A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
It’s known for its isolation, its wild rugged beauty and its sensational wildlife. But it’s not just kiwi you’re likely to encounter on Rakiura National Park’s idyllic bays.
Visitors are discovering a worrying amount of plastic trash being washed up onto the island’s beaches.
Mason Bay is one such victim, with reports old fishing gear, craypots, buoys, and just about every domestic plastic throw-away you can think of lining the shore.
But, as this Stuff article investigates, the plastic you can see is merely the tip of the iceberg.
DOC still reliant on coal for heating huts
Two years ago, DOC said there were 31 huts that relied on coal heating, and that this would all change after promising to transition to wood. But today, 27 of those 31 huts are still using coal.
We know this thanks to an Official Information Request by Act New Zealand. The huts concerned include the three on the Paparoa Track Great Walk, plus Welcome Flat Hut on the Copland Track.
“It’s clear that DOC has no plan to fulfil this policy,” said Act conservation spokeswoman Nicole McKee, “and Labour should have recognised this from the beginning.” Read more at Otago Daily Times.
Search for person who left the ashes of loved one on Ruapehu
When Wilderness contributor Hazel Phillips just happened to spot a package while climbing on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, she was startled to find it was a bread bag filled with human ashes.
The bag dates from 2001, and Hazel is keen to know who put the ashes up there and why.
“The site carries significance, and whoever chose to leave the ashes of their loved one there must have done so intentionally because of a personal link with the location.”
She would love the person who left the bag to get in touch, and promises anonymity if they do so. Read the full story here.
New 62km track in the pipeline
Trampers and cyclists will soon be able to explore a scenic part of the South Island’s east coast over a multi-day trail.
The 62km trail will link the three reserves in the Waimate District of South Canterbury – Kelceys Bush, Studholme Bush and Gunns Bush. There are also plans to link it with the Alps 2 Ocean trail, and build huts along the route.
“The trail will follow a part of the old Waimate branch railway line and will be a trail that will cater to all ages with an educational and cultural aspect to it,” said Waimate2gether project manager Jo Sutherland.
“Once the trail is completed you can start at different points on the trail but for now, the first stage will start at Studholme Bush Scenic Reserve and end at the Waihao Forks Hotel.” Read more at Stuff.
Getting hitched in a tramper’s paradise
When a bride-to-be envisages her walk up the aisle, she doesn’t imagine it’ll be seven hours long.
But when Luana Schramme and Bernardo Araujo recently tied the knot, a seven-hour yomp is exactly what the occasion entailed.
Why? Because they wanted their big day in one of the most beautiful spots in the country.
Their location of choice was Lake Wilson, in the Valley of the Trolls, off the Routeburn Track… and the four bottles of bubbly weren’t light either! Read more and see their amazing pictures at Stuff.
