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1 week ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. For the first time, mountain rescue teams in England and Wales were called out every day of the year in 2024. Callouts in Scotland topped 1,000 for the first time. Rescues jumped by 24% between 2019 and 2024, according to data from Mountain Rescue England and Wales analysed by Ordnance Survey and shared exclusively with the Guardian.
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2 weeks ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Fourteen years, two landowners, three agencies, hundreds of emails – and still free public access to a Marlborough conservation area remains closed off. It started with a trespass complaint way back in 2011. Police called for action, as they worried someone would get hurt. In 2014, local DOC staff declared they would make it a priority.
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2 weeks ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
Distance 7.50km Total Ascent 880m Time Car park to Sunrise Hut, 2–3hr; to Top Maropea Hut, 1–1.5hr Grade Easy/Moderate Accom. Triplex Hut (standard, 12 bunks), Sunrise Hut (serviced, 20 bunks), Top Maropea Hut (basic, 4 bunks) Access North Block Road Map BK36 GPX File Top Maropea Hut (gpx, yo 45 KB) Your device does not support GPX files. Please try a different device.
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3 weeks ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Enjoying the outdoors may seem like the ultimate free activity, but not everyone can take part. That is hopefully about to change, with the launch of new Outdoor Accessibility Design Guidelines. The guidelines provide clear, practical advice for anyone involved in creating, maintaining, or advocating for accessible outdoor spaces.
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4 weeks ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. James Norbury and Alex Felstead are on an epic quest to hike 500 kilometres on the North Island. They’re doing it to recreate Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee’s journey in J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy novel series, The Lord of the Rings. And yes, they’re dressed up like Hobbits. And yes, they have a ring.
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1 month ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Social media-fuelled growth in the number of walkers camping at the head of Earnslaw Burn, near Glenorchy, has forced the landowner to take action to keep the area “pristine”. Owner Geoffrey Thomson said camping had never been allowed on the station’s land at the head of the valley, but had become the norm in recent years.
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1 month ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Ben Gatting, who recently completed all 11 Great Walks in 11 days, has ranked them in a recent article in The Spinoff. He used three main criteria. The first was admin and logistics like getting to the start and end of the trail, transport options and proximity to nearby towns. Secondly, he also evaluated the infrastructure of the trail itself, the huts and signage.
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1 month ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Nathan Longhurst of the U.S. has been on a tear to climb New Zealand’s 100 greatest peaks in one season, starting last November. The 25-year-old completed his task on 28 February, summiting his 99th and 100th peaks, 3,151m Mount Sefton and 2,764m The Footstool. As he often did on this unique project, he paraglided from the top of Sefton to The Footstool and began climbing from there.
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1 month ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Te Araroa is a demanding tramp even for experienced parties. With two fatalities on the trail in 19 months and another hiker missing since 6 Feb, Nelson tramping club member Paula Garnham wants to warn trampers of the dangers to prevent other families from losing loved ones.
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2 months ago | 
wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher
A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Starting on 13 May, Great Walks and bookable huts and campsites will open for stays over the 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026 season. The opening dates for booking will be staggered from May 13 to 28 to “give people making multiple bookings a better chance of securing their preferred slot” the Department of Conservation said.
