Camping on The Nelson Tops after a big day out. Photo: Ray Salisbury

Walking through the valley of Hope

April 2026

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April 2026

A rugged off-track deviation to The Nelson Tops elevates this tramper’s route through Lake Sumner Forest Park.

(Listen to Ray read his story with a follow-up Q&A about the trip with our editor.) The definition of an adventure is that the outcome cannot be predicted. One has no guarantee of fine weather, the availability of huts or the fitness of companions. My cunning plan was to utilise a section of Te Araroa […]
April 2026

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April 2026

Ray Salisbury

About the author

Ray Salisbury

Ray Salisbury is an author and photographer living in Nelson with his wife and cat. He studied design and photography and has been contributing to Wilderness since 1997. His books include Tableland: The history behind Mt Arthur and EPIC: Adventures across Aotearoa. Ray began tramping with a camera more than 50 years ago and has visited over 500 backcountry huts.

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