New Zealand’s Dusky Track a wonderful challenging 8+day trek in Fiordland. At 76 I am spending most of 2025 preparing for one last foray there next autumn. My son Bryn promises to come with me. My post from this day in 2014: ‘Expect a break from me: tomorrow I am off for ten days’ hiking […]
I have hunted sambar deer for over 50 years in the Gippsland mountains (and elsewhere other deer). Mostly I did it because it was fun and an excuse for a day out in the bush which I love. I still prefer lamb, and having been a sheep farmer for just as long, I always had
Sea to Summit have an ‘Air Chair’ which is a fair replacement for Big Agnes’ ‘Cyclone Chair’ (no longer available) – though a bit heavier (plus 60 grams). We have been using our Cyclone Chairs now for over 20 years. They just use your sleeping mat to form a comfy. chair. The biggest pluses about
There are a few essential knots (for hiking etc) some of which can save your life. A piece of string and the knowledge of how to form such an essential knot may be the ultimate ultralight ‘tool’. One such knot is the Taut Line Hitch or Midshipman’s Hitch (shown below). It is an adjustable knot
We were feeling the need to perfect our double hammocking skills as preparation for yet another wilderness trip. As we often hike in Fiordland NZ where it is apt to rain on average an inch a day and it can be difficult anyway to find a level spot for a tent, it is well to
Making calls to satellite phones has been restricted, though most will not know. Because we have cause to use one (both a satellite phone and satellite messenger) This is deeply worrying for us. About a year ago Telstra decided you now have to have a new dedicated SIM for your sat phone (without telling us)
O, the enchantments of Fiordland: Time and again I have been drawn back to this lush green Eden questing after one of these surviving prehistoric giants, which though sundered from their ancient homeland in the vast boreal forests of the North, still linger there today. For me it is a tale which began when I
If you are not into DIY. Also a great weight (390 grams in silnylon – even lighter in DCF which I eschew) and price (US$220 Dec 2024). What’s not to like? It is very like my Siligloo (but a little simpler). I have MLD‘s ‘big brother’ the Supamid which I can attest is well made
Yes this really does work. This is my ‘Poor Man’s Satellite Phone‘ after two weeks at between 3.000-6,000 metres elevation during our recent EBC trek. As you can see still 94% charged. ‘Normally’ such battery devices would be pretty much flat after just one day (even without use) – as I found out on my
Preventing Batteries From Going Flat at High Altitudes: Read More »
I have always loved Shelley’s poem ‘Ozymandias’ which showcases the futility of Pharaoh Rameses’ efforts to secure his immortality. Many people these days are obsessed with mankind’s (supposed) destruction of nature, an observation which I do not wholly disagree with, but nature has a way of coming roaring back, all but obliterating mankind’s works. For
