Description
In the July 2021 issue…
Features
18 Driven towards species protection
A future where Rakiura is predator-free and kākāpō boom in southern Fiordland are not just pipe dreams
24 Unforgettable trips
Done the Great Walks and looking for the next level? These 10 trips will progress your tramping career
38 A Grave adventure
Retracing the route of early explorers over Fiordland’s Marshall Pass
46 Getting started in packrafting
Five of the best beginner trips, plus everything you need to know to get into packrafting
52 The fun business of hut bagging
There is a lot of backcountry huts in New Zealand and some people want to visit as many as possible
60 Safe storage for long-distance walkers
The remote businesses that have become important supply depots for Te Araora Trail walkers
Waypoints and Trips
19 See more… coppermines
Walk these four trails for their mining history and stay for the magnificent scenery
22 Way up on Wakefield
Wakefield Ridge, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
30 Pinnacle Bivouac, West Coast
A high bivvy near the edge of a precipice commands a superb view into the Kokatahi Valley
32 Hihikiwi Track, Pirongia Forest Park
A bite-sized section of Te Araroa Trail leads to a dramatic lookout and Pahautea Hut
33 Mt Barrosa Summit Track, Hakatere Conservation Park
A steady climb and rewarding views for trampers who want to make it home by dinnertime
34 Shorts and Knights tracks, Ruahine Forest Park
A beautiful – and challenging – full-day hike up and along the Ngamoko Range
35 Lake Marian, Fiordland National Park
Winter is the perfect time to visit this alpine lake
36 Lower Tama Loop, Tongariro National Park
This circuit gives the Tongariro Alpine Crossing a run for its money and you’ll barely see a soul
44 Wellington from on high
The Puke Ariki Track is an end-to-end walk or ride of Wellington’s Belmont Regional Park
Skills
64 Blitz your winter worries
65 Cuisine: kumara gnocchi with buttery greens
66 An illustrated guide to layering
67 Five equipment extras for your winter pack
Gear
68 Wild review
Four very different insulated jackets tested and rated for how well they handle the cold
70 First look review
The Stash stove is Jetboil’s most compact and lightest personal cooking system
71 What’s in my pack
West Coast tramper and caver Neil Silverwood
Gear guides
73 2021’s guide to tramping socks
76 2021’s guide to winter tents
Regulars
4 Editorial
6 Pigeon post
Letters to the editor
8 Last weekend
What did you get up to last weekend?
10 Walkshorts
News from the wild
14 Wild people
After seven decades of tramping, Val Latimer still has plans for more
16 Wild people
The stunning 273km mountain traverse from Arthur’s Pass to Aoraki/Mt Cook undertaken by two Arrowtown residents
74 Track Chat
Matt Butler has designed a comprehensive survival kit which he has crowdfunded on Kickstarter
