Innholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2020 i Adventure Magazine

I am sitting writing this at Auckland airport. The loudspeaker is calling for some unpronounceable names that are ‘keeping others waiting and the unload procedure is underway’. – That is such a passive aggressive statement - trying to use other 'passengers’ anger to move you along. Most of the people you see at the airport are slightly stressed. Mothers with babies, teenagers walking around in a confused state, older people in that same airport ‘Where am I supposed to be?’ fog. People are wandering around in 'comfortable clothes', actually some look like their PJs. There are people with cushions wound around their neck and others already sleeping on the floor. I have already picked up a passport and boarding pass and handed it to the barman – yep it’s 10.45…

We are all so swift to jump on a plane and fly to another country boasting amazing views and stunning activities; but there are few destinations that can rival what we have right here on our doorstep. I had always wanted to visit Queen Charlotte Sounds and with an invitation from Wilderness Guides that ‘date’ was finally going to happen. This adventure would take 3days; a hike, a bike and kayak and as this title suggests it was the beginning of a real location romance. Arriving in Picton, the heart of the Marlborough Sounds the air was unseasonably cool, but you were distracted from the lack of summer warmth by the absolute beauty of Sounds. We caught up at Wilderness Guides HQ and were fully and expertly briefed about our…

What is it about Mt Everest Base Camp (EBC) at 5380m above sea level that is such a draw card for Kiwis? Thousands of New Zealanders pay good money and trek over one hundred kilometers (in wintertime, in sub-freezing temperatures) seemingly to visit a collection of rocks and prayer flags at ‘base camp’. Granted, in the climbing-season EBC is the staging point for summit attempts of the tallest mountain on earth, however interesting fact, trekkers to EBC never actually step foot ‘on’ Mt Everest. Why bother then? Adventure Magazine talks with Robert Bruce, founder of Got to Get Out who just completed his fourth group trek to the region, this time leading thirty (mostly) Kiwis to EBC return while also navigating some drama at 5,000m above sea level. He explains…

Alex Megos from Erlangen (GER) is one of the best German sport climbers. He was Vice European Bouldering Champion in 2017, Vice World Lead Champion in 2019 and won his first Lead World Cup in Briançon (FRA) in 2018. He has also made a name for himself in rock climbing with extremely fast repetitions of numerous difficult routes. He was the first German climber to qualify for the 2020 Games. In our interview, he talks about the new “Olympic Combined format, a mixture of the three disciplines Speed, Bouldering and Lead, as well as the mental aspects of the sport. Can you explain the differences between bouldering, lead and speed climbing? And which, for you, is the most difficult? Bouldering is sometimes described as the purest form of climbing. It…

I wanted to write about was something that to me was common sense and I knew to be true. That is the link between feeling good in oneself, and taking time out in nature. Or as our German guests often say – “Ve come to Neu Zeeland because ve vant to be in za nature”. Maybe a short walk might help. What is the Link Between Nature and Health? Scientists, (and I would think common sense) have long known that there is a link between sunlight, natural settings and human well being, however new research has expanded those findings. This new research is finding that as little as five minutes in a natural setting, whether it be gardening or walking in a park, improves mood, self esteem and motivation. An…

A KTI PLB personal emergency locator beacon SA2G-NZ 406MHz $339.00 The New Zealand Coded Safety Alert personal emergency locator beacon SA2G-NZ 406MHz PLB is compact, fast and reliable; making it the ultimate global rescue link for people who want peace of mind in the outdoors. A free Soft Pouch and arm band are also included. Free contitional battery replacemet if used in a genuine emergency. www.safetybeacons.co.nz B Brux Pour Over Coffee System BRuX is based on a simple concept: Flavour and convenience shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. So, Boco put the pour-over flavour you’d expect from your favourite coffee shop into a system that’s as adventure ready as you are. The tasteful and simple design makes brewing a breeze and stainless-steel vacuum insulated bottle ensures that your coffee stays hot for…

Seeking adventure and relaxation in a tropical paradise, I knew this trip would be one to remember. As the sun sunk beneath the waves on the first night, the rest of the world, along with all my worries and cares melted away. For the next 7 days, I was free to explore the crystal clear waters, dive or snorkel colourful reefs, meet gorgeous people and be welcomed at each island we stopped at. Laying on a hammock on the top deck, watching the islands smoothly pass by as we cruised to our first stop, I can’t help but relax. The friendly staff on Solomon Island Discovery Cruises were taking care of my every need from the moment I arrived. With an outstanding menu carefully prepared by chefs who are passionate…

This image was taken by Morgan Maassen. On his website he says, ‘Growing up in and around the ocean has provided me with my favourite subject to photograph. The majority of my work is water-related and involves the oceanic lifestyle. I’ve also frequently incorporated my passions of travelling, nature, architecture and fashion into my work. While I strive to capture what I see as beautiful, this is often not the perfect moment. Instead, light, textures, and the abstract nature of the earth are what truly fascinates me’. This particular image was a finalist in the Red Bull illume 2019 – (courtesy Red Bull content pool) The illume the largest action photography competition in the world with over 25000 entries.…

What's a weekend break all about? Having some time out, relaxing with friends and family, re-energising, and refreshing the soul. Has it been a while? Tongariro National Park is a popular destination in the summer months for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, but did you know the earthy, volcanic landscapes of this Dual World Heritage Area have plenty of other outdoor pursuits for nature lovers? Slap on the sunblock and explore unknown tracks and hidden gems - there is an experience on offer for everyone. Make your first stop at the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre at Whakapapa Village, where the Department of Conservation works alongside our local i-Site to share extensive knowledge on trails and have 3D models showcasing where you are and how to get around. Whether you’re familiar…

The breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand have graced movie theatre screens for decades and have held viewers around the world captivated, but how much do you know about diving in New Zealand? Did you know that between the diving around the North Island and the South Island, it would take a lifetime of dives to see it all? Try everything from incredible offshore diving at the Poor Knights Islands and exploring fiords, wrecks and sub-tropical reefs through to navigating kelp forests and swimming with dense schools of fish. It’s all possible in New Zealand! The Poor Knights Islands As a protected marine reserve, this is arguably New Zealand’s most famous diving area. The diverse underwater topography includes drop offs, walls, caves, swimthroughs, arches, tunnels and a wide variety of reef…

Chaco Confluence $139.95 The beach-minded Confluence borrows elements of the Z sandal for your next sun and sand adventure. Stylish yet performance-driven, with 2.5mm-deep lugs for tons of different terrain. chacos.co.nz Chaco Z/CLOUD $159.95 Want your Classic Sandals with pillow-top comfort? Introducing our travel-ready Z/Cloud series, featuring our same custom adjustable strap system, performance ChacoGripTM rubber outsole, and a top layer of ultra-soft PU for instant-cushion underfoot. Every pair comes standard with our podiatrist-certified LUVSEATTM PU footbed for all-day comfort and support. Step in and feel the difference. chacos.co.nz Chaco Odyssey $179.95 Overcome rivers, trails, and expectations. The all-terrain, closed-toe Odyssey sport sandal delivers the durability of a hiker, the freedom of a barefoot trainer, and the performance you need from land to water. chacos.co.nz Rab Momentum Pull-on $139.95 Perfected…

Originally smart speakers were all about the art of using your voice to control you’re the speaker, but the newest offerings go far beyond that. The new breed of speakers are packed with power and depth that does justice to your playlist. We looked at some and listened to some at are currently on the shelves. Its is a fast moving a developing category so it would pay to do your own investigation when purchasing. UE Boom 3 There are more powerful Bluetooth speakers, but none match the fun and convenience of the Ultimate Ears Boom 3. It puts out great sound for its size. The waterproof cylinder comes in multiple colours and it can last 15 hours between charges and gives you 100 feet of Bluetooth range. On top…

"There is a whole world out there. Pack your backpack, your best friend, and go!" LOWE ALPINE AT VOYAGER 55 + 15 If you’re heading on a worldwide trip or travelling to remote locations, the AT Voyager 55+15 is a spacious backpacking pack with a detachable day pack that’s perfect for unplanned adventures. With clever and practical features, the AT Voyager is designed to carry your gear where wheeled luggage won’t go. The AT Voyager 55+15 is a spacious 55 litre backpack with a removable 15 litre day pack which can either be attached to the main pack or the chest harness for a front carry to keep your valuables close. With front access to the main compartment and internal zipped mesh organisation pockets, the AT Voyager can be packed…

There are many great places to play in or on the water around the world, but few come close to offering up the salt water playground that is French Polynesia, composed of 118 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over an expanse of more than 2,000 kilometres and comprised of five island groups, "Tahiti" is so much more than a tropical oasis of over water bungalows and mind bending sunsets . What the brochures fail to let on, is that it is quite possibly the best warm water destination in the world for those that like to indulge in all and every kind of water sport. From the national sport of Va’a (rudderless outrigger canoes) to all and every iteration of water sport imaginable, Tahitians literally have saltwater pulsating through…

The wall steepened and I gingerly placed a foot higher, reaching for a hold. It seemed solid, but promptly broke. Luckily, I kept my footing and simply tossed the remains of the hold below with a cry of “Rock!”, sending climbers at the base scattering. A few moves higher, another loose rock was sent flying, this one the size of an onion. It scraped the leg of a friend at the base, who mistakenly thought that huddling in a corner would keep him out of harm's way. Shit. This was perhaps the worst pitch of rock climbing I've ever done. There was nowhere to place any rock protection for dozens of metres in the brittle limestone of Castle Mountain, in the Canadian Rockies, which felt steep for grade 5.4 (12).…

Line up in an event thousands of years in the making. Adventure running definition: the act of running and moving over vast expanses of mountainous like terrain and commonly including some technical elements that provide extra challenge such as underfoot conditions, elevation and atmospheric conditions. Adventure running is where a new breed of trail and off-road runners in New Zealand are redefining their limits with a total mind and body experience. A recent addition (established in 2018) to the kiwi adventure running-scene is the Ring of Fire Volcanic Ultra, 50km, 20km & relay that will take place on Saturday 21 March 2020. In the footsteps of the ancestors you will figuratively have fire in your heart and heels as you take on one of Australasia’s foremost adventure running events in…

"For our latest adventure our vanlife consisted of a 30ft luxury RV, fitted out with expandable rooms, a full fridge and freezer and a separate bedroom and ensuite, the complete antithesis of the perceived idea of ‘living in a van’.” Van life for many conjures up images of cramped spaces, rough living and eating out of a tin can, however van life does not have to be ‘squished’ and space limited. For our latest adventure our vanlife consisted of a 30ft luxury RV, fitted out with expandable rooms, a full fridge and freezer and a separate bedroom and ensuite, the complete antithesis of the perceived idea of ‘living in a van’. We had picked up our Roadbear RV in Denver, USA, and had roughly planned a route that would take…

Responsible Campers Association Inc has been developed to represent all freedom campers – this is the stand they are making, for the full feature go to adventuremagazine.co.nz For many years now, when mainline media and councils talk about freedom campers they refer to Motorhomes and Caravans. Very rarely do we hear mention of any other form of freedom campers. But just what is a freedom camper and who does it concern? The freedom Camping Act 2011 defines the meaning of freedom camping, if you would like to read this in full you can at adventuremagazine.co.nz Freedom camping in New Zealand, also referred to as free camping or in the US as boondocking, is where road-trippers and campers set up overnight in public places which are not identified as campgrounds or…

"Alongside this hardcore growth in adventure travel has been the development of ‘soft' adventure. Those holiday trips where one day you are by the pool the next you are out rafting or diving or swimming with whales, those vacations where there is a mixture of relaxation in a nice hotel coupled with core activities." Over the last forty years, Adventure has seen a lot of changes, the woolly jumpers have been discarded (in most cases) to be replaced by technical, profession-specific clothing. Offshore adventures are now no longer just for a select few but for everyone. People are venturing further and further afield to find new, exciting and unique experiences. But the side development to this that no one saw coming was the growth of both hard and soft adventure…

Recently Webjet revealed increased demand for eco-friendly destinations and shares tips for travelling greener: New Zealanders are renowned for their love of nature and sense of community, and Webjet.co.nz has revealed a growing demand for green travel among Kiwis, with striking uplift in travel to famed eco-tourism destinations, such as Borneo, over the last five years. CEO David Galt explains, “We know New Zealanders are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, not just when they are at home, but when they head away too. Over the last five years, we’ve seen significant increase in Kiwis taking off to locations that offer eco-friendly opportunities. From domestic travel to Christchurch (+24%) where Kiwis can swim with endangered dolphins; to Cairns (+131%) as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef; Borneo…