Alice Stonehouse has completed six Great Walks in the past decade
Have you recently booked a Great Walk? Maybe you’ve landed a hut booking after years of meaning to, or perhaps it’s a friend’s big birthday, and a multi-day hike seems more memorable than dinner out.
Either way, you may be wondering how it’s all going to happen.
To save you the hard work, we’ve spoken to seven people who have previously completed a Great Walk – in their sixties or seventies, with children, or as an adult family group wanting to make memories.
Together, they cover the worries you’re probably having.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Talk a walk on this track which provides access to a thriving ancient ecosystem and a conservation success story.
Quiz
Which NZ mountaineer completed the Seven Summits in 2008?
A - Peter Hillary
B - Lydia Bradey
C - Graeme Dingle
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Featured Book
Life in the shallows
Featuring wetlands to visit across the country, descriptions of the rich bird, insect and plant life that can be found there, and some of the innovative ways we can protect and restore them, this book is a key resource for those who want to explore these precious places.
Subscribers get a 10% discount.
Gear review: Outdoor Research Foray 3L
Gear editor Mark Watson reviews these Outdoor Research weatherproof pants.
He found they have a good feature set, decent mobility and excellent weatherproofing and are these pants worth considering. However, the loose fit makes them best for sturdy legs or when ample layering room is required.
Current Issue - September 2026 Great Walks special issue
Get a free gear Checklist printed on 250gsm card with the September Great Walks special issue. Also inside, Which Great Walk is right for you, tips and advice from those who have done them, plus the birds and plants to spot on your Great Walk adventure.
The weekend weather at a park near you…
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 -6°/1°
|
 -5°/-0°
|
 -2°/2°
|
 -2°/3°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
 -6°/5°
|
 -1°/7°
|
4°/7°
|
 3°/6°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
-5°/6°
|
 -1°/7°
|
3°/8°
|
4°/7°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
-9°/-0°
|
 -6°/-0°
|
-4°/0°
|
-4°/-0°
|
| Brewster Hut |
-6°/1°
|
 -5°/1°
|
-1°/2°
|
-3°/2°
|
| Cape Reinga |
8°/13°
|
9°/14°
|
12°/15°
|
13°/15°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
-2°/10°
|
-2°/12°
|
1°/14°
|
8°/14°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
-8°/-2°
|
-8°/1°
|
-4°/4°
|
-1°/4°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
-4°/3°
|
-1°/3°
|
1°/5°
|
-0°/5°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
4°/9°
|
4°/10°
|
7°/13°
|
13°/13°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
-4°/6°
|
-3°/7°
|
-1°/8°
|
3°/9°
|
| Mueller Hut |
-5°/5°
|
-1°/2°
|
-0°/3°
|
-1°/3°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
-1°/8°
|
-1°/8°
|
-0°/11°
|
7°/11°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
-3°/3°
|
-3°/3°
|
 3°/5°
|
 2°/7°
|
| Powell Hut |
-3°/1°
|
-3°/2°
|
2°/5°
|
2°/6°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
-6°/9°
|
-5°/7°
|
3°/8°
|
3°/10°
|
| Roys Peak |
-9°/0°
|
-5°/0°
|
-4°/1°
|
-4°/1°
|
| Tongariro VC |
-5°/5°
|
-6°/6°
|
-0°/5°
|
2°/6°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
-1°/8°
|
-1°/9°
|
0°/11°
|
6°/12°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
-4°/6°
|
-2°/7°
|
1°/9°
|
2°/6°
|
Report created on 06 Aug, 2026 at 7:05am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
Quiz
Answer A - Peter Hillary
On 19 June 2008, Peter Hillary completed the Seven Summits when he reached the top of Mt McKinley in North America. The challenge involves climbing to the top of the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.
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