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.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE BETTER OUTSIDE

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

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

WALKSHORTS

HOW WALKING BOOSTS CREATIVE THINKING • THERE’S A REASON SOME OF YOUR BEST IDEAS SURFACE ON THE TRAIL.

#microchallenge 22-24 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!

BETTER BACK COUNTRY CUISINE MEALS • AFTER TWO YEARS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, BACK COUNTRY CUISINE HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ITS MEALS WITHOUT LOSING THE GREAT TASTE AND HIGH ENERGY.

AOTEAROA’S NATIVE OWL IS A SURVIVOR • The ruru is camouflaged for life in the shadows, and its iconic call is the sound of the bush at night.

THE THREE TRIPS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE • Tramper, guide and doctor Penzy Dinsdale

LIFE IS BETTER OUTSIDE • Content creator and single mother Shoshannah Shand has made a name for herself adventuring on a shoestring with her kids, and inspires others to do the same.

IS AN E-BIKE WORTH IT? • Wilderness borrows a pair of e-bikes powered by the Bosch Smart System to find out whether they are worth the cost and can enhance an outdoor adventure.

THE 2026 WILDERNESS GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS • From stocking fillers and gadgets to essential outdoor kit, the Wilderness guide to Christmas has something for every tramper.

21 FANTASTIC FAMILY WALKS for Summer • LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE NEW TO TAKE YOUR WHĀNAU THIS SUMMER? THIS DIVERSE RANGE OF SHORT WALKS AND OVERNIGHTERS HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

A RUAHINE DOUBLE CROSS • TRAVERSING THE RUAHINE RANGE FROM WEST TO EAST AND BACK AGAIN OFFERS A REAL SENSE OF ADVENTURE.

PACK TO THE FUTURE • FASCINATED BY PHOTOS OF HER GRANDPARENTS IN THE HILLS, ANNA WATSON RECREATED A 1950S-ERA TRIP TO FIND OUT WHAT TRAMPING WAS LIKE 70 YEARS AGO.

CAN WE HAVE DEER AND A HEALTHY FOREST? • WAPITI BECAME NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST ‘HERD OF SPECIAL INTEREST’ THIS YEAR. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR CONSERVATION?

WALKING IN SHACKLETON’S FOOTSTEPS • MORE THAN A CENTURY AFTER SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON LED A CROSSING OF SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND IN A DESPERATE PUSH FOR RESCUE, NEW ZEALAND MOUNTAIN GUIDE TARN PILKINGTON EXPLAINS WHY THE ISLAND STILL DEMANDS PREPARATION, HUMILITY AND THE COURAGE TO TURN BACK.

A MASTER OF VERSATILITY • COMBINING TWIN-ENTRANCE COMFORT WITH A HIGHLY WEATHERPROOF DESIGN, MULTIPLE PITCHING OPTIONS, AGREEABLE PACKING WEIGHT AND DECENT DURABILITY, SEA TO SUMMIT’S SENTINEL XP2 STANDS TALL IN ITS CLASS.

GEAR RADAR • Gear that’s caught our attention this month.

SUN HOODIES

HIKING PANTS

BIG AGNES FLY CREEK UL QUILT

WHAT'S IN MY PACK • GUIDE EDWARD COCHRANE’S PERSONAL GEAR LIST

THE 2026 GUIDE TO MULTI-DAY PACKS • LARGE-CAPACITY MULTI-DAY PACKS CAN HOLD ALL THE FOOD AND GEAR REQUIRED FOR TRIPS OF THREE DAYS OR MORE, AND ARE RICH WITH FEATURES FOR CARRYING SUCH LOADS IN RELATIVE COMFORT.

Pukeamoamo Mitre Tararua Forest Park • Enjoy 360-degree views from the highest peak in the Tararua Range and stay at a 14-bunk hut near a picturesque river.

Sharks Tooth Peak Mt Aspiring National Park • Climb tussock slopes and scramble up schist slabs on a day trip to this spectacular peak.

Broken River Coal Mine Track Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park • Hike into the Craigieburn Range, where an old coal mine still whispers stories of the past.

Cascade Hut Kaimanawa Forest Park • Take a tough but stunning...