Letter of the month

DOC warning signs welcomed

When tramping with my family late last year on Robert Ridge (Nelson Lakes National Park), the signs warning of the dangers of exposed ridge travel forced us to stop and ask: were the conditions okay to proceed? 

Did we have the gear we needed? Could we last the distance?

Our walk to Angelus Hut was straightforward: it was a calm, clear day with stunning views. The next day, however, the weather closed in. Driving rain and low visibility ruled out a return along the ridge.

Signage at the hut about an  ‘emergency’ exit route down Speargrass Creek made our choice easy. 

We got back to the car park drenched but safe. 

It’s the first time I’ve encountered such explicit warnings on any route in Aotearoa. Some old hands may find it intrusive, but I was glad of the prompts’ reassurance. DOC has done a great job of making the risks understandable, and hopefully it will mean no one is caught unawares.

– Stephen Blyth

– Stephen wins a Cotopaxi Del Dia Travel Cube Bundle worth $120 from www.cotopaxi.co.nz. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Weaving a map 

I loved your special feature on maps (January 2024); maps do tell a story.

Taranaki Maunga is my favourite tramping area and for many years I have kept all the old Egmont National Park maps. Looking back on these, I can see there were tracks that are now closed, huts rebuilt or demolished and new routes established. There are heaps of stories.

My other interest is weaving, and last year I wove a piece on the theme ‘Take a line for a walk’. I based the design on part of the Tongariro National Park map that shows Mangaturuturu Valley where my old club, Wanganui Tramping Club, has a hut.

It was a tricky design. The colours of the different contours were hard to blend. 

It’s definitely a ‘one-off’.

– Maree Liddington

Pay your way on Te Araroa

I recently came across many people hiking Te Araroa. They inspire and intrigue me – all ages and nationalities, chatting, sharing their stories and their mission to walk the length of our country.

In one hut I read articles about Te Araroa in the April 2023 issue of Wilderness. 

One story quoted Matt Claridge, executive director of Te Araroa Trust. He estimated ‘there may be as many as 4000 thru-hikers on the trail this season … walker registrations are twice that compared to pre-Covid times, although not everyone registers … only about a third donate, which is a big shortfall … donations of time and money are incredibly important’.

The trust suggests a ‘donation’ of $750, which seems good value to walk a well-marked, well-maintained trail with an excellent hut network. My question is, why doesn’t the trust make the donation a fee? 

Perhaps in return, walkers could receive a pack tag to show to Trail Angels and hut wardens, or to prove eligibility for discounts on other trail services like water taxis.

Te Araroa is a desirable walk. It’s time to get savvy, spread the costs across the users and ensure the trail is sustainable into the future.

– N. Poswillo

I organised our first mixed-group tramp after reading how nice and achievable the trip to Kōhanga Atawhai – Manson Nicholls Hut is for families and beginners (October 2021).

Ours is a regular tramping family, and this was the first trip we’d invited others on.

A few friends responded and 11 walkers from four families – five adults and six teens – came along.

This 2–3hr bush-covered walk is lovely. It’s easy and parallel to the Alfred River for a while, with a bit more undulation towards the end before the new hut.

We all had a summer dip in the lake (hello eels!) then roasted marshmallows on the fire pit. The friends who came enjoyed it and were pleased to have someone give them the impetus to go. Be the firestarter and spark a walk!

– Kim Lynn

– Kim 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. 

Thirsty work

I feel the tips for ‘Tramping in summer’ feature (February 2024) missed some issues concerning dehydration.

Pre-loading before heading out can be useful, not forgetting that all fluids count, so a very liquid breakfast, rather than thick porridge, will also help, as will several cups of water or tea.

Electrolytes taken during the day with water will assist with hydration and prevent headaches. 

Checking the map for water sources on the trip and carrying a water filter saves having to carry a whole day’s supply of water.

– Amanda Collins

Takahē and kiwi on Heaphy

A friend and I recently walked the Heaphy Track. I thought readers might be interested to know that we saw four takahē at Saxon Hut, even though the warden at Perry Saddle told us there are just 11 in the national park. We also saw a powelliphanta snail on the track near Perry Saddle.

I recommend spreading out this track, enjoy the huts, and hopefully you’ll see a takahē. Other people on the track didn’t see them, although one person saw a kiwi on the track around midday.

– Peter Mortimer