Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

GREATNESS ALL AROUND

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

SIDE-STEP TO THE HIGHLIGHTS • Moonlight Tops Hut via Croesus Track, Paparoa National Park

TEMPLE BASIN SHELTER COMPLETED

TRAMPER CREATES FREE-TO-USE TRAMPING TRIP TOOL

BACKYARD HUT RAISES $20,000 FOR CONSERVATION

PAID PARKING TO CONTINUE AT DOC SITES

WHAT WE'RE READING

STORIES OF NATIONAL PARK RANGERS BROUGHT TO LIFE

LEARN ABOUT THE STATE OF THE SNOWPACK

A PERFECT INSTANT MEAL FOR TRAMPERS • AN ULTRALIGHT MEAL THAT TAKES JUST FIVE MINUTES TO COOK CAN'T POSSIBLY FUEL YOUR ADVENTURES, CAN IT? SARAH HEDGER FROM YUM MIGHT HAVE CREATED THE PERFECT TRAMPING MEAL.

WALKING WITH PURPOSE • FINDING A PURPOSE FOR YOUR WALKING CAN HELP YOU COVER MORE DISTANCE.

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH • These excellent kit ideas from Walk1200km partners will help to get you out the door.

#microchallenge 13-15 WINNERS! • Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive an exclusive, can't-be-bought Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge also receives a special prize from our partners!

Win with #microchallenges • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

THE THREE TRIPS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE • It seems perhaps a little too dramatic to suggest that three wilderness trips might have changed my life, but they certainly did leave indelible memories that have affected my life and my art.

THERE AND BACK AGAIN, AND AGAIN • Once is never enough for Uwe Stemmer, the thru-hiking Cantabrian who has completed three laps of Te Araroa Trail.

TAKING THE PAIN OUT OF DOWNHILLS • Walking downhill puts high loads on our joints, particularly our knees. What can we do to prevent the pain of punishing descents?

IN SEARCH OF GREATNESS • The highest of several Mt Alexanders in Aotearoa offers the best of the west: tarn campsites, rocky tors, a decent climb and incredible views.

THE GHOST LODGE OF RUAPEHU • Luxury, engineering prowess and snow-filled adventure – the Downhill Ski Club lodge had it all. Then the pool was drained, the lifts disappeared and the bills stacked up. Now the lodge sits abandoned, a graveyard of rusted steel, weathered timber and the skeletal remains of a golden era of skiing.

THE 2026 FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE • Great gift ideas for outdoor dads.

WHICH GREAT WALK IS FOR YOU? • Explore some of the finest tramping tracks in the world to find the Great Walk that's right for you.

GREAT ADVICE FROM GREAT WALKERS • Those who have already done a Great Walk share their advi ce so others can be better prepared.

TOP TIPS FOR GREAT WALKS • We asked readers for one thing they wished they had known before setting off on a Great Walk. From food to footwear, here are their recommendations.

TRACKSIDE TAONGA • Great Walks are a chance to get better acquainted with Aotearoa's bird and plant life. Here are some particular treasures to look out for on each walk.

BASE-WEIGHT SAVINGS BEGIN HERE • Kathmandu utilises the latest in fabric innovation for their award-winning lightweight XT Series 40l pack, which boasts well-considered features and versatility.

GEAR RADAR • Kathmandu isn't the only mainstream brand offering an ultralight pack in the 40–45l range. These four running vest-inspired packs each weigh less than 1000g.

RAIN PANTS

JONTY CRANE, HOST OF PODCAST ‘THE TRAMPING LIFE’ • Jonty Crane's gear has had as much...