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.

A TICKET TO THE OUTDOORS

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

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

KIRTLE BURN HUT NOW BOOKABLE FOR SAFETY REASONS

TE ARAROA TRUST INCREASES FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL WALKERS

MANY WILDERNESS READERS WANT TO WALK TE ARAROA

WEATHER VIA TEXT SATELLITE

EARLY WOOD WORKING METHODS PUT TO USE

DEFEAT DAMP FEET

TYING THE KNOT IN THE TARARUA

FIORDLAND FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY • Green Lake Hut, Fiordland National Park

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES BY WALKING • We asked our Walk 1200km community how walking helps them to deal with and overcome some of life’s challenges.

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH

#microchallenge 16-18 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!

October 2025 #microchallenges • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

FROM FARM BOY TO GLOBAL TRAIL RUNNER • Weston Hill is proving that with dedication, the right terrain and a bit of Kiwi determination, anything is possible.

THE GREEN SHEEP OF THE FAMILY • All is not as it seems with the unique plant, the vegetable sheep. Neither vegetable nor sheep, they’re daisies.

LEARNING THE TOUGH STUFF • The very nature of tramping teaches kids how to be resilient - a tool they can take into other areas of life.

HERE BE DRAGONS • A breathtaking journey in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park over Ball Pass and through a landscape that is crumbling under the forces of climate change.

A day on the crater rim • The bones of this route owe their existence to the vision of one of Christchurch’s pioneering Pākehā settlers. We tackle Lyttelton Harbour’s crater rim track network in a lengthy day walk.

GOING LIGHT, TOGETHER • I WILDERNESS SPEAKS TO THREE COUPLES ABOUT SHARING THE LOAD AND THE TRAIL BY GOING ULTRALIGHT.

ULTRALIGHTING WITH A LITTLE ONE • It’s possible to pack light even when you’ve got a toddler in tow.

UPGRADING TO ULTRALIGHT WITHOUT REPLACING EVERYTHING • WANT TO GO ULTRALIGHT BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? IT MAY BE EASIER THAN YOU THINK. HERE’S HOW TO UPGRADE TO ULTRALIGHT WITHOUT REPLACING EVERYTHING IN YOUR PACK.

UPGRADE TO ULTRALIGHT GEAR • FEELING THE STRAIN OF A HEAVY PACK? ALTHOUGH EXPENSIVE, THESE ULTRALIGHT GEAR UPGRADE IDEAS WILL HAVE YOU MOVING FASTER AND FURTHER FOR LONGER.

SHOOTING THE WILD • WHETHER YOU’RE MAKING MEMORIES OR STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE, CREATING CONTENT THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH IS A SKILL WORTH DEVELOPING.

15 TIPS AND TRICKS FROM FILMMAKERS

Trains, BUSES and automobiles • Rail services are a shadow of what they once were, but it’s still possible to go on overnight trips without a car.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT TRIP IDEAS • Costs are listed where services are not part of standard council-run public transport.

THE FINAL CHECK • What’s the last thing you check before heading into the hills? We asked the experts.

TREKKING BOOTS

NEMO TENSOR EXTREME MUMMY SLEEPING MAT

WHAT’S IN MY PACK • Bivouac Outdoor’s Hamilton store manager, Michael Peck

2025’s guide to BACKCOUNTRY STOVES • Whether you’re going ultralight, solo or cooking for a group, these stoves will have a cup of tea, ready meal or your own scrumptious creation ready in next to no time.

UTENSILS AND FOOD

Ohuinga Ruahine Forest Park • Climb two peaks...