FEATURES

18 Leave no trace, go ‘plamping’
Somehow, when you combine tramping with collecting rubbish you get plamping’

20 The Bard of the Hollyford
Guide Bard Crawford sheds light on why more Kiwi trampers are going guided and becoming burgeoning conservationists

24 The Wilderness 40 Top Huts
Of the 900-plus huts in New Zealand, these are the best

58 Training for New Zealand’s hardest day trip
Climbing Taranaki Maunga requires specific training for legs, shoulders and body.

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

12 2023 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the year
Have you got what it takes to craft a Wilderness cover shot?

14 Walk1200km
Meet three Walk1200km participants. Plus, a new batch of #microchallenges

80 Track chat
The new world of adventure tourism in this pandemic age

Waypoints and trips

22 See more … polar explorers
Four destinations that are named after polar explorers for trans-alpine trampers to visit

50 Day of reckoning
The thrilling, tussock-gripping crossing of Rabbit Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park

SKILLS
62 Cuisine: Chorizo basil beans
63 Skills: Who’s really the expert in your group?
64 An illustrated guide to debriefing
65 Skills: The mutual support method for crossing rivers

GEAR

68 What’s in my pack
Mountaineer, tramper and thru-hiker Penny Webster shows what she’s packing on a forthcoming Dusky Track trip

69 First look reviews
Garmin’s InReach Messenger is a tiny device that pairs with a smartphone for remote communication

70 2023’s guide to 3-4 season tramping boots
These solid boots offer support, grip and reliability over rough terrain.

72 2023’s guide to sleeping bags
A look at the year’s best sleeping bags and quilts.