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.

WITH BREWSTER, IT'S THE T.A.C ALL OVER AGAIN

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

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

MEET FMC'S PRESIDENT • Introducing Allan Brent, Federated Mountain Clubs’ current president, Otago-born and bred and now based in Wānaka.

OPENING OF TONGARIRO NORTHERN CIRCUIT DELAYED

NEW PODCAST: ‘TE ARAROA TALES’

WHAT WE'RE READING

WIDER COLLABORATION TO PRESERVE BACKCOUNTRY NETWORK

THERE'S MORE THAN JUST FUN IN NUMBERS • WALK1200KM PARTICIPANTS SHARE WHY AND HOW THEY GET THE MOST FROM GROUP TRAMPING.

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH • These excellent kit ideas from Walk1200km partners will help make your walks more enjoyable and comfortable.

#microchallenge 19-21 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!

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

A CENTURY OF NATIVE PLANT PROTECTION • Wellington's Ōtari Native Botanic Garden, the largest single collection of native plant species in the country, turns 100 this year.

Dig it in • New Zealand-born Sophie Woods has become the fastest person to complete the Via Alpina. She tells Wilderness how her early childhood years of tramping, and the phrase ‘dig it in’, carried her the length of the Alps.

THE THREE TRIPS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE • Doctor, tramper and photographer Ben Ng-Wai Shing shares the three trips that have had the greatest impact on him.

HIGH-VALUE, LOW-WEIGHT ITEMS USED BY MOUNTAIN GUIDES • In the eternal quest to keep pack weight down, a mountain guide offers five multi-use items worth their minimal weight.

‘DID YOU HEAR THAT?’ • Ten movies you absolutely shouldn't watch before going into the wilderness.

IS A SMARTWATCH A USEFUL HIKING ACCESSORY? • SOME PEOPLE LOVE THEM, OTHERS FIND THEM TOO INTRUSIVE. NO MATTER YOUR THOUGHTS, IT'S HELPFUL TO KNOW WHETHER A SMARTWATCH WILL ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE.

THE HOLLYFORD: A LESSON IN HISTORY AND HUMILITY • THE HOLLYFORD VALLEY WAS ONCE AN IMPORTANT NGĀI TAHU SETTLEMENT AREA. ERIN HEWETSON (NGĀI TAHU) FOLLOWS IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HER TĪPUNA ON THE HOLLYFORD TRACK.

THE MANY FACES OF THE MOTATAPU TRACK • CENTRAL OTAGO'S MOTATAPU TRACK HAS HISTORY, HILLS, DRAMATIC SCENERY AND TE ARAROA TRAIL WALKERS IN SPADES.

BEAUTIFUL AND BRUTAL: Brewster Track offers no margin for error • A LAND SEARCH & RESCUE VOLUNTEER TAKES HIS FAMILY TO BREWSTER HUT AND UNDERSTANDS WHY SO MANY GET IN TROUBLE THERE. HERE'S HIS GUIDE TO TACKLING THE WALK SAFELY.

TENDING THE HOME FIRES • A RUGGED, THREE-DAY TRAMP INTO THE REMOTE TARA TAMA RANGE SHOWS HOW EVEN THE SMALLEST SHELTER, IF TENDED WITH LOVE, CAN ENDURE.

MARMOT'S PRECIP EVO PRO PUTS COMFORT FIRST • Marmot's PreCip Evo Pro is the most comfortable rain jacket we've tested, but how does it hold up in a storm?

GEAR RADAR • New gear that's caught our attention this month.

TRAMPING PILLOWS • A lightweight pillow not only helps ensure a decent night's sleep, but also adds comfort for rest day reading and relaxing, whether in a tent or hut.

TRAMPER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND WILDERNESS CONTRIBUTOR SAM HARRISON

THE 2026 GUIDE TO DAYPACKS • FOR A DAY IN THE HILLS, YOU NEED A SMALL AND COMFORTABLE PACK THAT CAN CARRY YOUR ESSENTIALS.

THE 2026 GUIDE TO THREE-SEASON...