February 2023

Wilderness

New Zealand’s magazine of the outdoors

Wilderness1 min read
Wilderness NZ
EDITOR Alistair Hall alistair@lifestylepublishing.co.nz CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Ricky French, Kathy Ombler GEAR EDITOR Mark Watson ROVING EDITOR Shaun Barnett COPY EDITORS David Hall, Imogen Coxhead WALKSHORTS AND WALK1200KM Aaron van Delden NEWSLETTER
Wilderness3 min read
Pigeon Post
I can relate to ‘What's a good night's sleep worth’ (December 2022). Without decent sleep, I become irritable at best and at risk of poor decision-making at worst. After years of wrangling the night away with clothes in a stuff sack and, later, air p
Wilderness2 min read
Search Dogs
IF YOU DON'T own a dog, you might just want one after reading about the incredible abilities of search dogs featured in the story ‘On the scent of the lost and missing’ (see p48). If you are lost and without a PLB, your next best hope is one of the 2
Wilderness1 min read
Your Trips, Your Pix
Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $17. Learn more about Real Meals at www.realmeals.co.nz.
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NEW BRIDGE To Improve Taranaki Ski Field Access
A 100M-LONG suspension bridge is being built across Manganui Gorge this year as part of the multimillion-dollar Taranaki Crossing project. DOC called for tenders for the bridge build late last year but just how much it will cost is unclear. A spokesp
Wilderness4 min read
Walkshorts
FOUR FRIENDS have raised thousands for Big Brothers Big Sisters Auckland with a New Zealand-style climbing challenge. The climbers were inspired by mountaineer Nirmal Purja's 14 Peaks project and Jack Keeys, his brother Cameron, Jack's partner Hannah
Wilderness1 min read
Wilderness Word
1. Tree like kahikatea or rimu (7) 5._map - detailed resource to guide you on tramp (4) 8. Small mountain lakes (5) 9. Te Paki_Track scenic walk in Northland (7) 10. Crampons are needed for this on mountain (3) 11. What gently uneven terrain does (9)
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2023 Wilderness Photo Competition
You have until March 3, 2023, to submit your best images. Follow these tips to give yourself the best shot at winning: *Multiple images may be submitted, but you should only include one image per email entry. *Don't send dozens of variations of the s
Wilderness2 min read
I'm Doing It!
Nick Ryan wants to walk more than 1550km over the next 12 months. AUDIOBOOKS ARE HELPING Nick Ryan go the distance with Walk1200km. Nick had just started a walking fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House when the country went into lockdown and he was re
Wilderness2 min read
Backcountry Barista
BEING IN the bush doesn't mean you can't have a great cup of coffee. Here are four brew methods to class up your coffee game on your next trip. Buying ground coffee at the store or grinding at home is the easiest. However, freshly ground coffee yield
Wilderness2 min read
The Joy Of Walking
“This challenge is more than just trying to walk 1200km in 12 months. It's about creating a new routine and building new habits to improve your life in so many positive ways. “For me, getting up at 5am to go for my walk is just one of the ways I'm ch
Wilderness1 min read
The Ministry Of Health's Nine Tips For Regular Walking:
1. Make it a habit by choosing a time that suits you - then you are more likely to stick to it. 2. Start slowly and increase the length and intensity of your walks as you feel more comfortable. 3. Be flexible. If you miss a walk, don't worry - just w
Wilderness2 min read
There's A Salewa Shoe For Every Adventure
Salewa is based in the Dolomites, in north-eastern Italy and has a proven pedigree of making reliable, strong and light footwear designed specifically for mountaineering, trekking, speed hiking, and technical approaches. Boots and shoes are designed
Wilderness1 min read
February's #microchallenges
Each month we set three #microchallenges to inject a bit of fun into your walks. They also encourage you to appreciate your surroundings better. Our favourite nine #microchallenge completers receive a Walk1200km badge. The best entry of each challeng
Wilderness3 min read
In 35mm We Trust
WHEN I WAS YOUNG I devoted rainy days to exploring the outside world through photography. Sinking into the cushions of the family couch, I'd spend hours flipping through photo albums of my parents’ adventures. In their early 20s (my current age) they
Wilderness3 min read
See More… Lakeside Huts
THE HOTTEST MONTH of the year surely calls for tramping to a lake: somewhere to swim, to paddle your feet, or at least to appreciate the reflections. According to scientist Simon Nathan in the online encyclopaedia Te Ara, there are 775 lakes in New Z
Wilderness3 min read
Seeing Red
Wilderness * WALK 1200km 10km+ SOMETIMES THE BEST ideas are those mad ones. But sometimes they're just, well, mad. Red Hut was a mad idea. Not the hut itself, resplendent in brick red with its white trim windows. The hut was rather sensible, right do
Wilderness2 min read
Fell Walking
Wilderness * WALK 1200km 12km+ Access Te Rou Rd, off North bank Road Grade Moderate Time 6-7hr to Mt Fell Hut; 1hr to Mt Fell or Johnston Peak Distance 12km Total Ascent 1000m Accommodation Mt Fell Hut (6 bunks). Topo50 Map BQ26, BQ2 A STRING OF rock
Wilderness2 min read
Tiromoana Bush Walkway, CANTERBURY
Wilderness WALK 1200km 12km THIS WALKWAY traverses regenerating bush, restoration plantings, forest remnants and restored wetlands and leads to a remote and spectacular beach in North Canterbury. The Tiromoana Bush restoration project was established
Wilderness4 min read
Cycling Our Stories
A visitor programme known as Tohu Whenua has been designed to promote significant cultural and historical sites in Aotearoa. It is currently running in three regions: Te Tai Tokerau Northland with nine sites, Te Tai Poutini West Coast with five and O
Wilderness2 min read
Daly Clearing circuit KAIMAI MAMAKU CONSERVATION PARK
Wilderness * WALK 1200km 8km ‘A JOURNEY into the past’ says the sign at the start of the Waitawheta Tramway Track. In the early 20th century the Kaimai Ranges were rich in kauri trees and a tramway was built up the valley to remove the giant logs. Re
Wilderness2 min read
Mt TŪhua Track, WEST COAST
MT TŪHUA is in the Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve, which is considered one of the most ecologically significant areas of lowland forest on the central West Coast. Starting at the DOC car park, the track is marked at the entrance to the bush. For the fir
Wilderness2 min read
Mount Cardrona, OTAGO
Wilderness * WALK 1200km 8km THE WALK BEGINS at the Cardrona ski field car park. Bypass the Cardrona shop and begin hunting for the first trail marker. They're not easy to find. The first white post is behind the small bike skills area. Follow this t
Wilderness2 min read
Manawatu Gorge Track, PALMERSTON NORTH
Wilderness * WALK 1200km 22km THIS WALK starts from the Ashhurst-end car park on the closed State Highway 3, where a well-marked path heads downhill towards the road with the gorge river to the left. It starts from a signpost on the right just before

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