Celebrate cold times - winter is here! Photo: Xavi Costa Losa

Your first winter tramp

Getting started, Wild winter

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Mark Watson

Mark is Wilderness’s gear editor and a dedicated storyteller, documenting his adventures in both words and photos.

By Mark Watson

The thought of a cold winter walk sends a shiver down many people’s spine. Which is one reason to give it go: you could have an entire track and series of huts to yourself. The changed landscape, the challenge and sheer beauty of snow-covered mountains and trails are other reasons to load up your pack.

Winter is a special – maybe my favourite – time to head into the hills. The river swims, shorts and endless days of summer are replaced with the crispness of the snowpack, fresh air and long evenings sipping hot drinks. Tramping in New Zealand’s ranges at this time of year isn’t all about postholing through […]

About the author

Mark Watson

Wilderness gear editor Mark Watson divides his workdays between graphic design, writing and photography. His passion for tramping, climbing, cycling and storytelling has taken him all over Aotearoa and the world in search of great trails, perfect moves and epic light. He has published four books and his photographs have featured in numerous publications. Especially motivated by long distance travel, he has tramped Te Araroa and cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.