The archive

Every trip report

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

Browse the archive

All trip reports

908 reports
Fiordland On a Mish #297

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
Southland On a Mish #293

Lockdown 2021 - Round Two

One day in the future the sun will set on the ‘Covid Era’, and then we can all enjoy the sunrise of a new world post vir...

23 Aug 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #294

Early Birds (Part Two) - An Epic Way to Start the Day

As a kid I would have never pictured myself as an educator. I love guiding and telling stories, but dealing with kids I...

9 Aug 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #294

Early Birds (Part One) - An Epic Way to Start the Day

It is strange how this world can give you something unexpected but then take it away before you get the chance to really...

8 Aug 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #292

The Coolest Coldness (Part Three) - Upper Eglington Camping

I’d much rather tackle the challenges of a cold winter day over a scorching hot summer day. Chucking another layer of cl...

11 Jul 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #292

The Coolest Coldness (Part Two) - Upper Eglington Camping

Some might take the time to think about going camping (especially during the winter) and the chilly thoughts might make...

10 Jul 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #292

The Coolest Coldness (Part One) - Upper Eglington Camping

Winter is very cool in both the literal sense and also from a visual perspective. The way ice or snow can dramatically b...

10 Jul 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #291

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
Fiordland On a Mish #291

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
Fiordland On a Mish #291

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
Fiordland On a Mish #291

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
Fiordland On a Mish #290

That's One BIG Fish - A School Camp with a Fishy Twist

We (New Zealanders) are lucky to live in a country of outdoor adventures amongst great beauty. Working in some of the be...

2 Jul 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #289

Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part Three)

I’ll take a night in a tent in an epic location over a hotel nearly every time. Put that tent in Fiordland and even the...

29 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #289

Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part Two)

The inconvenience of the cold is an easy problem to solve if you are prepared. Clothing nowadays allows us to venture in...

29 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #289

Snow Makes Everything Better - Eglinton Valley Camp (Part One)

I’m sure that most people will favour a hot day on the beach over a cold camping mission to a place covered with ice and...

28 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #288

Raging Waters - Flooding at the Te Ana-au Glow Worm Caves

To witness Fiordland rain is a real treat. The amount and power of the water boggles the mind with its relentless rage....

24 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #287

The Borland Road to Recovery (Part Three) - Borland Rock Bivouac

We are very lucky to be able to venture into the wild places of Aotearoa and not worry about bears, wolves etc. This is...

15 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #287

The Borland Road to Recovery (Part Two) - Borland Rock Bivouac

There are parts of Fiordland National Park that are more jungle than forest, which took some getting used to at first be...

14 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #287

The Borland Road to Recovery (Part One) - Borland Rock Bivouac

I’d be lying if I said there hasn’t been times when I have been completely over having a mangled hip. I am very grateful...

14 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #282

Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Four) - Gulliver River / Milford Road

Recent birthdays have taught me how powerful a night in nature can be. As I have kicked back and relaxed I have had the...

9 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #282

Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Three) - Cleddau / Gulliver River

A campfire over a cake. A night in a tent instead of plenty of presents. Nature and being in the wilderness is the gift...

8 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #282

Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part Two) - Cleddau / Gulliver River

People chatting, glasses clinking and happy people drinking. This is what many think of when they think about their birt...

7 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #282

Birthday Dinner in the Darrans (Part One) - Te Anau to the Cleddau Valley

Some like to celebrate their birthday with all of their friends with a big party. I’d rather the peace and quiet found o...

7 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #280

Still a Bit Buggered (Part Two) - East Eglinton Valley / Mackay Creek

Moving to Te Anau permanently in 2018 was much more beneficial than first expected. The main reason I bought a house in...

2 Jun 2021