Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Wilderness

Reading Hazel Phillip's story on Te Tatau Pounamu wilderness area (Tongariro's Bermuda Triangle, p44), it's pleasing to see that even in this, one of the busiest national parks in the country, remote experiences are available. And that is one reason why Tongariro is perhaps my favourite national park. Even without the wilderness area, it's one of the easiest places in which to go off track and find your own adventure. Because the park is at such high altitude and much of the terrain, especially on the Northern Circuit route, is above the bushline, you've got ample sightlines. With Ngāuruhoe and Ruapehu ever present, it's difficult to become truly lost. I've had a few remarkable journeys in the park where I've eschewed tracks. The best was trekking down Ruapehu's northern Waihohonu…

Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $17. Learn more about Real Meals at www.realmeals.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz.…

Wilderness magazine's editor, Alistair Hall, has been named New Zealand Post Supreme Editor at the 2022 Magazine Publisher's Awards. Hall said the main reason he won is because of the Walk1200km initiative which has introduced a new audience of walkers to the magazine and because so many readers are involved in producing each issue. “Whether it's submitting letters to the editor, photos to the last weekend pages, participating in Walk1200km or sharing their trips, Wilderness has a fantastic readership that gets involved and helps make it a community rather than just a magazine,” he said. Enough from him, here's what the judges said: “Alistair Hall is clearly an editor in tune with his target audience. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to anticipate the content that will engage passionate lovers…

I'm doing it with my newborn son Walk1200km is giving new mum Gael Price a reason to go walking every day. Gael Price started Walk1200km in September when son Lochlan was just six weeks old. Initially, she wasn't sure how to fit a 45-minute walk into each day, but she found Walk1200km and parenthood go well together “because you can just walk,” says Gael, a Reserve Bank economist who is returning to work in February. “You don't have to turn up to a class at a specific time and it doesn't matter if you haven't slept.” She finds walking to be a great mood booster, and doing it has supported her recovery from a caesarean section. Without the challenge, Gael says she would be walking less often and not as…

#microchallenge4: Get your feet dirty Alicia Carthew walked the Mt Karioi Track. “This had mud, ladders, chains … and stunning views at the top.” Lara Bloxham and friends encountered a “wee bit of mud, crossing Awaroa Inlet” on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Leah and Justin Wyatt got muddy climbing Mt Pureora. #microchallenge5: Find a shape in the clouds Lisa Cross says: “I love our space-ship-shaped clouds in Central Otago. It was the calm before the storm.” Kaylene Tibbie saw New Zealand's favourite dessert on one of her walks – an “upside-down pavlova”. Catherine Howell went for a walk and saw a “flying saucer above Tongariro National Park!” #microchallenge6: Visit something historic Kate Mitchell's kids had a blast exploring Bannockburn Sluicings Track in Otago. Judy van den Yssel-Richards wore a…

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This is a story about a wilderness area, but it starts, ironically, with battling the red tape of civilisation. But I suppose not every wilderness area borders what is arguably the most trafficked track in Aotearoa New Zealand: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. I hastily put together a tramping adventure for a buddy keen to go bush after a long spell in Auckland's lockdown. He had only two requirements: 1) avoid humanity; 2) light a fire and watch some Bush TV. I had two KPIs: 1) eat righteous snacks; 2) go through the intriguingly named Te Tatau Pounamu Remote Experience Zone. I designed a trip that would see us traversing Tongariro National Park and Te Tatau Pounamu from Ketetahi to Whakapapa Village. We'd need to arrange parking for both cars. And…

WALKING AWAY THE GRIEF In October 2021 Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She had always been a part-time walker with me and at the age of 84 she was doing really well. Unfortunately, the cancer took hold rapidly and our walks came to an abrupt end. Seven months after her diagnosis she passed away. I was grief-stricken and unable to motivate myself to do anything but breathe. I tried to start walking again, but seeing my shadow stretched out on the path before me, noticeably on its own, was too much for me to take. Some months passed and my nephew kept asking if I wanted to go for a hike. He was trying to get me back into the world that I had previously loved, bless him, I…

Ant: Outdoor Element Poo Pouch An excellent gift for people wanting to ‘find comfort in the outdoors’ and leave no trace when adventuring. This is a unique addition to the Christmas list for environmentally-conscious people. Jayden: GSI Gourmet Pourover Java Set “This compact pour-overset makes a great gift for any adventuring coffee lover.” Millie: Injinji Ultra Run Socks “The extra cushioning in these socks is a real treat for your feet, and you can say goodbye to toe blisters! A perfect gift for the runners and hikers in your life.” Jahna: Opinel knife “Opinel make quality sharp knives for tramping. I've had mine for seven years. It's fantastic, and there are different sizes for different outdoor adventures and adventurers.” Lana: Montane Icarus Hut Booties For the warmest toes after a…

Aucklander Elaine Soo started Walk1200km in October for the health benefits and to enjoy getting out and about. Elaine was a runner but found her interest dwindling. She tried boot camps before deciding it was easier and cheaper to just go walking. That was about three years ago, when she challenged herself to walk up Auckland's Mt Eden every day to take a photo. “I try not to take the same picture if I can,” Elaine says. “By going to the same track every day I see different things at different times. The sunsets and sunrises are always pretty special.” Elaine is a member of the Women's Outdoor Pursuits group and goes walking with other members in and around Auckland each week. “It has been amazing to discover places you…

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WILD TRIPS The Titan Rocks Track starts on the true right of the Waikaia River, branching off the Waikaia River Track. Alas, DOC has dosed the bridge to access the track, so the river has to be forded. In dry weather it should be easy. Once on the Waikaia River Track, continue upstream for about 1800m to the start of the Titan Rocks Track. The track is wide and well graded as if a bulldozer has been through, and there are many large beech trees and numerous juvenile tōtara. It climbs steeply above the stream, gaining 300m in 1km. Along the way, two old water races and possibly an old hut site are passed. At 500m, the track descends a couple of times to cross streams. These make good places…

AT 13CM TALL AND COVERED IN FEATHERS, OLLIE ISN'T YOUR AVERAGE TE ARAROA WALKER. With one crippled leg and sporting a snazzy hand-crocheted harness and leash, you'd be hardpressed to find another on Te Araroa quite like him. You could argue he's more of a passenger on this journey as he is usually found perched on the shoulders of his adoptive parents, Robyn Chappell and Andy Williams. The trio, who are section-walking Te Araroa, are raising funds for Te Araroa Trust. When I caught up with Robyn she was busy planning their next section, keen to pick up where they left off in Kerikeri but aware of the trail conditions due to recent floodinq and wild weather. But what makes too self-described ‘ageing Teletubbies’ head out on a 3000km walk…

NALGENE BOTTLE It's sometimes said that you're not a true outdoor elder unless you own a Nalgene covered in stickers. These are great for hot water bottles on cold nights, too. TENT I use a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. It's five years old and still going strong. I love that I can pitch it without the inner for summer trips (can you tell I come from an area of Aotearoa where sandflies aren't an issue?). PACK MY TOTAL PACK CAPACITY IS 72L. IT'S A 60L AARN EFFORTLESS RHYTHM PACK WITH TWO 6L BODY BALANCE POCKETS. I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW COMFORTABLY I CARRIED UP TO 20KC DURING OUR HAERENGA. THE PACK AND THE BALANCE POCKETS ALL COME WITH PACK LINERS – SUPER HANDY! KITCHEN I cook fresh food for…

How disheartening to find the Te Urewera governing entity, Te Uru Taumatua, tearing down remote but structurally sound DOC huts with a vague promise to eventually, possibly, replace them with a handful of easily accessible, luxurious ones that will allegedly do more to “connect people to the whenua”. The outcome? Public access to most of Te Urewera is instantly limited. Our kids grew up on Te Urewera's tracks. They have always been connected to the whenua. Now, as young adults, they have the confidence to navigate any trail, beaten or otherwise. New Zealand's wilderness should be open to all New Zealanders. Let's hope this is not the beginning of a very slippery slope. – Wendy Clark #MICROCHALLENGES A MISSION I love Walk1200km and completed over 2000km last year. I would…

Complete the crossword and rearrange the letters in the blue squares to spell out the hidden solution. Send your answer, name and address, by December 18, to: wildernessword@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. All correct entries go in the draw to win a copy of Native Pants ofAotearoa or Native Birds of Aotearoa (one of each to give away) – two new books in Te Papa's Ta Taiao Nature series. Across TrailtotopofMt _____ offers panoramic views over Lake Taupō (7) _ River – tributary of Manawatū River with source in Ruahines (5) Seriesofhillsormountains (5) _ National Park on Stewart Island was opened in 2002 (7) Staggersunsteadilyduetouneven terrain (7) Residueleftbyextinguishedcampfire (5) Smooth-bodiedlizardyoumightspot at edge of bush (5) Foldssleepingmatintocylinder for carrying (5,2) Summitofmoderateelevation(7) Thisdescribesanimalsinwild state (5) Somethingthatisessentialfor…

“PRETTY MUCH EVERY system in our body can be affected by a lack of sleep,” says sleep specialist Dr Angela Campbell. Some effects, like feeling tired, a bit grumpy and unable to concentrate, are obvious, but others develop over time. Sleep keeps your immune system working, your brain, heart and blood vessels in good shape, and gives your body time to repair. “In the long term, if your sleep's not great, poorer health outcomes are more likely,” says Campbell, an associate professor at Otago University's WellSleep Centre. The good news is that walking can help adults get the seven to eight hours of sleep they need every night. Research shows walking can improve sleep quality, reducing night-time awakenings and increasing the time spent in the deeper stages of sleep –…

WILD PEOPLE When they're not presenting the news or questioning politicians, Jenny Suo, Isobel Ewing and Jack Tame can be found with their hiking boots on. TVNZ reporter and presenter Suo loves a hike where no one can reach her. When New Zealand entered its second round of level 4 lockdown last August, she was in the South Island filming a profile on Blackball, an old mining town. Because she was so close to the Paparoa Track, she decided to do the walk and meet the production team when she came out. “I walked out on the last day thinking it was weird that no one was there to meet me,” she says. “I turned on my phone and had so many messages, like ‘how are you going to get…