Table of contents, February 2018

Features

28 Off the beaten track
A trip through one of the finest valley-heads in the Ruahine Range

34 Banks Track unveils new route
New Zealand’s original private walk on Banks Peninsula

50 From the wilderness, with love
Candlelit huts and starry nights make the backcountry a breeding ground for new love

56 The big issues
Recreation experts share their wishlist for the future of our national parks

Waypoints and trips

16 Riverside retreat
Totara Flats Hut, Tararua Forest Park

18 See more
Four places going by the name ‘beehive’

20 Four ways to Kowhai Hut
A route for all abilities to this hut in the Seaward Kaikoura Range

22 Off track for first timers
Klondyke Valley Track, Victoria Forest Park

24 Journey through an ancient forest
Lower Whirinaki Track-Mangamate Stream Track loop, Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane Conservation Park

25 Cathedral of light
Suspension Bridge Track, Hunua Ranges Regional Park

26 Canterbury’s best foothill
Peak Hill, Peak Hill Conservation Area

Regulars

2 Editorial

4 Pigeon post
Letters to the editor

6 Last weekend
What did you get up to last weekend?

8 Walkshorts
News from the wild

11 Wilderness word
Enter our crossword competition to win great prizes

13 Wilderness photo competition
More than $3800 worth of camera prizes to be won – don’t forget to enter!

14 Wild people
Libby Bowles hopes to change the world, one classroom at a time

44 Wild families
A seven-year-old’s induction into the world of tramping

46 Wild conservation
A new agreement aims to encourage philanthropists to open their wallets for conservation

48 Wild conservation
The future of North Island forests is in limbo as myrtle rust takes hold

Skills

38 Take care of your feet

39 How to avoid chafing

40 Leg strengthening exercises to improve stability

42 Bird spotting: Rock wren

43 Wild cuisine: Overnight oats

Gear

62 Wild review
Two insulated jackets and Fjallraven’s premier tramping pack

66 Buyer’s guide
66 Compasses, digital mapping and GPS devices
67 Personal locator beacons