Every trip report
Filter by region, type of trip or dog missions — or search the whole South Island backcountry.
Matching trip reports
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...
Back to Paradise (Part Two) - Rees Dart Track / Beans Burn Confluence
Paradise; an ideal or idyllic place or state. Many locations around Aotearoa could easily fit this description, however...
Back to Paradise (Part One) - Paradise / Rees Dart Track
I talk about ‘Paradise’ a lot, but only on a few occasions have I visited the famous area tucked away amongst the mounta...
Recovery Camp - Rees River
After my fridge accident I was rendered immobile for quite a while. My days of taking 11,000 steps consistently were a d...
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...
Awe Aspiring (Part Two) - Rock of Ages
I always get excited about going to sleep when I am in the mountains. For some reason even if I don’t sleep that much du...
Awe Aspiring (Part One) - Rock of Ages
Both West and East Matukituki valleys are very impressive places to visit for a hike or climb and will not disappoint. T...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Blown Away (Part Three) - Kea Basin to Wright Col (almost)
It is quite common to hear the expression ‘Blown Away’ when people are talking about New Zealand’s scenery. It is also c...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Kea Never Sleep - Rob Roy Glacier Track
The first time I visited the Rob Roy Glacier Track was back in 2011, with my friend visiting from France and my parents,...
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...
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...
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...