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 #280

Still a Bit Buggered (Part One) - East Eglinton Track

Not being able to do what you used to do can be very frustrating. For me, my injury has meant going from 12 hour days in...

1 Jun 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #275

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
Southland On a Mish #279

Festival Forays - Bluff (Part Two)

There aren't many people who haven’t heard of the famous Bluff Oyster Festival. Each year (apart from stupid 2020) peopl...

21 May 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #277

Doubtful Delivers - Lucky Kids

If you’re having a blast and getting paid for it you must have done something right! On many occasions I have had to pin...

13 May 2021
Canterbury On a Mish #276

Old Relics on the Old Ghost Road - Part Three

Part three of three of my parents' adventure on the Old Ghost Road… Day five was home time, but only after a final 18km...

3 May 2021
Canterbury On a Mish #276

Old Relics on the Old Ghost Road - Part Two

Back to the Old Ghost Road with my Ma & Pa… After a couple of sharpish climbs we came to a series of stairs which, like...

30 Apr 2021
Canterbury On a Mish #276

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
On a Mish #349

Sounds Like Fun (Part Three) - Queen Charlotte Track

Day 4 – Portage Hotel to Anakiwa. From Portage Hotel the ascent to the ridgeline was another real grunt, as my compromis...

27 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #274

The Perfect Day - Part Three

I once went on a mission with my cousin (@nzjimny) and we rocked up to a campsite on the Wilberforce Riverbed. We had th...

26 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #274

The Perfect Day - Part Two

I have been very lucky to have had many jobs that keep me fit by default. Whether it be running around a track, boat or...

25 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #274

The Perfect Day - Part One

Setting small achievable goals each day can do wonders for your self esteem. A mission into the mountains and back can b...

24 Apr 2021
On a Mish #349

Sounds Like Fun (Part Two) - The Queen Charlotte Track

Day 2 – Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga Cove. Today’s was a coastal walk, through regenerating native bush to the call...

24 Apr 2021
On a Mish #349

Sounds Like Fun (Part One) - Queen Charlotte Track

Regular readers of this page know that most of the mishes carried out involved propelling oneself up mountains and into...

23 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #272

Back to Borland - Part Three

There is something very special about being high in the mountains at night time. Something that can only be achieved wit...

19 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #272

Back to Borland - Part Two

Twenty metres of very easy walking had taken me from my car to an outstanding riverside campsite. The nor’west storm was...

19 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #272

Back to Borland - Part One

A lot of time had passed since my last adventure in the Borland area. Being in the mountains is for me my ‘happy place’,...

18 Apr 2021
Fiordland On a Mish #269

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
Fiordland On a Mish #269

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
Fiordland On a Mish #269

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
Southland On a Mish #263

Cheers Fellas - 600km Later...

Aotearoa, the best place to go for a drive. A mostly solitary life does need to be broken up every now and then with soc...

29 Mar 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
Southland On a Mish #255

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
Southland On a Mish #255

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
On a Mish #253

A Piece of Wood with Wheels - Thank You Skateboarding

Doing nothing is challenging for me. I always like to be on the move, active, and doing something to keep my mind and bo...

8 Mar 2021