Wilderness readers are a fascinating bunch, and this column is where we get to meet you all.

Subscriber Joy Bryant says she was a “late starter” to tramping, someone who thought of herself as not very athletic. But in 1992 she hiked the Milford Track and her perspective changed. 

“I realised I was hooked; tramping was something I could do and really enjoy,” she said. “I also gained a tramping companion, as my husband realised you don’t have to carry a hunting rifle to enjoy our great outdoors.”

Since her retirement 10 years ago Joy has been on several tramping adventures overseas: the Inca Trail, Mt Kilimanjaro and Kaçkar Mountains in Türkiye. The flora and fauna in New Zealand have taken her on a learning journey of identification and photography. At age 75 Joy completed Te Araroa, an epic feat that helped build her self-confidence and enjoyment of solo multi-day trips.

“One of the advantages of retirement is the opportunity to choose trips where and when the weather forecast is favourable,” she said. “I have a constantly evolving wish list of future adventures, many of them inspired by Wilderness articles.”

Her “not-so-secret” tramping helpers are her Aarn pack and Pacer poles. 

“One of the many benefits of tramping has been friendships made with like-minded people from clubs and people met along the way, young and old,” Joy said.