Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2025 i Adventure Magazine

People are often our inspiration. I have enjoyed the company of these four adventurers for many years now. Each has dared to challenge themselves, and as they describe, achieved way beyond what they thought was possible. Hopefully, their stories of courage, daring, and determination will inspire others to get out adventuring. Remember to take time to immerse yourself in your surroundings and enjoy being with nature…. It's not a race. ANNETTE: carabiners, crampons, children and other challenges I love the outdoors…I'll trade a trip to the shopping mall for a walk along a muddy track any day. Credit goes to my parents, especially my mother, who nurtured our interest in nature. I guess not everyone's mother is one of NZ's leading ornithological artists. We were lucky to accompany her, sketchbook…

Isabell Zitzelsberger once worked full-time in Marketing and Sales for Surtees Boats, where she dealt daily with customers, mostly men, interested in purchasing boats. What struck her was how often the language and behaviour around these transactions reinforced outdated stereotypes. Buying a boat is a significant financial decision, a major investment and a memory-making opportunity for the whole family, yet it was often referred to as his toy. Men were the ones learning to back the trailer, drive the boat, and navigate the rules of the sea (hopefully), while their wives typically handled the money transfer, packed the lunches, and organized the children. That didn't sit right with Isabell. As a boat salesperson, she was regularly underestimated. Customers would often ask, “Is there a salesman, please?” or assume she was…

Meet Gemma Wagstaff, the 29-year-old Wellington-based designer who's revolutionizing the wetsuit industry one beautiful, functional piece at a time. Growing up as a “total water baby” competing in swimming, surf lifesaving, and synchronised swimming, Gemma always struggled to find swimwear that combined performance with style. This frustration led her to study design, where she questioned why wetsuits were always “black, ill-fitting, and uninspiring, especially for women.” Her graduate wetsuit collection not only won an International Emerging Designer Award but also secured national TV coverage and a spot at New Zealand Fashion Week. Today, Gemma Lee Wetsuits creates ethically manufactured pieces in small runs, featuring digitally printed designs that bring colour and personality to the lineup. Based in Wellington, the perfect testing ground for cold-water gear, Gemma is building more than…

When it comes to women in climbing, it's hard to know where to start. We could highlight the incredible achievements of female climbers both globally and here in Aotearoa. There's Janja Garnbret, who's become a household name thanks to her dominance on the world stage. In New Zealand, Rebecca Hounsell is pushing the limits with more grade 28 and 29 ascents than any other woman in the country – and her first grade 30 is clearly on the horizon. Erica Gatland made history as the first Kiwi woman to climb V10, V11 & V12 outdoors, and has stood on countless NIBS podiums and national events as Champion. Rachel Maia continues to inspire as a para-climber, recently securing 3rd at an IFSC World Cup, adding to her historic 3rd place World…

Over the past decade, the outdoor adventure industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, particularly in women's-specific clothing—and New Zealand has not been left behind. What once amounted to “pink-and-shrink” versions of men's gear is now a rapidly growing, technically advanced segment that recognises the unique physiology, needs, and preferences of female adventurers. In Aotearoa, where hiking, climbing, skiing, and multi-day tramping are national pastimes, brands like Outdoor Research, Rab, and Black Diamond are leading the way in delivering women's outdoor gear that performs as hard as Kiwi women do. A Market on the Rise - Especially in New Zealand The global outdoor apparel market was valued at US$17.47 billion in 2024 and continues to grow steadily. More significantly, women now represent nearly half of all outdoor gear purchases, a shift…

The moment I slip beneath the surface of Rarotonga's crystalline lagoon, the world transforms into an underwater cathedral. Shafts of Pacific sunlight pierce the azure depths, illuminating coral gardens that have thrived for millennia. But it's not the reef's beauty that stops my breath, it's the gentle giant gliding toward me with prehistoric grace. A turtle, its shell mottled in the sunlight, moves through the water with effortless dignity. Our eyes meet through my mask, and time seems suspended. This is what I came to the Cook Islands for: to swim alongside creatures that have navigated these waters for over 100 million years. Swimming with turtles has become Rarotonga's premier experience, and it's easy to understand why. These waters are home to both green and hawksbill turtles, with the resident…

The cover of this issue of Adventure Magazine is a celebration of the women who are reshaping the adventure industry. For decades, outdoor pursuits and extreme sports were seen as a male domain, from mountain summits to remote trails and rugged coastlines. Today, women are not just participating; they are leading, innovating, and inspiring a new era of adventure. This is not a token shift; it is a dynamic, fast-growing movement that is changing how we view adventure, exploration, and business. This cover highlights a select few among the many women redefining what leadership looks like in adventure. Sarah Hay, a notable climber and the owner of Northern Rocks, has built a climbing community that empowers people of all levels. Her commitment to breaking down barriers in climbing has created…

When One NZ GODZONE announced its return in January this year, the response was a resounding “yes” from competitors, sponsors, friends, and global followers. As the most challenging and spectacular expedition adventure race in the world, the New Zealand event attracts hundreds of racers and reaches over one million people online each event. World champion adventure racer Nathan Fa'avae said One NZ GODZONES return was beneficial for the sport domestically and internationally with New Zealand playing a leading role in the history of adventure racing. “Seeing it back with new teams and young athletes coming through shows that the sport continues to evolve with the race continuing to have a lasting impact on people, communities and the sport itself,” says Nathan. “It gives me confidence in where adventure racing is…

When you drive over Takaka Hill and descent into the bay, it feels like you leave behind the city, work, stress—almost like you've landed on another island entirely. The beaches are stunning, the cafés serve up delicious coffees and breakfasts (make sure you get there early on a rainy day!), and the swimming holes are simply divine after a big day of climbing, hiking, or biking. And the climbing? You could spend years here and still have projects to work on, and many people do just that. Hangdog is the perfect climber's campground, complete with an outdoor pizza oven, cabins, tent and van sites, shady trees, a strong sense of community, and endless campsite stories to share in the evenings. For our family, outdoor climbing has taken a bit of…

Emily Russell embodies the spirit of New Zealand's outdoor adventure culture. Growing up between the rugged West Coast of the South Island and the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, Emily's love for exploration was shaped by some of the country's most spectacular natural landscapes. Now based in Nelson—what she considers “the best place to live in the world”—Emily has found her perfect adventure basecamp, surrounded by three national parks and endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits. As someone who believes that “adventure coexists with living outside of my comfort zone,” Emily has channeled her passion for the outdoors into MD Outdoors, an all-female team dedicated to empowering others with quality gear and expert advice. Her philosophy is simple: life shouldn't be wasted, and every day presents an opportunity for adventure if you choose…

“How do you carry all that and still look like you're on a day walk?” People ask me this all the time. The answer? I'm not a magician - I just pack ultralight. And I have Kiwi Ultralight gear to thank for making that possible. At 5'1” and under 45kg, I once hauled a 15kg pack around Mt Ruapehu's Around the Mountain track. I made it – barely - but paid the price with aching knees, falls on gravel, and compression pain that lingered long after the trail ended. If I wanted to keep tramping, something had to change. Why Ultralight? That's when I started researching ultralight tramping, and found Kiwi Ultralight. Before that, I was importing gear from overseas: long wait times, shipping costs, customs hassles, and sizing that…

Adidas are moving into the trail running market by releasing a new range of Ultra, Trail and fast hiking shoes under the name Terrex. They are sponsoring some well-known athletes and their gear appeared at the UTMB world ultra champs last year. They sponsor 2 of the best NZ ultra runners, Dan Jones (Kepler record holder, Tarawera 100k winner and Western States 100 top 5) and Ruby Muir (Kepler Champ, Tarawera winner and several European Titles) and it is testament to the shoe that these guns rave about the performance of the Terrex trail shoe. Polar opposite to these supreme athletes is me, a 61 year old cart horse. I was given a pair of these beauties to try over 2 demanding races. I tested the Terrex Agravic 3 Trail…

Phoebe Kenderdine has a t-shirt that declares her the Queen of Choss, a recognition of her mastery over Wanaka rock. It actually says Princess of Choss, but with the “Princess” crossed out and replaced with “Queen”. This is perhaps a reference to her youth, as well as her climbing prowess; the 22-year-old was promised the title if she climbed Wanaka's hardest route, Sunshine, a grade 32 crimp-fest up a wall that slightly and consistently overhangs for 35 metres. Established in 2020 by local pioneer and schist-master Jon Sedon, Sunshine combines the hardest part of three individual routes. It's the crowning line on Al Cap, the best wall of Wanaka schist - known endearingly among locals as “choss” - so it seemed apt for Sedon to be gifted a King of…

Bikepacking, cycle touring's grubbier younger sibling. Generally differentiated from cycle touring by its preference for lightweight packing, gravel or mountain bike usage and the option to get off the tarmac. It's a sport that's grown in popularity in the last 10 years or so, with the advent of bikepacking brevets (races that aren't races but kinda are, with no prizes but definitely still fastest finishers) like the Tour divide and the Arizona trail race as well as the creation of numerous off-road multi-day trails. Endurance sports like bikepacking are a wonderful equalizer, with people of all genders excelling and women often smashing times and holding world records (Lael Wilcox, Jenny Graham, Alexandera Houchin, Jenny Tough and Lee Craigie, to name a few.) When I started bikepacking 6 years ago, I'd…

Eat at The Station café Waimarino After a complete refurbishment and new ownership, the Station café in Waimarino (formerly National Park Village) has now reopened in the charming railway station beside the Park n Ride hub. Enjoy sublime coffee and cakes, divine breakfast items like Brioche French Toast as well as other delicious menu items including a refreshing halloumi and watermelon salad and a tasty beef, bacon and mushroom ragout. Sleep at Tongariro Crossing Lodge Six brand new premium one-bedroom garden suites have recently opened for bookings and added to the Tongariro Crossing Lodge offering right in the heart of Waimarino. This boutique bed and breakfast provides a silver-service style breakfast ranging from continental to classic cooked as well as in-room continental breakfast baskets - options for packed lunches are…

In Morocco's High Atlas, a small group of trekkers pause beneath the snowdusted shoulders of Mt Toubkal. In India's Zanskar Valley, a rope team steps across glacier-fed ridges en route to Kun's 7,077-metre summit. On the ancient Camino in Spain, a line of women walk and write their stories into every step. From high-altitude expeditions to slow cultural journeys, more women are not just stepping into adventure, they're shaping it. They're leading it. And they're redesigning it on their own terms. This isn't about pink-hued brochures or dialled-down difficulty. It's about presence. Confidence. Community. And as the outdoor world begins to better reflect the diversity of those who explore it, the impact reaches far beyond the trail. A Walk of Her Own When Natalie Tambolash, General Manager of World Expeditions…

Alpine gear usually fails quietly—zipper by zipper, seam by seam, under conditions where failure can't be patched. For New Zealand's alpine professionals, that failure isn't theoretical. It happens on wet rock faces, in storms that last for days, and under loads that punish every stitch. Solving that kind of problem meant building something new. Inselberg worked with members of the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Rescue Team (AMCART) to build a shell that didn't just survive conditions like these—but was made for them. Among those involved from the start was Jamie Marr, a guide and former AMCART member with years of experience operating in high alpine terrain. Over a 36-month development process—driven by feedback, iteration, and field testing—he helped shape the concept into a working reality. The solution was the Axiom…

“I left a piece of my heart there, and I know I'll be back to collect it.” The crew at Ait Tahiti Nui handed me a small white fragrant flower called a Tiare, Tahiti's national bloom, they said, a symbol of hospitality and connection. Right then, I knew this trip was going to be something special. The warmth hit me the second I stepped off the plane at Faa'a International Airport. Fresh flower leis draped around my neck, smiling faces everywhere, it was like being wrapped in a hug from the island itself. The transfer to InterContinental Tahiti was luxury after the 5-hour flight. Cold water, mints, air conditioning, simple touches that made you cared for. Even though we were a little weary, I couldn't resist one Hinano at the…