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 fruits of lockdown

Wilderness NZ

Letter of the month

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

COAL-HEATING IN HUTS TO BE CEASED

NEW DOC LAND CREATED IN MACKENZIE COUNTRY

DOC DIRECTOR-GENERAL RESIGNS

GREAT WALKS COULD TURN A PROFIT AFTER PRICE HIKE

NEW DOC HUT FOR EAST OTAGO

METSERVICE WEATHER HAZARDS HELP WITH TRIP PLANNING • MetService has introduced a weather hazards feature to its mountain and parks forecasts so outdoor users can better plan their trips. Wilderness discusses the changes with Melanie Graham.

WHAT ARE THE WEATHER HAZARDS AND THEIR THRESHOLDS?

SEIZING THE DAY • After seven decades of tramping, Val Latimer still has plans for more.

HOLDING ON TO TRAIL LIFE • What’s it like to walk Te Araroa Trail with your three kids, one of whom is only five years old? Deanna Gerlach shares her experiences from the ultimate family adventure

THROUGH OF THE THE ALPS HEART • Two Arrowtown residents have traversed glaciers, forded rivers and descended Weetbix-like cliff faces in a 273km mountain traverse from Arthur’s Pass to Aoraki/Mt Cook.

A ‘real journey’ Driven towards species protection • A future where Rakiura is predator-free and kākāpō boom in southern Fiordland is not just a pipe dream, it’s the vision that drives Te Anau’s Paul Norris.

CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS A FIORDLAND FEATURE

See more ... COPPERMINES • Walk these four trails for their mining history and stay for the magnificent scenery.

WAY UP ON WAKEFIELD • Wakefield Ridge, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

10 UNFORGETTABLE TRIPS • NEW TO TRAMPING AND WANT FRESH IDEAS? DONE THE GREAT WALKS AND LOOKING FOR THE NEXT LEVEL? SHAUN BARNETT SUGGESTS 10 TRIPS TO PROGRESS YOUR TRAMPING CAREER.

PINNACLE BIVOUAC, West Coast • High bivvies are always located in dramatic country and Pinnacle Biv is no exception as it sits near the edge of a precipice into the Kokatahi Valley in Westland and commands a superb view.

WILD FILE

HIHIKIWI TRACK, PIRONGIA FOREST PARK • The Hihikiwi Track is a bite-sized section of Te Araroa Trail in Waikato’s Pirongia Forest Park. It leads to a dramatic lookout and the 20-bunk Pahautea Hut.

WILD FILE

MT BARROSA SUMMIT TRACK, HAKATERE CONSERVATION PARK • Nestled into the golden hills of Hakatere Conservation Park, Mt Barrosa offers a steady climb and rewarding views for trampers who want to make it home by dinnertime.

SHORTS AND KNIGHTS TRACKS, Ruahine Forest Park • These two tracks combine to lead trampers on a beautiful full-day hike up and along the Ngamoko Range. It’s a challenging walk offering some of the best views of the Ruahine Range.

WILD FILE

LAKE MARIAN, FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK • Located in a hanging valley in the Darran Mountains, Lake Marian is one of New Zealand’s must-visit hiking destinations. It can get incredibly busy there in summer but during the winter months, it’s possible to have the entire track to yourself.

LOWER TAMA LOOP, Tongariro National Park • A circuit around Lower Tama Lake gives the Tongariro Alpine Crossing a run for its money, and you’ll barely see a soul.

A Grave ADVENTURE • INSPIRED BY FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF FIORDLAND’S EARLY EXPLORERS, TARSH TURNER SETS OUT TO CROSS MARSHALL PASS, A JOURNEY THAT PROVED TO BE AS REWARDING AS IT WAS CHALLENGING

WILD FILE

WELLINGTON from ON HIGH • THE PUKE ARIKI TRACK IS AN END-TO-END WALK OR RIDE OF WELLINGTON’S VAST BELMONT...