Magnificent Mavora. South Mavora Lake Loop Track
I recently had a friend visit from overseas and we needed a hike to do in a place she had never been before. Along with being a location with stunning…
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152 reports
Back to Bush-Bashing (Part Two) - Mt Campbell South Ridge
Hats off to the early explorers who came to the mountainous regions of Aotearoa and tackled the terrain without tracks o...
7 Apr 2026
Back to Bush-Bashing (Part One) - Mt Campbell South Ridge
Most look to avoid the bush when traveling through the mountains. Tracks do their best to skirt around anything that mig...
5 Apr 2026
An introduction to Awesomeness (Part Two) - Mararoa River
There is something so simple and yet so very special about a night out camping. Surrounded by the soothing effects of na...
4 Feb 2026
An Introduction to Awesomeness (Part One) - Mararoa River
It is no secret that Georgie and I absolutely love going to the Mavora Lakes. Whether it be a day trip or overnight adve...
3 Feb 2026
Unexpected Rain (Part Two) - Mavora Lakes Park
There are not too many places where rain isn’t expected to fall at some stage. This means we have to be prepared for whe...
1 Feb 2026
Unexpected Rain (Part One) - Mavora Lakes Park
Rain is an inevitable unstoppable event that will happen whether you want it to or not. Even the driest places in the wo...
30 Jan 2026
Determination (Part Two) - North Mavora Lake
Determination is what carries you the last couple of kilometres of a hike. Without it you would have no drive, and proba...
22 Nov 2025
Determination (Part One) - North Mavora Lake
Determination is a powerful tool we have in our arsenal, and in the hiking world it can be something that can be the dif...
21 Nov 2025
The Rewards of an Unknown Track (Part Two) - North Mavora Lake
It is amazing that you can visit the same place many times over and still find new experiences each time. The Mavora Lak...
10 Oct 2025
The Rewards of an Unknown Track (Part One) - North Mavora Lake
Not knowing where you are going or what’s around the next corner makes a hike much more fascinating. If you don’t know y...
9 Oct 2025
Between Two Lakes (Part Two) - Mararoa River
Camping is a simple pastime that brings much pleasure in its simplicity. All you are doing is setting up some fabric to...
24 Aug 2025
Between Two Lakes (Part One) - Mararoa River
Coldness is a foe that can be defeated by wearing the right clothing. Some forfeit the battle and stay inside beside a h...
23 Aug 2025
When the Stars Align (Part Three) - South Mavora Lake Track
When I was off work thanks to my hip and back injury, I had the freedom to pick and choose my days to go on a mish. Now...
19 Jul 2025
When the Stars Align (Part Two) - Mavora Lakes
Fate can be funny sometimes. Imagine you are driving along a quiet road and the only car you see is one that you must wa...
19 Jul 2025
When the Stars Align (Part One) - Mavora Lakes
There are many things we have no control over when out in the hills, and we must adapt to what happens to either survive...
18 Jul 2025
A Salute to Canterbury - Christchurch to Cook & Everything In Between
Canterbury is almost greedy with how much it has to offer. From the deep blues of Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean to t...
6 Jun 2025
Hanging Out (Part Three) - Forest Clearing, Mavora Lakes Conservation Area
Sometimes all we need is the peace found in nature and our best bud by our side while we soak it all in. The time I coul...
23 Mar 2025
Bob Fortune’s Cove (Part Two) - Bobs Cove, Queenstown
William Rees must have been buzzing when he first saw Lake Wakatipu and the location that would very quickly become ‘A T...
9 Feb 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
Lakeside Retreat (Part Three) - North Mavora Lake
Most Kiwis (residents of Aotearoa New Zealand, not the bird!) are fortunate enough to have access to wild places, especi...
21 Aug 2024
Lakeside Retreat (Part Two) - North Mavora Lake
Over my time in the outdoors I have worked with, lived with, and constantly been around the watchful eye of keen conserv...
21 Aug 2024
Lakeside Retreat (Part One) - North Mavora Lake
Te Anau is a place of many dogs with surroundings they are not allowed to visit. Both Fiordland and the Takitimu Range a...
19 Aug 2024
The Little Ledge Above the Lake (Part Three) - Lake Lyndon Area / Craigieburn Forest Park
Camping is a strange pastime. There is something so appealing about what some would find incredibly uncomfortable. Takin...
5 Jul 2024
The Little Ledge Above the Lake (Part Two) - Lake Lyndon Area / Craigieburn Forest Park
I love the way outdoor adventures have so many benefits. Of course, there is the fact that you will see some stunning sc...
4 Jul 2024
The Little Ledge Above the Lake (Part One) - Lake Lyndon Area / Craigieburn Forest Park
Mountaineering is a series of smaller tasks that make up one big achievement. If you solely focused on the summit your b...
3 Jul 2024
Two Dogs, a Lake, And Te Whanau (Part Two) - South Mavora Lake Track
I had my whanau by my side when I went on my injury journey, and I needed their company when the road to recovery got ch...
17 Apr 2024
Two Dogs, a Lake, And Te Whanau (Part One) - Te Anau to South Mavora Lake Track
When times are tough, having your whanau on your side can be lifesaving. I have no idea how I would have dealt with my h...
16 Apr 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
An Audience with Aoraki (Part Four) - Red Tarns Track
Hiking is a sport / pastime where you are in a race with yourself. No matter how fast you go you can’t beat yourself to...
11 Mar 2024
An Audience with Aoraki (Part Three) - Red Tarns Track
I’m sure that those who have had major injuries can relate to the frustration of knowing what you used to be able to do....
11 Mar 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
St Awesome (Part Two) - St Arnaud / Lake Rotoiti
This country may be small on a world’s stage but, when you really get amongst it like so many lucky tourists do, you sta...
11 Aug 2023
St Awesome (Part One) - Boyle Creek to St Arnaud
After so many missions a question I get asked often is what or where is your favourite place / track. A response I often...
11 Aug 2023
Little Lyndon Hill (Part Three). Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
If you ever feel like life is getting away from you, then head to the hills. In Japan people go forest bathing in order...
14 Jun 2023
Little Lyndon Hill (Part Two). Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
Hurting my hip might have changed my life in a negative way, however the ying that was my injury was counted with the ya...
12 Jun 2023
Little Lyndon Hill (Part One). Korowai / Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
Once upon a time I climbed mountains, it sometimes feels like a fairy tale dream these days. When reliving my adventures...
12 Jun 2023
Welcome to Clearwater (Part Two) - Lake Clearwater / Erewhon
As a guide the goal is to first show how much you love a place, and second to attempt to get others just as fascinated....
8 May 2023
Welcome to Clearwater (Part One) - Lake Clearwater Area
Once a guide, always a guide. It is hard to shake off your guiding ways after you leave the industry, especially if you...
7 May 2023
Chasing the Sun (Part Three) - Sunrises & Sunset Around Lake Clearwater
A big ball of bright burning bliss blazing in the sky can provide beautiful views to behold. You don’t have to pay to lo...
19 Mar 2023
Ssssssh, It's a Secret (Part Two) - Secret Jimny Club Mission
During my recovery my thirst for adventure didn’t go unquenched, thanks to my cousin Adam. Together we have seen some pr...
18 Feb 2023
Ernie and the Eagles Nest - Seven Mile Track
If you have the ability to get into the outdoors DO IT! You never know what the future holds, and for some the outdoors...
31 Jan 2023
Into the Snow We Go (Part Three) - Jimny Club Adventure
While out 'On a Mish' you can encounter all sorts of situations, however running into a mass of humanity wasn't what we...
31 Jul 2022
Into the Snow We Go (Part Two) - Jimny Club Adventure
Due to the road being closed at Springfield, there were heaps of skiers around waiting for the opportunity to head up to...
30 Jul 2022
Wettest July Ever (Part Two) - Record Breaking Rainfall for Canterbury
"On a Mish” #342 Wettest July Ever - Part Two. Lake Mosley. Tai Tapu. Otautahi / Christchurch. July 2022. Rain gives us...
16 Jul 2022
Wettest July Ever (Part One) - Record Breaking Rain for Canterbury
"On a Mish” #342 Wettest July Ever - Part One. Lake Mosley. Tai Tapu. Otautahi / Christchurch. July 2022. While working...
14 Jul 2022
You're Not Going Anywhere - Stuck at Lake Clearwater Village
On a few occasions I have been fortunate enough to be happily trapped in a wild location due to the weather. Every time...
13 Jul 2022
Post Storm Magnificence (Part Three) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Pushing through powder snow before sunrise might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The thought alone of getting up early whe...
13 Jul 2022
Post Storm Magnificence (Part Two) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Too many times the cold has been labelled a ‘bad thing’ when really it can be the cause of a remarkable sight. It might...
12 Jul 2022
Post Storm Magnificence (Part One) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Snow is a rare treat for most who live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Much of our low-lying land will remain snow free even du...
12 Jul 2022
Significant Weather Event (Part Two) - Wild Weather at Lake Clearwater
Mother Nature has interesting ways of showing us her beauty. While a clear blue sky can be an absolute dream to witness,...
11 Jul 2022
Significant Weather Event (Part One) - Wild Weather at Lake Clearwater
The weather is something you have no control over, therefore sometimes you just have to sit back and marvel at its magni...
10 Jul 2022
No Tent Required (Part Two) - Kaitorete Spit Camp
In the past some very tough people have wandered the mountains carrying only a swag which could be used as both bag and...
25 Jun 2022
No Tent Required (Part One) - Te Waihora / Kaitorete Spit Camp
With no fix for my hip on the horizon I needed to do something that took my mind off the madness of my situation. Going...
24 Jun 2022
The Shortest Walks Around - Lake Roundabout & The Kettle Hole
Going from swift strides to sitting stationary can be pretty shitty. And having to do it twice within two years has been...
14 Jun 2022
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
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
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
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
The Price to Pay if you Want to Play - Avalanche Creek Track
It is amazing what you can achieve if you put your head down and go for it. However, sometimes you have to pay if you wa...
22 Sep 2021
Epic Scenery For Breakfast - Lake Sylvan
Once driverless cars reach New Zealand everyone on board will be able to appreciate the incredible natural beauty seen o...
21 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
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
Old Relics on the Old Ghost Trail - Part One
This is a story submitted by NzHikes biggest fan / editor. The same person and her husband are 100% responsible for my s...
29 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
Mavora Madness - Part Two
Just to be clear I have no issue with people getting a little bit rowdy, and having a good time. I have been known to si...
13 Mar 2021
Mavora Madness - Part One
The Mavora Lakes Campsite has to be one of the country's best pull up, park and camp areas in the country. The massive c...
12 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
Into the Unknown - Duncans Stream Camp (Part Two)
The ease of access to epic environments is excellent in Aotearoa, especially in the South Island. Ocean, alps, lakes and...
22 Aug 2020
The Need to Climb a Mountain (Part Two) - Lake Hill(762m)
The sheer satisfaction you get when completing a big mountain mission is unmatched in my eyes. All your efforts are rewa...
8 Aug 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
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
Mavora Mountain Magic (Part Two) - Mt Campbell(1685m)
Bald mountains and barren high country surround the top of North Mavora Lake. Somehow the lack of trees doesn’t affect t...
23 Apr 2019
Mavora Mountain Magic (Part One) - Mt Campbell(1685m)
Forget social media, if I’m stuck with a little bit of time on my hands I’m scrolling through topo maps on my phone. Str...
22 Apr 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
Last Hike Before Heading Home - Back to Nature
After 9 days hiking through the Ruby Valley Region in the Himalayan Foothills on another ‘Active Hearts Foundation Chari...
11 Nov 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
Kaitorete Spit Camp - The Case of the Disappearing Dog
The 25km barren but beautiful stretch of land that runs from Birdlings Flat to the outlet of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere...
24 Jul 2018
Lake Emma Circuit
There are twelve tranquil lakes in Hakatere Conservation Area, and along with the upper Rangitata River, makes up the ve...
19 Sep 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
A Fridge Sized Rock (Part Three) - Cold Peak(1613m)
Play it safe and minimize the risk is a good way to approach anything in the back country. Injuries at home are a hinder...
10 Nov 2016
A Fridge Sized Rock (Part Two) - Cold Peak(1613m)
I have been very lucky during my time roaming the hills. A couple of situations have been close to disaster, but due to...
10 Nov 2016
A Fridge Sized Rock (Part One) - Cold Peak(1613m)
Injuries are never a good thing, and if you are out in the mountain’s injuries can lead to much worse situations. Having...
9 Nov 2016
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
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
Around The Lake - Lake Clearwater Circuit
I am very lucky that I had the opportunity to work out what makes me really happy. Finding the thing that you love can m...
31 Aug 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
Snearly There - Sealy Tarns Track
Along with the picnic tables beside the tarns, there have been nearly 2,000 hiking aids created so just about anyone wit...
26 Dec 2014
The Sea of White - Climbers Corner, Haupapa Tasman Glacier
It is incredible that what you see from Aoraki Mt Cook Village is only a small taste of what’s on offer in the land of N...
21 Dec 2014
A Mt Cook Must Do - Hooker Valley
Many Kiwi’s (people from New Zealand) spend their lives heading to other countries before exploring their own. Iconic lo...
9 Nov 2014
A Wild Winter Wander (Part Two) - Mt Guy(1319m)
The blast of a blizzard on your face is an experience to say the least. A wild winter wander in the wonder of wild weath...
16 Sep 2014
Mountain Topping & Wood Chopping - Mt Guy(1319m)
When the glaciers retreated towards the main divide in New Zealand’s mountainous South Island around 10,000 years ago th...
22 Jun 2014
Solving the Mystery (Part Two) - Mystery Lake Camp
In hindsight it seems strange that someone would wander off into the wilderness on the wrong trail / track / path to end...
14 May 2014
Solving the Mystery (Part One) - Mystery Lake Camp
I wasn’t lost, I just didn’t know where I was?! This is what I thought as I broke a trail in the fresh deep snow alongsi...
13 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
It’s Bigger Than (Part Four) - Cecil Peak(1978m)
The rounded mound which resides on the opposite side of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown is sometimes thought to be Cecil Pea...
15 Mar 2014
It’s Bigger Than (Part Three) - Cecil Peak(1978m)
Some mountains play tricks on people by hiding their true identity. What can be seen from the base might not be the same...
13 Mar 2014
It’s Bigger Than (Part Two) - Cecil Peak(1978m)
Some say if it wasn’t for foreshortening, many of the great peaks around the world would never have been climbed. This i...
13 Mar 2014
It's Bigger Than (Part One) - Cecil Peak(1978m)
A hidden summit or false peak can be very demoralising to someone who has spent the day fighting gravity in order to sta...
11 Mar 2014
Two Thumbs Up (Part Three) - Peak 2163m(Two Thumb Range)
To take strides into a new area can both be fascinating and provide fitness for the fortunate folks who are lucky enough...
22 Oct 2013
Two Thumbs Up (Part Two) - Peak 2163m(Two Thumb Range)
My classic and sometimes very frustrating answer to the question ‘what is your favourite track, trail or trek’ is ‘one I...
21 Oct 2013
Definitely Worth the Stop - Lake Alexandrina
Having a summer job down south guiding, and a winter job managing McEwings ski shop in Christchurch, has meant driving t...
20 Oct 2013
Towering Above Coleridge - Peak Hill(1240m)
I can really understand why the famous 'Terrace Downs Resort' is built where it is. After climbing over the foothills, n...
11 Sep 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
Walking Off the Map (Part Three) - Lost in Hakatere
One of my favourite ways to fill in time is to look at a topography map of some wild part of Aotearoa. Looking at the st...
27 Jun 2012
Walking off the Map (Part 2) - Lost in Hakatere
After a few years of adventures, I was feeling reasonably confident in my abilities. I felt like I could reach any targe...
26 Jun 2012
Hiking off the Map (Part 1) - Lost in Hakatere
Over time I have clocked up many hours under the stars during the times I have foregone a tent and opted for a night out...
26 Jun 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
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
Lake Wilson - Great Lake, Great Name (Part Two)
To visit your workplace on your day off is saying something about where you work! I was extremely lucky to wake up and r...
21 Apr 2012
Lake Wilson - Great Lake, Great Name (Part One)
When walking the Routeburn Track from Lake Mackenzie no matter what the weather is doing the hike from Harris Shelter to...
20 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
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 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 Big Thumbs Up (Part One) - Mt Xenicus(1912m)
If you are into climbing mountains and you look at one over and over again, then eventually you have to have a go at cli...
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
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
Pretty Sweet Scenery (Part Three) - Sugarloaf Pass(1154m)
Before our roads were modified into what we have today there used to be (and still are) crashes in places where the moun...
12 Aug 2010
Butter Fingers (Part Two) - Peak 1488m(Remarkable Range)
Mountain mishaps are just part of going on a mish. Of course you always hope that your outing will go without incident,...
7 Jul 2010
Driving Roads of Snow and Ice - Christchurch to Queenstown
Many, many times over the years I have driven from Christchurch south. Usually in the old days I was aiming for Queensto...
24 Jun 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
Paradise from Above (Part Two) - Ari / Mt Alfred(1375m)
Back in the day there used to be a public hiking track up the western side of Ari / Mt Alfred. For a couple of years, I...
12 Dec 2009
Paradise From Above - Ari / Mt Alfred(1375m)
From the first time I saw Mt Alfred(1375m) from the viewing area at Bennetts Bluff, I knew I wanted to stand on top of t...
11 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
Mountains, Mud & an Old Honda. Lake Sumner / Hurunui River
Like a child with blue cheese, it took me some time to get to like the taste of going on missions into the mountains. As...
29 Jul 2006