New Zealand

Planning to walk the South Coast Track

05/04/2015: LURGI: This weekend I begin to know something of the man’s suffering as a misspent youth hanging around The Cross (like too many others today!) Della brought home the dreadful Lurgi from some crafty misadventure or another. She suffered with it most of last week taking to her bed until she finally (generously) imparted […]

Planning to walk the South Coast Track Read More »

NZ Topo Maps: App for Hiking in NZ

  We are now using this App New Zealand Topo Map by Mason Blackwood : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.mbit.topo&gl=US It is free and really simple to use. Simply download and open it then (while you are online) scroll through the area of interest at the magnification you require and it will load it onto your phone (both topo

NZ Topo Maps: App for Hiking in NZ Read More »

Insects can ruin a camping trip!

Insects can ruin a camping trip. You need a Repellent which works. These guys are the solution. There has been a move by the touchy-feely crowd to bombard us with ‘natural’ ones which will see you eaten alive. Be warned. The product must have Deet (not so much it melts your raincoat, but lots). And

Insects can ruin a camping trip! Read More »

Moose Hunting in Fiordland

Watched Ken Tustin’s new doco http://www.stealthfilms.co.nz/dvds/dvd005-bundle.html which I mentioned the other day. If you are interested in great scenery, Fiordland, the origin of the moose herd there or just hunting generally you will find something to captivate you here (for a mere $10). On every ‘expedition’ there I have found ‘moose sign’ whilst hunting about

Moose Hunting in Fiordland Read More »

Weather for Fiordland

WEATHER: The GFS (US Weather Bureau ‘Global Forecasting Service) forecast for Jeeralang Junction has had yesterday at Jeeralang Junction involving 44mm of rain for the past FORTNIGHT! Yesterday we received 44mm of rain. Our own BOM had us has having none until approx 7:00pm the day before and then suggested 1-10mm. The difference is almost

Weather for Fiordland Read More »

Blowhole’s Beach Camp

It’s been a bad year: I have not spent (much) more than a month sleeping outdoors, away from home this year – still, there are nearly six weeks to go! But I have been HERE (and many other beautiful places) – and you have a solid day’s WALK to get there:   See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-south-coast-tracks/

Blowhole’s Beach Camp Read More »

Dusky Track & South Coast Track Fiordland NZ

I’ve just arrived back from a few days walking the Dusky & South Coast Tracks in Fiordland NZ. The South Coast Track, Fiordland NZ: is SO much better than the similarly named South Coast Track in Tasmania. You can have a number of different trips there. What will best suit most is a jet boat

Dusky Track & South Coast Track Fiordland NZ Read More »

Dreaming of the Dusky Track

And you wonder why, this time of year I get a hankering to once again walk the Dusky Track:   See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/insects-can-ruin-a-camping-trip/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-track-canoeing-the-seaforth/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-track-adventures-1/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/eddie-herrick-moose-hunting-at-dusky-sound/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/eddie-herrick-moose-hunting-at-dusky-sound/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-friend-i-met-on-the-dusky-track-fiordland-nz/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dusky-south-coast-tracks/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/dreaming-of-the-dusky-track/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-dusky/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/moose-hunting/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-moose/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-moose-2/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hunting-in-fiordland/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/off-to-fiordland/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/shadowland-fiordland-video/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-best-toilet-view-in-the-world/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/10-days-in-fiordland/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-2009/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-nz-with-bryn/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fiordland-april-2007/ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/weather-for-fiordland/  

Dreaming of the Dusky Track Read More »

More pack weight savings: now 2kg less!

Already a lightweight hiker, I have nonetheless managed to shave off nearly 2kg from my pack weight in prep for our next foray into the Fiordland wilderness. These were amongst the savings: Cuben Raincoat (save 334 grams), http://www.zpacks.com/ Waterproof Over Booties (save 365 grams), https://goosefeetgear.com/ Extra Light Down Jacket (save 200 grams), http://www.montbell.com/ New Pot

More pack weight savings: now 2kg less! Read More »