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

A mysterious “7ft” figure filmed walking through a remote part of Colorado has sent Bigfoot enthusiasts into a frenzy.

Shannon Parker and Stetson Tyler were travelling on the Narrow Gauge train ride from Durango to Silverton on October 8 when they filmed when they spotted movement on the mountainside.

A video captured by a fellow passenger shows the large, bipedal creature walking across the pass, before stopping and squatting down on its haunches. 

Is it for real, or a prank? Watch the video at the Independent and decide for yourself.

Five of the greatest walks in the world

Australian Geographic has curated a list of the five greatest walks in the world. From Africa and North America to Australia and New Zealand, these walks explore spectacular locations with a mix of terrain types, cultural experiences, and levels of challenge.

The walks on the list include the Overland Track in Tasmania, the West Coast Trail in British Columbia, the Dusky Track in New Zealand, the John Muir Trail in the USA and Mt Kenya in Kenya. 

New documentary captures record 46-day speed run along the Pacific Crest Trail

It’s been just six weeks since a Belgian ultrarunner shattered the speed record on the Pacific Crest Trail and there is already a feature-length documentary film about the feat.

The film, “Pacing the Pacific,” is free to watch. It chronicles the journey of Karel Sabbe, a 33-year-old dentist and accomplished mountain runner who, earlier this summer, trekked the 4,265km PCT in record time. He covered an average of 93km per day and was supported by a crew of four who made camp each day, cooked and helped with treatment.

The film is “about Karel and his incredible physical ability, but also it’s about the respect he has for his crew and his genuine intention, which is to get out in nature and reset when life gets too busy,” director Caleb Hawkins said. Watch the film here and read the full story from the San Fransisco Chronicle. 

Tramping with kids: Inspiring children to safely explore New Zealand’s great outdoors 

A new book has been launched to encourage and inspire the younger generation to safely head out into Aotearoa’s great outdoors.

In conjunction with the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC), Mia & Leo Go Wild has been written by award-winning author Gillian Candler, with illustrations by Gavin Mouldey.

MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley said the book aims to give children the basic knowledge they need to explore the backcountry safely. “The book is a great tool to help children get involved and own the planning of their adventures,” said Daisley.

“We know thousands of families love to get outdoors every year, and when you’re adventuring with children it adds a whole new safety dimension. We want Kiwis to be safe in the outdoors and it is exciting to hear the stories of people planning their first overnight tramp or taking the kids out to explore new places. We hope this book sparks some fun adventures for whānau.”

Read the full interview and learn about the book at Stuff.

Well-prepared West Coast tramper death caused by preventable fall, coroner says

West Coast paramedic Ian Harvey was adequately prepared for his overnight tramp into the Adam Wilderness Area but unfortunately, Harvey fell while exploring fragile terrain according to a coroner’s report released last week.

He was a devoted tramper, and a meticulous planner who investigated routes, studied maps and the weather, and always tramped with a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and it was no different on his final tramp in 2022, the coroners’ findings state.  

On his descent, he reached a large active slip, slightly off the marked route, indicated by his photos. He had spoken to a colleague about this slip in preparation for his trip. His body was found by Land Search and Rescue about 300m below the slip. 

While Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale and MSC cannot identify the precise reason that Harvey deviated off track and entered the active slip area, the evidence showed that he had walked into the slip before falling from a cliff ledge. Read the full press release from the Mountain Safety Council.