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Not Going to Plan - The Ongoing Saga...
It is safe to say that after more than two and a half years I am nowhere near where I was before being struck by a freez...
Grandeur on Steroids (Part Four) - The Upper Rakaia
There aren’t too many places left in the world where you can go and know you’re the only one to get there in quite some...
Grandeur on Steroids (Part Three) - The Upper Rakaia
With blind determination you can block out the bad and get yourself to some amazing locations. This was how I would guid...
You're Not Going Anywhere - Stuck at Lake Clearwater Village
On a few occasions I have been fortunate enough to be happily trapped in a wild location due to the weather. Every time...
Post Storm Magnificence (Part Three) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Pushing through powder snow before sunrise might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The thought alone of getting up early whe...
Post Storm Magnificence (Part Two) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Too many times the cold has been labelled a ‘bad thing’ when really it can be the cause of a remarkable sight. It might...
Post Storm Magnificence (Part One) - Snowed in at Lake Clearwater
Snow is a rare treat for most who live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Much of our low-lying land will remain snow free even du...
Significant Weather Event (Part One) - Wild Weather at Lake Clearwater
The weather is something you have no control over, therefore sometimes you just have to sit back and marvel at its magni...
A Couple of Old Dogs - Clearwater Retreat
Age is something that everybody attempts to avoid but can’t. And age can sometimes be an excuse used to get someone out...
When Very Little is Too Much - Lake Clearwater Village
The ability to move around should always be appreciated. Because you really do miss it when it gets taken away. Going fr...
An Area That Time Forgot (Part Two) - Acheron Homestead
If you have done something before you can do it again, or at least see if you still can! I get sick of people saying the...
An Area That Time Forgot (Part One) - Acheron Homestead
To watch hard work disappear before your own eyes is tough. Years of guiding and consistently going on many different mi...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Forces of Nature (Part Three) - Birdwood Range / Fanghill Stream
With all of the epicness of being reintroduced into the outdoors came the only downside to these wild adventures. The bo...
My Hip and the Havelock Valley (Part One) - Havelock Valley
Back in 2020 the world was plunged into chaos thanks to Covid, and for weeks we were all confined to the four walls of o...
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...
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...