Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Wilderness

WHEN people say ‘we’ lost someone, it more often than not refers to family and friends of the person who has died. But with Shaun Barnett, ‘we’ can be said to encompass, if not all of New Zealand, certainly the entire Wilderness community. For here was a man who devoted himself to the great outdoors through his personal contribution to conservation and recreation, through the books and stories he wrote, and the photographs he took that have inspired and encouraged countless others to journey into the wilderness and discover a love for the outdoors that otherwise might not have occurred. Shaun was a singular talent. There are very good writers and very good photographers, but seldom do the twain meet. Shaun was different: he had great knowledge of all things…

→ Similar walking pace and fitness level → Someone you know well or feel relaxed with → Willingness to do trial walks to test compatibility and capability, especially if multi-dayers are planned → The right amount of talk and quiet → Well matched for duration, distance and degree of difficulty of the walks; doesn’t exaggerate their skill level or endurance → Safety conscious and calm when things don’t go to plan; good problem-solving skills → Has appropriate gear, is self-reliant and will ask for help if needed → Aware of the other’s physical and mental state → Easy going, adaptable, supportive and positive → Good communication skills; able to talk through differences that could cause conflict or jeopardise safety…

TWO OF OUR best-known endemic songsters, the tūī and the korimako bellbird, may not sell out stadiums like Taylor Swift, but they sing in sublime ways that she can’t. That’s because all songbird species have a ‘voice box’ or syrinx at the junction of their two bronchial tubes, which vibrate independently to allow a personal duet. Not all birds use this box, but the tūī and the korimako do so expertly. A tūī’s song is a complex mix of flute-like notes, trills and whistles peppered with noisy grunts, gurgles and wheezes. The korimako has a quieter, more fluid song with melodic whistling and chiming notes punctuated with coughs, gurgles and clicks, but, unlike the tūī, no grunts and wheezes. These birds ‘sing’ early and late in the day to advertise…

TANGIHUA FOREST is roughly halfway between Whangārei and Dargaville. It’s a rugged 3000ha forested area with a network of tracks and one hut to be enjoyed. The most popular access is from the south off Omana Road, where a 30-minute walk along an access road and a further 15-minute track lead to Tangihua Lions Lodge and a number of other tracks. The lodge runs an education centre and conservation programme, and along with DOC and others, the Lions have led predator control in 450ha of the forest. The shortest and easiest walk to the hut is to drive almost to the end of Tangihua Road. This route starts on private property, and landowner permission is required. Park in a flat area before the road veers north to end at farm…

Keen to head away for the night to a hut that’s both accessible and cosy? Ticked all the usual suspects and unsure where to go next? Wilderness asked our contributors for their top winter huts within a day’s walk. These are huts you can reach without having to rush. Some have soaring, snow-capped vistas, some offer native bush and birdsong. Huts beside rivers, huts with hot pools nearby – huts you’re likely to recommend to others. Mt Fell Hut, Richmond Forest Park Enjoy a great view to Mt Fishtail, with even better views from the alpine meadow and peaks above. The 6-bunk Mt Fell Hut was built in 1964, and, in 2017, was relocated 250m south to its present location on the bushline just below an alpine meadow at 1270m, 1km…

Features: Tough, ultralight Dyneema fabric further lightens the Featherlite Freedom, a staple of the Aarn range, to create this Pro model. With a highly adjustable harness, this transalpine-capable pack has crampon, ice axe and hiking pole attachments and front and side sleeves for clothing or tent poles. There’s an integrated but removable waterproof liner and it closes with a roll top. Balance Pockets are optional but recommended components to complete this pack system and add up to 12L capacity. Add-ons include ski straps, compression straps and climbing gear racking. 5/5 Fit: This is the most adjustable and configurable pack I have ever used and it is pleasantly light. It comes in two sizes (Sml – 50L and Med – 55L), each with an adjustable back length. The hip belt can…

WAIKAREMOANA, A UNIQUE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE A friend and I walked the Waikaremoana Track in Te Urewera recently. I have seen comments, both online and in letters to Wilderness, about the state of the walk and can only talk about what I saw. The lake and the track still have damage due to Cyclone Gabrielle, and large amounts of silt and weed at the lake edge make swimming tricky. The huts with no wardens are tidy and functional, and the two huts with wardens are immaculate. There are certainly challenges with possum and rat control. We had no problems with water taxis. The wardens we encountered were incredibly friendly, welcoming and warm. They talked about how they are building a new experience that will make Waikeremoana a Great Walk with a…

#microchallenge16 WALK A KILOMETRE IN A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT LINE #microchallenge17 TAKE A PHOTO OF A DOG THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU #microchallenge18 YOUR FAVOURITE WALKING KIT Seen that you’ve won? To claim your prize, email a photo of yourself holding this issue of Wilderness to walk1200km@lifestylepublishing.co.nz. Only registered Walk1200km participants are eligible to win.…

KOPUWAI OLD MAN Range stretches for 50km from the Fraser River in the north to the Umbrella Mountains in the south. The plateau is littered with fascinating rock formations, in particular Old Man Rock or the Obelisk. The views from the 1682m summit are sublime – in the right conditions, Rakiura Stewart Island, Aoraki Mt Cook and Mt Earnslaw can all be seen. Much of this track can be undertaken in a 4WD vehicle, but the hike begins when the vehicle can go no further along Symes Road. A good spot to begin is at Mitchells Cottage, a historic stone house built by gold miners. Walk along the road for around 8.5km as it passes through several farm properties, leaving gates as you find them. Eventually, views open up over…

Side stretch POCKETS These are handy for water bottles, wet clothes or other clothing, but are not usually very robust. Lid/closure The height of a pack lid can usually be adjusted to accommodate different-sized loads. Some lids are removable and they should feature one or more pockets. Some packs have a roll-top closure system, which saves weight and can be more weatherproof but will have no pocket. STORM THROAT This is a large pre-closure beneath the lid, which usually cinches shut and should be big enough for overflow when the pack is really full. A strap over the top helps compress the load and is also useful for securing a rope or clothing. FABRICS AND WATERPROOFING Most packs are made from grades of high- and low-denier polyester and nylon. Higher…

Features: The Talon Velocity (the women’s version is the Tempest Velocity 20) brings running vest stability and features to a tramper’s daypack. The 210/420D main sack has dual access stretch side pockets, compression straps, pole/axe attachments and a large mesh front pocket/ sleeve. There’s an external hydration sleeve behind a breathable harness, and the waist belt and shoulder straps have various storage for food, phone and hydration flasks. 5/5 Fit: This pack comes in two back lengths and has a further 10cm of torso length adjustment via a Velcro-fixed shoulder yoke, which allows the fit to be easily fine tuned. It’s also available in a 30L version. 5/5 Stable, comfortable, efficient and relatively hard wearing Axe and pole attachments could be improved Comfort: A limpet-like fit can be achieved thanks…

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

These three fun #microchallenges will help you better appreciate your surroundings and have fun on your walks. Our favourite nine #microchallenge completers receive a Walk1200km badge, and the best entry for each challenge receives a prize from our partners. #microchallenge22: Make yourself big or small Make yourself very big or very small on your next walk by using natural props, perspective and ingenuity #microchallenge22 Partner prize: A pair of feet-comforting Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks. #microchallenge23: Capture a sunrise or sunset Shorter days make it a tad easier to catch the sunrise or sunset. We’re looking for spectacular, artistic compositions, vibrant colours and interesting subject matter. #microchallenge23 Partner prize: A $100 Back Country Cuisine voucher #microchallenge24: Cross a bridge Take a photo of yourself crossing a bridge. It doesn’t…

WINTER IS the season to explore the eastern flank of Ruapehu. The sun lights the vegetation, and the irregular blocks of old lava flows give shape to the landscape. The barren Rangipo Desert is stark and beautiful, and there could be snow on the ground. From the Waitonga Falls car park on Ohakune Mountain Road, follow the Round the Mountain route. The track climbs briefly before sidling through mountain beech forest and across the Rotokawa wetland to soon confront the Waitonga Falls, the highest in Tongariro National Park, plunging 39m into a pool. About 1.4km from the car park, a sign points the way uphill to Lupton and Blyth huts. If you’re in hut-bagging mode, this detour will see you a couple of huts richer. Lupton Hut is 1km uphill…

WILD TRIPS OFTEN we approach tramping like it’s a training schedule, a fitness programme or a ‘tick-the-box’ of completing another track. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it needn’t be that way. In the 1930s, ambitious speed trampers were dubbed ‘hissers’ by those enjoying a more sedate pace. The choice remains: tramp or toddle? Grunt or gambol? Stride or saunter? Hiss or hike? On a trip into Marlborough’s Goulter Valley, Kathy Ombler and I chose to gambol – enjoying long lunches and a slow pace. Storm damage scuppered plans to tramp the Paparoa Track, so we scoured maps to find tracks that might have escaped damage and where the weather might be reasonable. Perusing the ‘Patriarch’ map that covers the Richmond Range, I found a possible B-plan centred around the…

Sonia Barrish does a variety of trips with her husband, their two children aged 7 and 3 and their baby. They sometimes do tough multi-day trips as a family, but Sonia chooses easier trips if her husband stays home. On these, the 7-year-old carries her own pack and gear; Sonia carries gear for herself and the younger two as well as carrying the baby, and occasionally the 3-year-old. She tries to minimise her load by reducing single-use items without compromising safety. KAI I take Thermoses for everyone so we can have a full meal at lunchtime without needing to stop and cook. I mix the meal and boiling water in the morning, and by lunchtime it’s cooked. COOKER Our cooker is a Kovea Moonwalker. I prefer the stability of a…

FIT A loose fit will allow layers to be worn underneath. A tighter-fitting fleece is used as a mid-layer. POCKETS Jackets and heavyweight pullovers will most likely have handwarmer pockets. Lighter garments designed to be worn as a mid-layer may just have a Napoleon chest pocket or no pockets at all. HOODS HOODS PROVIDE EXTRA WARMTH AND ARE DESIGNED TO BE TIGHT-FITTING SO THEY CAN BE WORN BENEATH A HELMET. WIND RESISTANCE MOST FLEECES DON’T BLOCK WIND, THOUGH SOME COLDER-WEATHER GARMENTS MAY HAVE A WINDPROOF LINING TO HELP TRAP WARM AIR NEXT TO YOUR BODY. Rab Alpha Flash Jacket $239.95 A highly breathable and wicking jacket using Polartec Alpha fabric. There are flexible fleece panels for mobility, YKK zips, chest pocket, flatlock seams, a half hem drawcord, and Polygiene anti-odour…