Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, name and address by August 20 to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. All correct entries go in the draw to win one of five bottles of Scotchgard Water Shield.

Across
1. Possum, stoat or rat in NZ bush, eg (8)
6. Sleeveless garment handy for outdoor activities (4)
8. Small biting flies common near water (6)
9. NZ’s longest swing bridge crosses _____ River in South Island (6)
10. Principal settlement on Stewart Island (4)
11. Reaching consensus on tramping route, maybe (8)
13. Areas of low-lying marshy ground (6)
15. Nut that might be included in scroggin mix (6)
17. Marine animals found in NZ coastal waters (3,5)
19. Unconfined – how you often feel in wilderness (4)
20. Descend vertical cliff using rope (6)
22. Line on map connecting points of same atmospheric pressure (6)
23. Argentine ____ – unwanted insects now found in parts of NZ (4)
24. Return to ___ _____ – get closer to nature (3,5)

Down
2. Tramping, cycling and ski area in Marlborough region (7)
3. Make yourself snow cave for shelter, maybe (3,2)
4. Part of Pacific Ocean between NZ and Australia (6,3)
5. Blisters are likely if new tramping boots do this (3)
6. Low areas of land between hills (7)
7. Rear part of boat (5)
12. Avalanche of stones and boulders down hill (9)
14. Marine bivalves found in NZ waters (7)
16. Wearing tramping gear does not usually make you look this way! (7)
18. This definitely does not describe wilderness (5)
19. Plant life found in particular region (5)
21. ___-up – pause during torrential rain, eg (3)