My first proper venture into Kahurangi National Park with Jaz (June 2021). 4.2 km | 1:06 | 365 m | MT ARTHUR HUT The trip kicks off with a glorious stroll in drizzle and clag from Flora carpark. Neinei (Dracophyllum traversii), tawhai (Lophozonia menziesii) and tawhai rauriki (Fuscospora cliffortioides) dominate…

A solo traverse of the Kaherekoau Mountains, followed by the Dusky Track… (Dec 2020) Saturation In classic tramping fashion I leave Dunedin hours later than intended and it is 17:30 by the time I arrive at Lake Hauroko. It is pouring rain. I briefly consider staying in my car and…

…walking the Dusky Track after a solo traverse of the Kaherekoau Mountains (Dec 2020-Jan 2021). 8. Shaky recovery Lying alone and having just woken up in Hauroko Burn Hut the 67 km deep 4.8 magnitude earthquake about 40 km south-west of me hits me like a brick. Has the alpine…

Probably how you should not structure a weekend around a 10 km race a week before a 19 km mountain adventure race (Feb 2021). Mansion Hut The sign to the Irthing Picnic Area points down what appears at first glance to just be a farm track into a paddock. The…

A wholesome adventure with a group of great people (August 2020). It is 7:45 and we are still finalising our plans for the trip. Last night we decided we would walk to Maitland Hut and then out via the skifield or tops to get back to the car, but just…

A short 2-day trip in the middle of winter (July 2020). Danilo and I depart Dunedin while it is still light, and arrive at our destination for that day at a rather reasonable hour. Lower Princhester Hut is the perfect spot to break up the long drive from Dunedin to…

Expanding my perception of what is possible in two days (March 2020). Monday was a bad day for me but also the perfect time for Maddy to ask me to come on a fastpacking trip with her and Tom that Thursday-Friday. …

It really can snow at any time of the year (December 2019). Day 1. Dunedin — Mingha Bivvy. I have an incredible run of luck hitching to Arthurs Pass from Dunedin. It takes a mere six hours to get to the track start, and that includes some sight seeing at…

Finally, a trip that goes to plan. It’s been a while (May 2019). “There are a few cracker descriptions floating around on the internet” “The stuff you walk on [to get up the narrow gut to the top of the pass] is like porridge…” — si-dog on an NZ Tramper thread. “We’ll leave the dregs of uni at 6pm sharp on Friday evening, then drive 3.5hrs up to the Temple Conservation Campsite.” This is probably the only part that does not go…