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Mt Tarahaka: On the Road to Nowhere
Nothing is ever simple in the Seaward Kaikōura Range in Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park. Tony and I have a running record with this rugged terrain where trips rarely go to plan. From the “Shattered Peak” mission to our trip into Jam Hut, this range always keeps us on our toes. Our recent…
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Solo in Nelson Lakes: From Mt Angelus to the quiet Mahanga Range & D’Urville Valley
Nelson Lakes National Park is home to some of New Zealand’s most iconic tracks. After previously tackling Robert Ridge in winter, I returned in summer to climb Mt Angelus (Maniniaro) and explore the rugged & less-travelled Mahanga Range. This trip report covers the transition from the popular Angelus Hut area to the quieter, and sometimes…
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Jam Hut via George Saddle: Lost in a Maze of Boulders
If you are looking for a completely off-track adventure with a healthy dose of boulder-hopping, and a visit to one of New Zealand’s seldom visited huts, then look no further than Jam Hut in the Seaward Kaikōura Range. Located in the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence, this trip is not for the faint of…
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Matiri Range: Finding the Needle in the Haystack on the 1000 Acre Plateau
An epic 5 day traverse from Wangapeka over the Matiri Range to the Haystack, Needle and 1000 Acre Plateau. Involves plenty of travel off track, time above bushline and a challenging bush bash. Tony assured me that I would be able to find the Needle in the Haystack easily – he wasn’t wrong but our…
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Mount Richmond Forest Park: Summer Snowflakes at Lake Chalice
We weren’t supposed to be in Mount Richmond Forest Park; that was Plan C. After the weather put an abrupt end to Plans A and B, we found ourselves winding up Staircase Road toward the Lake Chalice carpark, only to be halted by a 10-metre pine tree falling in slow motion across our path. It…
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Exploring Ferny Gair: Lake Alexander Hut and beyond
Navigating Access: The Teme River vs. Private Land After a trip to Ferny Gair a few months ago to find the elusive “dinosaur cave,” I was itching to return to explore the southern part of the conservation area including Lake Alexander and Ferny Gair peak itself. Access in this region can be tricky. A long-standing…
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Leatham Circuit: Dolphins, Dinosaurs, and Magic
Camping at Onamalutu “Dolphins!” shouted a crew member as we travelled through the Marlborough Sounds on the Interislander. I sprinted over to the railing as dolphins are one of my favourite animals and saw a huge pod of dolphins swimming joyfully alongside the ferry. Just magical! This seemed like a good start to our 5…
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Raglan Range: No teeth needed
“You don’t need your teeth to walk out.” The best adventures sometimes happen when your original plans fall through. Standing at the edge of an uncrossable Dart Ford, our Luna Tops dreams were washed away—but the Raglan Range was calling. What followed was a three-day masterclass in New Zealand ‘off-track’ travel: bush bashing, technical scree…
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Climbing Te Ao Whekere: An Alpine Adventure in the Seaward Kaikoura
Listening to the calls of two kea at 5:30 am isn’t your average wake-up call, but on the rugged slopes of the Seaward Kaikoura Range, nothing is quite “average.” From our infamous “Rubbish Bag” campsite to the 2,590m summit of Te Ao Whekere, our journey was an energetic yet magical traverse of unstable scree and…
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🦖Ferny Gair Conservation Area – in search of the strange dinosaur cave
Ferny Gair Conservation Area – in search of the strange dinosaur cave The story of a 5-day hike in the Ferny Gair Conservation Area including a route guide and photos. Hidden within the rugged terrain of the Ferny Gair Conservation Area lies a mystery that only a topo map and a bit of curiosity could…
