In claggy conditions on Neill-Winchcombe Ridge Shaun ensured they stayed on track. Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography

The other Neill–Winchcombe Ridge story

August 2024

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August 2024

In August 2022 Wilderness published a story by its roving editor Shaun Barnett about a Tararua tramp he’d completed with Kathy Ombler. After Shaun passed away in June this year, Kathy wrote her story about that trip, and about what it was like to explore the hills with Shaun.

“Here, give me your pack.” “What? You can’t do that!” “Yes, I can. I’ve carried packs for my kids.” And off Shaun strode, his own huge pack laden with camera, tripod and who knows what else, my pack cradled in his arms, surging up a typically gutbuster-steep Tararua ridge, still faster than woeful me. I […]
August 2024

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August 2024

Kathy Ombler

About the author

Kathy Ombler

Freelance author Kathy Ombler mostly writes about outdoor recreation, natural history and conservation, and has contributed to Wilderness for many years. She has also written and edited for other publications and websites, most recently Federated Mountain Club’s Backcountry, Forest & Bird, and the Backcountry Trust. Books she has authored include Where to Watch Birds in New Zealand, Walking Wellington and New Zealand National Parks and Other Wild Places. She is currently a trustee for Wellington’s Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.

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