Walking the wild rounded peaks of the Pisa Range, a journey in the footsteps of gold-diggers and musterers — It was the Tuesday after Easter, I was fresh (definitely didn’t smell it) off the road from a trip over Rabbit Pass. I had a roof for a night in Queenstown before I’d have to think of somewhere else to wander. I had a friend in Wānaka who would have…

Tramping the classic crossing over Rabbit Pass, from the Wilkin to the East Matukituki; a tale to ramble on about when I’m old — The infamous Rabbit Pass has one of those reputations that makes it well-known in tramping circles. Invariably the question that follows any mention of Rabbit Pass is “what about the Waterfall Face?”. For the uninitiated my 1950 edition of Moir’s Guide describes it in the following way:

Adjective. 1. (of vegetation) growing luxuriantly. 2. sexually attractive. The bush cladding the hills overlooking the Ōhau River certainly was lush. I’m not sure sexually attractive is the phrase I would use, but it definitely made me feel some kind of way. — How did I get here? A trip up to the Northern Tararuas sounded like a perfect excuse to experience the wonderous $1.25 billion 11 minute time-saver that is Transmission Gully (Te Ara Nui o Te Rangihaeata). Mat was heading up that way on a trip with someone from WTMC so…

The Aorangi Forest Park, a hidden gem best served with friends. — Move long enough in tramping circles in Wellington and you’ll soon hear of various crossings of the Tararuas, it’s a concept that’s been cut more ways than a birthday shout cake at work. That’s all good and well, but it was the small green patch on the other side of…

The Snares/Tini Heke — The Snares jut resolutely out of the Southern Ocean some 200 km south of the South Island, hunks of residual granite long left behind by Gondwana. The islands are a refuge for many thousands of seabirds, with no less than 10 species of albatross being recorded seen at the islands. …

An introduction — International travel seems like a distant memory for most of us. For many the only overseas trips have been between the North and South islands, or perhaps to Stewart Island/Rakiura for the adventurous. But what if I told you that New Zealand’s realm stretches over a much vaster expanse than…

An odyssey to the iconic Ivory Lake Hut, from the Waitaha to the Whitcombe. — It’s safe to say that Ivory Lake as a destination has a bit of a reputation. Tales abound of parties aiming for the lake coming unstuck, beaten by big weather, big terrain, big scrub, or a combination of all three. Such are trampers that this is its attraction, its a…

Seven Wellington bureaucrats and a lawyer enter the Punakaiki Tavern. No, it isn’t the start of a bad joke, just of a jolly good adventure on the Paparoa Track. — I was mildly stressed as we sat down in the tavern. Well mildly might be putting it lightly. We had left it to the night before the trip to organise how we were getting to the start of the track at the Smoke-Ho carpark, just out of Blackball. My stressed…

And other helpful tips — On the rare occasion one might mistakenly fall into the trap of thinking that it might be fun to see co-workers outside of the office. Those of questionable sanity might even think that the great outdoors would be a perfect venue for such a gathering. If this has been you…