The archive

Every trip report

Filter by region, type of trip or dog missions — or search the whole South Island backcountry.

Browse the archive

Matching trip reports

53 of 908 reports
Fiordland On a Mish #314

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
Fiordland On a Mish #261

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
Fiordland On a Mish #104

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
Fiordland On a Mish #104

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
Fiordland On a Mish #104

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
Fiordland On a Mish #265

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
Fiordland On a Mish #199

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
Fiordland On a Mish #199

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
Fiordland On a Mish #199

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
Fiordland On a Mish #186

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
Fiordland On a Mish #186

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
Fiordland On a Mish #186

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
Fiordland On a Mish #186

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
Fiordland On a Mish #186

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
Fiordland On a Mish #243

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
Fiordland On a Mish #243

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
Fiordland On a Mish #243

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
Fiordland On a Mish #130

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
Fiordland On a Mish #307

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
Fiordland On a Mish #307

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
Fiordland On a Mish #308

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
Fiordland On a Mish #14

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
Fiordland On a Mish #406

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
Fiordland On a Mish #406

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