Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2020 i Adventure Magazine

The next person who tells me that they have really enjoyed lockdown, and that COVID has been like a forced holiday, is going to wish that they hadn’t. We have seen millions of dollars evaporate and the adventure industry struggle to cope. Travel businesses that have been a backbone of New Zealand tourism have closed and many folded for good. Many people have lost their jobs or feel that they could at any moment. Sure we have to learn to live with it; really there is little we can do except follow the rules and keep our country as safe as we can, but also we need to recognize that it is stressful, and for many that stress is bringing them to breaking point. You might not be able to…

When Kiwi's Bridget Thackwray and Topher Richwhite found themselves landlocked in New Zealand with their trusted Jeep left at Moscow Airport, they take to exploring their own backyard. Having spent the majority of our relationship on the road, the idea of being locked down in New Zealand was quite foreign and daunting to us. The one thing we’ve always thought that could jeopardize our relationship is the prospect of having our freedom to travel crippled. It’s now been five months since we left our Jeep in Moscow Airport and our time in New Zealand has been far from what we had feared. With no idea of when we’d be able to return to Moscow to continue Leg 3 (from Russia to New Zealand), we decided we’d get stuck in and…

It’s big, really big. The wind is beating us down, 40kts of bitterly cold Southerly right in the face. Massive rollers moving in from the South-West smashing our laden boats around, before crashing into the West Coast bluffs and refracting back creating a turmoiled mess of water. The Southern Ocean was alive, and we were in our element, running the gauntlet trying to pass 10 km of relentless exposed coastline as we approached the South Cape and safe harbour, between two storm systems – a must make move to get South. 8 Days earlier the ferry docked in Oban, the capital – Or really only town on the island. Adventure was waiting & it was time to go. The Half-Moon Bay beach, in the centre of town, became a sprawling…

The sun is shining; the days are getting warmer and longer; summer is the time for the outdoors. It’s a Kiwi’s rite of passage to get amongst the nature that surrounds us all, however, it can be just that carefree summer vibe that gets outdoor enthusiasts into trouble. Whether it be a day bush walk or a multi-day tramp, being prepared this summer could be the biggest factor that saves a life. Mountain Safety Council (MSC) Chief Executive Mike Daisley hopes all Kiwis who plan to make the most of the outdoors this season will take the time to carefully plan and prepare for each excursion. Each summer, about one million Kiwis head outdoors for a bushwalk or an overnight tramp. However, a concerning number of them are being rescued…

For those who want to head away from the crowds, who want a real mountain experience, who want that manageable challenge, then take full day Ruapehu Guided Walk with Adrift Tongariro is just right for you. Mt Ruapehu is the largest active volcano in New Zealand, it is the highest point in the North Island and has three major peaks: Tahurangi (2,797 m), Te Heuheu (2,755 m) and Paretetaitonga (2,751 m). There is a deep, active crater is between the peaks which fills with water between major eruptions, known as Crater Lake (Māori: Te Wai ā-moe) and is considered sacred. Walking distance to the top is around 10 km return or 7 km return when the chairlift is utilised. Walking time is about 6-7 hours. This walk requires a good…

To be honest I was keen to get out of the city after all those weeks stuck in Covid19 lockdown. A weekend away in the bush sounded appealing. Hot pools. If you are going to tramp this time of year with its mud, short days, and cold nights pick somewhere that allows you to camp by a hot pool. Preferably also convince a close friend with benefits like a love of camping, starry nights, and my company. In the middle of winter. Not easy. On an earlier pre-Covid mountain-biking trip to Rotorua, apart from being too early to come across Michael Clarke, we had heard of a 5-hour track to Hot-Water beach at Te Rata Bay on Lake Tarawera. The thought of soaking in a hot pool at this time…

18 year old Jess Blewitt grew up in the surf town of Mount Manganui, where she found her love of the outdoors in the ocean. But it was a move to the South Island that flamed her passion for the mountains. Jess has been creating a stir in the world of downhill ski racing and now mountain biking. We caught up with Jess for a quick chat… Can you tell us a little bit about how you found your love in the outdoors? I lived in Mount Maunganui and was a competitive life saver at Omanu Surf Club in the summer. I was a life guard during the holidays for the 2016/17 summer. But the lure to the snow in the winter was greater than the surf. So as you…

"Sometimes in life, the little moments amount to be the biggest, and when jet-setting you miss out on all the details in between." Vanlife and any form of adventure go hand in hand, or foot and foot if you want to refer that back to hiking. This is a perfect combination that just so happens to be peaking right now and for good reason. Due to the effects of Covid-19, holidays and activities have been urged to be taken locally and many people have seen this as a blessing in disguise. Money is being put back into the economy and the environment is taking a break from the pressures of human activity. Is there such a thing as a good virus? One that's symptoms include spreading happiness, elevated fitness, feelings…

2020 has made us all appreciate what’s in our own backyard - we’ve had to due to border restrictions preventing us from going anywhere else! As the world starts to slowly reopen, and as travellers make more conscious decisions about where they want to travel to next, we want to pose a question to you - why is it that Australia’s closest neighbour, a mere 150km to the north of Cape York, is so mysterious to us and so often overlooked. We bet you didn’t know that Papua New Guinea was that close, nor that it is home to over 8 million people who speak more than 800 different languages. As one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, we should count ourselves lucky to have all of…

Climbing ropeless up a steep snow and ice face is never enhanced by mental images of your helpless body falling to its death. High on the vertiginous slopes of Mt Aspiring, the only thing keeping me from this fate were the front points of my crampons and my two ice axes. I was calm and focused, but could do nothing to stop these mental flashes of my flailing body being gobbled up by white oblivion. The face wasn't steep enough to worry an accomplished alpinist, but in the absence of such skill, competence, and general good looks, the 40 to 50 degree-slope was more than enough to unsettle me. A hard kick of the crampons. A strong strike of the ice axe. After a dozen or so movements, I paused…

If you’ve lived in New Zealand for any length of time, chances are you’ve ticked off a few backcountry adventures. After all, about a third of the country’s land mass is protected land, and at least 10% is national park, so you don’t have to go far to find a wild and scenic patch of earth to explore. But once you’ve mastered your backyard routes and you need to step up the challenge, what’s next? It’s time to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds of the Great Walks, and one of the most prized routes for adventurous trekkers is Rabbit Pass, located in a remote area of Mt Aspiring National Park. The Rabbit Pass smile Longtime mountain guiding outfit Aspiring Guides, based in Wanaka, knows the route…

Simply put the “Tongariro Alpine Crossing” is more than iconic. Having trekked and climbed on seven continents I feel privileged to live next to what many regard as the best one day walk in New Zealand. The dramatic landscape you experience throughout the 19.4km trek is simply second to none. The Park – The Tongariro National Park is not only the oldest National park in New Zealand but in fact was the fourth National Park established in the world. Now days the Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO dual World Heritage Park, listed for its cultural and geological significance. The mountains, the rivers, the peaks all have strong ties to the local iwi. You do not really appreciate this area to you begin to understand theses ties and the amazing…

This label went viral on Twitter, but it was only the latest anti -Trump call to action from Patagonia. The company has responded aggressively and openly to the US government’s environmental changes with increasingly outspoken crusades to protect the country and indigenous public lands – is the label protagonistic? Yes. Is the message clear? Yes. Is it obvious who it is aimed at? Yes. But the question remains, is this a real concern for the environment or an extremely subtle calculated form of marketing. Outdoor companies are not known for their subtly, but they are known for what they believe in. I honestly have to say it gave me a certain feeling of pride that some outdoor companies are leading the way with these controversial issues; not just with recycled…

Like many of its South Pacific island counterparts, New Caledonia is home to a range of spectacular hotels and resorts, complete with lush accommodations, postcard perfect pools, world class restaurants and more. However, for adventurous travellers looking to get off the beaten track or explore the destination like a local, New Caledonia is also surprisingly great for camping. Despite being a relatively small land mass (when compared to somewhere like New Zealand), New Caledonia is brimming with spots to pitch a tent, and plenty of experiences to have along the way. Here’s a 101 to camping in New Caledonia. Firstly, the fun part: picking a campsite! WHERE TO STAY: When it comes to camping in New Caledonia, there are campsites on the beach, in the forest, in the bush…you name…