Walks you’ve never heard of
When we sent the call out to our readers to share their experiences of the Great Walks for our December 2010 issue, we got plenty of replies. Most were what...
Alistair Hall
Editorial
I like the symbolism of our feature on lighthouses in this issue (p32). It would have been quite fitting to run the story at the end of last year –...
Huts
New Zealand is unique among countries where tramping, trekking and hiking – call it what you will – is a major pastime. Unlike in America, Europe and Australia we have...
Survival skill #3 – Extract yourself from the bush
The best advice is to stay put and wait for rescue, but on some occasions you will have to get yourself out – here’s how. Stay calm, don’t rush “If...
Hindsight’s a fine thing
It’s funny how with hindsight you can pinpoint the exact moment things start to go pear-shaped. Especially when you consider that at the time you’re blissfully unaware that life is...
Plan. Prepare. Perfection!
The urge over the coming months may be to clean your tramping gear and pack it away until the weather warms up a tad. That’s what most sane people probably...
Are we having fun yet?
It’s a good question for this time of year – snow is dusting the tops of most mountain ranges, huts are more fridge than welcoming abode and it seems the...
1080 the best option
Anyone who has visited Maungatautari Ecological Island in the Waikato or Karori’s Zealandia Sanctuary will know what it’s like to walk native bush and hear prolific birdsong. It’s a deafening...
The most important step is getting out the door
In putting this issue together, it became apparent just how much New Zealanders love a challenge. We hear about a lot of them – Tim Taylor who attempted to circumnavigate...
From the Editor
The human mind is an amazing organ – it can be your best friend; or your worst enemy. Nowhere is that more starkly realised than in the outdoors and with...
From the Editor
I’ve never slept under a rock biv but after reading Barry Dunnett’s story about the various nights he’s camped beneath an overhand or in the lee of a boulder I...
Living the dream
Wilderness meets one of New Zealand’s most prolific and renowned bird watchers John Kendrick may be a few months shy of turning 90, but age doesn’t seem to have slowed...
From the editor
December Editorial Backcountry huts have had a profound impact on New Zealand – the network built by the New Zealand Forest Service and then by DOC is often touted as the...
Hunger in the wild
The most important factor to completing and enjoying Te Araroa is the food you eat. Alistair Hall asks trail chef Paul Garland for some culinary advice Napoleon Bonaparte said: ‘An...
Te Araroa Trail
For one household, this past Christmas must have been one of the best they’ve ever had. After numerous delays and postponements, in early December the length-of-New Zealand trail Geoff Chapple...
Know the hazards before setting out
With six tramping-related fatalities on the conservation estate it’s been a fairly grim start to the summer tramping season. It’s tragic that so many have died in the last couple...
Lost opportunity
If ever a track deserved its name, it’s Auckland’s Hillary Trail. Hillary’s is a name that conjures up adjectives like challenge, toughness, grit and an unrelenting never-say-die attitude. Those same...
Editorial
In the aftermath of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Wilderness reported on how trampers were better prepared than non-outdoors people for the trying living conditions in the days and weeks...
Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland
Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland On a previous trip to Tawharanui Regional Park I made it as far as the turn-off on the Matakana Rd before halting my journey from Auckland....
Editorial
About this time of the year I start thinking about which winter trips I might be able to do. For the last few years I’ve managed to get away to...
Online intentions needs improvements
While walking the Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland recently I met Julien, a young man from Belgium who had spent six months tramping his way around the country. He’d seen...
The Hump Ridge Track: a case of build it and they will come
Tuatapere’s future had ghost town written all over it. But then the community built the Hump Ridge Track and brought their town back from the brink. Alistair Hall discovers just...
Editorial
This issue we have another look at the outdoor intentions system Adventure Smart (see p14). Unfortunately there are still gaps in our knowledge about the implementation and effectiveness of this...
Bird paradise
Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, Hauraki Gulf Spending Queen’s Birthday weekend in Auckland proved the perfect opportunity hop on the ferry to explore Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf. We...
How long does it take to walk track?
Ever wondered how the Department of Conservation estimates track times? There’s no hard and fast rule We’ve all been there. Out for a Sunday walk in the bush you come...
Editorial
This month Wilderness takes a closer look at avalanches in New Zealand (p36). Every winter we hear about avalanches either on groomed ski fields or in the backcountry, but unlike...
Walk the walk
How can you ensure you’re taught by the best? It’s easy, find out which tutors not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Alistair Hall found four for starters...
Local communities need their voice heard
I’m no anti-development greenie, but I do tend to form strong opinions on issues where business comes along and tries to make hay from the conservation estate or other publically...
21 years of New Zealand’s magazine of the outdoors
Who would have thought that a magazine all about tramping would prove to be one of the biggest – and not to mention most awarded* – sport and leisure magazines...
Upgrade improves waterfall track
Beverley Price Loop, Pohuehue Reserve, Auckland On my frequent journeys north I have always sped past Pohuehue Viaduct, keen to get to my destination. However, the lure of native bush...
Where it’s always warm and safe
They protect us from the elements and keep us warm and dry, but in a new book on New Zealand’s backcountry huts, author Geoff Spearpoint argues they do more than...
From the editor
Take a trip to Europe and you’ll see dozens of castles, palaces, cathedrals, ancient ruins and even entire streets, suburbs and cities dating back hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. My...
The professionals
Becoming a professional outdoor athlete is like a dream come true for many, but it’s not all fun and games in the great outdoors. Alistair Hall meets rock climbing legends...
Walkshorts, December 2012
New far north multi-day walk The Department of Conservation has spent $1.3m on two new campgrounds, upgrading tracks and installing boardwalks at the tip of the North Island to create...
Editorial, December 2012
Another year draws to an end and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking forward to some lazy summer days over the holiday period. It’s a chance to unwind, load...
11 trips in the Ragged Range
Like a great rough-sided triangle the Ragged Range is lodged between the Rakaia and Mathias watersheds in central Canterbury’s Rangitata-Rakaia Conservation Area. Beginning on the Main Divide at Mt Neave...
Editor's letter, January 2013
The New Year always starts with a flurry of excitement. We tell ourselves this year I’m going to do better, do more. But even with the best intentions the promises...
All you need is love
Forget Verona and Gretna Green. There’s a backcountry hut in Kahurangi National Park with as touching a love story as any work of Shakespeare The world of literature has Romeo...
Top 3 mountain bike towns
More and more people are choosing lifestyle over corporate opportunities and three towns in particular are drawing more mountain bikers than any other. By Derek Morrison Queenstown, Central Otago For...
Editorial letter, January 2013
Wilderness first seriously looked at the threats the country’s wild rivers faced back in February 2008. The Helen Clark-led Labour Government had just made increasing energy production through renewable means...
A walk through ancient kauri forest
Waitakere Tramway Track, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park We pull into the car park on Scenic Drive not a moment too soon. Pelin, Wilderness magazine’s art director, doesn’t travel well and...
Kauri dying for lack of money
After battling a kauri killing disease for more than four years, Auckland’s biodiversity rangers have finally found an ally who walks the corridors of power Take a walk in a...
Editor's letter, March 2013
Most people have gone into the bush on their own. It may have been for a short stroll or a lengthy multi-day trip, but there would be few who have...
A taste of the Hillary
Anawhata to Bethells Beach, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park Walking Auckland’s multi-day Hillary trail is a goal of many but who says you have to do it all in one go...
Crunch time for independent retailers
The economic downturn has hit independent outdoor retailers hard while consumers have more choice than ever. If you live in Auckland and are in need of a new pair of...
Editorial, April 2013
There are around 970 huts on the conservation estate, a fantastic recreation resource unrivalled anywhere in the world. But it’s a resource that has proven too difficult for the Department...
WildernessWord, May 2013
Across 1. Type of grass growing around Desert Road in North Island of NZ (7) 5. Stratified sedimentary clay rock that splits easily into thin layers (5) 8. Submerged ridges...
Editor's letter, May 2013
I’m writing this the day before I fly to Dunedin to tramp the Catlins River-Wisp Loop Track, a new two-day walk near Owaka and am feeling a bit glum –...
Slowing down in the Catlins
A few days in the Catlins proves it’s how you journey through your destination that counts. Right on cue, the long dry summer came to an end. It wasn’t thunderous...
Editorial, June 2013
Solitude. If you enjoy getting into the outdoors, you’ll enjoy a bit of peace and quiet from time to time, particularly if it involves surrounding yourself in bush or mountain...
Editorial letter, July 2013
The prospect of a pest free New Zealand is fascinating. It’s the kind of ‘think big’ science project that landed men on the moon. An estimated 26 million birds are...
Editor's letter, August 2013
Everyone says life changes when you have kids – well at least those who have children say that. Those of us who don’t have kids can’t quite fathom how drastic...
Editorial, September 2013
In the press release issued by DOC to announce the appointment of Lou Sanson as DOC’s new director general, there was plenty about Sanson being the right man for the...
Best laid plans
Alistair Hall fulfils a New Year’s resolution and goes off track in more ways than one The plan was simple: three peaks, three days. We’d hire some snowshoes, climb Mt...
Editorial, October 2013
Last month we ran a survey on the Wilderness website asking readers how they would most prefer DOC to be funded. After receiving hundreds of responses, I have to admit...
A delightful trek across Wairarapa hills
Farmers around the country have found a new use for wild and rugged sections of their land and a willing supply of trampers prepared to pay for the priviledge of...
Pigeon Post, November 2013
Department of Recreation The September editorial raised some very important questions and asked for thoughts and ideas. Having run a conservation-based guided tramping business for more than 20 years and...
Hut warden from heaven
On a trip to Pinnacles Hut in Coromandel Forest Park, Wilderness meets a candidate for DOC hut warden of the year I first saw Frouk Miller as we climbed ever so...
Editor's letter, December 2013
How often have you worn a pair of boots and thought they don’t fit right? If it has happened to you, then you know the value of a good boot...
Pigeon Post, January 2014
Letter of the month Activate PLBs without fear of reprimand It’s great to see Nigel Clifford, head of the RCCNZ, highlighting the care taken to avoid chastising people for activating...
Editorial letter, January 2014
One day in December last year passed like any other. Except for the United Nations, it didn’t. December 11 was International Mountain Day. Many international days of this or that...
1080 the only option
Later this year, around spring, a terrible apocalypse is set to visit the native birds of New Zealand. Birds in their tens of thousands will be killed. Some species will...
How far to go?
This tip’s good if you’re out in the field without a GPS and you need to work out how far you have to go. All you need is a piece...
Editor’s letter
We publish the best photos from our first ever photo competition this issue. I was totally blown away by the high standard of photography submitted. I would have no trouble...
Editorial April 2014
Mention ‘tramping’ and ‘Auckland’ in the same sentence and most people will snort and shake their heads as if you’d just told them a Michelin star restaurant had opened...
Pinnacles Hut loop
Pinnacles Hut via Moss Creek Track, Coromandel Forest Park Pinnacles Hut is the most popular in the country. One way to make your overnight trip slightly more unique, and immeasurably...
Editor’s letter
Huge congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Wilderness Outdoor Awards. Just shy of 3000 people participated in the final round of voting, making the awards a real badge of...
In a class of his own
Former Macpac owner Bruce McIntyre once made packs for a living. Now he’s putting his name and wealth behind a school that promises kids – and humanity – a brighter...
Editor’s letter
Ah June, the first month of winter and the beginning of my favourite outdoors season. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no masochist who relishes the punishing, often debilitating cold that...
Editorial July 2014
New Zealand’s top tramping town It’s something everyone thinks about at some time or another: where would you rather live? For some people, the answer is ‘right here’. For many...
Gear news, August 2014
Montane arrives in NZ British outdoor clothing and equipment brand Montane arrives in New Zealand this month. The brand was started 18 years ago with an emphasis on mountain gear...
Editor's letter, August 2014
Everyone knows the South Island is where it’s at when it comes to tramping. Fewer population centres, inordinate amounts of conservation land and the Southern Alps all conspire to make...
Expert tips: buying boots
Hunting and Fishing’s boot-fitting expert Bill McCloud explains how to buy the right boot Hard or flexible: McCloud says the first thing he’ll do is ask where you plan to...
Editor's letter, September 2014
Choices In mid-August outdoor retailer Mountain Designs announced it will soon be closing all 12 of its New Zealand stores, citing a slow economy and aggressive marketing by competitors. But...
Waitakere Range
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Auckland Just 30-minutes from downtown Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is the jewel in the city’s impressive park network. At 17,000ha and with more than...
Editorial, October 2014
Some countries have bears and wolves, others spiders and snakes. By contrast the most dangerous creature in New Zealand is the wasp. You might think, ‘meh, that’s not so...
Best Tramping Towns: #1 Te Anau
Te Anau has the tramping goods, there’s no doubt about it. But it also has another precious commodity: community. Rob Rush lives out of town, but even so he doesn’t...
Editorial, November 2014
It began over a couple of beers after work one Friday: where would we most like to live? With the team here being mad keen on the outdoors, we...
Editorial December 2014
As 2014 comes to an end, it’s only natural to think back over the year that was. For me, it was a year I welcomed my first child into...
50 best tramper’s peaks: mountains R-S
Rangitoto, 260m Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, Auckland We promise we haven’t just included Rangitoto because of its proximity to Auckland. It’s picked because it’s such a different experience to any...
Editor's letter, February 2015
New Zealand: the land of milk and honey… and mountains. Lots of them. This month we’ve canvassed some of the country’s best known trampers and climbers to get their pick...
Pure gold on Stewart Island
Stewart Island’s Southern Circuit offers tough tramping interspersed with wildlife encounters and amazing forest, beach and river walking The experts all agree: there’s gold to be found on Stewart Island....
Backcountry flag
Editorial: We launch an exciting initiative this month: a competition to design the New Zealand Backcountry flag. What started out as a wee bit of a jab at the rather...
Te Araroa through the lens
Mark Watson has completed an epic project: photographing the Te Araroa Trail. Alistair Hall finds out what it was all about A far as jobs go, it’s got to be...
Editorial Letter, November 2015
There are so many great tracks that lead somewhere spectacular, only for you to have to return the way you came. Lake Marian in Fiordland, Heaphy Track, Queen Charlotte Track,...
Ridge over the river Wai(kato)
Hakarimata Walkway, Hakarimata Scenic Reserve I first planned to tramp the length of the Hakarimata Range a number of years ago. I called around trying to determine the condition of...
WildernessWord, April 2016
At Hinapouri Tarn, toilet paper blows in the wind
Human waste is creating an unsightly scene in the Angelus Basin
Activate the PLB, then what?
It’s the advice we’ve all been given when trouble strikes: stay put. If you’re hopelessly lost or need rescuing due to an injury, the more you move around, the harder...
You’ve got email
The most successful kakapo breeding season on record is thanks to the hard work of scientists, rangers and volunteers – and gadgets that might have come straight out of James...
Shining a light on Pollux
Standing high in the alpine region of Mt Aspiring National Park, I attempted to shed some light on Pollux, 5km across the Drake Valley. It was midnight and I had...
The winners are...
The results are in, and more than 2500 Wilderness readers have cast their vote on the best retailers, huts, and most inspirational outdoors enthusiasts in this year’s Outdoor Awards. In...
Our new website
This month Wilderness launches a new website. We have spent the last few months posting more than 1000 articles, dozens of gear reviews and 360 downloadable trips. We’ve added multimedia...
Buyer's guide to headlamps
Forget the handheld torches; you need your hands free and the torchlight shining in the right direction so you can walk, cook and set up camp in the dark. Straps...
Heli headaches persist
As more tourists come to New Zealand, pressure on DOC to allow more flights, more guides, more boats, more roadside facilities in conservation areas will increase. It’s wonderful that so...
One-stop-fee for Te Araroa Trail mooted
They’re two bugbears that Te Araroa Trail walkers have repeatedly, if unfairly, come under fire for: not paying hut fees and not disposing of their toilet waste properly. Wilderness has...
Ngapunatoru heli landings 'Nonsense on stilts - again'
The Federated Mountain Clubs is calling on DOC to renege on an undertaking to the aviation industry to increase helicopter landings in Fiordland National Park and is asking the Ombudsman to intervene....
More pressure on DOC over Ngapunatoru heli landings
The Department of Conservation is facing even more pressure to renege on its decision to allow up to 80 helicopter landings a day on the Ngapunatoru Ice Plateau in Fiordland National...
Winter makes tramping an adventure for kids
Do you think snowy tracks and the brutal cold make winter tramping an impossibility with your young kids? Garth Hume’s photo of his sons tramping in Tararua Forest Park prove otherwise. Garth’s...
Learn from mistakes
I think it fair to say we’ve all made a few tramping mistakes in our time (‘Tramping mistakes to avoid’). I’ve left my camera at home while on a work...
How to buy 3-4 season boots
These boots are for those multiday trips with heavy packs and which might involve bush-bashing, river-hopping, and crossing alpine passes. Outsole Deep, multi-directional lugs combine with a sticky rubber compound...
How to buy 3-season boots
Lightweight and perfect for on-track day and weekend trips, these are the go-to boot for most trampers. Upper Either entirely leather or a combination of leather or suede and synthetic...
How to buy hiking shoes
When you’re not carrying a heavy load and want to move quickly, a pair of low-cut hiking shoes are just the ticket. Upper Most hiking shoes are made from a...
How to buy trail running shoes
Trail shoes provide essential grip, but the most important factor is comfort Fit When trying on shoes, look for comfort straight out of the box. Some shoes will stretch and...
At last, a grand vision
The government’s plan to make New Zealand predator free by 2050 is the kind of big idea that landed men on the moon. Imagine New Zealand as Maori, and even the...
How to buy a child carrier
Comfortable, safe and secure – the child carrier allows you to take your kids on any outdoor adventure. Baby comfort The baby should sit upright and all straps should be...
How to buy a travel pack
Primarily designed for touring, travel packs can also, at a pinch, be used on the trail. Zips Sturdy and strong, zips should be usable even when the pack is bursting...
Overnight packs
A versatile weekend pack is capable of taking you to huts, remote campsites or on fast and light multiday missions. Compression Compression straps secure the load and modify the profile...
Multiday packs
When you’re carrying food and gear for several days, you need a large-capacity multiday pack. Capacity Between 50 and 90-litres, multiday packs will be single or double compartment. The lid...
Daypacks
Whether you’re in the bush or heading to the tops, a good daypack will fit every adventure. Capacity Offering up to 35-litres, daypacks will be zip or cinch-cord opening. External...
Hydration packs
For fast-paced activities like mountain biking and trail running, you need a low-capacity hydration pack. Storage and capacity While some hydration packs have capacities over 10litres, most are smaller than...
Pigeon Post, October 2016
Letter of the month Poles and boots for me, okay? I am way over 30 and have a couple of diseases which create joint/tissue issues. In response to Steve August’s letter...
25 years of Wilderness
Editorial, 25th Anniversary, Free Articles
In 1991, Andrew Mitchell was working for what was then David Hall Publishing as the editor of New Zealand Windsurfing. That magazine was only published for part of the year, so...
Gear News, November 2016
TNF’s nearly-seamless windcheater The North Face continues to add to its FuseForm apparel line. The Eragon ($240) is described as a ‘packable, ultralight (140g) wind-resistant jacket that doesn’t sacrifice weight...
Walkshorts, November 2016
Hydro scheme will ‘alter character’ of Waitaha River DOC is accepting submissions for comment on a proposed hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, near Harihari on the West Coast of...
Multitools and knives
Modern knives are light, razor sharp and often come with multiple tools to help you out of any situation. Weight The more tools your chosen model has the heavier it...
Gear News, December 2016
The latest in outdoor gear, trends and innovation Something to Crow about? Salewa’s latest three-four season boot has arrived in New Zealand. The Crow GTX ($549, 1320g (m)/1140g (w)) is...
Your trips, your pix
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Editoral, December 2016
This summer I’m loading up the car, bikes on the back, and heading to Hawke’s Bay where I’ll be introducing my daughter to the 200-odd kilometres of cycle trail crisscrossing the...
Trampers cry foul over Ruahine ‘neglect’
The Department of Conservation has closed its Onga Onga field base, which now means the nearest rangers to the eastern side of Ruahine Forest Park are based more than one...
Walking poles
The benefits of walking poles are many: they reduce the stress on your knees, will help you cross rivers and provide stability on uneven or steep ground. How poles help...
Water filters and purifiers
A water filter or purifier will offer peace of mind no matter the source of your water. Purifiers Purifiers kill the much smaller viral and bacterial organisms. UV light is...
Backcountry stoves
Cooking up a storm in the backcountry has never been easier with these modern stoves and cooking accessories. Fuel types Gas stoves are simple, convenient and inexpensive to run and...
Summer overnighters
There are 16 blistering hot weekends between New Year’s eve and Easter. Our summer play list includes breezy campsites, river splashing tramps, beachside huts and kayak adventures. Or, as you might like to put it:...
The 2017 Wilderness photo competition
Entries closed. We are no longer accepting entries in the 2017 photo competition. Got your summer trips lined up? Don’t forget to pack your camera – or smartphone – because...
Department of Tourism?
IT’S A TELLING comment, and one DOC should be heeding because if one person is saying it, you can bet more are: “It’s like DOC is the Department of Tourism...
Norovirus outbreak on Travers-Sabine circuit
Update: DOC has sterilised all huts on the circuit. Huts that have been treated are: Lakehead, Coldwater, Sabine, D’Urville, Hopeless, Cupola and Upper Travers. As a precation, Angelus Hut and Bushline Hut have...
Compasses, digital mapping and GPS watches
From the hi-tech to tried and tested, these tools will help you navigate safely in the wilderness Suunto MC-2 Global Compass $129.90 Globally balanced needle with jewel bearing, 20-degrees tilt margin for...
Pigeon Post, February 2017
Neglected Ruahines My friend and I walked the main range of the Ruahine Range over seven days just before Christmas. This exhilarating trip started at Comet Hut and went all...
Editorial, January 2017
My own summit bagging trips have been met with varied levels of success. The most memorable was a couple of winters ago when the plan was to climb Ruapehu, descend the...
2017 sleeping mats
A sleeping mat isn’t just about comfort – it provides crucial insulation from the ground and works with your bag to keep you warm Fill There are numerous fills –...
Street to summit
Some gear is too good to leave in your pack. Take it out and wear it everywhere – from street to the summit. Salewa Firetail 3 $279 Stylish and...
2017 sleeping bags
The sleeping bag is the one of those essential pieces of kit – you can’t go overnighting without one. Loft and fill weight Loft is the volume of one ounce...
Gear news, March 2017
The latest in outdoor gear news, trends and innovation Ciao Italia Italian footwear brand Crispi has made it downunder. Handmade in Italy since 1975, the Crispi range available in...
Tramping with a purpose
For some, tramping is about leaving the wilderness in better shape than they found it, which means tramping with a purpose. Depending on who you talk to, it’s either applied...
Pigeon post, March 2017
Letter of the month On sleeping mats… Is it just me, or are sleeping mats inferior to those that used to be available? My wife and I owned two Therm-a-Rests...
Tramping with a purpose
More and more people seem to be tramping with a purpose. Whether it’s the crews painting huts, cutting down wilding pines or members of the tramping clubs who have made...
Base layers, soft shells and fleece jackets
Your guide to 2017’s best base layers, soft shells and fleece jackets Base layers Peak to Plateau Kailash 1/4 Zip L/S $160 Yak wool fabric, slim fit design, quarter-length zip,...
Gear News, April 2017
The latest in outdoor gear news, trends and innovation Lowa broadens boot and shoe range Famed for their robust three-four season tramping boots, Lowa has expanded its New Zealand line-up...
2017 Wilderness Photo Competition
Once again, with hundreds of entries, choosing our finalists and winners in our annual photo competition was incredibly difficult. But we whittled them down again and again until left with the images...
Going strong
Do you think you’ll be completing remote 10 day trips in your 60s and 70s? Septuagenarian Talie Morrison is. Talie Morrison is living the tramping dream. Much as a ski bum might...
Pigeon Post, April 2017
Letter of the month DOC’s unsung heroes At a time when DOC often comes under fire for its many alleged shortcomings, an unheralded success story has to be the composting...
Safe tramping begins with decision making
My heart goes out to the parents of Christian Prehn, the 19-year-old German tramper who went missing in Nelson Lakes National Park in 2014. I’ve got a young daughter and...
2017's best raincoats
View 2018’s best wet weather jackets A good rain jacket will keep you dry, inside and out when the heavens open and when you build up a sweat. Abrasion resistance...
Super summer subscription winner
Congratulations to subscriber Chris Andrew who won our Super Summer Subscription prize. Chris won a $4970 prize package from ampro.co.nz and here he is basking in the glory of his...
Your trips, your pix, May 2017
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Pigeon Post, May 2017
Letter of the month The heroes have left the building Your writer was lucky to find some solitude while paddling Abel Tasman National Park (‘Meeting your heroes’, March 2017). Unfortunately, the...
Funding DOC
Tourism growth in New Zealand, just like our other main export earner, dairy – which is blamed for fouling rivers – is proving to be unsustainable, at least from a...
Our new website changes explained
It’s been exactly 11 months since we launched the revamped Wilderness website. We thought it time for a few changes – for the better. Until today, we’ve locked most of the...
2017's best insulated jackets
The year’s best down and synthetic jackets promise to keep you warmer, dryer and more comfortable than ever before. Insulation Once bulky and non-compressible, synthetic insulation has come a long...
Ropes, harnesses and carabiners
Black Diamond Couloir $129.99 Fast drying nylon-webbing construction, quick-release leg loops, two webbing gear loops, low-profile design can be worn under a pack or clothing, 15 kN-rated belay and haul loops. 230g. www.southernapproach.co.nz Black...
2017 crampon buyer's guide
Crampons provide perfect purchase on snow and ice – allowing you to tackle easy to moderate snow slopes. It’s considered best practise to use crampons with an ice axe. Types...
2017 ice axe buyer's guide
An ice axe is a crucial tool for those wanting to take their tramping above the snow line. It gives an extra point of contact to the slope and can...
NZ's winter wonderland - trips 14-20
Features, The Life List, Wild winter
It’s cold, wet, white, and dark. Now that you know the downsides to winter, you can begin to appreciate the good: it’s quiet, spectacular, spiritual, and white. These 21 trips – day, overnight and...
Kea numbers estimated at 3000-7000
Results from a new study suggest the numbers of kea roaming the South Island have probably been greatly overestimated – or underestimated. Estimates have varied from a few hundred to...
Your trips, your pix, June 2017
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Pigeon post, June 2017
Letter of the month Fixing it or finding fault In visiting several West Coast huts recently I gained a brief insight into a range of user expectations and contributions to...
Finally, DOC gets funding boost
Some good cheer for DOC at last: it has finally been given a funding boost, and a substantial one at that. On the surface, the $76 million DOC has been...
2017's best outdoor socks
Good outdoor socks wick moisture and allow your feet to breathe, reducing the chance of blisters and ensuring all-day comfort. Moisture management Dry feet are less likely to blister or overheat, but...
2017's best headlamps
Headlamps allow hands-free lighting so you can concentrate on the trail, cooking dinner or setting up camp. Straps Soft neoprene material is common. Straps should be wide enough to support...
Find your objective
The Dragon’s Teeth – a hair-raising route in Kahurangi National Park – is on many tramper’s radar. Many more won’t have heard of it, or, more likely, have no desire...
24 outdoor gift ideas for Father's Day
Gift ideas for outdoor dads 2B Insect Repellent $24.50 Water-resistant, lasts up to eight hours, 100% Natural. 2B is effective against all biting insects including mosquitoes and sandflies. www.2b.kiwi.nz...
The right decision
When you’ve dreamt of achieving something for most of your life, how would you react if, just moments from accomplishing your long-held dream, you had to make a decision about...
2017's best 3-4 season boots
These heavy-duty boots are designed carry heavy loads over rough terrain. Strap on crampons to get over that alpine pass. They’re true workhorses. Upper Thick leather uppers with few seams...
2017's best three-season boots
Light and supportive, these are perfect for on-track day, weekend and longer trips. They are the go-to boot for most trampers. Lacing and hardware Fabric or metal eyelets are used...
2017's best hiking shoes
Whether you’re out for a day hike or determined to carry light loads on your overnighters, a pair of low-cut hiking shoes are just the ticket. Eyelets and laces Fabric...
Track removal likely to save kauri
Walkers visiting Waitakere Ranges Regional Park are putting kauri at risk of becoming infected with kauri dieback disease by ignoring signs asking them to clean their footwear and by jumping...
Into hot water
Sally Jackson has released the fourth edition of her book Hot Springs of New Zealand. She shares some soaking tips with Ashleigh Martin. What’s it like to travel the country...
Pigeon Post, September 2017
Letter of the month Courage in turning back After reading Shaun Barnett’s article, ‘Into the Forgotten’ (August 2017), I wanted to applaud the courage it took for Barnett to both...
Iwi has best solution for TAC
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is fast becoming the most congested, messiest, smelliest track in the country. I wish that were an exaggeration, but when DOC rangers find 16 piles of...
2017's best child carriers
Comfortable, safe and secure – the child carrier allows you to take your kids on any outdoor adventure. Baby comfort The baby should sit upright and all straps should be...
2017's best travel packs
Heading overseas and need a burly, durable hold-all? A travel bag will do the job, and may even be suitable for the trail. Zips Lockable, sturdy and strong, zips should...
2017's best multi-day packs
When you’re carrying food and gear for several days, you need a large-capacity multi-day pack. Capacity Between 50 and 90-litres, multiday packs will have a single or double compartment. The...
2017's best overnight packs
This pack will hold enough gear to help you achieve your weekend hut or camping missions. Compression Compression straps secure the load and modify the profile of the pack to...
2017's best day packs
Need something small and light for short bush or alpine walks. Look no further. Capacity Offering up to 35-litres, daypacks will be zip or cinch-cord opening. External bungy cords or...
2017's best hydration packs
For fast-paced activities like mountain biking and trail running, you need a low-capacity hydration pack. Fabric Lightweight ripstop nylon and polyester fabrics predominate. Harness Back panels consist of open or...
Tatonka tents
Readers will be familiar with Tatonka packs, which have been distributed here by Tight Lines since 2010. Now, Tatonka tents are available for the first time in New Zealand, though...
For wild (and for) women
Here’s a sandal that the makers claim to be for (the) wild (and for) women. Not necessarily, they judiciously note, for wild women. There’s two models of Merrell’s Siren Q2...
New lightweight tent from Macpac
Macpac says its latest tent, the multi-pitch, three-pole Duolight ($649.99), is, at 2170g, the lightest in its tent range. Macpac says the tent could have been even lighter, perhaps below...
Memory-Map topo maps for GPS
Map-capable Garmin GPS units can now be loaded with Memory-Map topographical maps ($174.99). Topo4GPS offers vector mapping detail for most map-capable Garmin units, equivalent to 50k scale topo maps with...
Lowe Alpine celebrates 50th anniversary
This year is the 50th celebration for the Lowe Alpine brand, founded by American brothers Jeff, Greg and Mike Lowe, and available in New Zealand for around 25 years –...
Outdoor gear designed for young adventurers
Kit out your kids before your next tramp with these clothing and footwear ideas. Keen Kids Newport H2 $119.99 Washable polyester webbing upper, secure-fit lace-capture system, adjustable hook and...
The young ones
When Karen Griffiths introduced a ‘Take a kid tramping’ day to her club, the idea was to grow membership and ensure valuable knowledge about routes and locations was passed to...
Pigeon Post, October 2017
Letter of the month Always wear trousers when bum sliding George Guille says he completed his climb of Mt Rolleston by bum-sliding down the Otira Slide (‘Rolling on Rolleston’, August...
Your trips, your pix, October 2017
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
The outdoors is already 'great'
The idea to pump more money into DOC to create a series of Great Day Walks and Great Short Walks was to help divert traffic away from hotspots suffering from...
Gear news, November 2017
Fjallraven’s Arctic adventure for NZ Two people from Oceania will be wrapped up warm next April as they experience a 300km dog-sled adventure in the Arctic. The two will be...
Kahurangi double
Burnett and Wakamarama ranges, Kahurangi National Park These two heavily forested mountain ranges stretch from the Heaphy Track to Farewell Spit, dividing Golden Bay from the upper West Coast in...
Your trips, your pix, November 2017
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Pigeon post, November 2017
Letter of the month Kea capers The item on kea (‘Kea numbers estimated at 3000-7000’, June, 2017) reminded me of an encounter I had with the parrots. I was fly...
Tongariro Alpine Chaos
On the one hand, DOC is to be applauded for doing something to control the traffic woes and congestion found at the road ends on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The...
2017's best hiking clothes
Performance pants, tights, shorts and tees for tackling any trail this summer Fjällräven Abisko Women’s Trekking Tights $274.95 Technical trekking with stretch fabric, reinforced knees and rear, leg pockets, drawcord...
2017's knives and multi-tools
Modern knives are light, razor sharp and often come with multiple tools to help you out of a pickle. Handle A handle should provide a sure and comfortable grip –...
2017's best sport sandals
With secure straps and often with protection on top and underneath, sports sandals will take you from coast to trail. Outsole The lug pattern and outsole compound determine how grippy...
The Wilderness guide to Christmas gifts
From stocking fillers to essential outdoor kit, Wilderness’s guide to Christmas gifts has something for every budget Domex Silver Fern Zero $179 New Zealand-designed sleeping bag ideal for three-season...
Your trips, your pix, December 2017
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Pigeon Post, December 2017
Letter of the month Inspired by bird watchers I congratulate Helen Arthurs and her family on the commitment and resulting satisfaction they achieved from their year of bird watching (‘A...
Limiting use
Wilderness visited the Tongariro Alpine Crossing over Labour Weekend to see how the new four hour parking restrictions were being enforced. Despite some confusion, most walkers adjusted fine. That’s understandable....
Best foot forward
Even before Scottish footwear brand Anatom produced its first boot six years ago, its founder Gordon Fraser had measured 60,000 feet. On a visit to New Zealand, he shared some of...
2018's best walking poles
Want to still be tramping well into your golden years? Get some walking poles – they’ll reduce the stress on your knees and lessen the chance of injury by providing...
2018's best water filters and purifiers
A water filter or purifier offers peace of mind no matter the source of your water. Water-borne hazards New Zealand backcountry streams are reasonably healthy. That said, there is still a risk that...
2018's best backcountry stoves
Stoves and cookware, Gear Guides
Meals don’t taste much better than when they’re cooked over a portable stove after a long day in the hills. Fuel types Gas stoves are simple, convenient and inexpensive to...
Gear News, January 2018
The latest in gear news, trends and innovation A Featherless hoody Marmot’s Featherless Hoody has an interesting name: if it doesn’t have feathers, why bring attention to that? Presumably, the...
2018's best navigation devices
From the hi-tech to tried and tested, here’s all you need to navigate safely in the wilderness. Silva Ranger S $79.99 Liquid-filled capsule and luminous needle balanced for NZ,...
National parks under the microscope
The upcoming review of the General Policy for National Parks is timely. The phenomenal increase in tourist numbers and the associated pressure and strain that has put on everything to...
What’s in a name?
Holly Gaskin studied industrial design at Massey University. Now she’s an equipment designer at Macpac’s head office in Christchurch. Since joining Macpac nearly three years ago, what have you designed?...
2018's best sleeping bags
Sleeping bags and mats, Gear Guides
(Read our 2019 guide to sleeping bags) Fill powerThis is directly related to the warmth and weight of a sleeping bag. The higher the fill power, the more air –...
2018's best sleeping mats
Sleeping bags and mats, Gear Guides
A sleeping mat not only offers a cushy night’s rest but insulates you from the cold ground. Fills There are numerous fills – high-density open-cell foam, down, synthetic and plain...
Your trips, your pix, March 2018
Get your photo displayed on our last weekend page and you’ll receive an Opinel No.5 folding knife worth $20. Find entry criteria here. Click on an image below to view the gallery.
Vulgar wasps
Entomologist Phil Lester has written a book about one of the tramper’s least favourite animals – wasps. He says these clever and skilful predators must ultimately be controlled. Why a...
2018's best base layers, softshells and fleece jackets
Base layers
2018 photo competition winners
Wow, we thought our previous photo competitions were great, but the 2018 competition has blown them all out of the water. We received more than 650 entries and the quality...
PTSD in search and rescue
You’ve really got to take your hat off to search and rescue volunteers. Not only do they risk life and limb to aid those in desperate need of help, but...
Deal finder, April 2018
Welcome to the Wilderness Deal Finder, where we showcase the best gear deals offered by our Wildcard partners. Check out the deals below…. Lowe Alpine Diran ($279.95; 30% off) Featuring...
2018 buyer's guide to gaiters
Gaiters protect your boots and lower legs and prevent trail debris from entering your footwear and rubbing your feet up the wrong way. Closure Gaiters close at the front and use either...
2018's best wet weather jackets
Here’s what to look for: Zips Either water-resistant or protected by a storm flap. Zip sliders on water-resistant zippers tuck into a ‘garage’ to prevent rain entering through the top...
Diminished experiences
You think the backcountry is getting overcrowded now? Imagine a future where access to the mountains is more difficult due to rock fall caused by retreating glaciers, or once popular...
Mountain Guide Elke Braun-Elwert
At 35, Elke Braun-Elwert is one of the youngest IFMGA mountain guides in the country. She’s also an NZSIA ski instructor and assistant director of Lake Tekapo-based Alpine Recreation. “I’m looking forward to winter and lots of fun ski-mountaineering adventures,” Braun-Elwert...
2018 guide to insulated jackets
Insulated jackets, Gear Guides
In the topsy-turvy world of insulated jackets, synthetic fills have improved markedly in recent years and are now nearly as warm, and almost as compressible and light, as down insulation. Meanwhile,...
2018 guide to ice axes and crampons
Gear Guides, Wild winter, Getting started
An ice axe is a crucial tool for those venturing above the snow line. It gives an extra point of contact to the slope and can provide a means of arrest should...
Adventure books
I was in a hut recently with a group of Wilderness contributors. We’d arranged a tramp in the Tararuas and, due to some fairly bad weather, spent much of one...
Gear that wears in
Ben Kepes co-founded Cactus Outdoor 25 years ago. He’s proud to say everything they make is made in NZ. He discusses making gear to last, how not to sell your soul and...
2018 guide to outdoor socks
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
Moisture management Dry feet are less likely to blister or overheat, and a good sock will complement a boot’s lining by creating a gap which allows moisture to be drawn...
2018 guide to headlamps
Straps Wide enough to support the weight of the headlamp and allow easy adjustment so it doesn’t bounce around or slide down while you’re on the move. A top strap is found...
ZIP brings Predator Free 2050 one step closer
The predator control work of Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) is truly exciting. It has gone beyond clearing relatively small mainland islands of possums, rats and other predators to landscape-scale control. Its...
Pigeon Post, August 2018
Letter of the month Wardens need to step up to bullies I read the article about the bullies at Blue Lake Hut and it filled me with sadness (‘Bunks for...
2018's best four-season boots
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
To get you to the summit and back, a four-season boot needs to perform in a range of challenging conditions while still remaining comfortable. Warmth This is dictated by the...
2018's best three-four season boots
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
These solid, stiff-soled and durable boots provide the necessary support to carry multi-day loads over rough terrain, including, with the aid of crampons, crossing alpine passes. Upper Usually thick leather...
2018's best three-season boots
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
Light and supportive, these boots are ideal for on-track day, weekend and longer trips where pack weight is not huge. They are the go-to boot for most trampers. Upper Leather...
2018's best hiking shoes
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides, Uncategorized
Hiking shoes are versatile enough to be worn on day hikes, overnighters or longer – they’re a favourite of long-distance trampers due to the weight savings. Fit and width The...
2018's best trail running shoes
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
Trail running shoes keep you glued to the track and offer underfoot protection. Uppers Most often made from super light synthetic materials and featuring mesh panels or a breathable lining...
Can’t get enough
DOC’s director-general Lou Sanson discusses the future of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Is there a limit to how many Great Walks we can have? We now have visitors coming to New Zealand just to...
2018's best packs
How to buy your next pack Capacity Multi-day packs are normally between 50 and 90-litres, overnight packs will be 30-45-litres and daypacks up to 30-litres. Multi-day packs will have a...
Great stuff
This issue we celebrate all things associated with the Great Walks, New Zealand’s – and in some cases the world’s – ‘finest’ tramps. I know many hardened trampers will scoff...
2019's best family camping tents
Modern family tents offer privacy, space and creature comforts. Before you buy View the tent pitched – it may be your regular campground doesn’t provide sites big enough to accommodate...
2019's best four-season tents
Designed for the cold, four season tents are the choice for above-the-bushline camping at any time of year. Size Choose a tent for the size of your party – four...
2019's best three-season tents
With their all-mesh canopies (or mostly mesh), three-season tents are a lightweight and breathable option for camping below the snowline. Guy points Guylines provide added support to the tent, particularly...
Pigeon Post, November 2018
Letter of the month Irish and Dutch natives I was staggered to read the comments by the Irish and Dutch trampers that ‘there are no natives’ in their home countries...
The long walk begins
Around this time of year, trampers from all over the world descend on New Zealand with one goal in mind: to walk the length of the country on the Te...
Bridgedale releases waterproof socks
Outdoor sock brand Bridgedale has introduced its first fully waterproof sock range. Developed to provide wet-weather protection and day-long comfort, the Storm Sock range has been designed to perform in...
2019's best knives and multi-tools
Knives and multi-tools, Gear Guides
Modern knives are light, razor sharp and often come with multiple tools to help you out of a pickle. Handle A handle should provide a sure and comfortable grip –...
2019’s best sport sandals
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
With secure straps to hold the foot in place, quick-drying materials, and the same midsole technology used in hiking shoes, sport sandals can handle anything from the riverbed to the...
Happy Christmas
As I write this, the sun is blazing down on a glorious November afternoon. My daughter is climbing the grapefruit tree in the garden. It’s a scene of utter bliss...
Tim the toolman
It was 35 years ago that Tim Leatherman first sold his folding pair of pliers and launched the brand that came to define the term multi-tool. But it was no...
2019 guide to water filters and purifiers
Water filters and purifiers, Gear Guides
Even in ‘pristine’ New Zealand, microscopic bacteria and viruses can be lurking in streams and hut water tanks. A water filter or purifier offers on-the-go peace of mind no matter...
2019 guide to backcountry stoves
Stoves and cookware, Gear Guides
Does anything taste as good as a meal cooked in a backcountry hut? To experience such pleasure, you need a portable stove. Here are 2019’s best options. Burner size A...
2019 guide to walking poles
Do your knees a favour and get a pair of walking poles – they’ll help you walk further, faster and for longer. How poles help Over a day’s tramping, walking...
Lock it in!
Are people becoming too posh to walk? Both the draft management plans for Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini national parks have proposals to radically increase the number and scope...
2019 guide to personal locator beacons
Personal locator beacons, Gear Guides
For those who regularly head into the backcountry, a personal locator beacon (PLB) is an essential item. (We’ve updated this guide – Read our 2020 guide HERE) Where to buyMost...
Near misses and lessons learned
Tramping is like riding a bike – sooner or later you’ll fall off. It happens to everyone. With tramping, falling off might mean having a scrape with nature that, in...
Stunning photo of Mt Ruapehu meltwater lake
A meltwater lake on Mt Ruapehu that usually appears in February has arrived early. Local mountain guide and photographer Zhi Yap shared images of the lake on Instagram. “The hot...
New material makes everything waterproof
Forget Year of the Pig, 2019 is shaping up to be Year of the Revolutionary Outdoor Material. Both The North Face and MSR have introduced new materials that promise to...
2019's best sleeping bags
Sleeping bags and mats, Gear Guides
Choosing a bag for the trips you most often do is all about finding the Goldilocks zone: a bag that’s not too hot and not too cold. (Read our 2020...
2019's best sleeping mats
Sleeping bags and mats, Gear Guides
Here’s how to find a mattress that is comfortable, light and within your budget. Fills There’s a number of fills – high-density open-cell foam, down, synthetic and plain air –...
A weekend of discovery in Karangahake Gorge
Driving through the Karangahake Gorge, it’s difficult to keep your eyes on the road. There’s the Ohinemuri River, the towering Karangahake mountain, old building ruins and curious riverside walks carved...
The thrill of discovery outside
This month, I’ve been reminded just how much tramping and getting outside is about discovery and experiencing something new. Of course, every tramp involves discovery in some way or another,...
Summit fever
British adventurer Adrian Hayes’ book One man’s climb chronicles his two attempts on K2 in 2013 and 2014. But much of the book examines the tragic deaths of Kiwi mountain...
Whitebean and rosemary dip
A protein-packed dip for your wraps and crackers. This is a quick and easy dip that is perfect for day walks or overnighters. Onion and garlic powder are great for...
Secrets of the guides
Suze Kelly, Adventure Consultants On food: Kelly recommends planning your meals in advance and bringing lots of snacks. “If you’ve got your snacks handy, you’re more likely to pop one into...
Little legs log big miles
Whose idea was it to walk the Te Araroa Trail? Daddy’s. It was sort of a joke at first and then we actually thought it over a bit more and...
Escape the dark side
When you spend more than 100 days in the wilderness each year, as many of the trekking and mountain guides who contributed to our ‘Secrets of the guides’ feature, you...
2019’s best wet weather jackets
No tramp, whatever its duration, should be made without a raincoat. But whether you opt for the ultra-packable or ultra-durable depends on the kind of trips you do. Here’s what...
2019’s best gaiters
Gaiters protect your boots and legs from abrasion and spikey speargrass. They also prevent trail debris from entering your boot and rubbing your feet up the wrong way. Closure Gaiters...
A good rat is a trapped rat
Thanks to my colleague Matthew, I now have a wooden box in my garden housing a rat trap. Baited with peanut butter, it’s primed to come down hard on any...
In awe of the cosmos
Ian Griffin is the director at Otago Museum. He’s also an astronomer spreading his love of the night sky through his photography on Twitter and says trampers are among the...
2019’s guide to insulated jackets
Insulated jackets, Gear Guides
We’ve published our guide to 2020’s best insualted jackets here. There’s nothing better than sinking your chin into a cosy insulated jacket while a frigid southerly blows. Here’s what you...
Winter tramping gear
Don’t let the snow slow you down this winter. From snowshoes to sturdy winter tents, this cold-weather gear will keep you tramping on. MSR Evo Ascent 22 Snowshoes $399.99 Rugged...
The silent menace
Reading this month’s feature on hypothermia, I realised, quite worryingly, that I have been through the early stages of the condition several times. And the chances are, you have too....
Kākāpō hover over the brink
A record-setting breeding season has been tempered by a fungal disease that has killed kākāpō chicks and adults. Six weeks ago, Dr Andrew Digby from DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme was...
2019’s guide to Outdoor socks
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
A good pair of socks is your first line of defence against blisters and will ensure comfortable tramping day after day. Comfort Padding is provided in key areas to soften...
2019’s guide to headlamps
Headlamps are a multi-purpose tool – use them while cooking in a hut, to light the trail ahead or asa safety device to alert rescuers to your whereabouts. Don’t leave...
New owners, same classic trips
Wanaka-based Aspiring Guides has been sold to a local couple. Vickie Moses and Lukas Kirchner bought the 25-year-old guiding business in late May. Both have lived in Wanaka for nine...
The problem with our gear
Outdoor gear is amazing. It is technical, functional, durable and even fashionable. But one word you can’t quite use to describe it is green. And I don’t mean the colour....
Cactus bets big on NZ manufacturing
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
The story we usually hear from Kiwi outdoor gear companies is that to survive they need to manufacture offshore. The technology isn’t here. It’s all about scale. At least one...
A critical point
Dr Lee Davidson is a mountain enthusiast and co-author of the book Scenic Playground: The Story behind New Zealand’s Mountain Tourism, which describes the initial infrastructure, innovation, dreams and ideas...
2019's best winter tents
A winter tent is your ticket to the backcountry, no matter the temperature or conditions. Fly A heavy ripstop fabric is used to handle strong winds and snow-loading. A silicone...
Buy right, or buy twice
I’ve been taken to task this month because in the July issue I reviewed three ‘budget’ raincoats, only some readers felt they weren’t budget at all. Granted, the Rab jacket...
June Rowland - tramping at 94
June Rowland is a legend – as she reveals in this video from Hunting&Fishing, she’s still tramping at 94.
Nominations open for 2019 Wilderness Outdoor Awards
Do you have a favourite hut or an outdoor hero? Is there an outdoor store or brand that you truly trust and reckon goes beyond the call? Nominations are open...
The Southern Alps in 4K
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Photo School, Wild Photography
Irish backpacker Colm Keating has created a novel memory of his one year working holiday in New Zealand. Over the course of his year, Keating took 50,000 images in the...
The healing trail
Suffering debilitating anxiety from an emotionally abusive relationship, Australian Laura Waters sought to escape, find adventure and – above all – heal herself. She walked the Te Araroa Trail and...
2019’s best hiking shoes
Footwear and socks, Gear Guides
A good hiking shoe provides a balance between weight and stability – allowing you to move faster and be more agile, while also ensuring firm grip and support. MidsoleMost midsoles...
2019’s best multi-day packs
Stability and comfort are two key requirements for a pack designed to carry heavy loads for several days. CapacityUsually between 50 and 80-litres, multi-day packs will have a single or...
The North Face Futurelight LT L5 jacket and pants
The North Face claims its Futurelight fabric is the world’s most advanced breathable/waterproof outerwear. Alistair Hall took to the mountains to find out if it lives up to the hype....
The great Hump Ridge Track
Surprise! The next Great Walk is in… Southland. You may think I’m being sarcastic, but I really am surprised. The announcement that the Hump Ridge Track will become the next...
Footwear for all the family
It can often be hard to find good outdoor footwear for your kids at an affordable price – who wants to shell out hundreds of dollars on a pair of...
Adventuring with kids
When each of his children turned seven, Mike Allsop took them to Nepal to see Mt Everest. He’s turned the adventures he’s had with them – along with the lessons...
2019's three season boots
The go-to footwear for most hikers, three-season boots are light but still offer plenty of support underfoot and at the ankle. Use them for all on-trail day, weekend or longer...
2019's overnight packs
The overnight pack sits in the Goldilocks zone – it’s not too big and not too small – and is perfect for weekend trips. Fabric Ripstop nylon, Cordura or polyester...
Lighten the load
I love reading about the lengths people will go to lighten their pack. I find it fascinating, mostly because of what I imagine to be the miserableness of the trip...
Sierra Designs – light and cheap
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
After a soft launch into the New Zealand market in 2018, the Sierra Designs brand is now available in several retail outlets in the South Island and includes the full...
2020's three and four-person tents
These three and four person tents are designed for use in all but the coldest weather. Marmot Tungsten 3P $599, Three personVertical walls, D-shaped doors, two vestibules, free-standing, lamp shade...
2020's one-person tents
Going solo this summer? These eight tents balance weight, protection and packability. Hilleberg Enan $1282Single pole construction, multi-pitch design, linked inner and fly for simultaneous pitching, single entrance and vestibule,...
2020's two-person tents
Three-season tents prioritise weight and breathability by using a mesh canopy and lightweight fabrics. These tents are designed for use in all but the coldest weather. Access and vestibules Double...
2019's daypacks
These small-capacity packs are designed to carry everything you need for a day in the bush or on the tops. CapacityOffering up to 35l, daypacks will be zip or buckle...
The future for Lake Waikaremoana
Earlier this year, I received a string of letters from readers sharing dismay at their experience of the Lake Waikaremoana Track. Unreliable water taxis and shuttle services, huts and tracks...
Guide approves DOC’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing weather advisory
The Department of Conservation will implement an advisory system for ‘bad weather days’ on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this summer. From November 1 until the end of the summer...
Cactus investment hooks Kathmandu
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
Outdoor gear giant Kathmandu has signed with Cactus Outdoor-owned Albion Clothing to make New Zealand-made merino tees. Back in July when Cactus Outdoor bought the apparel manufacturer Albion Clothing Limited,...
Birds of a feather
How did your interest in birds develop?I’ve just always liked birds. It’s a fabulous thing bird watching – you get to have a nice walk in beautiful parts of New...
2020’s sport sandals
With secure straps to hold your foot in place, quick-drying materials, and the same midsole technology used in hiking shoes, sport sandals can handle trips from the riverbed to the...
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie Review
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie $420Used by: Editor Alistair HallUsed for: Seven months I’ve practically lived in this 380g insulated jacket for the past seven months and even nearing the...
A muddy trail
I received an interesting letter this month from a reader who walked the Te Araroa Trail over two summers. Jude was writing in response to the story published in October...
PLB with digital display offers ‘peace of mind’
Personal locator beacons, Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
User-friendly innovations, sourced from people who have used PLBs in survival situations feature on the latest ACR Electronics ResQLink Personal Locator Beacons: the ResQLink View ($679), and ResQLink 400 ($549)....
More time sleeping, less time working
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
Therm-A-Rest’s 2020 tramping and camping mattresses will all have the company’s new WingLock valve and be R-value tested to a new standard meant to provide clarity for users. It took...
Back Country Cuisine introduces new vegan meal
Walkshorts, Web exclusive, Gear News
Responding to the growing trend among consumers to eat less meat or go meat-free entirely, freeze-dried food company Back Country Cuisine has added a new vegan mushroom bolognaise to its...
Lighting the way for young readers
Author and photographer Grant Sheehan has been fascinated by lighthouses since he was a child. He’s written five books about them, including, most recently, a series of three children’s books....
Trail running shoes
Trail running shoes keep you glued to the track and offer underfoot protection. FitIt is essential the shoes fit well and feel comfortable straight out of the box. While some...
Summer hiking clothes
Hiking clothes perfect for summer tramping. Marmot Windridge with Graphic LS $69.95Longsleeve tee for high-energy activities, UPF50 sun protection, semi-fitted, quick-drying, flat-locked seams, mesh panels. www.marmotnz.co.nz Marmot Wmn’s Reese...
A family affair
Anyone who has, or plans to have, children with whom they want to share the outdoors with, whether tramping, mountain biking, skiing or any other adventurous and healthy activity, will...
2020 guide to water filters and purifiers
2020's best knives and multitools
Knives and multi-tools, Gear Guides
A knife is one of the most practical tools you can take tramping – it can be used to prepare meals, fix equipment and even cut wood for an emergency...
2020 guide to personal locator beacons
Personal locator beacons, Gear Guides
A PLB takes the ‘search’ out of search and rescue and offers peace of mind to loved ones. Carry one on every trip – no matter its duration or difficulty....
Turning back
One of our most popular stories last month was ‘The courage in turning back’, in which trampers detailed experiences where they had decided it was simply too dangerous to continue...
Kea frolic on West Coast beach
A pair of kea, a native parrot most often associated with alpine environments, have been spotted at Ross Beach, south of Hokitika on the West Coast. The two juvenile kea...
2020’s best multi-day tramping boots
These stiff-soled and durable boots provide the necessary support to carry multi-day loads over rough terrain including, with the aid of crampons, crossing alpine passes. Ankle heightA high cuff supports...
Review: Outdoor Research Astroman Longsleeve Sun Shirt
Outdoor Research Astroman Longsleeve Sun Shirt $159.99Used by: Sun smart editor Alistair HallUsed for: Two months The countless sun smart messages my daughter has brought home from school has rubbed...
2020’s best sleeping bags
Sleeping bags and mats, Gear Guides
Down-filled bags make up the majority of this year’s sleeping bag offerings as most manufacturers have applied waterproof coatings to the down, which has negated the main benefit offered by...
A Great Walk brings new hope
There’s often debate about whether tourism opportunities on the West Coast can replace the many good-paying jobs that have been lost in the extractive industries over the years. Perhaps the...
Bite me for science
Te Papa’s curator of invertebrates Julia Kasper is leading a mosquito census and wants your help in determining the distribution and number of mosquito species around New Zealand. She explains...
2020's best sleeping mats
Your sleeping mat is as important as your sleeping bag in keeping you warm. Here’s what to look for. FillHigh-density open-cell foam, down-insulation or synthetic-insulation are the warmest mattresses. Air-filled...
2020's wet weather jackets
This year’s raincoats run the gamut from the ultra-packable, so you never need leave home without it, to the ultra-durable, so you know it can handle nature’s worst. Here’s how...
Review: Hoka One One Sky Kaha
Hoka One One Sky Kaha $499Used by: Comfort-seeking editor Alistair HallUsed for: Six months When I reviewed these boots back in December, I wrote: ‘Their comfort needs to be trialled...
Taonga peaks
Gaining the summit of a mountain is one of the great joys and achievements of tramping. I remember during my school camp – a 10-day trip to Tongariro National Park...
Wilderness in the era of Covid-19
Dear reader, When the world is facing a crisis, it can seem completely frivolous and out of touch to be talking about tramping, the latest outdoor gear and which trips...
An update for all Wilderness subscribers
To all our Wilderness family, I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy in your bubbles during the nationwide lockdown. Like everyone else in New Zealand trying to adjust...
Te Araroa with a daypack
Among the hundreds of people attempting the Te Araroa Trail this year, Ieva Laucina stood out like a sore thumb. That’s because she packed everything she needed into a 35-litre...
Better late than never
Finally, albeit a couple of weeks late, we have got you the long-awaited May magazine. I hope it’s been worth the wait – I certainly think so. I thank you...
Mixed bag for outdoor stores in Level 2
New Zealand’s outdoor retailers have finally opened their doors and though sales have been slow for some, staff are enjoying the return of customers. Bivouac CEO Wayne Martin said it’s...
2020's best headlamps
Headlamps are now smaller, lighter and brighter than ever before. They’re also mostly rechargeable, taking the hassle out of buying replacement batteries. StrapsStraps should be soft, comfortable, washable and wide...
2020's best insulated jackets
Insulated jackets, Gear Guides
Everything you need to know before buying an insulated jacket. InsulationThere are two types of insulation: synthetic or down. Synthetic insulation is cheapest and will keep the user warm even...
Patch your waterproof trousers
A crampon point will make quick work of your waterproof trousers. Here’s how to mend them. I knew I shouldn’t have been wearing my crampons. I was no longer walking...
Going guided: First Tracks Wanaka Ski Camp
Learn to ski tour while upping your backcountry skills with a four-day excursion to the McKerrow Range near Wanaka. If you’ve skied all the runs at your local field, you...
Going guided: Tasman Glacier heli-skiing
It was a dream come true for Queenstown skier Sally Mingaye-Hall. For 30 years she and her husband Steve had wanted to ski the Tasman Glacier, but children, weather and...
Going guided: Overnight at Plateau Hut
Sitting at 2200m, Plateau Hut looks directly across the vast Grand Plateau icefield to the east face of New Zealand’s highest mountain – Aoraki/Mt Cook. To spend a night here...
Going guided: Sunset tour to Rangitoto
A trip to Rangitoto is on the must-do list of every visitor to Auckland, but while most people visit the island by ferry, a sea kayak trip that coincides with...
Going guided in NZ
Doing a guided trip is not always top of mind when you think about holidaying in your own country. But most people won’t bat an eye to spend a day...
Setting the record straight on Hillary
Richard Riddiford discusses his documentary, Before Everest. In his last autobiography, Sir Edmund Hillary wrote of fellow mountaineer Earle Riddiford: ‘I’d never share a rope with him’. It’s perhaps the...
2020's best alpine boots
Alpine boots are required by those whose adventures take them well and truly above the snow line. WarmthIt’s essential the boot is able to keep feet warm for prolonged periods...
2020’s best mountain packs
Whether you’re hitting the ski field or have aspirations for climbing a snowy peak, a dedicated alpine pack will help you achieve your goals. CapacityRanging from day pack-sized with just...
2020's best outdoor socks
Investing in a good pair of outdoor socks will pay dividends as they cushion feet on rough trails and help keep them blister-free. Moisture managementThe primary purpose of outdoor socks...
Review: Fjallraven Kaipak 38
Fjallraven Kaipak 38 $399Used by: Sentimental editor Alistair HallUsed for: Occasionally over 18 months During the lockdown, I re-visited my gear cupboard and gave my various packs a clean. Scrubbing...
The lighter the pack, the further you go
Roger Parsons wants you to know he’s just an average tramper. And he is, if your average tramper hikes long trails into their seventies. Spend 42 years with a tramping...
How lost people can make themselves seen
A rescuer who helped find two trampers missing for 19 days in Kahurangi National Park has simple advice to ensure you don’t suffer a similar ordeal. A search and rescue...
New Zealand Conditions
During lockdown, I interviewed Ieva Laucina, a young Latvian who had walked the South Island with a ridiculously light pack with a base weight (without food and water) of 6.3kg....
2020’s best winter tents
Camping in winter can be a serious undertaking. To ensure warmth and protection, a dedicated alpine tent is essential. FlySilicone-coated ripstop nylon fabric keeps rain out and handles strong winds...
Review: Vacuum-insulated flasks
Wilderness tests three vacuum-insulated flasks that promise to keep drinks hot on cold winter days. How we tested For both hot water tests, we boiled water and filled each bottle...
Social circles
One of my big regrets on returning to New Zealand from my extended OE in Europe was not joining a tramping club. It was a few years ago now and...