Alistair Hall

2 days ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

The Department of Conservation has decided to proactively close the pedestrian suspension bridge on the Hooker Valley Track to the public from today. This decision has been made due to the environmental conditions surrounding the bridge. Though the bridge is currently structurally sound, it requires daily monitoring and frequent closures to ensure public safety.

2 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

Who is the 2025 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year? No spoilers here: turn to page 28 to find out. We received a whopping 2600 entries this year. Thank you to everyone who entered, and        congratulations to the winners. On page 34 Ray Salisbury writes about the classic Five Passes route. Every time I’m asked if I’ve done this trip, I cringe. A decade ago, I flew over from Australia with my partner to tackle it, but due to a series of stuff-ups, we had to turn back on the third day.

1 month ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

When on my OE I lived in Oxford, UK, for two years. One day a large parcel from my parents landed on the doorstep. Inside were dozens of freeze-dried food packets from a then fledgling company called Back Country Cuisine. In those far-off days I was a struggling barista, serving coffee to train commuters heading to London. My parents probably intended the meals for my planned European tramps, but what I saw inside that box was a month of free dinners.

2 months ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

We Kiwi trampers truly are a lucky bunch. And, a part of that luck resulted from the NZ Forest Service combating a potential disaster when a booming deer population in the 1970s led to a hut-building boom by the service. The huts were for deer cullers, and the result is a network of backcountry accommodation that is unique to New Zealand. In this issue, out of more than 900 huts that now dot the country we’ve highlighted 25 amazing shelters. But as we celebrate these huts, a warning.

Dec 17, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive a Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge also receives a special prize from our partners! → Partner prize: Bridgedale Midweight Merino Performance Fit socks!Winner (featured image): Kama Clark’s wallpaper shows her at the Pouakai tarns. “This was my first walk after cancer and my first solo walk ever,” she said.