With a light pack and a paraglider for speedy descents, an American climber has done in four months what others have taken decades to achieve. One young American’s audacious summer adventure has stunned the New Zealand climbing and paragliding communities. With his passion for the mountains and attention to trip planning, 25-year-old Nathan Longhurst has […]
About the author
Kathy Ombler
Freelance author Kathy Ombler mostly writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation, and has contributed to Wilderness for many years. She has also written and edited for other publications and websites, most recently Federated Mountain Club’s Backcountry, Forest & Bird, and the Backcountry Trust. Books she has authored include Where to Watch Birds in New Zealand, Walking Wellington and New Zealand National Parks and Other Wild Places. She is currently a trustee for Wellington’s Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.
The 2026 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
Tongariro Northern Circuit huts no longer first-in, first-served during winter
25 huts to visit in 2025
A lofty location for Brass Monkey
Iron Lake, Kahurangi National Park
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