Just minutes outside of Wānaka, this trail leading to a 12-bunk hut is at its best during the winter months. You'll be treated to a quiet track, empty huts and crisp, cold, clear days among beautiful snow-clad mountains.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Winter camping checklist, seven essential tips from experts.

Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops. The person affected is often unaware before confusion sets in, which makes the situation worse. How do we prevent this, and what actions should be taken?

See our list of upcoming tramping events and activities across the motu. Have an event you want to feature? Email us the details!

Various dates across April, May & June: Banff Mountain Film Festival

Location: Across the motu

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour — the biggest annual fundraiser for the New Zealand Alpine Club — is back until July 2026. 

Ski big mountain lines in Norway after losing a leg. Attempt a daring first descent of Mount Robson's legendary South Face. Journey by packraft through Alaska's Brooks Range in search of an Arctic mystery. Follow two fathers dragging their two-year-olds through the Swiss Alps on mountain bikes and more. Find tickets at banff.nz

TODAY: Social Boulder @ The Gravity Well

Location: The Gravity Wall Nelson, 5:30-7:30 pm

Meet other climbers and improve your skills at a social bouldering night at The Gravity Well. It’s a super relaxed atmosphere with supportive crew & some one-on-one coaching. More info.

7 June: Paremata Flats Weeding Crew

Location: Paremata Flats Reserve, Delaware Bay, 9am–12pm

Monthly restoration working bee maintaining reserve habitats and removing invasive weeds. More info.

8 June: Canterbury Westland NZAC Section

Location: NZAC Headquarters, Christchurch, 7-8pm

There are several vacant positions on the Westland NZAC committee. If you think you might be keen to give back to the club come along to our next committee meeting to see what you think. More info.

9 June: Raiders of the Lost Archive — Colin Monteath

Location: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, 7:30–9pm

Expedition photographer Colin Monteath shares stories from Antarctica, Arctic and Asian mountain expeditions. More info.

13-14 June: Bush Skills for wāhine

Location: Whakamarama area, Bay of Plenty

Learn valuable skills for enjoyable and safe tramping and meet women with similar interests! More info - contact [email protected]

20 June: Rangiora Tramping Club 50th anniversary

Were you a member of the Rangiora Tramping Club? Please get in touch with the club as it would love to celebrate its 50th birthday with as many past and present members as possible. Email: [email protected]

27 June: Mahoe-nui Winter Planting

Location: Sumner / Evans Pass, Christchurch, 9–11:30am

Community native planting day on the Port Hills. Includes steep terrain restoration work and post-event refreshments. More info.

28 June: Stories behind some of Aoteaora’s most interesting plants

Location: Otari Visitors Centre, 2pm

Why is speargrass so sharp? Why does the parapara have such sticky seeds (hint, little birds beware). Join Te Papa science researcher and evolutionary biologist Lara Shepherd on an exploration around Ōtari’s plant collection, she’ll reveal all sorts of fascinating facts about our native species. More info.

2 July: Outdoor Training New Zealand Auckland Branch meeting

Location: Point Chevalier Tennis Club, Auckland

The Auckland branch of OTNZ has an active committee, a manageable course schedule, and holds two monthly evening meetings to introduce new topics of interest and engage with the wider membership. More info.

2 July: Winter Hiking and Staying Safe in the Outdoors

Location: MD Outdoors, Nelson, 5:30-7:30pm

Special guest, Gideon, is a full-time practical risk management trainer with over 25 years spent operating in remote and demanding conditions.

The evening's discussion will leave you more confident, better prepared, and ready to take on winter backcountry travel. More info.

4-5 July: Outdoor Training NZ Survival Confidence

Location: Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

This two-day practical course is designed to provide participants with basic bushcraft survival skills (what you would need if you become lost in the New Zealand bush), including survival priorities and how to build a bivvy. More info.

Answer A - Steve Abel

Green Party MP Steve Abel was involved from 1998-2000 in the successful campaign by Native Forest Action to stop native logging on the West Coast of the South Island. He has also worked as a campaigner for Greenpeace, and been involved in a number of other environmental actions.

Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.

Want to receive fewer emails? Did you know you can select the days of the week you receive the Wilderness Daily email? Update your preferences here.