Milford Sounds Great - Piopiotahi / Milford Sound
I recently had a friend come visit me all the way from France (Celine) and she wanted to do something cool while in the Te Anau / Fiordland area. I…
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Wet Feet in Fiordland (Part Four) - West Cleddau Valley to Chasm
If you don’t like wet feet, then a suggestion is that you say away from untracked Fiordland. With over 65 major rivers a...
11 Aug 2025
Wet Feet in Fiordland (Part Three) - West Cleddau Valley
It would be nice to have every river, creek or stream bridged throughout Fiordland National Park. I’m sure originally th...
10 Aug 2025
Wet Feet in Fiordland (Part Two) - Chasm to West Cleddau Valley
Having wet feet is a situation some people seem to think is about as bad a death. I have watched as some take big risks...
10 Aug 2025
Wet Feet in Fiordland (Part One) - Te Anau to Fiordland (West Cleddau Valley)
With an average of around 200 days of rain per year Fiordland is considered one of the worlds wettest places. Its locati...
9 Aug 2025
Training Days - Kepler Track / Waiau River / Lake Te Anau
In less than two months I will embark on another journey to the mountainous land of magic known as Nepal. This time last...
16 Sep 2024
The Hidden Serpent (Part Two) - Serpents Back Track
At 1.3 million hectares, Fiordland National Park has many hidden corners to get lost in. I would never recommend going i...
14 Mar 2024
The Hidden Serpent (Part One) - Serpent Back Track
At times I have often wished that the fridge door on the Fiordland Navigator had just broken my arm of leg. At least tha...
13 Mar 2024
Listening to the Silence of Snow (Part Three) - Mount Burns Tarns
I recently hiked a track that I used to use as a running trail for training. Before I could get too depressed about how...
5 Mar 2024
Listening to the Silence of Snow (Part Two) - Upper Borland Valley / Mount Burns Tarns
Many will be turned away from the hills if snow is mentioned in the forecast. Cold is unpleasant to most and snow usuall...
5 Mar 2024
Listening to the Silence of Snow (Part One) - Borland Burn
I have found that the thing I have missed while sitting on the sidelines with my hip and back injury is getting a sense...
4 Mar 2024
Making the Most of a Disaster (Part Three) - Hollyford Valley
The mental benefits of a night out in the wild can be huge, just like the mountains that surround you. If you go into a...
27 Feb 2024
Making the Most of a Disaster (Part Two) - Hollyford Valley
Not much matches the scale of wildness witnessed during a Fiordland storm. Rain as heavy as rain can get, and then it ge...
26 Feb 2024
Making the Most of a Disaster (Part One) - Hollyford Valley
Fiordland is not only a place of great rain, but also one of constant change. There aren’t too many places where huge ch...
25 Feb 2024
Forest Bathing (Part Two) - Lake Te Anau / Kepler Track
The call of the wild is louder for some over others. Those who must go bathe in a forest’s relaxing vibes return refresh...
22 Feb 2024
Forest Bathing (Part One) - Lake Te Anau / Kepler Track
Moving back to Te Anau has given me a chance to take in how amazing this little town is and to appreciate the place I ca...
21 Feb 2024
Three-Wire Bridge (Part Two) - Hollyford Valley
Forest bathing is something humans should do as often as possible. A simple walk on a trail through trees could be all y...
18 Feb 2024
Three-Wire Bridge (Part One) - Hollyford Valley
Fiordland is like a present at Christmas that you really want and when you get it, it doesn’t disappoint. I never realiz...
17 Feb 2024
Merry Christmas to All!!!
Merry Christmas to all of the legends out there. It has been a year of ups and downs, with many highs and a couple of ve...
24 Dec 2023
Eglinton for Ernie (Part Three) - Eglinton Flat
It is tradition to build a chorten (rock cairn memorial) for climbers who have passed away in the mountains of Nepal. It...
5 Dec 2023
Eglinton for Ernie (Part Two) - Te Anau to Eglinton Flat
As humans we have no choice when it comes to dealing with death. It will happen to all of us unfortunately and as much a...
3 Dec 2023
Eglinton for Ernie (Part One) - Christchurch to Te Anau
It is amazing how much motivation an animal can give you. The fact that a dog needs walking everyday is one thing, the o...
3 Dec 2023
Time to be a Tourist - The Milford Road
The biggest change in my life was going from a job assembling cabinets on a factory floor to a life in and out of the mo...
19 Apr 2023
Welcome Back Rain - Fiordland Goes Back to Normal
For many visitors to the south this summer the weather has been absolutely outstanding. Day after day of epic sunshine,...
18 Apr 2022
Protecting Paradise - Trapping in the Murchison Mountains
Aotearoa was an incredible land of birds once. The land's remote isolation meant many unusual ground birds could frolic...
28 Mar 2022
Modifying the Mish (Part Four) - Gertrude Valley
If life’s unavoidable scenarios force you to change paths, then it’s you enjoy the new road you are travelling on. Some...
22 Mar 2022
Modifying the Mish (Part Three) - Gertrude Valley
Total emergence in the mountains is what I seek, and to get it I must spend at least or two nights outdoors. When I firs...
21 Mar 2022
Modifying the Mish (Part Two) - Gertrude Valley
Back in the day I used to really push my abilities to the extreme and this got me to some rather epic places. Nowadays I...
20 Mar 2022
Modifying the Mish (Part One) - Gertrude Valley
When the going gets tough it always feels like your brain is telling you giving up will be the best option. Unfortunatel...
20 Mar 2022
Stubborn Love (Part Three) - Falls Creek
The drive found in the wilderness can be a very powerful experience. The longing to see more can get you through some ch...
21 Feb 2022
Stubborn Love (Part Two) - Falls Creek
New Zealand’s national sport of rugby has produced some very tough dudes. It is not uncommon to hear tales when broken b...
21 Feb 2022
Stubborn Love (Part One) - Falls Creek
It is amazing what some sports people will go through in order for their team to win. Broken bones can somehow be put on...
20 Feb 2022
Darran Mountain Gold (Part Three) - McPherson Cirque
Wilderness heals the mind and soul. That is something I have recently found out for myself while navigating my own injur...
6 Feb 2022
Darran Mountain Gold (Part Two) - McPherson Cirque
I have never had any issue with heading out on an adventure by myself, and really enjoy having some one-on-one time with...
6 Feb 2022
Darran Mountain Gold (Part One) - McPherson Cirque
Solace in the mountains is what I seek and usually find in this spectacular country I am lucky enough to call home. For...
5 Feb 2022
Welcome to Borland - Part Two
There is something so cool about showing people the beauty of the wilderness. It is very rewarding when you introduce so...
11 Jan 2022
Welcome to Borland (Part One) - Upper Borland Burn (South Branch)
Anyone who knows me knows I have a slight obsession with Fiordland National Park. The place has so much to offer, and du...
10 Jan 2022
Moving On - A Crazy Couple of Years
To say the last couple of years have been interesting for human beings is a rather large understatement. There isn’t a p...
10 Jan 2022
Quietly Sh*tting Myself - Aurora Caves (Part Two)
It is odd how some people find something terrifying, while others enjoy the same experience. It really shows how individ...
4 Jan 2022
Quietly Sh*tting Myself - The Aurora Cave (Part One)
Facing your fears can have some great effects on your confidence. Stepping up to a challenge with some fear in your bell...
3 Jan 2022
Blue Ducks & Banter - Part Three
I have never gone out of my way to find animals in the wild, but have been lucky enough to have had many awesome encount...
28 Dec 2021
Blue Ducks & Banter - Part Two
I often stress to people how important it is to take your time when travelling to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound. The road r...
28 Dec 2021
Blue Ducks & Banter - Part One
We are very lucky in Aotearoa to have the opportunity to see some of the rarest birds on the planet in their homes in ou...
27 Dec 2021
Resting in Pieces - RIP Gunns Camp
Many years ago, when I worked as a guide on the Routeburn Track, I would tell people that the collection of buildings in...
27 Dec 2021
Waves on the Water - Crossing Te Anau Strait
In Maoridom Pounamu is a gift that gives luck to the recipient. I am lucky enough to have a Hei Matua (the Fish Hook) pi...
19 Dec 2021
Less Effort Just as Epic (Part Four) - Upper Cleddau Valley
For some reason I always feel the most refreshed when I wake up in my tent. In reality I get less sleep while tossing an...
15 Dec 2021
Less Effort Just as Epic (Part Three) - Upper Cleddau Valley
Unfortunately, many people around the world will never find their true ‘Happy Place’. A place that makes you smile and b...
15 Dec 2021
Less Effort Just as Epic (Part Two). Upper Cleddau Valley
With all the entertainment we have at our fingertips these days many forget about the free entertainment on offer in the...
14 Dec 2021
Less Effort Just as Epic (Part One) - Upper Cleddau Camping
From the instant I first saw the mountains of Northern Fiordland I knew it was the beginning of a long and highly enjoya...
14 Dec 2021
Very, Very Sore & Satisfied - High Above Glade Burn (Part Four)
Is being stubborn a terrible thing when it helps you achieve your goals? After my injury I had to put my love of the out...
8 Dec 2021
Very Sore & Satisfied - High Above Glade Burn (Part Three)
It is amazing what you can achieve once you put your mind to something and you find the motivation to get going. Unfortu...
7 Dec 2021
Sore & Satisfied (Part Two) - High Above Glade Burn
Being sore or in constant pain is something that took a little getting used to when I first hurt my hip and back. My lon...
7 Dec 2021
Sore & Satisfied (Part One) - High Above Glade Burn
After a major injury you have two options. Option One is to give in to the ailment and live the rest of your life using...
6 Dec 2021
Precipitation - Patea / Doubtful Sound
I’m sure there are some out there who wouldn’t be upset if they never saw a rainy day again. Precipitation can cause ann...
29 Nov 2021
There is NO such thing as BAD Weather - Patea / Doubtful Sound
The first person to call a rainy day “bad weather” needs a slap! Rain is rather important to human beings, and without i...
26 Nov 2021
Same Old New - Glade Wharf
To look out the window of your workplace at the beauty that many people crave to see makes you feel rather special. Not...
16 Nov 2021
Camping in a Blizzard (Part Four) - Whiskey Trail to The Divide
To witness Mother Nature’s full-on fury first hand is rememberable to say the least. Sideways snow driven by power wind...
12 Oct 2021
Camping in a Blizzard (Part Three) - Whiskey Trail
There has been the odd occasion when I have tramped into wild weather with the intention of enjoying the experience. It...
11 Oct 2021
Camping in a Blizzard (Part Two) - Routeburn / Key Summit Track to Whiskey Trail
A long time ago when I was a young fella I played Ice Hockey. I believe this has led to my fascination with ice and the...
11 Oct 2021
Camping in a Blizzard (Part One) - Te Anau to Routeburn / Key Summit Track
I find a type of bliss when camping, and nothing else seems to match the feeling. Being out on a mish in the wilderness...
11 Oct 2021
The Cave In - Te Ana-Au Landslide
Never in all my years of working in tourism did I think we would ever struggle for work. For a long time now millions of...
12 Sep 2021
My Own Great Walk - Beyond Key Summit (Part Three)
On many occasions I have had a remote valley somewhere in paradise all to myself. The fact that this is still possible i...
8 Sep 2021
My Own Great Walk - Beyond Key Summit (Part Two)
Working in a job in New Zealand tourism means you get told how amazing ‘your office’ is on a daily basis. Then after tho...
7 Sep 2021
My Own Great Walk (Part One) - Key Summit Ridge
At any stage during the last decade and half if you had told me I would be the only one hiking on the Routeburn Track I...
7 Sep 2021
Following all of the Rules (Part Two) - Post Office Point Camp
There are some very good reasons why the property prices in Te Anau and Manapouri weren’t massively affected by the glob...
2 Sep 2021
Following All of the Rules (Part One) - Post Office Point Camp
As far as I could tell, I was following all of the Level 3 guidelines while on this mish. If I got it wrong or misread a...
1 Sep 2021
Early Birds (Part Two) - An Epic Way to Start the Day
As a kid I would have never pictured myself as an educator. I love guiding and telling stories, but dealing with kids I...
9 Aug 2021
Early Birds (Part One) - An Epic Way to Start the Day
It is strange how this world can give you something unexpected but then take it away before you get the chance to really...
8 Aug 2021
The Coolest Coldness (Part Three) - Upper Eglington Camping
I’d much rather tackle the challenges of a cold winter day over a scorching hot summer day. Chucking another layer of cl...
11 Jul 2021
The Coolest Coldness (Part Two) - Upper Eglington Camping
Some might take the time to think about going camping (especially during the winter) and the chilly thoughts might make...
10 Jul 2021
The Coolest Coldness (Part One) - Upper Eglington Camping
Winter is very cool in both the literal sense and also from a visual perspective. The way ice or snow can dramatically b...
10 Jul 2021
Almost too Beautiful - Lake Marian Camp (Part Four)
Before heading out on my Lake Marian mish, I watched a movie about some fellas climbing Sagarmartha / Mt Everest(8848m),...
8 Jul 2021
Almost too Beautiful (Part Three) - Lake Marian Camp
Forget the latest iPhone or android, I’ll take a look at the clouds swirling amongst the giants of the Darran Mountain R...
7 Jul 2021
Almost too Beautiful (Part Two) - Lake Marian Camp
I think it is important to have things to occupy your mind during the boring parts of life. For some it is the thought o...
6 Jul 2021
Almost too Beautiful (Part One) - Lake Marian Camp
If beauty has limits then Lake Marian and the mountains that surround it are really pushing it! Lake Marian is an absolu...
6 Jul 2021
That's One BIG Fish - A School Camp with a Fishy Twist
We (New Zealanders) are lucky to live in a country of outdoor adventures amongst great beauty. Working in some of the be...
2 Jul 2021
Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part Three)
I’ll take a night in a tent in an epic location over a hotel nearly every time. Put that tent in Fiordland and even the...
29 Jun 2021
Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part Two)
The inconvenience of the cold is an easy problem to solve if you are prepared. Clothing nowadays allows us to venture in...
29 Jun 2021
Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part One)
I’m sure that most people will favour a hot day on the beach over a cold camping mission to a place covered with ice and...
28 Jun 2021
Raging Waters - Flooding at the Te Ana-au Glow Worm Caves
To witness Fiordland rain is a real treat. The amount and power of the water boggles the mind with its relentless rage....
24 Jun 2021
The Borland Road to Recovery (Part Three) - Borland Rock Bivouac
We are very lucky to be able to venture into the wild places of Aotearoa and not worry about bears, wolves etc. This is...
15 Jun 2021
The Borland Road to Recovery (Part Two) - Borland Rock Bivouac
There are parts of Fiordland National Park that are more jungle than forest, which took some getting used to at first be...
14 Jun 2021
The Borland Road to Recovery (Part One) - Borland Rock Bivouac
I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been times when I have been completely over having a mangled hip. I am very grateful...
14 Jun 2021
Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Four) - Gulliver River / Milford Road
Recent birthdays have taught me how powerful a night in nature can be. As I have kicked back and relaxed I have had the...
9 Jun 2021
Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Three) - Cleddau / Gulliver River
A campfire over a cake. A night in a tent instead of plenty of presents. Nature and being in the wilderness is the gift...
8 Jun 2021
Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Two) - Cleddau / Gulliver River
People chatting, glasses clinking and happy people drinking. This is what many think of when they think about their birt...
7 Jun 2021
Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part One) - Te Anau to the Cleddau Valley
Some like to celebrate their birthday with all of their friends with a big party. I’d rather the peace and quiet found o...
7 Jun 2021
Still a Bit Buggered (Part Two) - East Eglinton Valley / Mackay Creek
Moving to Te Anau permanently in 2018 was much more beneficial than first expected. The main reason I bought a house in...
2 Jun 2021
Still a Bit Buggered (Part One) - East Eglinton Track
Not being able to do what you used to do can be very frustrating. For me, my injury has meant going from 12 hour days in...
1 Jun 2021
Twelve Years Later - Back on the Routeburn Track
A considerable amount of time had passed between visits to Key Summit on the Routeburn Track with my parents. Many years...
23 May 2021
Doubtful Delivers - Lucky Kids
If you’re having a blast and getting paid for it you must have done something right! On many occasions I have had to pin...
13 May 2021
The Perfect Day - Part Three
I once went on a mission with my cousin (@nzjimny) and we rocked up to a campsite on the Wilberforce Riverbed. We had th...
26 Apr 2021
The Perfect Day - Part Two
I have been very lucky to have had many jobs that keep me fit by default. Whether it be running around a track, boat or...
25 Apr 2021
The Perfect Day - Part One
Setting small achievable goals each day can do wonders for your self esteem. A mission into the mountains and back can b...
24 Apr 2021
Back to Borland - Part Three
There is something very special about being high in the mountains at night time. Something that can only be achieved wit...
19 Apr 2021
Back to Borland - Part Two
Twenty metres of very easy walking had taken me from my car to an outstanding riverside campsite. The nor’west storm was...
19 Apr 2021
Back to Borland - Part One
A lot of time had passed since my last adventure in the Borland area. Being in the mountains is for me my ‘happy place’,...
18 Apr 2021
Back in the Game (Part Three) - Lake Marian Trek
It is amazing where determination / stubbornness can get you. Simply focusing on the task at hand and not worrying about...
13 Apr 2021
Back in the Game (Part Two) - Lake Marian Trek
Taking steps into the Darran Mountains alone is a way to appreciate how big mountains really are. We (human beings) are...
13 Apr 2021
Back in the Game (Part One) - Lake Marian Trek
It had been a long time since I had last tasted the sweet air of wild Fiordland, thanks to the work of a large fridge do...
13 Apr 2021
Getting the Next Generation Hooked - Deep Cove School Camp
To have a job in tourism is a real privilege with what’s going on in the world today, and to have a very enjoyable job i...
16 Mar 2021
Back to Fiordland - Back to Work
A girl in shiny red shoes said it best “there’s no place like home”. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and being away...
21 Feb 2021
Life Resumes - Back with the Bros
With social media the world is getting smaller, and time apart from family and friends is less of a burden than in days...
19 Feb 2021
While the World Fell Apart (Part Five) - Patea / Doubtful Sound
2020 was a strange year for everyone. No one could imagine how much the world would change and how long it would take fo...
24 Mar 2020
While the World Fell Apart (Part Four) - Patea / Doubtful Sound
A huge benefit to working in remote locations is the lack of phone coverage. This means the real world can wait until yo...
22 Mar 2020
While the World Fell Apart (Part Three) - Patea / Doubtful Sound
Fiordland National Park is one of only a few places left on the planet that has remained untouched by the hands of manki...
20 Mar 2020
While the World Fell Apart (Part Two) - Te Anau / Patea Doubtful Sound
Normally Aotearoa watches the world from afar and usually stays well away from any conflict. Our remote location might b...
19 Mar 2020
While the World Fell Apart (Part One) - Queenstown / Te Anau
I was surprised to learn that Aotearoa had dropped its final Covid restrictions, as I had no idea there were any still i...
2 Mar 2020
Taking Kea of Myself - Grebe Valley Camp
By mid February I was feeling a little bit grumpy. It had been over a month since my accident on the Fiordland Navigator...
14 Feb 2020
The Last Big Mish (Part Three) - Sunny Creek Basin
Strangely, I would suffer my greatest injury on a boat at sea level instead of a fall while climbing high in the mountai...
5 Jan 2020
The Last Big Mish (Part Two) - Sunny Creek Basin
The classic saying of “you never know what will happen tomorrow” is so true, and at least while I could I got to some pr...
4 Jan 2020
The Last Big Mish (Part One) - Sunny Creek Basin
As 2019 turned into 2020 I’m sure no one knew what life was going to throw at them during the year. Along with the rest...
4 Jan 2020
Slippery When Wet (Part Two) - Gertrude Saddle(1410m)
The signage along the Gertrude Saddle Track has increased as time has gone on and unfortunately more accidents have happ...
2 Dec 2019
Slippery When Wet (Part One) - Gertrude Saddle(1410m)
Warning signs are in places for a reason and should be obeyed. However, I can say from experience that sometimes the sig...
2 Dec 2019
Super Cirque Spectacular - Cirque Creek Headwall
I highly recommend being a passenger when travelling on the Milford Road for the first time. The ever changing incredibl...
30 Nov 2019
Snowslides & Sandflies (Part Three) - Tutoko Valley Camp
The thunderous crash of an avalanche is both exciting and terrifying. Huge areas of semi-frozen ice and snow goes on a v...
27 Oct 2019
Snowslides & Sandflies (Part Two) - Tutoko Valley Camp
Most people around the world do their best to stay as far away from avalanches as possible. The mere thought of millions...
27 Oct 2019
Snow Slides and Sandflies (Part One) - Tutoko Valley
The Tutoko Valley is an excellent representation of the expression “Effort is met with reward” as the further up the val...
26 Oct 2019
Lights in the Darkness (Part Three) - Green Lake Hut (Borland Road Route)
There have been a few times where I have misjudged time to a hut or summit and my lack of good judgement has taken me do...
14 Oct 2019
Lights in the Darkness (Part Two) - Green Lake Hut
After several late finishes throughout my mission career, it would be hypocritical for me to make a big deal about someo...
13 Oct 2019
Lights in the Darkness (Part One) - Green Lake Hut
While out on missions I have bumped into many fellow adventurers, some experienced, some ‘not so’ experienced. Aotearoa...
11 Oct 2019
The Roar of Winter (Part Two) - The Gertrude Valley
Wild, cold and brutal, winter is an angry beast sometimes. Until the construction of the Milford Road it was only the to...
5 Oct 2019
The Roar of Winter (Part One) - The Gertrude Valley
It only took one visit and I was hooked. After my first trip on the Routeburn Track I knew I wanted to look at the might...
4 Oct 2019
Snowed in Deep - Deep Cove
Patea / Doubtful Sound is a very remote location. To get there is a mission in itself, but well worth the effort and an...
4 Aug 2019
Out Numbered and Surrounded - Kea Camp on Percy Saddle (Part Two)
I have had the lucky pleasure of watching Kea be Kea many times while hiking in the mountains. No matter what, they will...
20 Jul 2019
Outnumbered and Surrounded - Kea Camp On Percy Saddle (Part One)
For humans the alpine area is only a place to visit, and temporary stays are all our bodies can take. It takes a unique...
20 Jul 2019
Man / Woman Vs Mountains (Part Three) - Barrier Peak
There have definitely been many occasions when I would have easily opted out of the situations I had gotten myself into....
25 May 2019
Man / Woman Vs Mountains (Part Two) - Barrier Knob(1879m)
Putting your training up against a peak can produce some powerful feelings. For many it keeps them in the gym and walkin...
24 May 2019
Man / Woman Vs Mountains (Part One) - Barrier Knob(1879m)
Most of remote climbing is walking, hiking, scrambling, and then maybe some of the stuff you see on tv. Explaining mount...
24 May 2019
Storm vs Tent (Part One) - Borland Saddle Ridge Camp
As big as Fiordland is, there is a place that draws my attention time and time again. Some think going to the same place...
2 May 2019
Crying Wolfe (Part Three) - Turret Range Traverse
Many times I had cruised the deep water of Lake Manapouri looking up at the peaks towering over West Arm. What starts as...
7 Apr 2019
Crying Wolfe (Part Two) - Wolfe Burn Peaks
As a kid, and sometimes now, I would look at my neighbourhood like it was a skatepark. I’d picture myself grinding or sl...
6 Apr 2019
Crying Wolfe (Part One) - Wolfe Burn Peaks
Even though West Arm is busy with tourists going to Patea / Doubtful Sound, or those going to work at the power station,...
5 Apr 2019
Mt Borland(1547m) - Last of the Borland Peaks (Part Two)
I seem to wake often when sleeping in the wild, so I have a series of long naps as opposed to sleeping through the night...
23 Mar 2019
Mt Borland(1547m) - Last of the Borland Peaks (Part One)
Large mounds of material sitting in silence as they oversee the land they stand over. For what is basically a pile of ro...
23 Mar 2019
Gertrude Saddle(1410m) - Slippery When Wet
“A Mish a day” #122 Gertrude Saddle(1410m). Fiordland National Park. 12.3.2019. When a couple of the fellas showed up an...
12 Mar 2019
Munted Ankle Mish (Part Two) - Cirque Creek Camp
“On a Mish” #105 Munted Ankle Mish (Part Two). Cirque Creek. Fiordland National Park. 29.1.2019. A lot of people think t...
28 Jan 2019
Munted Ankle Mish (Part One) - Cirque Creek Camp
Being someone who needs a constant dose of mountains means anything that prevents me getting my outdoor fix is really BA...
27 Jan 2019
A Little Bit Different (Part Three) - Mt Cuba(1449m)
While it is not a guarantee, doing something a little bit different to the norm in the outdoors can lead to an epic time...
15 Jan 2019
A Little Bit Different (Part Two) - Mt Cuba(1449m)
The popularity of a picturesque place is proven by the presence of many people. The Key Summit Track is an excellent exa...
14 Jan 2019
A Little Bit Different (Part One) - Mt Cuba(1449m)
While I do enjoy hiking the many classic hiking trails in Aotearoa, I prefer heading to places outside of the norm - usu...
14 Jan 2019
Remote and Broke - Borland Breakdown
Those who know me know I’m a big fan of the Borland Road ( for evidence see - www.NzHikes.co.nz ). The road is one of on...
27 Dec 2018
Borland Ridge - A Delightful Ridge Scramble
Most who look at Fiordland will do so from the base of the giants whose heads reach high into the sky. The stunning upli...
3 Dec 2018
So Big but Rarely Seen - Fiordland Whales
Making memories is a part of life that some people put more effort into. Reminiscing about sitting on the couch isn’t as...
26 Nov 2018
So Long Sleeping Mat (Part One) - Mount Burns Tops
Unless you are using a helicopter there is no easy way to get onto the mountain tops in Fiordland National Park. The thr...
22 Oct 2018
Two Boys in a Boat (Part Two) - North Lake Te Anau
I heard the expression “New Zealand-ish” the other day. A term that some use around the world when describing untouched...
6 Oct 2018
North Lake Te Anau - Two Boys in a Boat (Part One)
Sometimes it is a bit of a mission just finding someone else to go on a mish with! A flip side to working in tourism is...
5 Oct 2018
An Island Covered in Birds - Secretary Island
While basking in the stunning surroundings of Patea / Doubtful Sound I sometimes forget that I am in the office. The exp...
18 Aug 2018
Remote Remoteness - The Kingdom of Camelot
The power of Fiordland is immense. From its incredible rain soaked weather, to its unmatched, untouched, unbelievable be...
17 Aug 2018
Winter's Grip (Part Two) - Whiskey Trail Camp
Winters grip can scare away people like a shady character in a dark alley. However, just like with the shady character (...
5 Aug 2018
Winter's Grip (Part One) - Whiskey Trail Camp
You would think that walking a track again and again would dull the wilderness senses and the location would lose its ch...
4 Aug 2018
Right Place, Right Camp - Helena Falls Camp
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to not only work in Fiordland during the chilly winter months of 2018, but also...
28 May 2018
The Sad Glacier (Part Two) - Falls Creek
Sadly, New Zealand has had some of the largest glacial recession on earth. What were once giant moving masses of ice are...
3 May 2018
The Sad Glacier (Part One) - Falls Creek
We, the lucky few who live in the Te Anau Basin, live in one of the best places to access the wilderness on the planet....
1 May 2018
The Weather Says When (Part Three) - Mt Barber(1364m)
To arrive at a summit is a feeling like no other. Going from tired to elated the moment you top out is a strange sensati...
11 Feb 2018
The Weather Says When (Part Two) - Mt Barber(1364m)
A real benefit of working in the wilds of Fiordland is being in a safe position to watch the weather roll in. The entert...
10 Feb 2018
The Weather Says When (Part One) - Mt Barber(1364m)
When it is all said and done the weather says when it is time to either go on an adventure or in this case, when it is t...
9 Feb 2018
Round Two (Part Three). Dore Pass(1390m).
If you haven’t been there, looking at Fiordland on a map it seems as though travel would be easy as long as you stick to...
21 Jan 2018
Round Two (Part Two). Dore Pass(1390m)
For many years I sat in the bus heading to the start of the Routeburn Track and we would point out Dore Pass, the other...
21 Jan 2018
Round Two (Part One). Dore Pass(1390m)
It has been said that Fiordland is a place for the waterproof explorer. Many times I have watched my days off approach j...
20 Jan 2018
New Year Kea - Starting the Year with Nestor Notabilis
For me nothing is better than starting the day in the mountains. Waking up to see the first rays of light make their way...
31 Dec 2017
One and Done (Part Four) - Leaning Peak(1477m)
The community of humans who happily hike into the untamed wilds of Fiordland are a unique bunch. There is nothing easy a...
30 Dec 2017
One and Done (Part Three) - Leaning Peak(1477m)
I once worked as a possum trapper and it was during this time that I was taught the valuable lesson of ‘don’t fight the...
30 Dec 2017
One and Done (Part Two) - Leaning Peak(1477m)
My hip and back injury have given me a lot of time to think about climbing mountains. When I started to look at my many...
30 Dec 2017
One and Done (Part One) - Leaning Peak(1477m)
Some mountains are not only pleasant to look at, but also very pleasant to climb. Gentle flats roll into steeper ground...
29 Dec 2017
Overly Ambitious (Part Two). Hanging Valley Camp.
Any sort of walking is training, even if you don’t reach your desired destination. Every now and then the destination mi...
17 Dec 2017
Overly Ambitious (Part One). Hanging Valley Camp
When I worked for Real Journeys I did my best to use every chance I had to get to remote places. From Percy Saddle to Pa...
16 Dec 2017
The Familiar Unknown (Part Three). Turret Peak(1346m)
The benefits of travel are helpful for mind, soul and fitness. And if all are combined then having an unenjoyable time i...
26 Nov 2017
The Familiar Unknown (Part Two) - Peak 1346m (Turret Range)
The 1:50 000 scale of topo maps in New Zealand does leave a lot to the imagination. A few simple orange lines grouped to...
26 Nov 2017
The Familiar Unknown (Part One) - Peak 1346m (Turret Range)
After having my first taste of the mountains west of Manapouri I was left with craving more like a hungry dog. But unlik...
25 Nov 2017
A Unique Opportunity (Part Three) - Peak 1293m to Lake Manapouri
The effort needed to carve the roads needed for the Manapouri Power Station and Tiwai Point aluminium smelter was monume...
11 Nov 2017
A Unique Opportunity (Part Two) - The Percy Saddle(1075m)
Getting to a place where there is no one is usually a big part of my outdoor adventures. These places are sometimes acce...
11 Nov 2017
A Unique Opportunity (Part One) - The Percy Saddle(1075m)
I have sometimes compared my love for the wild locations I have worked in to someone working in a fast-food kitchen (lik...
10 Nov 2017
First Dose of Doubtful - Part Two
As much as I love the impressive sight of Piopiotahi / Milford Sound, it is very different than a Patea / Doubtful Sound...
3 Nov 2017
First Dose of Doubtful - Part One
Having done a little bit of adventuring around the country means I’ve seen many different places of natural beauty. From...
3 Nov 2017
U-Pass & Beyond (Part 4) - U-Pass Basin to Milford Road
I have always been someone who get to a viewing spot or high point, and wanted to go further if there is more up left on...
28 Apr 2017
U-Pass & Beyond (Part 3) - The U-Pass Glacier
Over time New Zealand has experienced some of the most rapid glacial recessions on the planet, and unfortunately this ha...
27 Apr 2017
U-Pass & Beyond (Part 2) - U-Pass Basin & Beyond
I always seem to sleep better when immersed in an adventure in the wild. One of the reasons is the amount of exercise yo...
27 Apr 2017
U-Pass and Beyond (Part 1) - Hut Creek to U-Pass
The size, mountainous nature, and heavy rain in Fiordland National Park means most of the incredible location is uninhab...
26 Apr 2017
Searching for a Mysterious Shelter - Grebe / Percy Valley
For all its twists and turns the Borland Road has so much to offer. Adventures can range from easy walking to hard hikin...
9 Apr 2017
Borland’s Skyscraper (Part Three) - Mt Burns(1645m)
Some people probably wonder why you would place yourself on a sketchy ridge with massive death drops either side. It can...
25 Mar 2017
Borland's Sky Scraper (Part Two) - Mt Burns(1645m)
Each step upwards is one less to take to get to the summit of a mountain. Sometimes this needs to be repeated in your he...
20 Mar 2017
Borland's Skyscraper (Part One) - Mt Burns(1645m)
Mount Burns(1645m) towers over the Borland Road like a huge skyscraper on a busy street in a booming metropolis. Jagged...
19 Mar 2017
Which Area in Nz Gets the Most Rainfall? (Part Two) - Camping in the Upper Borland
If you love the wilderness then you will love Fiordland National Park. The place oozes excellence and its visual appeal...
29 Jan 2017
Which Area in Nz Gets the Most Rainfall? (Part One) - Camping in the Upper Borland
Being prepared for anything is mandatory when traveling throughout Fiordland on foot. Whether it be the terrain or torre...
28 Jan 2017
The Creations of the Mountain Gods (Part Four) - Phil’s Bivvy (Bivvy to Hollyford Road)
Not all mountains are created equal, some are big, some are really just hills. While many believe that biggest is best,...
21 Apr 2016
The Creations of the Mountain Gods (Part Three) - Phil’s Bivvy (Lake Adelaide Basin)
There are certain places that deserve a 120-piece orchestral accompaniment. The grandeur is right on the limit of what’s...
20 Apr 2016
The Creations of the Mountain Gods (Part Two) - Phil’s Bivvy (Upper Tent Flat to Lake Adelaide Basin)
After a little reccy up Moraine Creek in Fiordland’s Darran Mountains I knew it would only be a matter of time before I...
19 Apr 2016
The Creations of the Mountain Gods (Part One) - Phil’s Bivvy (Hollyford Road to Upper Tent Flat)
Planet Earth is covered in beautiful places which must be seen with your own eyes. Glorious mounds of rock and ice look...
18 Apr 2016
White Sands in the Sky (Part Three). Mt Titiroa(1715m)
Sometimes the motivation needed to climb a mountain comes from constantly staring at its presence. Every time (when ther...
4 Apr 2016
White Sands of Titiroa (Part Two) - Mt Titiroa(1715m)
Not all mountains are equal. Some have striking ridges and faces, others snow capped with many glaciers. And then there...
3 Apr 2016
White Sands of Titiroa(Part One) - Mt Titiroa(1715m)
Not long after cresting the top of Gorge Hill and entering the farmlands east of Te Anau, a beautiful and always white-c...
3 Apr 2016
Swinging Through the Trees (Part Two) - Monkey Creek
Happiness, mixed with an extreme sense of satisfaction, is having a valley to yourself after putting in the work to get...
26 Feb 2016
Swinging in the Trees (Part One) - Monkey Creek
Hiding in plain sight is the best way to describe Monkey Creek's location. Tucked away in the upper reaches of the Holly...
25 Feb 2016
Going Guided (Part Five) - Whakatipu Ka Tuka / The Hollyford Track
The great Rangatira (Chief) Tutoko lived with whanau at Martins Bay when the Europeans arrived, and his iwi had lived th...
27 Jan 2016
Going Guided (Part Four) - Whakatipu Ka Tuka / The Hollyford Track
Thanks to the fact that I worked on both the Routeburn and Milford Tracks I get asked which one is the better of the two...
26 Jan 2016
Going Guided (Part Three). Whakatipu Ka Tuka / The Hollyford Track
Every now and then while guiding people around the special parts of Aotearoa I have had to patch up the odd whoopsie. So...
26 Jan 2016
Going Guided (Part Two). Whakatipu Ka Tuka / The Hollyford Track
By 2016 I had spent nearly a decade guiding people around different parts of Aotearoa. Working on the Routeburn, Milford...
25 Jan 2016
Going Guided (Part One). Whakatipu Ka Tuka / The Hollyford Track
There are thousands of kilometres of tramping tracks in New Zealand that are free for anyone to use. Some are easy and s...
24 Jan 2016
The Best Way to Start to a New Year (Part Two) - Borland Saddle / Mt Burns Tarns
Waking up in the wilderness gives you a feeling like no other. The fresh air and bird song is at its best, and you feel...
1 Jan 2016
The Best Way to Start to a New Year (Part One) - Mt Burns New Years Camp
If the weather is fine and the mish goes to plan, then it does not matter what time of the year it is. However, in my ey...
31 Dec 2015
A Wet Night at Homer Hut (Part Three) - Homer Saddle / Homer Hut
The rain falling in Fiordland is an impressive sight. When you think the rain has reached its maximum fall rate, it turn...
21 Dec 2015
A Wet Night at Homer Hut (Part 2) - Upper Hollyford Valley / Gerturde Valley
Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the best backcountry hut networks on the planet. There are around 950 shelters of differ...
19 Dec 2015
A Wet Night at Homer Hut (Part 1) - Upper Hollyford Valley / Gertrude Valley
When the heavens open up and most go in to where it is dry. Recently other parts of Aotearoa have been bombarded with wh...
18 Dec 2015
Passports Please - Adventures in Nepal (Part One)
I have three places on my must see before I die list: Alaska, Antarctica and Nepal. All three have fascinated me since I...
26 Oct 2015
On Purpose - Mistake Creek (Part Two)
If prepared for the cold, then waking up in an area that has been hit by a severe frost is an epic way to start your day...
1 May 2015
On Purpose - Mistake Creek (Part One)
Mistake Creek is a stunning hike, and is one of three marked valleys that carve their way through the Earl Mountains, ne...
1 May 2015
James Craig’s Dream (Part Three) - Wairaurahiri River to Lake Hauroko
When I moved south to Tuatapere to start working on the Humpridge Track I started a new life with lots of new opportunit...
23 Apr 2015
James Craig’s Dream (Part Two) - Port Craig Lodge / Village
James Craig was the driving force behind the ongoings at the sawmill that would bear his name. Along with Daniel Reese,...
22 Apr 2015
James Craig’s Dream (Part One) - Port Craig Lodge / Village
It is hard to believe that down on the South Coast far away from the small towns of western Southland was once the site...
22 Apr 2015
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part Three) - Tutoko Valley
Aotearoa sat un occupied by humans for a very long time. This gave the place a chance to become a haven for many rare an...
19 Apr 2015
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part Two) - Tutoko Valley
If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, then tell that to a sandfly stuck in your tent! The Dalai Lama...
17 Apr 2015
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part One) - Tutoko Valley
Aotearoa is a place of great beauty and many birds. We are lucky to have a giant backyard to play in and within it are n...
17 Apr 2015
The Friendly Fiordland Mountain - Peak 1476m (Mt Burns Tarns)
For those familiar with these stories you just might have come across a tale or two about the Borland Saddle. Finding th...
10 Apr 2015
Port Craig
Very cool to be able to camp at your worksite, and it’s even better when that area produces some of the best sunsets and...
23 Mar 2015
Going Solo (Part Three) - Mt McPherson(1931m)
Fiordland’s famous road to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound does have some contrast when it comes to human activity. From bein...
17 Mar 2015
Going Solo (Part Two). Mt McPherson(1931m)
I’m sure many have got to the top / pinnacle / climax of a challenge, whether it be a track, mountain or even something...
16 Mar 2015
Going Solo (Part One) - Mt McPherson(1931m)
The art of soloing a mountain can be very rewarding, but also very dangerous depending on your desired target. Extra car...
15 Mar 2015
An Epic Afternoon - Borland Peak 1299m
Getting out and about is something everyone should do often. A wander amongst the mountains can clear any clouds in your...
3 Nov 2014
Oldest Trail in the Park - Pass Creek Track
Going overseas to places like Japan and Nepal has shown me how young Aotearoa New Zealand really is. Hiking on a trail t...
3 May 2014
The Power of Fiordland Rain - Lake Marian
To say it rains in Fiordland is like saying 2020 hasn’t been the best year… tell us something we don’t know! For those w...
22 Apr 2014
Potential Danger (Part Two) - Gertrude Saddle
“On a Mish’ #409 Potential Danger (Part Two). Gertrude Saddle. Fiordland National Park. 18.4.2014. I once went up Gertru...
18 Apr 2014
Potential Danger (Part One) - Gertrude Saddle
“On a Mish’ #409 Potential Danger (Part One). Gertrude Saddle. Fiordland National Park. 18.4.2014. The Gertrude Saddle w...
17 Apr 2014
Day Off, Still on the Ridge - Hump Ridge Camp
We are very spoiled for choice in Aotearoa when it comes to stunning places to hike. The South Island has every type of...
23 Mar 2014
In the Footsteps of William Grave (Part Three) - De Lambert Falls(59m)
I’m guessing that if you love rugby you picture yourself as your favourite professional player when you take to the fiel...
5 Mar 2014
In the Footsteps of William Grave (Part Two) - De Lambert Falls(59m)
One of my most favourite books is ‘Beyond the Southern Lakes - The Explorations of W.G. Grave’ written by Anita Crozier....
4 Mar 2014
The Footsteps of William Grave (Part One) - De Lambert Falls(59m)
With no knowledge of the history of Piopiotahi / Milford Sound it is easy to kick back and relax in a car or bus when dr...
3 Mar 2014
Peace and Quiet - Gertrude Valley Camp (Part Three)
Unfortunately if you spend enough time in the mountains of Aotearoa you will see your fair share of potential wilderness...
3 Feb 2014
Peace and Quiet - Gertrude Valley Camp (Part Two)
An adventure into the outdoors is a package deal. I enjoy the whole process from working out where to go, to loading the...
1 Feb 2014
Peace and Quiet - Gertrude Valley Camp (Part One)
The vertical spectacle that is the mighty Darran Mountains in north west of Fiordland is something I really recommend to...
1 Feb 2014
The Castles in the Sky (Part Two) - Okaka Lodge / Summit Loop-Track
On a cloudless day you can see all the way over the massive sweep of Te Waiwai Bay to Motupohue Bluff Hill, as well as g...
26 Nov 2013
The Castles in the Sky (Part One) - Okaka Lodge / Tors & Tarns Loop-Track
Perched on what seems like the end of the earth is a group of buildings known as Okaka Lodge. The castle in the sky is t...
26 Nov 2013
Into the Mist (Part Three) - Eldrig Peak(1595m)
When playing a game of ‘climb the mountain’ you have a lot of aspects to look at to make sure you survive the game. Expe...
22 Nov 2013
Into the Mist (Part Two) - Eldrig Peak(1595m)
For a long time I have passionately believed that any day in Aotearoa (South Island) above 1000m is a good one. The envi...
22 Nov 2013
Into the Mist (Part One) - Eldrig Peak(1595m)
Mountain weather can go from friendly to fierce very quickly . A small puff of cloud on the horizon can become a storm m...
21 Nov 2013
Savaged By Sandflies (Part One) - Borland Rock Bivouac
I always have to remind myself that Te Namu(Sandflies) are only encountered in the most clean and pristine areas of New...
14 Nov 2013
The Wairaurahiri River - Part 2
The ruggedness of the South Fiordland coastline was living up to its rough reputation. The Southern Ocean was choppy, he...
27 Oct 2013
The Wairaurahiri River - Part 1
I strongly believe that anybody selling a tourism product has to have experienced the product! Nothing worse than hearin...
26 Oct 2013
Come See the Fiordland Rain (Part Four). The Milford Track 2013
Early-ish the next day we were off into the chill of a fresh new day, and along with yet another day of clear skies and...
25 Feb 2013
Come See the Fiordland Rain (Part Three) - The Milford Track 2013
Fiordland bathed in sunshine is what most see when dreaming, or viewing pictures advertising the unique area in the sout...
25 Feb 2013
Come See the Fiordland Rain (Part Two) - The Milford Track 2013
The physical benefits of hiking are an added bonus to what is already an awesome activity, but sometimes the weather can...
24 Feb 2013
Come See the Fiordland Rain (Part One) - The Milford Track 2013
I have always had difficulty doing any justice to describing Fiordland rain. It really is something you have to experien...
23 Feb 2013
No Hut Creek (Part Three) - Hut Creek Camp
There are places in New Zealand that have had huts built there and the people of the world have come in their masses. We...
23 Jan 2013
No Hut Creek (Part Two) - Hut Creek Camp
I like the fact that some of our places in the wild have reverted back to their te reo maori names. We have so many plac...
22 Jan 2013
No Hut Creek (Part One) - Hut Creek Camp
There are no easy ways to get into the steep sided valleys of the Earl Mountains in Fiordland, but of the few tracks tha...
21 Jan 2013
The Forbidden Kingdom (Part Four) - Winter at Lake MacKenzie
Chhogori / K2 was recently climbed in winter for the first time by a team of exceptional superhuman Sherpa. The prize of...
13 Oct 2012
The Forbidden Kingdom (Part Three) - Winter at Lake MacKenzie
Unfortunately, there have been outdoors folk who have got themselves into situations outside of their capabilities. In t...
13 Oct 2012
The Forbidden Kingdom (Part Two) - Winter at Lake MacKenzie
It is a shame when you hear of fatalities in locations where you know there are many warnings advising you to not ventur...
11 Oct 2012
The Forbidden Kingdom (Part One) - Winter at Lake MacKenzie
Aotearoa has many tramping tracks that are two different worlds. One is the summer playground that many happy folks see...
10 Oct 2012
Last Light of the Day (Part Two) - Peak 1494m(Ailsa Range)
We humans are lucky to witness beauty like no other. A sunset painting the sky red or orange (sometimes both) is a maste...
6 Jun 2012
Last Light of the Day (Part One) - Peak 1494m
Human beings climb mountains for all sorts of different reasons, and usually for me it’s purely to take in the view from...
5 Jun 2012
Another Day in a Snowy Paradise (Part Two) - Ocean Peak(1848m) from Lake MacKenzie
The level that people go to to see the place that I called my workplace took me by surprise at first. I had gone from ca...
12 May 2012
Another Day in a Snowy Paradise (Part One) - Ocean Peak from Lake MacKenzie
There is something very special about working in a remote place, definitely when that place becomes a different world du...
12 May 2012
Circling the Serenity - Around Lake MacKenzie
I always remember as a kid we did a test to see what type of learners we were. The test also revealed who has trouble si...
1 May 2012
The Other Way Home (Part Three) - Emily Pass(1607m).
A long time ago a young woman decided to tempt fate and go the ‘Other Way Home’ while hiking the Routeburn Track. With h...
17 Apr 2012
Let's Go This Way (Part Two) - Emily Pass(1607m)
Some places on the map don’t look like much of a mish until you are clambering your way towards them. Also some location...
17 Apr 2012
Let's Go This Way (Part One) - Emily Pass(1607m)
The brave dare to do something different, and for some this carves their names into the history books or even onto the m...
16 Apr 2012
Summer Snow (Part Three) - Ocean Peak(1848m)
Te Waipounamu sits in the line of some rather nasty weather and anything near the west coast gets it first and at its mo...
16 Jan 2012
Everyday is Different (Part Five) - The Humpridge Track
Without the Humpridge Track the history at Port Craig may have just faded into the forest of the south west corner of Fi...
28 Apr 2011
Everyday is Different (Part Four) - The Humpridge Track
As Track Manager on the Humpridge Track I would often walk the track with some gear to repair any sections that had suff...
28 Apr 2011
Everyday is Different (Part Three) - The Humpridge Track
It is awesome that the Humpridge Track finally got ‘Great Walk’ status, adding it to a list of legendary walks to do in...
26 Apr 2011
Everyday is Different (Part Two) - The Humpridge Track
Even though I only worked on the Humpridge Track for a couple of years, I still saw the numbers increase as the word spr...
26 Apr 2011
Everyday is Different (Part One) - The Humpridge Track
Hidden away on New Zealand’s rugged south coast is a hiking trail like no other in the country. Within the three days of...
25 Apr 2011
Steep Forest & Waterfalls - Lake Roberts
One of the challenges I really enjoy about going on a mish is that fact that once you are out into the wild you have to...
20 Mar 2011
The Mailman’s Way (Part Two). Homer Saddle(1375m)
When sending an email just remember that communication used to be a little bit more difficult than it is these days. Now...
2 Feb 2011
The Mailman's Way (Part One) - Homer Saddle(1375m)
Seeing the sheer steepness of the mountains located in northwest Fiordland puzzles the mind. After my first experience i...
1 Feb 2011
Stunned by Spectacularness (Part Two). Caples / Greenstone Camp.
Calling any of New Zealand’s wilderness your ‘Office’ is a real treat, and a really good reason to get into the tourism...
23 Jan 2011
Stunned by Spectacularness (Part One). Caples / Greenstone Camp
It is no surprise that the Greenstone/Caples Loop is getting more popular with both Kiwis and visitors alike. Once the p...
23 Jan 2011
The Big Thumbs Up (Part Three) - Mt Xenicus(1912m).
Light breezes and sunshine, check. High up a mountain ridge, check. Outstanding views in every direction, double - no tr...
13 Jan 2011
The Big Thumbs Up (Part Two) - Mt Xenicus(1916m)
The Iconic view of Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track is dominated by a huge mountain which to me looks like a huge thum...
12 Jan 2011
The Rest Day (Part Two) - Livingstone / Cascade Creek Saddle
Some say the many rooms of McKellar Lodge are haunted by ghosts and there are many tales that back up this claim. Along...
5 Jan 2011
The Rest Day (Part One) - Livingstone / Cascade Creek Saddle
To get the views you must work for it, or hire a helicopter. Climbing mountains is a win win because you not only gain f...
4 Jan 2011
The Darrans
"Places in Paradise" The Darran Mountains. Fiordland. Lake Marian The Darran Mountains from Sunny Creek Basin
8 Dec 2010
Well Worth the Wait (Part Five) - My First Milford Track Adventure
To know a view before you see it in real life can elevate the experience. After a few years working for Ultimate Hikes I...
5 Dec 2010
Well Worth the Wait (Part 4) - My First Milford Track Adventure
The Milford Track seems to almost over do it when it comes to epic mountainous scenery. Along with the incredible mounta...
4 Dec 2010
Well Worth the Wait (Part Three) - My First Milford Track Adventure
To wake up in paradise is to wake up happy. And to wake up in paradise that happens to be your workplace is an excellent...
3 Dec 2010
Well Worth the Wait (Part Two) - My First Adventure on the Milford Track
Not many people will admit to enjoying waiting for something. Especially if you are aware of what you are missing out on...
1 Dec 2010
Well Worth the Wait (Part One) - My First Milford Track Adventure
Not many can say that they were paid to visit a tourism icon for the first time. This happened to me when a massive life...
1 Dec 2010
Another Great Walk (Part Five) - The Kepler Track
I once worked on the Humpridge Track which is located on the Fiordland South Coast at the bottom of the South Island. Th...
6 May 2010
Another Great Walk (Part Four) - The Kepler Track
There are pictures of little Bobcat diggers cutting the Kepler Track into the Jackson Peaks and Kepler Mountain Range. T...
5 May 2010
Another Great Walk (Part Three) - The Kepler Track
There are a few things people do in Fiordland which really puzzle me. While being beautiful it is still a place which ca...
5 May 2010
Another Great Walk (Part Two) - The Kepler Track
The Kepler Track was opened in 1988, making it much younger than its Great Walk friends like the Routeburn and Milford T...
3 May 2010
Another Great Walk (Part One) - The Kepler Track
In Aotearoa there are many walks to choose from, and of those walks a select few have been classified as ‘Great Walks’....
2 May 2010
Top of the Hill (Part Two) - Conical Hill(1515m)
Topping out on a mountain can be a life changing experience. For many hiking the Routeburn Track Conical Hill(1515m) wil...
27 Feb 2010
The Top of the Hill (Part One) - Conical Hill(1515m)
Although life as a guide isn’t going to make you rich, it will reward you each day with the fact you're doing something...
26 Feb 2010
Going to a Remote Place (Part Three) - Moraine Creek
There are some very misleading names in the wild, and research is key because they can catch the odd person out. For ins...
1 Dec 2009
Going to a Remote Place (Part Two) - Tent Flat (Part Two)
There is definitely a strange sort of confidence needed when going out into a wild environment. In theory you will simpl...
1 Dec 2009
Going to a Remote Place (Part One) - Moraine Creek
As a kid I always enjoyed getting away from everything in the real world and spending some time exploring wherever I cou...
1 Dec 2009
Wild Workplace (Part Three) - The Routeburn Track
You are not supposed to enjoy work. Well that’s what I used to think before getting a good as a guide on the Routeburn /...
20 Mar 2009
Wild Workplace (Part Two) - The Routeburn Track
Once you get over the fact that being wet isn’t going to hurt you (as long as you keep moving), and when you have a nice...
20 Mar 2009
Wild Workplace (Part One) - The Routeburn Track
To say getting a job as a guide on the Routeburn Track was a game changer is a huge understatement. I went from dreading...
18 Mar 2009