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.

THANKS, BCT!

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

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

Diamond in the rough • Rough Creek tarn, Nelson Lakes National Park

CHOOSE WILDERNESS OVER WI-FI

BANKS PENINSULA WALKING FESTIVAL DATES

WEEDBUSTERS WORK HARD TO REMOVE PINES

SWEEPING CANTERBURY VIEWS FROM NEW TRACK

WHAT WE'RE READING

MEET SIR ED'S MATE, PETE • Wilderness readers are a fascinating bunch, and this column is where we get to meet you all.

A WIN FOR PUBLIC ACCESS

MY FAVOURITE BRIDGEDALE SOCK • For more than a century, Bridgedale has been making outdoor socks for walkers of all types. Of course, some users have a favourite.

WILDERNESS OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION • The search is on for the best outdoor photographers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Now's the time to submit the top images from your adventures. It's also not too late to get clicking. You have until May 3, 2026 to enter.

I WENT FROM ‘MO WAY’ TO ‘I CAN!’ • BY JOINING HER DAUGHTERS AND SHARING HER WALKING PROGRESS, THIS WALK1200KM PARTICIPANT IS REALISING SHE IS CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THE CHALLENGE.

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH • As the seasons change, these excellent kit ideas will help to get you out the door.

#microchallenge 4-6 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!

May 2026 #microchallenge • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

ONE KNOB AT A TIME • A couple is on a mission to climb every knob in the country.

MY GEAR THROUGH THE DECADES • Phil Andrews recalls his most memorable pieces of kit from a lifetime of tramping and camping.

WEKA: MORE THAN A CAMPSITE KLEPTOMANIAC • The weka is well known to trampers for its thieving ways. Lesser known is the important conservation role it plays.

GOOD NEWS FOR KĀKĀRIKI KARAKA

THE THREE TRIPS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE • NZ Mountain Film Festival founder, IFMGA climbing and ski guide, author and guest speaker Mark Sedon.

JUST ME AND MY MUM • With Mother's Day around the corner, we asked two readers what they love about tramping with their mothers.

HIKE WITH MUM! • Share an unforgettable experience with your mum on these private walks.

GEAR AND CLOTHING FOR MUM

A lofty location for Brass Monkey • A BEQUEST TO BUILD A HUT IN A ‘HIGH LOFTY PLACE WHERE SOLITUDE PREVAILS’ HAS CREATED A MEETING POINT FOR TRAMPERS FROM ALL POINTS OF THE COMPASS.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

THE TEAM BEHIND THE NEW HUT

WHY we're putting on weight • TWO WILDERNESS GEAR EXPERTS ARE BUCKING THE ULTRALIGHT TREND WITH STURDY SWEDISH BRANDS. THEY TELL US WHY.

GET LOST AND SUFFER • WHAT ARE ROGAINING AND ADVENTURE RACING, AND HOW DO THEY DIFFER? WILDERNESS ASKS EXPERTS FOR PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS.

THE NEXT GENERATION

FROM THE MASTER

THE TRAIL OF THE TENACIOUS • TAKING A LEAF OUT OF THE BOOK OF HISTORIC FEMALE CLIMBERS, HAZEL PHILLIPS IGNORES THE NAYSAYERS AND TRAMPS THE LEGENDARY THREE PASSES ROUTE SOLO.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HIKING FOOTWEAR • Clean and reproof your boots and shoes regularly to ensure long life.

MOCKTAIL ENERGY BALLS • Once I realised energy balls could be made with any dried fruit, it opened the door to some fun, mocktail-inspired combinations. With ingredients like...