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

It won’t have escaped your notice that there’s been a serious amount of rain this recently, and this has had a huge impact on DOC’s land and facilities.

The Auckland and Thames-Coromandel regions have been worst affected, but they’re not alone in terms of damage, with slips, fallen trees and flooding affecting several regions across the country.

In Westland, for instance, the popular Copland Track and Welcome Flat Hut were closed in the aftermath, as was Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, which is blocked due to windfall.

In northern Coromandel, all of DOC’s huts and campsites are shut, but all the department’s accommodation is now open in the Auckland region.

DOC recommends anyone planning to head out should check the alerts on that particular track before going. And you can see the department’s list of site closures here.

Tramper walks back to safety holding broken neck

A tramper called Ruth Woroniecki was hiking in the San Gabriel mountains in California, US, when she slipped on ice and fell 60 metres, causing serious facial injuries, a head wound and a broken neck.

When she woke from the fall she was surrounded by people helping her, but a rescue helicopter couldn’t reach her due to gusty winds making it too dangerous.

This meant she needed to walk to a nearby clearing, holding her broken neck in place, before being lifted out and taken to hospital. Read more here. 

Uncertain future for Tongariro icon

For those who wanted to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of Tongariro National Park while basking in a spot of luxury, The Chateau Tongariro hotel was a great go-to.

But not any more, after it was discovered, when preparing to renew the lease, that underground shifts meant the building fell short of safety standards. The owners decided to close it and the keys have been handed back to DOC, who own the land.

The future of this iconic building is now uncertain, but the local community is determined to get it reopened.

Mayor of Ruapehu, Weston Kirton, said: “It’s a jewel in our crown and we’re going to fight as much as we can to retain ownership so we can include that in the many many activities and accommodation we’ve got in our district.” Read more at RNZ. 

World’s first 3D-printed climbing shoes

Exciting news from Spain, as a company called Athos is promising climbers a perfect bespoke fit by scanning their feet and creating 3D-printed climbing shoes that match the scans.

The startup began as an idea by a group of four students who couldn’t understand why climbers have to deform their feet by wearing shoes that are too small. Many like to downsize because it gives them better performance on the rock, but this has long-term implications.

And Athos wants to retain this level of performance without having to downsize. “Every foot is unique,” says one of the startup’s founders Mar Amengual. “Our purpose is to give every climber the perfect climbing shoe so they can enjoy the climbing experience a little more.” Read more here. 

The 93km track… that’s air conditioned!

You’ve probably had some walks this summer where you thought air conditioning your immediate surroundings was a great idea. But you were joking… surely!

Well, in Dubai, they’ve taken the idea very seriously, and the city plans to build a 93km loop walking and cycling track with year-round climate control.

The idea is to make moving around the city by foot or pedal more appealing, and those in charge want 80 percent of commutes to be made without an engine.

The walk will use 100 percent renewable energy, recycled water for irrigation, and it will also feature vertical farms. Read more here.