Hiking Wakefield Ridge in search of crisp winter light and a grandstand view of the Southern Alps. Photo: Mark Watson

Way up on Wakefield

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Mark Watson

Mark is Wilderness’s gear editor and a dedicated storyteller, documenting his adventures in both words and photos.

By Mark Watson

Wakefield Ridge, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Wakefield Ridge offers grandstand views of the lower Hooker and Tasman Valleys and their bordering ranges; the Sealy and Ben Ohau and the Burnett Mountains. In fact, you might argue that on a quality-of-view per vertical-metre-gained basis it has one of the best ratios in the country. Climbing steeply up the apex of the Mt […]

About the author

Mark Watson

Wilderness gear editor Mark Watson divides his workdays between graphic design, writing and photography. His passion for tramping, climbing, cycling and storytelling has taken him all over Aotearoa and the world in search of great trails, perfect moves and epic light. He has published four books and his photographs have featured in numerous publications. Especially motivated by long distance travel, he has tramped Te Araroa and cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.