Wilderness October 2019

I LOVE READING ABOUT the lengths people will go to lighten their pack. I find it fascinating, mostly because of what I imagine to be the miserableness of the trip some people willingly endure in order to carry a lighter pack. We’ve all heard how cutting your toothbrush in half or wearing trail running shoes instead of boots can cut grams from your pack weight. But true ultra-lighters (and I even know a couple) don’t pack stoves or cookware on their multi-day tramps. They just eat cold food and if the hut doesn’t have a fire and spare billy, they can’t even enjoy a hot cup of tea. They’re such weight scrooges they probably don’t even take tea bags in the first place. Where’s the joy in eating muesli bars and…

TWO LESS TARARUA RATS When I joined our local community pest free group (Pest Free Aotea), I made a tunnel trap from fence paling and wire that contains a mouse trap and a rat trap. I haven’t caught anything in our garden yet, but I did find success on a recent tramp. On a trip to the historic Cone Hut in Tararua Forest Park, I took my trap with me, because in my experience ‘historic’ can also mean wonky, holey, drafty and ratty. The hut was very tidy, but definitely had a few holes and signs of rat. Success! Two Tararua rats caught during the night. The trap is very light and it will now be part of our regular tramping kit. - Fanny Leduc, email 1080 WORKS, SAYS THIS HUNTER I found Kevin Hague’s comment on…

Get your photo published here to receive a double pack of BPA-free, biobased plastic Sporks worth $13. Learn more about Sporks at ampro.co.nz. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz…

TARANAKI CROSSING FOR 2022 MOVE OVER TONGARIRO – there’s a new volcanic crossing in town. The $19.3 million Taranaki Crossing Project has been given the green light and is set to open in December 2022. Development work will start immediately and groundwork is scheduled to begin in February 2020. “We agreed that we wouldn’t start any groundwork before summer this year, so there will be less impact on people’s experiences up there,” DOC regional visitor planning manager Tinaka Mearns said. The crossing will upgrade and expand an existing 30km of tracks to create a walk from Dawson Falls on the southeastern side of the park to Mangorei Road at the base of the Pouak ā i Ranges on the northern side. Mearns said the project design will provide a range of experiences, including short day walks…

Voting is open in the 2019 Wilderness Reader’s Choice Outdoor Awards – which brand, hut, retailer and hero will you pick? The nominations are in and we’ve selected the finalists. Now, it’s in your hands – cast your vote to select the winners. Voting ends Monday, October 14 and the results will be revealed in the December 2019 issue. HERE ARE YOUR FINALISTS.... BRAND OF THE YEAR Aarn Packs: The unique design of Aarn’s balance packs was cited among nominators, who called them unique, innovative and revolutionary. Cactus Equipment: The common theme in nominations was that Cactus is a NZ-made brand that makes long-lasting and durable gear. Earth Sea Sky: Nominators commended this brand for being NZ-made, a family company and for the quality of its products. Exped: Nominated for its reliable and comfortable sleeping bags, mats and…

TOM MARCHANT KNEW his leg was broken the moment he hit the water. The pain was immediate, but just a taste of what was to come when his adrenalin wore off. It had taken just seconds of inattention for him to lose the track and lead his companions off course on a birthday trip to the Tararuas. Marchant and four friends were celebrating his 32nd birthday – now remembered for all the wrong reasons. Spirits were high, the banter was flowing, and concentration was admittedly lacking for the path ahead. Around 90 minutes into the five-hour track, they realised they had taken a wrong turn and had wandered off the trail. With the correct track still visible from their diversion, they decided to sidle past a small waterfall to return to the route, rather than double…