A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. 

An innovative new player is making its debut in the tramping tent market.

Sea to Summit, renowned for its sleep systems and camp kitchen gear, will launch two lightweight tent models, the Alto and the Telos, this autumn. 

Both models feature an inverted Tension Ridge pole construction, which maximises headspace and ventilation. 

Jake Lah, founder of pole manufacturer DAC, said engineering the design for Sea to Summit presented “significant challenges”.

“By inverting the angle of the brow pole, we achieve best-in-class interior space and ventilation, without adding weight or bulk to the tent,” he said.

Other features include the FairShare Storage System which allows for easy division of the tent amongst trampers, a pole storage case that doubles as a headlamp diffuser and tent and fly stuff-sacks that clip into place as storage pockets inside the tent. 

“We always set out to design the best gear — to do things differently and rethink every detail, starting from scratch,” Sea to Summit founder Roland Tyson said.

The range is expected to be available in New Zealand by September this year.

Bed bugs blight Great Walk hut

Unwanted bunkmates have been bugging trampers in a Rakiura hut.

Dave, who wanted to remain anonymous, was woken at Rakiura Track’s North Arm Hut by frantic trampers trying to stomp and shake off bed bugs, Stuff reports. 

DOC’s Ren Leppens said the infestation was first reported at the beginning of February, and the hut has been treated four times since.

“Either these are the toughest bed bugs known to mankind or, they are hitching in from other places on people’s gear,” he said.

Dave said the ranger told tampers about the bugs, but he wishes DOC had been upfront before he arrived, so he could have carried a tent to sleep in. 

‘Fairy tale’ hike opens in Slovenia

A new long distance hike in Slovenia is like “walking through a fairy tale”, Outside reports.

The 267km Juliana Trail, which opened in October last year, encircles Slovenia’s Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. 

Passing through dense forests and rolling green hills, the track provides ample diversity and views of the Alps.

The trail is split into 16 stages of varying lengths, and walkers can spend the night at the quaint villages and towns between sections.

Read Outside’s report here.

Rain slows Fiordland traverse

Adventurer Mark Jones has been hampered by Fiordland rain on his quest to traverse the national park, Stuff reports.

Jones started his solo walk on February 6 at Te Waewae Bay, near Tuatapere, and had hoped to reach Eglinton Valley in Milford Sound by March 18.

His latest Facebook update was posted at Lake Thomson Hut, where he had been holed up by Fiordland weather he described as “both relentless and apparently inexhaustible”.

Jones has used his time to wash clothes, dry and mend gear and break into his new food cache.

Jones is walking the traverse for Mental Health NZ and has nearly reached his $10k fundraising target.

The Auckland adventurer has previously walked solo across the Urewera and Whirinaki ranges and circumnavigated South Georgia Island and traversed the Antarctic Peninsula by sea kayak.