Big expedition tramper Mitchell Radford can’t get enough of the backcountry. His film The Long Way Round, about a 16-day solo packraft mission from the Routeburn to Milford Sound, screened at last year’s NZ Mountain Film Festival.
Radford and his friends document their adventures and share them on their YouTube channel, South Island Rifle Walkers.
Here’s how Radford packed 39kg of gear on his Fiordland expedition.
Missed yesterday’s feature? Two trampers dare to link Ōtaki River’s most remote huts on a four-day adventure. Read the story and listen to the Q&A with author Sam Harrison.
Quiz
Mt Ruapehu is in a state of unrest. When considering a trip in the area you think about the hazards due to volcanic activity. Which of the following statements is true:
A - The biggest risk is from ejected rocks and ash.
B - The biggest risk is from lava flows down the valleys.
C - Lahar flows will only follow the known routes.
D - Volcanic gases can affect the air well beyond the mountain.
E - You will be safe if you stay 2km from the vent and out of the valleys.
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Three bang-for-buck exercises to strengthen your hiking legs
Photo: Duncan Grant
Even during a busy week you can work on building your hiking fitness with these three bang-for-buck exercises.
Do them twice a week on non-consecutive days for the best results. No gym membership is needed, and the benefits can be achieved with just a backpack.
Current Issue - March 2026
Every Tararua hut ranked, the possibilities of packrafting, three life changing journeys, 7 mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
The weekend weather at a park near you…
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 6°/15°
|
 7°/10°
|
 6°/9°
|
4°/12°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
12°/22°
|
 10°/18°
|
 8°/14°
|
8°/20°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
12°/20°
|
12°/16°
|
7°/14°
|
8°/18°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
4°/18°
|
2°/8°
|
1°/9°
|
-1°/12°
|
| Brewster Hut |
9°/14°
|
6°/10°
|
4°/12°
|
3°/11°
|
| Cape Reinga |
16°/23°
|
18°/22°
|
 17°/22°
|
17°/23°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
15°/23°
|
16°/23°
|
14°/24°
|
16°/21°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
4°/15°
|
7°/16°
|
5°/13°
|
5°/7°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
8°/13°
|
5°/10°
|
3°/13°
|
4°/12°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
16°/20°
|
16°/19°
|
14°/20°
|
16°/19°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
10°/19°
|
11°/17°
|
9°/18°
|
10°/17°
|
| Mueller Hut |
9°/12°
|
4°/9°
|
1°/6°
|
5°/9°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
13°/19°
|
12°/19°
|
12°/19°
|
13°/17°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
10°/15°
|
10°/13°
|
9°/15°
|
8°/14°
|
| Powell Hut |
 5°/18°
|
10°/12°
|
6°/10°
|
5°/12°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
10°/24°
|
13°/18°
|
10°/15°
|
8°/20°
|
| Roys Peak |
6°/18°
|
3°/9°
|
2°/10°
|
1°/13°
|
| Tongariro VC |
10°/20°
|
10°/16°
|
9°/17°
|
9°/14°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
14°/21°
|
14°/20°
|
13°/21°
|
14°/19°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
8°/23°
|
6°/16°
|
5°/9°
|
3°/15°
|
Report created on 26 February, 2026 at 07:10am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
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Quiz
Answer D - Volcanic gases can affect the air well beyond the mountain.
Consider the wind direction as volcanic gases can affect the air well beyond the mountain. Eruptions can occur suddenly from any alert level and may occur without earthquakes or other signs.
Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.
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