Features

34 Queen of the slipstream
The 73km Queen Charlotte Track is a ride through the heart of the Marlborough Sounds

38 Between mountains and sea
State Highway Six isn’t just New Zealand’s best road trip – it’s one of the world’s best

44 The reinvention of a Great Walk
How Tūhoe is reshaping the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk

48 Lost
What you can do if you find yourself lost in the backcountry

52 This is why we do it
Reflecting on the highs and lows of 20 years of tramping

58 Running the gauntlet
Before 1080 is dropped, conservationists have a lot of groundwork to do

Trips

20 See more… corners
Seven corners to visit in the backcountry

22 Nature’s superbowl
Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato

24 Stagger into paradise
Stag Creek Waterfall, Westland

26 You can’t beat Kime on a fine day
Kime Hut, Tararua Forest Park

28 Seeking the alpine Eyres
Irthing Hut, Eyre Mountain Conservation Park

30 A night with a guardian
Kaitiaki Peak, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

32 A blast from the past
Broken Hills, Coromandel Forest Park

Skills

62 Navigation: Location awareness
63 How to pack a daypack
64 Packrafting safely
65 Bird spotting: Hihi
66 Wild Cuisine: Crunchy choc ginger granola bars

Gear

Gear guides

68 2019’s best daypacks
70 2019’s best three-season tents

75 First look reviews
The wood-burning Bushbox LF stove and Fjallraven’s classic – and durable – hiking pants

76 Broken in
Wilderness staff and gear reviewers test their kit for you

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

12 Wilderness word
Enter our crossword competition to win great prizes

14 Wild People
Scott Donaldson was the first person to complete a solo trans-Tasman kayak

16 Wild Gear
The lowdown on sleeping bag liners

18 The loss of adventure
While upgrading tracks can improve access, sometimes the connection to nature can be lost.

82 Track chat
Folk duo Mickey and Michelle on walking the Te Araroa Trail