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

Outdoor adventures offer more than just breathtaking views and physical challenges. They provide a multitude of mental health benefits that can rejuvenate your mind and enhance your overall well-being. 

“Engaging with nature allows you to shift your focus from daily experiences and stresses,” says clinical psychologist Dr Kamna Chhibber, Fortis Hospital. The digital age doesn’t spare us from notifications, emails and social media updates. “Hiking trips provide the perfect opportunity for a digital detox,” says Dr Chhibber. 

Another key mental health benefit of hiking is that trekking trips promote physical fitness and offer a unique sense of accomplishment. Hiking trips offer unique challenges that require determination and perseverance. Along the crests and troughs, you build motivation and resilience. “Hiking in natural surroundings uplifts your mood, soothes anxiety, and reduces stress,” says Dr Chhibber. 

Read Healthshot’s five reasons why hiking trips are a powerful tool for improving mental health.

Kauri disease pathogen found in Kaimai ranges

Provisional positive test results have detected Phytophthora agathidicida (PA) – the pathogen responsible for kauri disease – on a track near the Wharawhara entrance of Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, near Tauranga.

This means some tracks will be closing immediately to conduct further testing and limit any further spread of the pathogen that causes the disease. A review of the closures will be made after 10 weeks (29 September). 

The tracks and areas closed from 21 July are:

• Waitengaue Track
• Waitengaue to Upper Waitawheta Track
• Upper Waitawheta Track
• Lindemann to Cashmore’s Clearing Track
• Lindemann Loop Track
• Wharawhara Tramway Track
• North-South Track to Waiorongomai
• Te Rereatukahia Hut Track
• Wharawhara Link Track
• North-South Track (Rereatukahia to Tuahu)
• Tuahu Track (east)
• Tuahu Kauri Loop Track
• North-South Track (Tuahu to Thompsons Track)
• Sentinel Rock Lookout Track
• Eliza Mine Loop Track to Thompsons

Read the Department of Conservation’s full press release.

Former Queenstown hiking guide claims unsafe working conditions

Former Queenstown guide Neil Phillips hiked the Milford, Routeburn, and Greenstone tracks as his job, but says the working conditions were so unsafe they contributed to a “horrendous turnover” at the company.  

He says during the last summer guiding season there were so many resignations of trained employees that housekeepers at the lodges located along the track were called on to suit up and walk with guests as guides. 

Ultimate Hikes, the company he worked for, is denying this, saying the turnover of staff and the movement between various roles in the company was no different this year than others. 

Mr Phillips says when the team worked a 15-hour day due to a major event out on the track, their request to be paid for the extra four hours worked was denied. He also goes on to claim that staff are only supplied a raincoat and two merino tops to wear – they need to finance the rest, including their 65L hiking pack, hiking boots, pants and other warm layers. 

Read the full story at Crux. 

Women’s survival skills instructor warns hikers learning the basics can be the difference between life and death

Canberra’s Women’s Adventure ACT group coordinator Kelli Jackson has taught about 5,200 women survival skills, from using a compact mirror to attract attention to knowing which handbag essentials can help start a fire.

“Women might have a tampon and some lip balm in their backpack, and that’s a really great way to start a fire,” she said. Ms Jackson said these were the sort of female-focused survival skills that could make all the difference if hikers found themselves in trouble. “When things go wrong, the basics will save your life,” she said. “A lot of people have the misconception that if they’re in a national park, they’re on a national park track and therefore they are safe.”

Ms Jackson started teaching women how to safely explore the great outdoors five years ago when she noticed many were going off the beaten path with little preparation. Read more from the ABC.

DOC prepares Mt Iron track for handover to council

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has made some changes to the Mt Iron track in preparation for handing management of the site over to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

DOC spokesperson Anita Middlemiss said the work was focused on the management of water on the track surface. “It involved some culvert installation and some limited surface shaping,” she said.

DOC also removed the stiles on the section of track where the underlying land is now owned by QLDC, and the council has been removing internal fences on its block so the stiles are no longer needed. QLDC’s plans to purchase almost 100ha of privately owned land at Mt Iron – to become a public reserve in perpetuity for the local community – were announced in December 2021. Read the full story at Wanakaapp.