Letter of the month

Brolly for sun, not rain

Re ‘Under my umbrella’ (June 2024), most of my tramping is done in the bush, which hinders the use of an umbrella.

At least once a month I’m in Abel Tasman National Park checking and resetting 40-plus rat traps.

I then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach at The Anchorage waiting for the water taxi that will take me back to Mārahau.

There is little shade from the sun on this beach, which means that during summer you can burn quickly.

Using a golf cart umbrella holder, which has a right-angle attachment bracket (and only weighs 122g), I can attach my ZPacks Lotus UL umbrella (192g) to my trekking pole to form a beach umbrella. This is great at blocking UV rays and makes sitting on the beach so much more comfortable   and enjoyable.

– Mark Gray

Mark wins a Rab Mantle Tessalate Tee worth $69.95 from www.outfitters.co.nz. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Barnett Peak?

Here’s a thought. Given the unique contribution made to New Zealand tramping by Shaun Barnett, would there be a case to submit a request to LINZ to name a land feature after him? Pt1513, one of the 15 Tararua peaks over 1500m, isn’t named. Barnett would sit nicely next to Bannister, don’t you think?   

– Monique Bon

Leatherman out of stock

I buy Wilderness on a regular basis, including June 2024 with the article ‘Does size matter?’, which discussed the benefits of using mini pocket knives and multi-tools. The author wrote especially about the Leatherman Style CS.  I decided this multi-tool would be ideal for my purposes. However, no one seems to sell this model anymore. It has been replaced with the PS, which is completely useless as it doesn’t have a knife. I spent a lot of time trying to find the CS online and was left frustrated and disappointed. I’m sure I’m not the only one who ran into this issue.

I hope the items reviewed in the future will be available for sale.

– Alan Passchier

– The author Justin Sprecher responds: ‘The CS must have gone out of stock between the writing and publishing of this article (a period of several months). The Leatherman Micra might be worth considering as a replacement for the CS. It’s a similar size and has similar features with scissors and a knife, just without the carabiner.’

Walking poles a potential vector

I am concerned about measures to combat kauri dieback disease in Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. I appreciate the efforts made to protect native kauri trees, but during visits to the park noticed a significant oversight regarding the cleanliness of walking poles.

I have seen boot-cleaning stations at the beginning and end of each track. However, there was no provision for cleaning walking poles.

These can easily harbour soil and contaminants carrying pathogens that contribute to the spread of kauri dieback. Given the severity of this disease, it is imperative all potential vectors for transmission are addressed.

If DOC would consider implementing cleaning facilities or cleaning guidelines for walking poles at these stations, this could be done along with people’s boots. 

– Lynette Morris

Ode to Shaun Barnett

I was with Shaun and his family a few days before he passed away, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to say a proper goodbye to my dear friend. I wrote some verse for his children, Lexi, Lee and Tom, about their dad.

Wand’ring the hills, with our dearest of mates,

A very fine tramper called Shaun.

Burdened with tripods, and similar weights, 

Dragged up high, to capture the dawn.

He’d dart up here, haul his lens down there, 

Paparazzi-ing all over the place.

At his photos I could only marvel and stare, 

Moments captured with remarkable grace.

With his love of the bush, and incredible drive, 

He’s an example of what one should do.

Cramming his years, Shaunie knew how to live, 

(and knew which huts had the best view).

Pushing his limits as a keen hut-bagger, 

While avoiding the precarious climb.

Ne’er once did I see him stumble or stagger, 

On our tramps he’d describe as ‘sublime’.

Too many spots were his home-away-from-home,

The Ruahines more special than most.

Even down here was our Shaun known to roam, 

So it’s in Canty that I’ve made a toast!

To a bloke who lived fully, and boyishly too, 

I raise my metaphorical beer.

You were utterly special, truly one of the few, 

And we’ll all struggle, now you’re not here.

Your boots are well worn mate, so rest up your feet, 

And ponder now spiritual tramps.

You’ll rarely get frostbite, won’t sweat in the heat, 

And won’t have to endure ruddy cramps.

Well, our Shaunie’s like Elvis, he’s now left supreme, 

And his legend has blossomed and grown.

Time to finish this up, hand it onto his team, 

My reflection on Barno (in a poem).

– Joe Nalwalaniec

Moonlight mission

Within 24 hours of receiving my copy of the June 2024 issue, I sent an invitation to the Auckland University Tramping Club to do our own moonlight crossing (‘A dark experience’). 

Six of us completed this on the night of the winter solstice. 

We set off at midnight and reached Ketetahi car park around 8am. Although we were exhausted, we were also wide-eyed at the incredible experience. The views of Mt Ngāuruhoe and Mt Tongariro, in particular, were gorgeous with their dusting of snow – and we had those views all to ourselves! 

I highly recommend the trip, and I had the best sleep of my life at Mangatepopo Hut afterwards.

– Emily Steiner

– Emily receives a meal from Real Meals. Readers, when you do a trip that has been published in Wilderness, let us know to receive your prize, too.