Across

1. Degree of steepness in terrain (8)
2. ____-gliding – way to enjoy unpowered flight (4)
3. Steep slope often formed by erosion or faulting (5)
4. Animal that is pest in NZ landscape (6)
5. Belaying ____ – rope can be secured to these when mountain climbing (4)
6. Less than average ebb and flow of sea at first and third quarters of moon (4,4)
7. Save from danger in wilderness (6)
8. _____ out – with all necessary gear for outdoor adventure (6)
9. Crystalline inorganic substances occurring in nature (8)
10. Courage and determination needed for 15 Down activities (4)
11. Crossing shallow stream, eg (6)
12. Act of checking out terrain or surroundings (5)
13. Deep narrow wooded valley of stream (4)
14. Moved over terrain with long bouncy gait (8)

Down

2. Short rest from wilderness exertions (7)
3. _____ with – copes with outdoor challenges, eg (5)
4. Wide open outdoor space (7)
5. _____ firma – dry land as opposed to sea or air (5)
6. Natural environment of animal in wilderness (7)
7. Nymph of rivers, springs and waterfalls in Greek mythology (5)
8. Long narrow fissure in rock – useful for handhold, maybe (7)
9. Bird of prey of falcon family (7)
10. Far beyond norm – some risky outdoor activities are this (7)
11. NZ is known for it clean green one (5)
12. _____ bloom – harmful marine invader in NZ waterways (5)
13. Common small scuttling lizard (5)

Hidden Solution: Something to give you Christmas feeling in wilderness (10)

November’s hidden solution: Routeburn Track