Matthew Cattin

Auckland

Photographer at Freelance

Deputy Editor at Wilderness

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Articles

The Kepler of the north

Jun 19, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Read more from the July 2024 Issue “Eighty days!” The words started as a warning and mellowed into a mantra of gratitude. Much has been written of Tararua’s weather, but a DOC sign at Mt Holdsworth Road end spells it out starkly. The tops experience just 80 clear days a year. I am forever grateful that I experienced three of them on my first visit to the notorious range.
Fiordland’s best day walk

Mar 19, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Read more from the April 2024 Issue Fiordland rain had prevented me twice from climbing Gertrude Saddle, but the third time I made it. In clear weather, the marvellous day walk provides views to rival the Milford Track, straight down the barrel of a golden-green glacial valley to distant Piopiotahi. The route departs from a gravel car park east of Homer Tunnel.
Gear cupboard: KEA Outdoors Stash

Feb 20, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Share with friends KEA Outdoors Stash $60 Used by: Gear editor Matthew Cattin Used for: Four days of tramping trash Sticky, sweaty food waste is the unglamorous underbelly of tramping, and vulnerable ziplocks don’t always cut it. KEA Outdoors’ Kickstarter success story – the 6l Stash rubbish bag – is a sturdy, compactable answer to the problem. It does exactly what it claims on the tin – no mess, leaks or smells. The mouth of the bag has a beefy ziplock that seals well, and external tension...
Bach Daydream 65

Jan 17, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Best for backpackers seeking all-day comfortPlusses: Durable, comfortable, versatileMinuses: Expensive, heavy, single hip-pocket1990g / 65lFeatures: This is a versatile and robust pack from Swiss company Bach. The main compartment has zippered access on the front and bottom, double drawstrings on the top, and an internal zippered divider. There’s also a padded internal hydration (or laptop) pocket. The lid is removable and has two pockets, top and bottom, and an internal key clip.
Cotopaxi Inca 26

Jan 17, 2024 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Best for versatility, durability and the environment. Plusses: Recycled materials, comfortable, robustMinuses: Expensive, some pockets not fit for purpose426g minimum, 510g with bag and cupFeatures: A trademark of this US brand is that each Inca pack is made from an assortment of repurposed fabrics so that no two are exactly the same colour-way. Shoulder straps are wide and padded and feature a zippered cell phone pocket and hydration hose clip.
The best trip on Topop50 map BE33 – Pirongia - Hiking & Tramping in NZ - Wilderness Magazine

Dec 18, 2023 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Read more from the January 2024 Issue Mt Pirongia is the sore thumb of the Waikato. Its crooked spine can be seen standing stark against the horizon for much of the drive from the Bombay Hills to Hamilton, and it is equally prominent on the map, BE33, a green island in a flat sea of civilised countryside.
BE33 - Pirongia - Hiking & Tramping in NZ - Wilderness Magazine

Dec 18, 2023 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Read more from the January 2024 Issue Mt Pirongia is the sore thumb of the Waikato. Its crooked spine can be seen standing stark against the horizon for much of the drive from the Bombay Hills to Hamilton, and it is equally prominent on the map, BE33, a green island in a flat sea of civilised countryside.
MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2

Dec 18, 2023 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

Best for bikepacking and fast-packingPlusses: Extra-short folding poles, bikepack-ready, highly livable, light. Minuses: Care required in high winds, stuff sack needs improvements. 1710g / 2.7m2Features: This is MSR’s first bikepacking-specific tent. It has extra-short folding DAC alloy poles and a waterproof stuff sack, designed for direct mounting onto handlebars.
Sierra Design Litehouse 2

Dec 18, 2023 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

A three-season tramping tent that won’t break your budgetPlusses: Breathable, lightweight, sturdy, compact. Minuses: Living space, light materials. 1560g / 2.58m2Features: This is a freestanding, two-door, two-vestibule tramping tent. The foot and fly are 1200mm 15D nylon ripstop, while the mesh inner is a 15D ‘No-See-Um’ nylon. Pre-bends in the DAC Featherlight NSL aluminium ridge poles create more livable space, as does a cross pole, which extends the apex. There are three gear storage pockets.
Busting gear myths

Nov 21, 2023 | wildernessmag.co.nz | Matthew Cattin

It’s hard enough to wade through all of the gear myths out there as a seasoned hiker, let alone as a beginner. Wilderness breaks down a few common misconceptions. Myth #1: Sleeping naked is warmer I don’t know who originally disseminated this one, but it remains as pervasive as it is pervy. I understand the argument – since sleeping bags provide warmth by trapping body heat (as opposed to actively warming us, like a woodburner), skin-to-sleeping bag contact could provide more effective insulation.