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Lake Sylvester & Lake Lockett Loop: A 2-day tramp in Kahurangi National Park
The Lake Sylvester & Lake Lockett Loop is a fantastic two-day tramping adventure in Kahurangi National Park on the Lockett Range featuring seven alpine lakes, open ridgelines, beech forest and some enjoyable scrambling. If you like trip with diverse terrain and alpine lakes, then this is your trip. There’s absolutely no shortage of lakes here…
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Gosling Hut, Marlborough: A Trip in the Raglan Range
After Tony and I finished the Lees-Hellfire Circuit, we discovered that our good-weather window was going to continue for a few more days. Naturally, we decided to make the most of it with a trip into Gosling Hut. We decided to have another attempt at climbing Bounds Peak, which we had tried to climb earlier…
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Turkeys Nest Bivvy via the Wye Route – Leatham Conservation Area
Turkeys Nest Bivvy is a tiny, character-filled backcountry bivvy tucked away in the Leatham Conservation Area in Marlborough. Reaching it via the Wye Route is an adventure in itself involving travel through the ‘Garden of Despair,’ many native birds, beautiful South Island beech forest and spectacular views. We headed into the Leatham Valley in May…
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Lewis Pass to St Arnaud via Waiau Pass: A 7-day Tramping Guide
The Lewis Pass to St Arnaud route via Waiau Pass and Poukirikiri / Travers Saddle is one of New Zealand’s fantastic and challenging multi-day tramps. The 163 km journey crosses the St James Conservation Area and Nelson Lakes National Park, passing Lake Constance / Rotopōhueroa and Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake before descending to St Arnaud.…
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Mt Sunday, Richmond Range
Looking for a rewarding day hike or a relaxed overnight tramping trip in Marlborough? The Mt Sunday and Mt Riley Loop in Mount Richmond Forest Park offers native beech forest, subalpine flora, rugged schist rock formations, and sweeping mountain views. Fast Facts Starting at Onamalutu Campsite After spending the night camping at the scenic Onamalutu…
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Exploring the Annette Plateau & Metelille Glacier
The Annette Plateau and Metelille Glacier are truly magical alpine destinations. One of my all-time favourite tramping moments is sitting on the summit of Mt Annette, watching the sunrise illuminate Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Sefton after a night of camping on the Annette Plateau. The plateau offers a profound sense of isolation, leaving you completely…
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A Guide to Mt Somers
Mt Somers (Te Kiekie) lies nestled in the scenic foothills of the Southern Alps and serves as the gateway to the stunning Hakatere Conservation Park. Interestingly, Mt Somers is an extinct volcano, and its volcanic origin shows in its fascinating geology. There are visible faultlines & cooling fractures—jagged pillars have been formed by the cooling…
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Mount Thomas: A Complete Guide
Mount Thomas lies nestled in the scenic foothills of the Southern Alps. Much like its neighbors, Mt Somers and Mt Oxford, it is a highly popular Canterbury day walk that also offers brilliant opportunities for easy, front-country overnight tramping trips. Best of all? It’s just a short, easy drive from Christchurch, making it the perfect…
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Tramping to Sawcut Gorge & The Zoo: Marlborough
Sawcut Gorge and the mysterious area known as “The Zoo” had been on my tramping list for years. Following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes, this spectacular corner of the Seaward Kaikōura Range was closed for a long time. However, after spotting a track update in the Permolat group mentioning volunteer maintenance, followed by a Wilderness Magazine…
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Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley: Winter Alpine Tramping Guides | Craigieburn
Craigieburn Forest Park offers some of Canterbury’s finest winter alpine day trips. If you want the joys of snow and strapping on crampons to summit peaks over 2,000 meters—all while returning to a hot shower and a warm bed by nightfall—these two classic routes climbing up Mt Izard & Mt Cloudsley are for you. While…
