A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
Work has begun on a 110m suspension bridge over the Manganui Gorge on Taranaki Maunga, marking a new phase of the Taranaki Crossing project. The 1.2m-wide bridge will sit 50m above the gorge and connect the plateau carpark with the only ski field on the maunga via a 30-minute walk.
Built to withstand 210km/hr winds and to last 100 years, it will become a key link in the $13.4 million Taranaki Crossing, a network of tracks linking Dawson Falls to the Ahukawakawa wetland and over the Pouakai Ranges to the end of Mangorei Road.
Taranaki Crossing project manager Carl Whittleston said the bridge is a vital component of the trek. “The gorge previously has been a high-risk area, particularly during the winter seasons when there’s a risk of avalanche. What this bridge will do is remove that risk completely and it will also be an attractive place to visit in and of itself.”
The bridge is due to be completed in April. Read more at RNZ.
92-year-old becomes the oldest person to hike the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim trail
At 39 km in length and with more than 3,050m of climbing, the Rim-to-Rim trail is a challenge for anyone. Last month, 92-year-old Alfredo Aliaga set a new bar when he broke a Guinness world record by becoming the oldest person to complete it. The hike took Spanish-born Aliaga 21 hours over two days.
Aliaga previously hiked the Rim-to-Rim twice before with his daughter, Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau, and son-in-law, Jurgen Buchenau. Buchenau discovered that Aliaga missed the record by three months on his previous hike.
Aliaga managed to hike the trail with few difficulties. He trekked at a deliberate pace and even took extra time to snap selfies with fans as he made his way through the canyon.
The biggest shock was the size of the community that rallied around the project. Buchenau made a post on Facebook which quickly received thousands of likes and shares. When Aliaga made it to the North Rim, nearly 100 supporters cheered him to the finish line. Read the full story from Backpacker.
Tarantula causes car crash
When tarantulas are on the move, it’s best to use caution. That’s the message park officials are trying to get out after a roving arachnid caused a car crash in Death Valley National Park last weekend.
Two tourists from Switzerland braked hard after seeing a tarantula scampering across the highway. A 24-year-old Canadian man on a motorcycle then crashed into the back of the Swiss couple’s rented camper van and had to be transported to a hospital.
Park officials noted that the tarantula was unharmed. The tarantula was likely on the road because mature male tarantulas emerge at this time of year in search of a partner. Read the full story from the Guardian.
Christchurch’s Coastal Pathway is fully open
After years of work, the Coastal Pathway is now open – including a cantilevered section near the yacht club at Redcliffs. By bike, it’s about 25 minutes one-way from the Ferrymead Bridge to the Scarborough clock tower. On foot, it’s about 90 to 120 minutes.
A coastal pathway was talked about for decades, but it took the earthquakes to motivate passionate and capable residents to form the Coastal Pathway Group, which raised enthusiasm and funds for this new Christchurch treasure.
The Moncks Bay section was the hardest and most expensive to build at more than $17 million. The pathway was cantilevered over the rocky shore, while penguins nest underneath. Read the full story from The Press.
‘Dream’ ski season for Mt Ruapehu helping bolster businesses
After an uncertain start, huge dumps of snow ensured this was the best ski season for Mr Ruapehu in years. Business owners like Leigh Berry at the Ruapehu Mountain Motel and Lodge are content. “We paid the bills for the year, which was great. We haven’t come away with a huge pocket full of money, but at least we’re still viable.”
TCB Ski, Board and Bike director Ben Wiggins said, “It was literally back to pre-Covid numbers. We had snow during the week, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Then it would be clear and sunny on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s almost unheard of, to be so consistent. The skiing was fantastic.”
However, central North Island businesses face uncertainty while the bids to take over from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) remain undecided. The preferred bidders to run the ski slopes are Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Tūroa. But it’s unknown when they will take over or where the concession process is with the Department of Conservation. Read the full story from RNZ.
