A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

The BBC’s Jessica Wynne Lockhart writes that the launch of the Hump Ridge Track in October may be a lifeline for the town of Tuatapere by putting the agricultural town near the start on the tourism map.

“Great Walks are a lifeline for some of these small communities,” said Aaron Fleming, DOC’s operations director for the southern South Island. He pointed to the example of the Paparoa Track, the last Great Walk to open in 2019. A survey of communities in the surrounding West Coast region found that in addition to dozens of new jobs being created, there was an increase in spending of nearly $3.5 million from overnight visitors in the first two years.

Already, the Hump Ridge Track’s profile has been elevated by the announcement that it will become a Great Walk. Once visited by around 1,000 people annually, more than 3,000 walked the track during the 2023-2024 season.

Unlike other Great Walks, the Hump Ridge Track will be the only Great Walk that’s community-owned and operated and will be booked through the track’s dedicated website.

Lady June Hillary, wife of Sir Edmund Hillary, dies at 92 

Lady June Hillary died on Saturday afternoon, aged 92. She was married to Sir Edmund Hillary from 1989 until he died in 2008.

Lady Hillary served as the Honorary Consul General of Nepal to New Zealand for many years, advocating passionately for the Nepalese community and working diligently to enhance diplomatic relations.

Dinesh Khadka JP extended his deepest condolences “during this profound loss” to the family on behalf of the Honorary Consul of Nepal to Auckland and the Nepalese Community in New Zealand. “Lady June Hillary was an exceptional individual whose contributions to Nepal and the Nepalese community in New Zealand were immeasurable.

The Himalayan Trust said on social media that June was involved since its beginning. “June was a key person supporting Ed’s work with the Trust in the later years of his life. She acted as Chairman for a period after he died.” It said she was wonderfully funny, caring, and had a tremendous sense of style. Read the full story from Stuff.

Arizona Trail speed record smashed

When Heather “Anish” Anderson set out from the southern terminus of the 1300km Arizona Trail (AZT) in late April, she carried a full pack and two tote bags containing 88,000 calories of food, enough to complete the trail without stopping to resupply.

Anderson was attempting a Fastest Known Time (FKT) using the “unsupported” rules. This means hiking the entire trail without stopping to buy food, shower, or take a day off. She also didn’t cache water or accept help of any kind.

On May 23, Anderson completed the trail after 24 days, 1 hour, and 12 minutes, smashing the previous 28-day unsupported FKT set by Art Brody in 2021.

Along the way, she dealt with a gash to the forehead, extreme temperatures, sleep deprivation, and dwindling food and water supplies. Partway through her trek, Anderson wrote on Instagram that she had started peeing blood as a result of the toll on her body.

Anderson described Arizona as “simultaneously the most godforsaken and beautiful place I have ever hiked.” Anderson holds the women’s self-supported FKT records on both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Read the full story from Backpacker.

The Mediterranean isle where hikers stay for free

Renowned for its pristine beaches and dramatic granite cliffs, much of the Mediterranean’s second-largest island remains a rugged, unspoiled wilderness waiting to be explored.

A new initiative called Leg’s Go In Cammino was launched in October 2023 to promote the island’s stunning 500km Santa Barbara Mining Route. The route passes through towering sand dunes, lush forests, craggy outcrops and nearly 150 abandoned mines.

The programme offers visitors younger than 35 up to three consecutive nights’ accommodation for free. When hikers register, they’re granted vouchers to use in local inns, campsites and bed and breakfasts. After the free stays, they pay the standard rates of €20 a night at posadas (small family-style inns) and €28 a night at private accommodations.

“Before my trip, I didn’t know anything about the history of that part of Sardinia,” said Giorgio Pedulla, a 26-year-old data analyst from Milan who spent five days hiking the trail in March. “On this hike, you really manage to get into the culture and the life of the people who live there.” Read the full story from the BBC.

Conservation land damaged in Canterbury fire

Some conservation land was damaged in a scrub fire that ignited on Saturday, the area’s fire chief says. The fire, in Tekapō, burned through 150ha of vegetation and required aircraft, as well as multiple fire crews, to put it out.

The blaze was among more than a dozen that firefighters battled in the area on Saturday, fanned by strong winds. A handful of houses had to be evacuated on Saturday, but everyone was allowed back into their homes that evening, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) mid-south Canterbury district manager Rob Hands said.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said there remained a high fire risk in North Canterbury. “We are experiencing tinder-dry conditions up there. We’re in severe drought and it makes absolute sense to me that FENZ would have been on standby to monitor that situation throughout the night.” Read the full story from RNZ.