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.

Take the winter plunge

Wilderness

PIGEON POST

Your trips, your pix • What did you get up to last weekend?

WALKSHORTS

A CAMERA FOR EVERYONE • There’s a reason Lumix cameras are considered amongst the best you can buy.

I’m doing it! • Walk1200km participants share the reasons they are walking 1200km in 12 months.

WALK1200KM GEAR UP FOR GRABS IN JULY

Savouring a WALK • Walk1200km is a challenge but for some, it’s not about going further or fastest. Rather, it’s about the journey and taking time to smell the flowers.

What is Walk1200km?

Fire up your matches IN THE WILDERNESS • In the too-busy modern age, how does a single tramper find another single tramper? Wilderness’s agony aunt explains how to hack Tinder to find your adventure buddy-slash-life partner.

SACRED WATERS • A DOC and iwi initiative in Nelson Lakes National Park has helped protect an alpine lake from a new environmental challenge.

See more … MAUNGA NAMED AFTER WOMEN • Mens names dominate in identifying landmarks, but women are also recognised on prominent points in New Zealand’s backcountry.

MOUNTAIN HUT DAY TRIP • BREWSTER HUT, Mount Aspiring National Park

A HARD-EARNED SLEEP • Turners Bivouac, high in the Fiordland mountains, provides a dramatic view.

BOULDER BANK LIGHTHOUSE, NELSON • A wild shoreline jaunt in the company of soaring gulls to New Zealand’s second manned lighthouse.

UPPER MANGATĀWHIRI RESERVOIR LOOP, HUNUA RANGES REGIONAL PARK • Aucklanders may think of the Hunua Ranges as a poor cousin to the better known Waitākere Ranges, but there are some excellent scenic walks to discover – minus the crowds.

CASEY HUT, ARTHUR’S PASS NATIONAL PARK • Visit the newly rebuilt Casey Hut on a terrace above Poulter River for an overnight tramp near Arthur’s Pass.

KAURITATAHI HUT, KAIMAI MAMAKU CONSERVATION PARK • Sitting atop a ridge at 770m, Kauritatahi Hut is one of the less-visited huts in the Kaimai Range.

LORN PEAK, THE REMARKABLES CONSERVATION AREA • A short but steep walk near Queenstown leading to panoramic views of the Eyre Mountains, Nevis Valley and the Garvie Range.

SOUTHERN WALKWAY, WELLINGTON • Panoramic views, beautiful parks and heritage landmarks can be found on this impressive walk in the capital city.

A FOREST TRAIL LIKE NO OTHER • WALKING WHIRINAKI’S TE PUA-A-TĀNE CIRCUIT PROVIDES CHALLENGE, RUSTIC HUTS AND THE NORTH ISLAND’S LARGEST FOREST WITH OLD AND MASSIVE TREES.

THE CRUSTY COULOIR • FOR TRAMPERS WISHING TO UP THEIR WINTER GAME AND STAND ON A 2000M SUMMIT, MT CUPOLA IS AN IDEAL PEAK TO FLEX YOUR CRAMPONS ON.

WILD FILE

THE SEASON FOR ADVENTURE • The conditions are stable and the views are heart-stopping. Guides, climbers, trampers and hut baggers share their experiences and of fer advice for winter adventure.

The lady and the trap • AROUND THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, WOMEN ARE LEADING CONSERVATION GROUPS TO RESTORE NATIVE WILDLIFE.

TRAILS and ALES • With a shift to selling beer in cans decorated with outdoor-themed artwork, Kiwi breweries are targeting the post-trip celebratory drink market.

THE RULES OF THE POST-TRAIL BEER

TEN KIWI BEERS TO TRY AFTER A DAY ON THE TRAILS

EXERCISES TO ALLEVIATE KNEE PAIN • A short lesson on why tramper’s knees can be painful and exercises to alleviate that pain.

SWEET OR SAVOURY POPCORN • Popcorn makes a great tramping snack because it’s super quick and easy to make.

A SHORT LITTLE GUIDE TO SNOW SHELTERS

HOW AND WHEN TO USE A MAP • A map is a...