Description
In the June 2022 issue
Features
32 Soul food
Eleven days tramping Rakiura’s North West Circuit can be lonely, primeval and exceedingly beautiful
40 Plus-sized options improving
Gear manufacturers are listening and there are now more options than ever for larger trampers
42 Snowshoeing the Two Thumb Range
The ancient sport of snowshoeing is a simple, low-cost way to enjoy the mountains in winter
48 Winter tramping is the best
Transformed landscapes, more comfortable gear, fewer sandflies and cosy huts top the reasons for tramping in winter
60 You can’t beat the Holdsworth-Jumbo on a good day
It’s the best route in the Tararua Range for a reason: it’s a loop, there’s bush, tops and river travel, and the views are sensational
Trips
20 See more… huts with open fires
In winter, a warm hut with an open fire is good for the soul
22 A high country charmer
Cupola Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
24 Between the mountains
Waihohonu Hut, Tongariro National Park
26 Maungamahue, Ruahine Forest Park
When the weather’s no good on the main Ruahine Range, this trip on the western side is a good alternative
28 Mid Dome, Southland
An easy winter trip offering spectacular views
29 Mangahao Flats Hut, Tararua Forest Park
A lesser-frequented hut in the northern Tararua Range
30 Mt Bruce, Craigieburn Forest Park
A short climb leads to sweeping views of the Waimakariri River and Arthur’s Pass
31 Big Hut, Rock and Pillar Conservation Area
There’s nothing quite like the gently rolling tussock plateaux of Central Otago
Skills
68 What considerations become more important in winter?
69 Cuisine: Fried rice with homemade pickles
70 An illustrated guide to being rescued
Gear
57 Winter gear
Skis, snowshoes and the jackets to keep you warm this winter
58 Winter gear checklist
Tramping in winter is more serious than in summer and it pays to check your gear before leaving home
71 What’s in my pack
Illustrator and outdoor instructor Rachel Davies shows us what she packs
72 Wild review
Three new sleeping bags tested
74 2022’s guide to headlamps
The best lights for around the hut and on the trail
76 2022’s guide to fleeces
Cosy mid-layers to help ward off the cold
Regulars
4 Editorial
6 Pigeon post
Letters to the editor, plus readers share their most memorable nights in the outdoors
8 Last weekend
What did you get up to last weekend?
10 Walkshorts
News from the wild
14 Walk1200km
Meet more participants doing the challenge
20 Wild people
For 20 years, Ian Argyle has led a crew of volunteer track builders all over the Tararua Range
18 Out there
Boiling the billy for a hot drink is a satisfying tramping ritual but for some, one brew is never enough
82 Track Chat
Journalist and Wilderness contributor Hazel Phillips spent three years living in mountain huts and tramping alone
