Letter of the month

I am disappointed in the reader’s perspective on babies and young children in the outdoors (Pigeon Post, August 2022). I have spent many a night in huts with families and children of all ages, and I am inspired by parents who take their children and share the magic of nature with them.

There are good reasons for bringing children into the outdoors: it increases their mental development and wellbeing, as well as building resilience and courage for their journey through life.

Children who have positive experiences in nature early in their lives are likely to stay connected with, and become caretakers of, the environment later on. To bring our mokopuna into the outdoors is an investment in the future of our beautiful outdoors.

I find the correspondent’s comments self-focused. Based on my own times in huts: would the letter-writer tell the snorer who led me to sleep on the verandah that they cannot stay in the hut? Is the older woman who started walking away in my tramping boots, because she had early onset Alzheimer’s, also not welcome? I loved the fact that her friends took her out for a quality experience, no matter that she caused a few misunderstandings. 

New Zealand’s outdoor facilities are there for anyone to enjoy, connect with, experience and fill up, no matter what age they are or what life challenges they may face.

   – Maria Deutsch

• Maria receives a Kiwi Camping Five Elements Lantern with Power Bank worth $100. Readers, send your letter to the editor for a chance to win.

Travelling with electronic devices

I’m a Te Araroa Trail section walker (completed the trail in Bluff in February), and while waiting for my flight home, I learned that some of my treasured electronic gear was not allowed in my check-in bag.

I’ve used flights to get to numerous TA sections but was never aware of the following rules governing personal electronic devices on aeroplanes.

Air New Zealand’s ‘conditions of travel’ specify that only ‘personal electronic devices’ (PLBs, GPS communication devices, medical equipment etc) are allowed in checked-in bags. All devices with rechargeable batteries above 160Wh need special permission.

Spare lithium batteries, each containing less than 2g lithium (that includes most non-rechargeable AA or AAA batteries) or for medical devices between 2–8g lithium, are only allowed in a carry-on bag. Each must be packed separately (plastic bag) to prevent contact with metal items. 

Just be aware!

– Jack Osephius

Hunter’s gear

I really enjoy the monthly gear guides. Tents, sleeping bags, rain jackets, boots – it’s equipment we need while tramping. 

However, there is a definite lack of what could be described as ‘hunter’ gear.

Gear from manufacturers such as Swazi, Antarctic Products, Stoney Ridge, Ridgeline and Hunt Tech are noticeable by their absence.

Hunters live and travel in more primitive conditions than the majority of recreational users and demand high-performance gear at a reasonable price.

Additionally, several of these companies, notably Swazi and Antarctic Products, design and manufacture their gear in New Zealand. 

I’m not a gear snob. I do own Swazi and Antarctic Products gear. I also have gear from mainstream and ‘budget’ brands. 

However, in the interests of giving readers a better view of the options out there, and the chance to support New Zealand companies, how about lifting your sights a little.

– Peter Preston

• Hunting brands have never been too interested in having their gear shown in Wilderness gear guides. We’d welcome them. – AH

Wilderness deemed the Alpine Crossing section of the Tongariro Northern Circuit the best day on that Great Walk.

Favourite days on the Great Walks

In the September issue we rated the best days on each of the Great Walks and then asked readers to tell us which they thought were the best. Here are a few responses: 

“In our household, we’ve got one vote for McKinnon Pass (Milford Track) and another for Key Summit to Lake Mackenzie (Routeburn Track). The Kepler Ridge is unforgettable, too.” – Lachlan McKenzie

“Heaphy Track – crossing the moorlands, exploring the caves, seeing takahē and the forest transitions from beech to red tussock to podocarp. Magic!” – Gary Patterson

“The section on the Routeburn Track above the Hollyford Valley and beneath Ocean Peak to Lake Mackenzie in either direction. If travelling west to east, time your trip to be on Harris Saddle at sunset: you’ll have the place to yourself.” – Shaun Moloney

“My favourite sections of the Great Walks I’ve done are: Kepler Track, day two from Luxmore Hut; Routeburn Track, day two over Harris Saddle; Milford Track, day two over McKinnon Pass; Tongariro Northern Circuit, day two along the Alpine Crossing; Rakiura Track, day one from Lee Bay to Port William.” – Fiona Gilston

“It’ll always be any day on the Heaphy for me. Snow-shoeing the Kepler in mid-winter is a close second.”  – Jason Roxburgh