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.

SET YOURSELF the ultimate goal in 2023

Wilderness NZ

PIGEON POST

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

Popular campsite closed, rubbish service scrapped

Te Urewera hut removals on hold

Going the distance FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS

‘We can't afford to lose more wetlands’

Ōpārara Basin OPEN FOR SUMMER

WILDERNESS WORD

2023 WILDERNESS PHOTO COMPETITION • HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE 2023 WILDERNESS OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR?

Solving problems on foot • Got a nagging problem that you just can't solve? Walking can help with that.

I'm doing it for a cause! • This year Walkl200km partnered with the Mental Health Foundation and Outward Bound to help raise money for their important work. Wilderness spoke to two fundraisers to see how they are getting on.

#microchallenge winners! • Each month we set three new #microchallenges to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

Everyone has their reason • Walk1200km participants share their tips, reasons and motivations for doing the challenge.

ARE SOLO TRAMPERS THE WEIRDOS IN THE WILDERNESS? • A longtime dearth of whackos in the bush leads solo tramper Hazel Phillips to conclude that, statistically, she must be the weirdo.

15 THINGS to remember before your first tramp • Giving consideration to this 15-point checklist will help trips go smoothly so you can enjoy the trail time.

Secrets of a hut bagging family • Sonia Barrish is passionate about taking her kids into the backcountry. Five-year-old Bethany recently bagged her 150th hut, while one-year-old Jordan is likely to smash that record – he has already visited 71.

GEAR TO HELP KIDS GET OUTSIDE

SEE MORE … MOUNTAIN FOXGLOVES • Most mountain foxgloves flower from November to February, so now is the best time to get out and see them.

LIGHT IN THE SHADOWLANDS • GERTRUDE SADDLE, Fiordland National Park

BECAUSE IT ISN'T THERE • TOP WAITAHA HUT, Westland

GLACIAL GRANDEUR • The mountain passes, volleys and glacier views on THE REES-DART TRACK MAKE IT THE GREATEST of all New Zealand's tracks.

SMALLER CROWDS, BIGGER ADVENTURES • Looking for new tramping horizons? Try one of these 15 trips for size - compared to the national parks you’ll find fewer people and equally grand scenery.

A BUSHMAN TO THE CORE • MAX POLGLAZE LIVED LIFE FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY. HE CARVED TRACKS AND BUILT HUTS AND SHELTERS, ESPECIALLY IN KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK, THAT HAVE ENABLED LEGIONS OF TRAMPERS TO BETTER ENJOY THEIR DAYS.

INKED FOR NATURE • WHY DO PEOPLE TATTOO THEMSELVES WITH IMAGES OF THE OUTDOORS AND CAN DOING SO PROMOTE CONSERVATION?

WASABI NOODLE SALAD • With crunchy summer vegetables and thin noodles, this dish is great for warmer days and is also delicious served cold.

WOULD I DO THIS IF I WERE HERE ALONE? • The role heuristics play in our decision – making can lead to dangerous situations in the out doors.

WHERE TO CROSS A RIVER • How do you recognise a safe place to cross a river?

A SHORT LITTLE GUIDE TO BLISTER CARE • Tramping boots, climbing Shoes, Ski boots … any footwear can create blisters under the right conditions. Learn prevention and treatment to stop these little pains from ruining your next adventure!

Striking GOLD in THE OP SHOP • Patience and perseverance can reveal gear gold left by a would-be tramper or disillusioned tourist

What's in MY PACK • Author and tramping enthusiast Hazel Phillips

DAY PACKS • When it comes to day packs, these days we're...