT-ENVY

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

HELP WANTED TO FIND MISSING PLANE

POPULAR HOT SPRINGS UPGRADED

NZ MOUNTAIN FILM FEST INVESTS IN KIWI FILMMAKERS

Caroline Hut turns 30

INFINITE GALAXIES • Time spent outside helps you understand where you stand in the grand scheme of things, writes Dougal Rillstone

2021 Wilderness PHOTO COMPETITION • Have you got what it takes to be the Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year? Entries are now open and you’ve got until March 4, 2021, to submit your best images.

NEW ZEALAND VS AUSTRALIA • FORGET THE RUGBY, AND THE CRICKET, THE REAL TEST IS BETWEEN WHICH COUNTRY WINS THE BATTLE OF THE TRAMPS. EX-PAT KIWI RICKY FRENCH, WITH ADMIRABLE LACK OF BIAS, WEIGHS THE PROS AND CONS OF TRAMPING IN EACH COUNTRY.

JUDGE’S DECISION

A PERFECT DAY AMONGST THE ALPS • Alpine enthusiast and one-time Aoraki/Mt Cook Village resident Hazel Phillips leads a whirlwind tour of the ultimate day among the high Alps

WANT TO DO LESS?

See more ... Mountain astelia • A plant that provides foreground interest for landscape photographers.

OFF TRACK ON OPEN TOPS • Woolshed Creek Hut via Mt Somers, Hakatere Conservation Park

COLENSO CAME THIS WAY • Te Atua Mahuru, Ruahine Forest Park

Adventure across the Aisla • Steele Creek Hut via Aisla Mountains, Caples and Greenstone conservation areas

Panoramic views over Kahurangi • Mt Gibbs, Kahurangi National Park

WELLINGTON FROM THE SKYLINE • The Skyline Walkway, Wellington

SUMMITING THE MOUNTAIN OF LOVE • Te Aroha Track, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park

TAKING the HIGH ROAD • Pat Barrett takes an alternative route over the Brabazon Range to reach a hut that has grown popular with hikers on the Te Araroa Trail

Coromandel’s COASTING CONNECTION • At the northernmost tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, an excellent mountain bike track connects two superb coastal campgrounds.

Back on the Milford • WILDERNESS WALKS THE LEGENDARY MILFORD TRACK DAYS AFTER IT REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC.

The SEVENTEENERS • Peak-bagging the North Island’s 10 highest non-volcanic mountains.

REACHING THE MASSES • Wilderness joins the Mountain Safety Council on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail to film a tramping safety video.

CONFIRMING YOUR LOCATION WITH A MAP • It’s easy to follow a track and pay scant attention to navigation, but doing so runs the risk of inadvertently losing the track or taking a wrong turn, writes Heather Grady.

Left over lentil salad • This quick, easy salad is filling and fresh, and works well as a pre-packed lunch or dinner on your first day on the trail.

STICK TO IT • Learning basic knee taping techniques can get you out of a sore spot.

SPOTTED SHAG • This bird’s European name comes from the delicate black spots on its feathers.

DAYPACKS • Two lightweight daypacks, designed for speed and comfort in the backcountry.

WHAT’S IN MY PACK • Mountain bike photographer and writer Dave Mitchell has been refining his pack and contents as technology, bikes and gear have evolved in a headlong race towards perfection. Here’s what he currently packs.

2021’S WATER FILTERS AND PURIFIERS • A water filter or purifier offers peace of mind and guaranteed safe drinking water at a hut, alpine tarn or stream.

2021’S GUIDE TO KNIVES AND MULTITOOLS • A knife is a versatile tool that should be carried...