I like the symbolism of our feature on lighthouses in this issue (p32). It would have been quite fitting to run the story at the end of last year – a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ metaphor for the pretty tough year 2010 was for most. But lighthouses not only offer hope, they represent new beginnings and that’s exactly how I see 2011 shaping up. Compared to the last couple of years, this year has to be one where optimism rules the roost. And if you like exploring the outdoors, then you have good reason to feel positive. Te Araroa – The Long Pathway is inching to completion. The trail is 90 per cent complete and while it was slated to be finished by March this year that deadline won’t be reached. A few niggling access issues need to be resolved so it’s an ongoing project. But whether it is completed or not this year is a moot point: people have already started walking the trail that runs the length of New Zealand. So far mostly foreigners seem to be giving it a go, but in time Kiwis will be completing stages or doing the whole epic in one fell swoop. Thanks Geoff Chapple and the Te Araroa Trust for giving Kiwi trampers in 2011 the chance to walk a long distance trail without the need to hop on a plane for 24 hours. We’ll be looking at Te Araroa in greater detail in an upcoming issue of Wilderness.

This year Wilderness aims to shine a light on other important outdoor issues and with that in mind we’ve added a new face to the team. Josh Gale joins us this year and intends to put his award-winning feature writing skills to good use keeping readers informed and entertained. Find out a bit more about Josh on p10.

I have a good feeling about 2011. I’ve got some nice trips lined up in the coming months and I hope you have too. And if you plan on giving Te Araroa a go, drop me a line – I’d love to hear about your experience.