Letter of the month

Have Wilderness, will travel

Coming to you live from Kathmandu, Nepal! My mum, sister and I have been on the Mardi Himal trek for Mum’s 65th birthday. I finished Te Araroa on March 1 so didn’t have to adjust to real life for too long.

I bought a copy of Wilderness at Auckland Airport and thought the coverage of Te Araroa (April 2024) was great. It provided many different perspectives and represented the diversity of hikers on the trail.

I liked the piece on the 10 different types of hiker – I’m ‘the butterfly’ and ‘the lightweight backpacker’ (and no, I don’t have a trail name). I carried the magazine with me through Nepal and it was great to share with hikers, guides and porters. It’s now sitting in a hotel in Pokhara where, hopefully, it will inspire some poor soul to come around the world and trudge from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

I’ve attached a photo of the magazine on its travels with Annapurna Dakshin/Annapurna South on the left and Machhapuchhre/Fishtail Mountain to the right.

– Katy Mackenzie

Katy wins a Hank Gift Box with eight Hank-ies worth $135 from www.greencollective.co.nz. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Our routes, your trips

When scouring my back issues of Wilderness, I rediscovered the article ‘See more … fabulous falls’ (December 2022). It mentioned a short off-track route to the unnamed, tallest waterfall in Tongariro National Park, accessed from Mangaturuturu Hut. It sounded perfect for novice but cautious off-track trampers – so we gave it a go.

From the hut we headed towards the river, where we left the track marker poles behind and hiked up the true left as per instructions, zig-zagging and rock-hopping up the river. Reaching the foot of the falls involved some rock scrambling and a traverse of a short, steep scree slope, but nothing too precarious. 

The spray of the 56m falls was a refreshing reward, and what a magnificent place! There was an abundance  of ourisia flowers (Ourisia vulcanica), so we named it Ourisia Falls. 

Thanks Wilderness and author Shaun Barnett for highlighting this wonderful route.

– Esti Garfield

Esti receives a meal from Real Meals. Readers, when you do a trip that has been published in Wilderness, let us know to receive your prize, too. 

A pair no more

I’ve been a huge fan of the Astral TR1 Merge boots and was disappointed when I wasn’t able to buy a replacement pair. While out hiking I wrote a poem about the situation.

I saw them on the river
My first pair gave me a shiver
Down my spine, I felt the power
They felt right from zero hour

From valleys to mountain’s rim
Backpacks loaded to the brim
Or as my hands grasp a wooden oar
Oh, the landscapes that we saw.

The Astral TR1 Merge
You gave me all that I deserve
But now we must come to a halt
I can’t say that it’s your fault.

I tried to fix you with twine
But with time I was left to whine
Next I tried medical suture
But still I see no future

You have become just big holes
My feet on the dirt, not your soles
It’s a truth I’ve tried to deny
But your time is drawing nigh.

– Finn Mahon

A trackside (t)issue

Toilet paper and tissues strewn along tracks, even in wilderness areas, annoys me. How do we educate people to bury these or to pop them in a plastic bag to carry out?

I actively encourage women to use a pee cloth. This can be carried discreetly inside the top of your sock. It doesn’t matter if it gets wet on river crossings.

– Maria Brooks

Ancient kauri

In ‘10 great short walks through ancient forests’ (March 2024), Tāne Mahuta is named as the oldest kauri.

Nearby is Te Matua Ngahere, a tree significantly larger than Tāne Mahuta. It has lost its crown, so is not as tall, but is broader. Even in its diminished form it’s an amazing sight and is possibly the oldest kauri.

I am being a bit pedantic, but Te Matua Ngahere can’t speak for itself.

– John Glasgow

Rakaia Gorge a stunner

Rakaia Gorge Walkway is an often overlooked but very enjoyable family-friendly track. It takes 30 minutes to the first lookout or 2hr each way to the Upper Gorge Lookout.

The colour of the Rakaia on a sunny  day rivals that of the famous Blue Pools elsewhere in the South Island. Next time you are racing down the Inland Scenic Route, it’s worth stopping for a look.

– Vicki Steven

Texting location with InReach

In ‘10 gear lessons after traversing the Southern Alps’ (May 2024), Penzy Dinsdale was unable to send location updates to New Zealand mobiles via text with her Garmin InReach device. I have successfully sent text messages to NZ mobiles including a link to my Garmin Explore web map that has my location updated. The way around this is to include a link to your own web map but as a shortcut URL in the text message. Using Garmin ‘Preset’ messages, this URL can be added to your intended daily broadcast update. Recipients will be able to go to your web map to see where you are.

– Paul McCullag

The best sticky repair stuff

In response to ‘10 gear lessons after traversing the Southern Alps’, I have to reiterate the author’s suggestion to ‘Repair it yourself’. I, too, am an avid fan of Ecoply, the building tape mentioned. It’s about $100 per roll from the hardware store and is a waterproof, flexible lifesaver. I’ve used it to repair torn tent flys, puffer jackets, running shoes, waterproof clothing and my children’s toys.

I now keep a small selection of pre-cut pieces in my first aid kit. It’s worth buying a roll.

– Aroha Hyland