A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
Two Aucklanders battled severe exhaustion, dizziness, thick mud, and a broken boat to become the first people to climb all 53 of Auckland’s volcanoes within 24 hours, setting an unofficial world record.
The pair began their challenge at 5.20 am on Mt Eden, finishing at North Head at 8.35 pm, with the route they took meticulously planned in advance.
“We had to estimate how long each volcano would take to climb. Then we had to estimate the travel time between each to see if the challenge was even possible. I mean, we didn’t even know whether it could be done within 24 hours.”
The volcanoes scaled cover all shapes and sizes, with the tallest 260m (Rangitoto) and the shortest a mere 12m (Gloucester Park).
Speaking to Stuff about their challenging expedition, Davison, who has been fascinated by Auckland’s volcanoes his whole life, said he came up with the idea of climbing them all in a day after he finally ticked off climbing all 53.
All 53 volcanoes were climbed by Beeton and Davison on foot, although they did use a car to drive between the cones.
Walking 5 minutes a day provides health benefits
Taking a five-minute walk each day could provide health benefits and support future exercise goals, according to Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and wellness at National Jewish Health in Denver.
The key is to make movement a regular part of your day. Katy Milkman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, explains that making bite-size goals is essential for creating momentum for larger resolutions.
Psychologically, smaller tasks are easier to achieve, so pushing yourself to take a five-minute daily walk is easier than trying to complete a 35-minute walk once, Milkman said.
Freeman also recommends completing your quick walk first thing in the morning to start your day with positive movement. He says a walk can energize you as effectively as one cup of coffee.
Walking isn’t just good for your body; it’s also great for your mental well-being. Not only can it help break addictions such as smoking, Freeman said, but a walk can also help reduce anxiety and depression.
Read the full story from CNN and don’t forget to sign up for our Walk1200km challenge to encourage you to keep your walking goals on track.
Dunedin’s Tunnel Beach track closed until mid-2025
Coastal Otago’s most popular track is expected to remain closed until mid-year after it was extensively damaged in the October floods. The deluge caused widespread flooding, slips, surface damage and trees to fall across tracks.
The Tunnel Beach short walk and carpark has been closed due to at least 10 large slips, with some travelling from the track down to the ocean.
DOC Coastal Otago operations manager Gabe Davies said the popular track was a priority as it received more than 150,000 visitors. It is expected to cost upwards of $160,000 to repair the damage.
Some visitors continued to ignore safety advice and the road closed signs to walk the track, sometimes blocking residents from accessing their properties, he said.
“We know how popular this site is, but we want to make sure that when we do open it it’s safe for people to fully enjoy and experience, and at this time, we can’t guarantee that,” Davies said. Read the full story from The Star.
U.S. conservationist’s work helping preserve Chile’s wilderness
In March this year, 130,000 hectares around Cape Froward, the southernmost point of the South American continent, will become Chile’s 47th national park.
The initiative is in large part thanks to the efforts of U.S. conservationist and philanthropist Kristine Tompkins, co-founder of The North Face and Esprit clothing companies.
“When you come to places like this, you start to feel very small, and you realize how we’re just a tiny part of all life on our planet,” Tompkins says. “The more we understand about who and where we are on this Earth, and what our role is, the better shot all life has of being in one piece in 100 or 200 years’ time.”
Nearly 20% of the area is peatland, which absorbs carbon and filters groundwater. Pristine native forests reach right down to the shores, where green frills on the surface are the only hint of the sprawling kelp forests beneath the tides.
Cape Froward will be the 16th national park Tompkins Conservation has helped create. Read the full story from NPR.
Hump Ridge Track makes AllTrails list of 25 walks to do in 2025
AllTrails reviewed the 450,000 trails listed on its online platform and selected just 25 they recommended people explore this year.
The company, which boasts the largest collection of digital trail guides in the world, looked beyond popularity and featured places that are “truly special”, said AllTrails chief executive Ron Schneidermann.
From challenging treks in beautiful destinations to historic urban walks and new routes, the list offers a healthy dose of inspiration for travellers who love to amble.
Aotearoa made the list thanks to Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, a three-day loop track that runs around the rugged coastline and over sub-alpine mountains in southern Fiordland. See the full list of walks below and read the full story from The NZ Herald.
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