Winter offers a fridge to keep cheesecake and other treats cool
As we hurtle onwards into the frigid depths of another New Zealand winter, the mere thought of tramping provokes a markedly different gamut of feelings than it does in summer. There’s a heightened sense of danger, a nagging feeling that you could be doing something catastrophically irresponsible by venturing into the hills in this weather. We all know the score: short days, dark by 6pm. Snow underfoot, snow over-foot, a solid chunk of powder on top of your boot as your foot rises after sinking into a fresh dump. Wind, sharp as a knife. Salvation is the hut, getting the blood back into fingers, a fire if you’re lucky, and then the best bit: food on the table. The thing about tramping is that it distills life’s three essentials – food, clothing and shelter. It forces you to appreciate – no, relish – them. And none more so than in winter, when supply is never guaranteed. Taking kids tramping in winter is a wonderful thing. It’s more exciting, daring, and it promises adventures not available in summer. Places you’ve only ever visited under the warm January sun can seem as foreign as another planet. Tracks and trees are buried, gentle ambles become serious undertakings. Wherever you go, you get more bang for your buck. Once the three basic necessities are satisfied you can relax and get full enjoyment from wherever you end up. So, how do we tick off the basics with minimum fuss and expense? [caption id="attachment_35006" align="aligncenter" width="848"]