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.

Join me and take up the Walk1200km challenge

Wilderness NZ

PIGEON POST

TRAVELLING WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES

HUNTER'S GEAR

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

Tramping club to mark 100 years with 100 trips

WILDERNESS WORD

Walk1200km in 12 months • Walk 1200km is back, and it's going to be better and more fun than ever before. The goal is simple: walk as far as you can in 12 months – whether that be 500km, 1200km or more.

We've done it; you can too! • The Walk1200km community is a great source of advice, encouragement and inspiration. Here, members share what they've learned on their way to walking 1200km and what they love about the challenge.

The amazing benefits of walking 1200km • With benefits like these, you'll wonder why you didn't start Walk1200km sooner.

Why you should Walk1200km • If the health benefits of walking 1200km aren't enough, try these reasons on for size.

Success is within YOUR GRASP • Here's how some Walk1200km participants have racked up their kilometres over the past year.

Do it for a cause • Many Walk1200km participants have raised money for charitable foundations while clocking up their kilometres. That prompted Wilderness to partner with two charities that the magazine – and hopefully many Walk1200km participants – will support this year.

Meet our partners • Meet the brands joining you on your 1200km journey. They are as enthusiastic about the challenge as you, and are hand-picked to help enhance your walking and ensure you reach your goals,

FROM GORGE RIVER TO THE WORLD • Chris Long has left Gorge River, but his remote upbringing has shaped his life and helped him become a gifted storyteller.

MY SECRET TRAMPING SHAME • Everyone has them, surely: dirty little secrets about their personal tramping habits.

SAVING THE ORCHIDS • NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH TO SAVE RARE NATIVE ORCHIDS IS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN A TINY SCIENCE LAB AT ŌTARI-WILTON'S BUSH IN WELLINGTON.

SEE MORE … HOPE • Setting off on a tramp, we're often hopeful: about the weather, about the sights we'll see and the experiences awaiting.

HIGH ABOVE WESTPORT • BUCKLAND PEAKS, Paparoa National Park

Speargrass Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park • A tramp through peaceful beech forest to a backcountry hut that is a good family destination, or an alternative to Angelus Hut when the weather has turned for the worse.

Black Peak, Glenorchy • Black Peak is a stunning spot. Nestled in the Richardson Mountains in scheelite mining country, the summit boasts 360-degree views.

East Hawdon Bivouac, Arthur's Pass National Park • Follow a sparkling stream to discover a bivouac tucked into the trees.

North Piha Loop, Waitākere Ranges Regional Park • Walk in Sir Edmund Hillary's footsteps on a circuit that offers views to rival those on the popular Ōmanawanui and Te Henga Tracks.

Longview Hut, Ruahine Forest Park • An overnight tramp to an accessible hut on the Ruahine tops.

SIBERIAN HEATWAVE • An unseasonably hot trip along a route linking the Wilkin, Siberia and Young valleys in Mt Aspiring National Park.

SOUTHLAND DUO • WITH EASY TRACKS AND SPLENDID MOUNTAIN AND LAKE VIEWS, THESE TWO SOUTHLAND CONSERVATION PARKS PROVIDE A DELIGHTFUL AREA IN WHICH TO SPEND A FEW DAYS RIDING.

THE MYSTERY OF MISS DOROTHY MCHAFFIE • ON THE TRAIL OF A CHRISTCHURCH WOMAN WHO DISAPPEARED IN 1929 – IN CIRCUMSTANCES SHROUDED WITH MYSTERY AS THICK AS THE ARTHUR'S PASS MISTS THEMSELVES – ONE WRITER CONSIDERS HER OWN MORTALITY.

School's out...