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 or any idea of what they would encounter when on…
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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
Much Easier Than Last Time - Saddle Hill (841m)
A while back my father and I visited my uncle's farm in Wainui to hike the top fence-line and check for any holes where...
19 Jun 2025
The Year That Was 2024 - New Zealand & Nepal
The year 2024 didn’t quite go as I thought it would, but over the last couple of years that is something I have gotten u...
29 Dec 2024
The Battle That Never Happened - Awaroa Godley Heads, Banks Peninsula
Bank Peninsula is full of adventure. From the rolling mounds of the Port Hills to the high tops of Te Ahu Patiki Mt Herb...
13 Nov 2024
Happy to be the Follower (Guest Post) - Helicopter Hill (Craigieburn Range)
As Mark’s mother it has not been easy watching him negotiate these last five years since his injury. Progress has been t...
27 Oct 2024
Should Have Used a Helicopter (Part Three) - Helicopter Hill, Craigieburn Forest Park
As my trip to Nepal drew closer, I knew I needed to step up my training if I was going to survive the long trek of many...
26 Oct 2024
Should Have Used a Helicopter (Part Two) - Helicopter Hill, Craigieburn Forest Park
Some of my most enjoyable adventures have involved hours of plugging steps in deep snow. My love for a winter environmen...
26 Oct 2024
Should Have Used a helicopter (Part One) - Helicopter Hill, Craigieburn Forest Park
Who doesn’t love a white winter wonderland covered in snow? Possibly the people who are crazy enough to go hiking in it!...
26 Oct 2024
It’s Easier Because It’s Dark (Part Two) - Peak 1170m (Lake Lyndon Area)
Lot of the time when you are climbing a mountain you have your head down and are focused on your feet and each step they...
6 Jul 2024
It’s Easier Because It’s Dark (Part One) - Peak 1170m (Lake Lyndon Area)
The norm for climbing a big peak is to get up around midnight and do a lot up the uphill stuff in the darkness of the ni...
5 Jul 2024
An Audience with Aoraki (Part Two) - Twizel to Aoraki Mt Cook Village
Jaws will drop when approaching Aoraki Mt Cook Village on a sunny day (or any day when the mountains are visible). The b...
10 Mar 2024
An Audience with Aoraki (Part One) - Te Anau to Twizel
In a place full of incredible locations Aotearoa has a few that are just a touch more epic than others. I have been very...
10 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
An Appropriate Place (Part Three) - Dogs Hill(1067m)
I have always wanted to spend my post life in the hills. To have my ashes spread where I was happiest would be the ultim...
1 Jan 2024
An Appropriate Place (Part Two) - Dogs Hill(1067m)
I’m sure that many legends have had their ashes spread in the epic places they loved to visit. I know one day I want my...
31 Dec 2023
An Appropriate Place (Part One) - Dogs Hill(1067m)
Having a dog of my own was one of the best feelings of my life. Since I don’t have kids, my dog was my child and I direc...
30 Dec 2023
Changing Lives – Mine Most of All. Ganesh Himal Charity Trek (Part Six). Dhaling Besi.
Final morning this morning and I think we all have very mixed emotions. While it will be lovely to sleep in a proper bed...
6 Nov 2023
The Next Active Hearts Foundation Adventure
In 2010-2011 Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury area was continuously rocked by earthquakes. The deviation was...
30 Sep 2023
It’s Not Everest - Kennedys Bush Track
To most, hiking uphill is a grind we force ourselves through. Not many enjoy the experience, but most love the views and...
30 Sep 2023
Summit Fever (Part Three) - Beebys Knob(1442m)
The top of a mountain is a special place. Seen by many from below, but only the brave few see the reverse view. The simp...
12 Aug 2023
Summit Fever (Part Two) - Beebys Knob(1442m)
The most recent movie about Mt Everest was an excellent representation of what summit fever can do to perfectly sane peo...
12 Aug 2023
Summit Fever (Part One) - Beebys Knob(1442m)
The draw of a mountain’s summit is strong, especially when you used to aim for the top on most missions. Before I hurt m...
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
A Dog Chooses His Owner (Part Two) - Ernie Goes Camping
This time last year I would have never thought that I would have four little legs follow me on adventures into the mount...
10 Feb 2023
A Dog Chooses His Owner (Part One) - Ernie Goes Camping
I never planned on owning a dog. The idea has always been in my head, however the timing and my life situation has preve...
8 Feb 2023
Permission Granted (Part Two) - Northern Otago Hills
Not many people would jump a fence and go play in a stranger's backyard, however many seem to think it is ok to go into...
25 Nov 2022
Stabbed in the Back (Part One) - The Ongoing Medical Saga
The title of this story may give the appearance that I have had a friend betray me or I was attacked from behind with a...
29 Sep 2022
Snakes & Ladders - Covid Chaos
If you have been stuck in a hole and got yourself out it then you have the ability to do it again. If you have vanquishe...
19 Apr 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
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
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
No Water and No Jacket (Part Four) - Clare Peak(1490m)
On a couple of occasions I have had to deal with a weather forecast whoopsie. Luckily I treat every adventure as if this...
3 Nov 2021
No Water and No Jacket (Part Three) - Clare Peak(1490m)
A real example of how sparsely populated New Zealand is the fact that you can hike into a remote location for a couple o...
2 Nov 2021
<strong><em>No Water and No Jacket (Part Two). Clare Peak(1490m)</em></strong>
It is very frustrating watching your fitness disappear when injured. After hurting my hip I went from a big mission into...
2 Nov 2021
No Water & No Jacket (Part One) - Clare Peak(1490m)
I’m sure that the people who predict the weather do their very best, but sometimes when they get it wrong you have to de...
2 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
Follow the Poop (Part Three) - Waterloo Peak(1077m)
It is said that around 80% of mountaineering accidents happen after the sweet satisfaction of setting foot on the summit...
7 Oct 2021
Follow the Poop (Part Two) - Waterloo Peak(1077m)
On many occasions and in many different places I have marvelled at the foot / hoof skills of the introduced animals that...
6 Oct 2021
Follow the Poop (Part One) - Waterloo Peak(1077m)
Even when I was in my fittest state I still looked at the animals that roamed the mountain tops with jealousy. Not only...
6 Oct 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
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
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
Pain for Pleasure (Part Three) - Island Saddle / Molesworth Station
After seeing a movie about one of Shackleton's epic adventures I could see how humans could see either side of the story...
21 Nov 2020
Pain for Pleasure (Part Two) - Island Saddle / Molesworth Station
I am happy that I was ‘saved’ by adventures into the wild. Before my big life change I was living a happy unpleasantness...
20 Nov 2020
Pain for Pleasure (Part One) - Island Saddle / Molesworth Station
For some after a feeling is achieved the craving to repeat that feeling becomes a must do. That means that if you don’t...
19 Nov 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
The Need to Climb a Mountain (Part One) - Lake Hill(762m)
Having a fridge door fracture your hip, tear muscles, slip discs, leaving you with pinched nerves might make for an inte...
7 Aug 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
Getting Back to Our Roots - Paddy's Point
I always like to say my favourite track is “One I haven't walked yet”. Not knowing what’s around the next corner makes t...
6 Dec 2019
<strong><em>Massive Mountains and Clean Eyre</em></strong> (Part Two) - Oreti Peak(1619m)
Nothing beats going on a mission with best mates, whether they walk on two or four legs. You have got someone to watch y...
27 Sep 2019
Massive Mountains and Clean Eyre (Part One) - Oreti Peak(1619m)
The spectacular Eyre Mountains are ogled at from Queenstown on a daily basis and when I’m there I become another set of...
26 Sep 2019
Hiking on History - Bridle Path Walkway
The large lumps of volcanic debris that make up the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula were a barrier for early settlers in...
27 Jun 2019
The Higher You Go (Part Two)- Mount Bruce(1630m)
Most people probably love to wake up in a big soft bed, nice and warm, covered by a luxurious duvet and many soft pillow...
26 Jun 2019
The Higher You Go (Part One) - Mt Bruce(1630m)
The higher up a mountain you climb the better the view. This is also the same when it comes to camping. Having a mobile...
26 Jun 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
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
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
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
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
See Ya Later Sleeping Mat (Part Two) - Mount Burns Tops
Nothing makes you feel more alive than exposure to the elements. Stripped back to human and clothing, and the rest is up...
22 Oct 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
Wild Turkey's and the Ashton Burn - Peak 1330m (Part Three)
For a lot of people it is the close companionship found when on a mish that keeps them repeating the process. A couple o...
10 Sep 2018
Wild Turkey's and the Ashton Burn - Peak 1330m (Part Two)
To go a night without even a flutter of tent fabric is an absolute dream and fuel for the fire of adventure that burns b...
9 Sep 2018
Wild Turkey's and The Ashton Burn - Peak 1330m (Part One)
With another exciting and busy season in Patea / Doubtful Sound on the Fiordland Navigator looming, it was time for me a...
7 Sep 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
Taylor Knoll Camp - A Small Hill With a Big View
Hiking really is using your valuable time well. The multi beneficial pastime not only is great for you body, but it also...
18 Jul 2018
Searching For Snow (Part Two) - Manuka Hut / Mt Somers Range
Snow is a very strange substance that falls from the sky. Unlike rain, snow is something that has created its very own s...
2 Jul 2018
Sweet White Powder - Balmacaan Saddle Camp (Part Two)
I often get strange looks from my friends and family when I tell them I am going camping during the chilly months of win...
27 Jun 2018
Red Skies Above (Part Two) - Takitimu Tops Camp
There are times when you don’t need a weather forecaster to tell you what the conditions will be like. Certain clouds or...
17 Mar 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
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
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
Sweet Sunsets (Part Two) - Pyramid(1598m)
The high country of Hakatere is a special place. In lots of places you can gain altitude with relative ease, and the hig...
4 Oct 2017
Sweet Sunsets (Part One) - Pyramid(1598m)
With all of the advancements in technology we (humans) seem to spend more and more time looking at our devices. People a...
2 Oct 2017
Me. A Dog. And Mt Herbert(919m) - Te Ahu Patiki / Mt Herbert(919m)
Nothing better than taking full strides up a mountainside with your four legged best mate by your side. Not often you he...
25 Jul 2017
Transported to Middle Earth (Part One)- Mt Sunday(611m)
As you round a small corner on the Hakatere / Mount Potts Road and get your first view of the Rangitata Valley you can u...
18 Jul 2017
Transported to Middle Earth (Part Two) - Mt Sunday(611m)
The specially selected sites for the filming of Lord of the Rings have become drawcards for fans of the films. Aotearoa...
17 Jul 2017
Winters and Somers (Part Two) - Mt Somers Camp
Many look to the west over the Canterbury Plains at the pyramid that is Mt Somers(1688m), but few reverse the view and v...
10 Jul 2017
Beyond the Hut (Part Two) - Hut Spur Camp / Climb
We are lucky here in Nz because we have hikes for all abilities. The easy walks are usually busy during the summer with...
20 Jun 2017
Top Dog (Part Two) - Dogs Range Camp
Getting lost isn’t on most people's list of things to do, however it still happens. Returning to the location and gettin...
29 May 2017
Top Dog (Part One) - Dogs Range Camp
If you stare at a mountain long enough you’ll find yourself wanting to stand on top of it, well that’s my theory. Many t...
27 May 2017
The King & Queen of Erewhon (Part Three) - Mt Potts(2184m)
Mt Potts is a must do for folks who enjoy a good uphill grunt. Although the climb isn’t too difficult, there is a lot of...
21 May 2017
The King & Queen of Erewhon (Part Two) - Mt Potts(2184m)
The unmistakable twin peaks of Mt Potts always seem to find their way into pictures of the Lake Clearwater Area. As if o...
20 May 2017
The King & Queen of Erewhon (Part One) - Mt Potts(2184m)
In some locations around New Zealand there will be certain mountains that stand out much more than others. In the Lake C...
20 May 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
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
It’s Not Going to Snow, It’s Summertime (Part Three) - Upper Wye Creek
On many occasions I have faced a storm head on and returned to tell a tale about it. There is something so satisfying ab...
17 Dec 2016
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 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
Crackers & Cheeseman (Part Three) - Mt Cheeseman(2031m)
A mountain is merely a mass of mounded material. Many just look and then carry on with their business. But a few look at...
1 Sep 2016
Crackers & Cheeseman (Part Two) - Mt Cheeseman(2031m)
The small New Zealand ski industry kept my winter months busy for six years. I would make the trip from the south to Chr...
31 Aug 2016
Crackers & Cheeseman (Part One) - Mt Cheeseman(2031m)
For years I have visited the sunny slopes of Mt Cheeseman Ski field. Along with the pleasant terrain and friendly atmosp...
30 Aug 2016
Go Right, Not Left. - Harper Range(Peak 1437m)
I have always been keen on adventures outside the box. Doing something that very few people have done can be very reward...
4 Jul 2016
Woolshed Hill(1429m) - A Classic Kiwi Climb
Arthurs Pass National Park is relatively small compared to other National Parks in Aotearoa, but it has so much to offer...
29 Jun 2016
The Middle of the Field (Part Two) - Central Peak(1912m)
I’m sure many climbers have found themselves returning to the same area time and time again, and each time they have tic...
18 Jun 2016
The Middle of the Field (Part One) - Central Peak(1912m)
I have been very fortunate to have been able to spend so much time in the Hakatere area. Many memories of marching up an...
17 Jun 2016
Freedom Found (Part 3) - Wild Mans Hill(1856m)
In the home of the Kiwi you have the opportunity to have a vast area of land to yourself. And even better is the fact th...
19 May 2016
Freedom Found (Part 2) - Wild Mans Hill(1856m)
It is difficult to explain to someone about how I find enjoyment in isolation and solitude. I have never had any issues...
18 May 2016
Freedom Found (Part One) - Wild Mans Hill(1856m)
Freedom is found in the more than 60,000 hectares of stunning Canterbury hill country west of Christchurch city. Golden...
17 May 2016
Red Rock in the Clouds - Mura Mura/Mt Zero(364m)
Australia isn’t renowned for having large mountains like Aotearoa, but the uplifted land it has is home to some of the b...
8 May 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
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
Awesome Undulation (Part Two). Mt Sebastopol(1468m)
Less than 300 people live in Aoraki Mt Cook Village. Around ten years ago for about five months I was one of those lucky...
27 Oct 2015
Awesome Undulation (Part One) - Mt Sebastopol(1468m)
Undulation can be a cruel beast sometimes when on a mish. You think you’re nearly at the summit only to find there are a...
26 Oct 2015
The Pile of Bones (Part Two) - Mt Catherine(2085m)
One of the very few downsides of a camping mish is the need to go, and I don’t mean leave. For some reason as the need t...
15 Oct 2015
The Pile of Bones (Part One) - Mt Catherine(2085m)
The visually stunning area encompassing the Ashburton Lakes is always well worth a visit. From easy day walks, to demand...
14 Oct 2015
Back in the Cameron (Part One) - Cameron Valley Camp & Climb
The good parts of Aotearoa get multiple visits, and there are quite a few good parts! It is funny to think that a place...
12 Sep 2015
Following Sir Ed (Part Three) - Mt Taylor(2333m)
Mt Taylor is a mountain that should be on most people’s list of things to climb. Although it is the biggest in the Cante...
11 Sep 2015
Following Sir Ed (Part Two) - Mt Taylor(2333m)
It is reassuring to know that some of the world's best climbers have fine-tuned their skills in Aotearoa. Sir Edmund Hil...
9 Sep 2015
Following Sir Ed (Part One) - Mt Taylor(2333m)
Mt Taylor(2333m) is a Canterbury Mountain that should be on most adventure seekers' lists. Standing over two thousand me...
9 Sep 2015
The Loop Over Little Mt Peel - Huatekerekere / Little Mt Peel(1311m)
The flatness of the Canterbury Plains ends abruptly with the rising of the Canterbury Foothills. A series of lumps slowl...
24 Aug 2015
Mt Barrosa(1364m) - A Great Day Out
An excellent day out sometimes missed in the massive Hakatere Conservation Park is a climb of Mt Barrosa(1364m). If appr...
18 Aug 2015
Singing in the Rain / Snow (Part Three) - Dogs Range
Mid mish bliss is a feeling that is only matched on the next adventure, therefore the pastime of going on a mish can get...
26 Jul 2015
Singing in the Rain / Snow (Part Two) - Boundary Creek Hut / Dogs Range
Rain brings water and water creates life. So why do we call a rainy-day bad weather when it is so important to us as res...
26 Jul 2015
Monumental! The Monument(711m)
Banks Peninsula is now covered in farms and small settlements. This makes it hard to think that it was once a mighty vol...
19 Jul 2015
The Erewhon Stage (Part Two) - Mt Potts(2184m)
When everything starts to fall into place on a mish it is impossible to control the smile on your face and the joy in yo...
6 Jun 2015
The Erewhon Stage (Part One) - Mt Potts(2184m)
Sometimes the world's beauty goes unnoticed. Many outstanding sunrises / sunsets aren't appreciated and knowing this inc...
4 Jun 2015
A Close Call (Part Two) - Mt Philistine Bluffs
A life without risk is a very basic existence. Most modern-day activities have some element of risk, however this should...
28 May 2015
A Close Call (Part One) - Mt Philistine Bluffs
A fact that most try to avoid focusing on is that going into the outdoors can be dangerous. With that said, getting into...
27 May 2015
The Wizards Hat - Gibraltar Rock(503m)
The scattered remains of the once mighty Te Ara Pataka Volcano now make up Christchurch’s Ports Hills. These hills are a...
4 May 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
Thirsty and Amazed - The Tongariro Crossing
In 2015 I was invited to travel to Taupo and walk the Tongariro Crossing. The crossing is a 19.4 km walk amongst fabulou...
9 Apr 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
Two Different Worlds - Ben Ohau(1522m)
It’s amazing how different the weather can be from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village to Twizel. For two places that are relatively...
4 Feb 2015
Impressive Neighbors (Part Two) - Mt Edgar Thomson(2379m)
We are spoilt for choice in Aotearoa when it comes to big mountains. Bush covered, rock covered and some massive sculptu...
30 Jan 2015
Impressive Neighbors (Part One) - Mt Edgar Thomson(2379m)
The awe inspiring mountain mass of Aoraki/Mt Cook(3724m) dominates the view when driving into Aoraki/Mt Cook National Pa...
29 Jan 2015
Where the Water Comes From (Part Two) - Water Tank Ridge
After a Heli-Hike trip was cancelled at the last minute my schedule was changed to afternoon work in the Old Mountaineer...
25 Jan 2015
Where the Water Comes From (Part One) - Water Tank Ridge
Towering above the western side of Aoraki/Mt Cook Village is Mt Kitchener(2042m), and even though it is the closest ‘big...
25 Jan 2015
Big Backyard (Part Three) - Mt Hodgkinson(1486m).
Playtime for me as a kid was thousands of hours in my backyard. I would have explored every square inch over and over ag...
22 Jan 2015
Big Backyard (Part Two) - Mt Hodgkinson(1486m)
I bought a house in Te Anau so I could be as close as possible to the mighty Darran Mountain Range. I guess this shows h...
22 Jan 2015
Big Backyard (Part One) - Mt Hodgkinson(1486m)
If your backyard (and frontyard) is Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, then you’ve done something right! I was extremely luck...
21 Jan 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
Mount Cook's Foot (Part Two) - Mt Wakefield(2058m)
Many times people have looked at a distant summit in poor weather and then instead of retreating to safer ground they ch...
18 Dec 2014
Mount Cook's Foot (Part One)- Mt Wakefield(2058m)
The mountains in the Aoraki / Mt Cook area swell in bulk so much some would question if they are on steroids! The massiv...
17 Dec 2014
Aoraki/Mt Cook(3724m)
"Places in Paradise" Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Aoraki/Mt Cook(3724m) from Mt Edgar Thomson(2379m)
30 Nov 2014
Old Mate on the Ridge - Mt Sebastopol(1468m)
A true gem in the land of the long white cloud’s crown is the mighty cloud piercer Aoraki / Mt Cook(3724m) and his massi...
16 Nov 2014
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
Mountain Goats & Glissading (Part Three) - Mt Bealey(1836m)
When the air is still and the sky is clear, you tend to forget that this is weather that is only temporary this high up...
1 Oct 2014
Mountain Goats and Glissading (Part Two) - Mt Bealey(1836m)
Many times, I have watched the goats that live high in our mountains negotiate steep terrain with ease and wished I had...
30 Sep 2014
Mountain Goats & Glissading (Part One) - Mt Bealey(1836m)
When you do something often, sometimes you can overlook what some people would find dangerous. I have climbed many mount...
30 Sep 2014
Crampons Crunching (Part Three) - Mt Cassidy(1850m)
Summits give you a strange feeling. Any thoughts of success quickly subside after the realisation that you have only com...
30 Sep 2014
Crampons Crunching (Part Two) - Mt Cassidy(1850m)
Attaching twelve spikes to your feet usually means you’re starting to tackle rather challenging terrain. Slick and steep...
30 Sep 2014
Crampons Crunching (Part One) - Mt Cassidy(1850m)
If you have been given the gift of movement then you should go out and use your body to its maximum potential. For me cl...
29 Sep 2014
Up. Down. Done. (Part Two) - Potts Range Peak(1948m)
To many the thought of clambering up a snowy mountainside seems like a strange pastime. Struggling against gravity in or...
23 Sep 2014
Up. Down. Done. (Part One) - Potts Range Peak(1948m)
It was love at first sight when my eyes got their first taste of the grandeur that is beyond Lake Clearwater. The area w...
22 Sep 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
A Wild Winter Wander (Part One) - Mt Guy(1319m)
Nothing makes you feel alive like facing a southerly blast head on. A wild wilderness wander can be an epic adventure -...
15 Sep 2014
Joseph’s Peninsula - Tarawera Mt Sinclair(841m)
The adventures of Captain James Cook prove that, once you get adventure in your blood, the mish never ends. Cook and his...
9 Sep 2014
Arthurs Village from Above (Part Two) - Mt Aicken(1863m)
From 1907 to 1923 Arthurs Pass Village was a hive of activity, thanks to the construction of the Otira Rail Tunnel. The...
4 Sep 2014
Arthurs Village from Above (Part One) - Mt Aicken(1863m)
Tucked away amongst some of New Zealand’s finest peaks is Arthurs Pass Village. One of the few towns located in a nation...
3 Sep 2014
Roaming A Ridge (Part Two) - Rome Ridge
Many people are afraid of heights. Being close to a big drop can send them into a panic and unless they are taken away f...
2 Sep 2014
Roaming A Ridge (Part One) - Rome Ridge
No two mountains are the same, and that also applies to the ridges which reach down from the summit back towards sea lev...
1 Sep 2014
Otira Slip and Slide (Part Two) - Mt Rolleston Low Peak (Almost)
Knowing you are hiking into a place that is not only dangerous, but has also claimed lives, keeps your senses alert. A d...
27 Aug 2014
Your Very Own Mountain (Part Two). Mahaanui/Mt Harper(1829m)
From a very young age both my mother and grandmother have taught me to share. This has led to many adventures with my wh...
13 Aug 2014
Your Very Own Mountain (Part One) - Mahaanui/Mt Harper(1829m)
Not many outside of Aotearoa can say they have had an entire mountain to themselves. With more than 8 billion people on...
12 Aug 2014
What Goes Up (Part Two) - Mt Potts (2184m)
Getting ‘bluffed out’ is when you hike / climb / scramble to a point where you can’t go up or down. You have got yoursel...
3 Aug 2014
What Goes Up (Part One) - Mt Potts (2184m)
The is always two parts to climbing a mountain. While many focus on getting to the summit, it must be remembered that th...
2 Aug 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
Climbing the Middle Finger - The Fingers(2016m)
Mt Taylor(2333m), and the rest of the Taylor Range are the largest mountains east of Ka Tiritiri o Te Moana/Southern Alp...
1 Jun 2014
Mount Washington / Appalachian Trail (GUEST POST)
Welcome to a guest post by Jeremy Wilson. We join Jeremy and Julie on their adventure in New Hampshire in the United Sta...
27 May 2014
A Tangle of Dogs - Mt Bradley(855m)
A hike to the top of any of the hills that make up Te Ara Pataka/Banks Peninsula will be worth the effort, and the inter...
27 May 2014
Crawling in the Wind (Part Three) - Erewhon Peak(2068m)
It is amazing what you will put up with to get to a summit and claim your prize. Summit fever is a condition that you so...
5 May 2014
Crawling in the Wind (Part Two) - Erewhon Peak(2068m)
Whether you like it or not, weather will always happen, and it is best to see the positives of what Mother Nature is up...
5 May 2014
Crawling in the Wind (Part One) - Erewhon Peak(2086m)
To look at a storm face to face is a truly humbling experience and one that reminds us that Mother Nature is boss in the...
4 May 2014
Frozen Feet (Part Three) - Cameron Range(1936m)
The first time I really felt what frozen feet could feel like was in the Cameron Valley. A mish hadn’t quite gone to pla...
2 May 2014
Frozen Feet (Part Two) - Cameron Range (Peak 1936m)
A description of a winter camping trip can easily turn someone away from the outdoors forever. Depending on your take on...
1 May 2014
Frozen Feet (Part One) - Cameron Range (Peak 1936m)
Not many would go through hell and then return for more. I guess that is why we wilderness folk don’t see all that many...
30 Apr 2014
Barbwire and Bush Bashing - Saddle Hill(841m)
The undulating remains of the once 1500 meter-plus volcano that stood east of Otautahi / Christchurch now has many small...
4 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
Tough Trails of the Past (Part Four) - Mt Larkins(2300m)
There have been tough times when I have been out on a mish when I have had to remind myself that I am tackling this moun...
22 Mar 2014
Tough Trails of the Past (Part Three) - Mt Larkins(2300m)
Human beings need challenges to remind them that their bodies are made for moving. Whether it be completing a hike or cl...
22 Mar 2014
Tough Trails of the Past (Part Two) - Mt Larkins(2300m)
Being high up in the mountains is good for you. Both your mental and physical being are at peace and you enter a meditat...
20 Mar 2014
Tough Trails of the Past (Part One)- Mt Larkins (2300m)
It is safe to say that we (the human race) are getting soft these days. We head to places like the Whakaari Conservation...
20 Mar 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
Skirt Around the Bush (Part Three) - Arthurs Creek(Point 2065m)
If something is hard, why do it? This is a question that many ‘non-hikers’ ask after hearing about my battles with the r...
11 Mar 2014
Skirt Around the Bush Edge (Part Two) - Arthurs Creek
Reading about an adventure can be a big step away from the actual mish. A simple sentence in a guide book can be a great...
11 Mar 2014
Skirt Around the Bush Edge - Arthurs Creek (Part One)
Arthurs Creek is one of the many large river valleys that feed into the Rees Valley, and then on to Lake Wakatipu near G...
9 Mar 2014
Can’t Cross That (Part Three) - Long Charlie Spur(2024m)
Mountains plus rain equals rivers, and in Aotearoa / New Zealand’s wild backyard the rivers are in charge. Sadly, drowni...
21 Jan 2014
Can't Cross That (Part Two) - Long Charlie Spur(2024m)
There have been times when I have pointed out where water has got to during great rain events on tracks I have worked on...
20 Jan 2014
Can't Cross That (Part One) - Long Charlie Spur(2024m)
Something we definitely have no control over when wandering in the wilderness is the weather. Sometimes it rains, and so...
19 Jan 2014
Four-legged Friends - Mt Richardson(1047m)
To have your four-legged friend join you on an adventure will definitely enhance it! Add another dog in the mix and you...
4 Dec 2013
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
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
Two Thumbs Up (Part One) - Peak 2163m(Two Thumb Range)
Aotearoa New Zealand is a small country and yet it seems so big when tackling the place on foot. In Te Waipounamu South...
21 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
Not Part of the Day's Plan - Steep Face Hill(1876m)
We really are spoiled for choice when it comes to mountain landscapes in New Zealand, especially in the South Island. In...
3 Sep 2013
Fourteen Months to get to a Hut (Part Two) - Boundary Creek / Dogs Hill
Hiking to a hut is a passtime enjoyed by many people around the world. Sometimes I almost feel guilty about how many hut...
21 Aug 2013
Fourteen Months to Get to a Hut (Part One) - Boundary Creek Hut
During the winter of 2012 I went for a hike with the intention of staying in Boundary Creek Hut. Unfortunately, on that...
21 Aug 2013
Going Where There is Nobody - Foggy Peak(1741m)
A big reason I enjoy going into the mountains is to be in a place without people, no offence whanau! There is something...
12 Aug 2013
Back for More Mish (Part Three) - Double Hut / Taylor Range
Nothing like waking up wrapped up in your sleeping bag and seeing your breath in the cold air. It is like a battle betwe...
16 Jul 2013
Welcome to My World (Part Two) - Double Hut / Taylor Range
For all the negative press that it gets, cold weather is pretty cool! Those who haven’t seen what snow and ice can do to...
16 Jul 2013
Snow Business (Part Three) - Mt Somers Track (Pinnacles Hut Track to Staveley Carpark)
While the added difficulty of snow might deter most, I find it worth the effort to get the shot. The sights and sounds o...
25 Jun 2013
Snow Business (Part Two) - Mt Somers Track (Track to Pinnacles Hut)
Sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan when going on adventures in the mountains, and that’s ok if everybody stays in...
25 Jun 2013
Snow Business (Part One) - Lake Heron Basin
Snow is a burden or a pleasure depending on who you ask. Something that can stop a working city, can also start business...
25 Jun 2013
The Benefits of a Local Guide (Part Two) - Yatsugatake Mountains
I have been extremely lucky on my overseas adventures to have knowledgeable guides leading the way. In Nepal I have had...
8 Jun 2013
The Benefits of a Local Guide (Part One) - Yatsugatake Mountains
There are two groups of islands, one in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the south, that are not only similar in...
8 Jun 2013
A Kiwi Takes Flight(Part 1) - Mt Hotakadake(3190m)
This mission started with a 9346km journey from New Zealand to Tokyo,Japan. After arriving in the biggest city I had eve...
4 Jun 2013
Lost in Her Majesty's Mist (Part Two) - The Queens Drive
From a young age I became fascinated by the fruition of a forecast. The weather is something you can't avoid so you migh...
15 Feb 2013
Lost in Her Majesty's Mist - The Queens Drive (Part One)
The view of the Remarkables from Queenstown is one of the most famous mountainscapes in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Dark gre...
14 Feb 2013
Loose Rocks to the Top - Peak 1916m (Wye Creek)
It is hard to fault the incredible scenery around Queenstown. From the turquoise waters of the very deep Lake Wakatipu,...
13 Oct 2012
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
Mt Isobel(1319m) - Hanmer Spring's Mountain
Surrounded by mountains, with an abundance of hiking, biking and sightseeing, Hanmer Springs is Queenstown’s more mature...
23 Aug 2012
The Wonders of Winter (Part Three) - Mueller Hut / Aoraki / Mt Cook Village
The silence of snow is music to my ears. To be in a totally frozen environment will take your breath away, or make it mo...
27 Jul 2012
The Wonders of Winter (Part One) - Mueller Hut / Mt Ollivier(1933m)
By the winter of 2012 I was fully into the swing of going out into the snow on a mish. The wonders of a frozen environme...
26 Jul 2012
The Lock In (Part Two) - Black Hill Hut
My love of winter has led me to some awesome spots. A snowy sanctuary can make some magic memories that will stay with y...
10 Jul 2012
The Lock in (Part One) - Black Hill Hut
I have heard many people say how amazing New Zealand’s backcountry hut network is. There are about 950 shacks, sheds, pl...
9 Jul 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
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
Blown Away (Part Four) - Just below Wright Col to Muddy Creek
The wind is a funny old foe. It is something you can’t see, but you can hear it, sense it and also feel its effects when...
29 Jan 2012
Blown Away (Part Two) - Muddy Creek to Kea Basin
When I first started to go on frequent outings, I had the odd time where I let enthusiasm lead me into the wild before t...
28 Jan 2012
Blown Away (Part One) - Queenstown to Muddy Creek
The few who fight the weather face a fearsome foe. When entering Mother Nature’s playground, it is best to know what you...
27 Jan 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
Summer Snow (Part Two) - Ocean Peak(1848m)
There were a few times when guiding on the Routeburn Track that we watched the weather gods align the clouds and it look...
16 Jan 2012
Summer Snow (Part One)- Ocean Peak(1848m)
You can pack clothing for any weather, but can you weather any situation that weather can throw at you? Aotearoa is a pl...
15 Jan 2012
Second Time Above Paradise (Part Two) - Ari / Mt Alfred(1375m)
It is incredible how important the Lord of the Rings movies were for tourism in Aotearoa. When I traveled to Canada to p...
14 Dec 2011
Second Time Above Paradise (Part One) - Mt Alfred(1375m)
The setting at the top of Lake Wakatipu is priceless. The view from the road to Glenorchy is an iconic image that has be...
13 Dec 2011
So Close, And Yet So Far (Part Two) - Ben Lomond(1748m)
I have climbed above the Milford Road and I can say that it is weird to be on an exposed piece of rock with death drops...
25 Nov 2011
So Close, And Yet So Far (Part One) - Ben Lomond(1748m)
Some of our best hiking mountains sit so very close to towns. Having the option to climb a mountain directly from where...
24 Nov 2011
Head in the Clouds (Part Two) - Bowen Peak(1631m)
There is no feeling quite like standing on top of a mountain. With the clouds swirling around you, you get a sense of al...
4 Nov 2011
Head in the Clouds (Part One) - Bowen Peak(1631m)
For the most of it, New Zealand’s rugged scenery sits far from the populated areas. The harsh environment meant places c...
3 Nov 2011
Top of Banks Peninsula - Te Ahu Patiki/Mt Herbert(919m)
Standing at nearly 1km above the Pacific Ocean on the South Island's east coast, Te Ahu Patiki/Mt Herbert stands tallest...
11 Sep 2011
Extreme Outdoor Education (Part Two) - Blimit(1921m) Training Climb
There are many times when you learn something in conditions completely different than what you are training for. Trainin...
19 Aug 2011
Extreme Outdoor Education (Part One) - Winter Mountaineering Training
Learning new things or skills is something that you should never stop doing. I rushed myself into mountain travel withou...
17 Aug 2011
Clothing Test - Mt Grey(933m)
To feel a storm blast on your face is a real wild ride for the senses. Witnessing Mother Nature’s wild side can be an ex...
23 Jul 2011
Learning the Ropes (Part Four) - Aoraki / Mt Cook Winter Travel Training
There is something so special about travelling on foot though the mountains. Just you, your thoughts and nature, a combo...
18 Jul 2011
Learning the Ropes (Part Three) - Aoraki / Mt Cook Winter Travel Training
After years of climbing I really understand the draw of the biggest peak on each part of our planet. To some, the experi...
16 Jul 2011
Learning the Ropes (Part Two) - Aoraki / Mt Cook Winter Travel Training
A long time ago Aoraki and his brothers clambered onto their overturned Waka (canoe) and were then turned to the rock, s...
16 Jul 2011
Escape the Quakes (Part Two) - Mt Somers(1688m)
Watching the world go by at a comfortable hiking speed has always been my cup of tea, not shaking about with the next af...
16 Jun 2011
Escape the Quakes (Part One)- Mt Somers(1688m)
Christchurch was still on the move every couple of hours during the earthquakes of 2010 / 2011. Each day was started wit...
16 Jun 2011
Dairy Farms in the Moon Light (Part Two) - Middle Mt Peel(1583m)
We are so lucky to have long days during summer in Aotearoa. They mean you can fit a lot of mish into a single day. Howe...
30 May 2011
The Middle Peak (Part One) - Middle Mt Peel(1583m)
My most vivid childhood memories of being in the mountains come from family outings to Peel Forest. The tiny mountain vi...
30 May 2011
The Trampers Mountain (Part Two) - Avalanche Peak(1833m)
Some mountains are ‘off-limits’ to those who don’t have the required skills to climb them. However, sometimes that doesn...
10 May 2011
The Tramper's Mountain (Part One) - Avalanche Peak(1833m)
Avalanche Peak is a classic trampers mountain with easy access directly from Arthurs Pass Village, and it can be climbed...
9 May 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
Dinner Plate Scree - Mount Alaska(1965m)
Going into the mountains on an adventure is one of the rare activities where failing to achieve what you set out to do i...
1 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 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 Dogs Day Out - Mt Oxford(1364m)
A hike can definitely be enhanced by the company you bring, and on this adventure up Mt Oxford(1364m) I didn’t hear a si...
27 Aug 2010
A Wander in Wine Country - Mt Rosa(1322m)
I am always fascinated by the perfect grape growing micro-climate when driving through the small vineyard covered Gibbst...
13 Jul 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
Butter Fingers (Part One) - Peak 1488m(Remarkable Range)
Wye Creek is located just south of Queenstown and has a large amount of rock climbing areas. On the occasions I have cli...
6 Jul 2010
The Training Ground - Omawete Coopers Knob
Working on the Routeburn Track gave me an excellent way to earn some pay during the warmer months, and this also put in...
14 Jun 2010
Returning the Favour - Mt Oxford(1364m)
Getting young people into the outdoors is very important. It is also important to teach youngsters how lucky we are to h...
12 Jun 2010
Where's My Head Torch? (Part Three) - Black Peak(1989m)
Sometimes we learn the hard way and in the wild that can be a tough lesson to get through. Whether it be forgetting the...
10 May 2010
Where's My Head Torch? (Part Two) - Black Peak(1989m)
Multi-day mountain climbing adventures usually involve two separate missions. The hike to the hut / campsite is one part...
9 May 2010
Where's My Head Torch (Part One) - Black Peak(1989m)
It seems that sometimes no matter how careful we are, we leave some part of our outdoor kit at home. For a long time I h...
8 May 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 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
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
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
Above and Beyond (Part Two) - Benmore Hut (and Beyond)
Lots of people like to hike to a hut and then kick back and soak in the experience they just had while out on a mish. Ot...
3 Oct 2009
Above & Beyond (Part One) - Benmore Hut (& Beyond)
Getting to a place - particular one few others visit - can bring a great sense of achievement, and is a big reason why m...
2 Oct 2009