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Swinging Through the Trees (Part Two) - Monkey Creek
Happiness, mixed with an extreme sense of satisfaction, is having a valley to yourself after putting in the work to get...
Swinging in the Trees (Part One) - Monkey Creek
Hiding in plain sight is the best way to describe Monkey Creek's location. Tucked away in the upper reaches of the Holly...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Best Way to Start to a New Year (Part Two) - Borland Saddle / Mt Burns Tarns
Waking up in the wilderness gives you a feeling like no other. The fresh air and bird song is at its best, and you feel...
The Best Way to Start to a New Year (Part One) - Mt Burns New Years Camp
If the weather is fine and the mish goes to plan, then it does not matter what time of the year it is. However, in my ey...
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...
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...
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...
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...
On Purpose - Mistake Creek (Part Two)
If prepared for the cold, then waking up in an area that has been hit by a severe frost is an epic way to start your day...
On Purpose - Mistake Creek (Part One)
Mistake Creek is a stunning hike, and is one of three marked valleys that carve their way through the Earl Mountains, ne...
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...
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,...
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...
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part Three) - Tutoko Valley
Aotearoa sat un occupied by humans for a very long time. This gave the place a chance to become a haven for many rare an...
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part Two) - Tutoko Valley
If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, then tell that to a sandfly stuck in your tent! The Dalai Lama...
Deep in Sandfly Country (Part One) - Tutoko Valley
Aotearoa is a place of great beauty and many birds. We are lucky to have a giant backyard to play in and within it are n...
The Friendly Fiordland Mountain - Peak 1476m (Mt Burns Tarns)
For those familiar with these stories you just might have come across a tale or two about the Borland Saddle. Finding th...
Port Craig
Very cool to be able to camp at your worksite, and it’s even better when that area produces some of the best sunsets and...
Going Solo (Part Three) - Mt McPherson(1931m)
Fiordland’s famous road to Piopiotahi / Milford Sound does have some contrast when it comes to human activity. From bein...