Tramper Rosie Percival gets a good night’s sleep with a coldweather sleeping bag and liner.
There’s a certain romance to the idea of sleeping in the wilderness. But the reality is often less idyllic. Lumpy ground, noisy hut-mates or a midnight dash to the loo can leave you tossing and turning.
So why do some trampers swear by wilderness sleep as the ultimate reset while others stagger out bleary-eyed? And how do our circadian rhythms fit into the mix?
Sleep specialist Dr. Kate Sprecher explains the science behind sleeping in the wilderness and offers a few simple sleep strategies and key gear choices to make your next trip the best sleep of your life.
Missed Friday’s feature? Kiwi hiker’s brush with grizzly bear caught on video, record 274 climbers scale Everest via Nepal in one day, new AI-hiking exoskeletons offer 30km of hiking support, DOC to reopen Graham Valley Road after long closure, and more in last week’s The World Outdoors.
Poll
After reading today’s feature story on sleep we’d like to know:
Do you carry an dedicated tramping/inflatable pillow on your overnight trips?
Check Wednesday’s newsletter for the results!
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Learn more about bamboozling buttercups
Ranunculus means ‘little frog’ in Latin, referring to a penchant for wet or boggy places.
There are over 40 native Ranunculus species gracing our favourite walking spots. However, the exact number of native buttercup species is no settled matter. The genus poses serious challenges to scientists and conservationists alike – both in Aotearoa and abroad.
Current Issue - June 2026
Expert tips for winter camping, seven overseas trails you’ll love, why a night under the stars is the perfect sleep fix, BTS at the OGU, mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
Photo of the week 📸
This week's photo comes from Kelly Burtenshaw who took this selfie on the 16km return walk to Cable Bay, four months after an operation. “Have been rather slow lately with our walking but we are back!” she says.
Kelly’s photo was one of last month’s #microchallenge winners for our ‘take a self-timer selfie’ category. See all the winners here and take a look at the #microchallenges for this month. Winners win a share of over $200 in prizes!
Have a photo you want to share with Wilderness Daily readers? Flick us an email with the photo and a few words about it.
Featured Book
Bewildered
What would move you to ditch your life and take off into the wild for five months? For Laura Waters, it took the implosion of a toxic relationship and a crippling bout of anxiety.
But when her walking partner dropped out on the second day, she was faced with a choice: abandon the journey, or face her fears and continue on alone? She chose to walk on.
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