Graeme Robbins shows off his homemade Cuben Fibre tent. Photo: Miriam Beatson
After 40+ years designing sail profiles, Graeme Robbins, coach to Auckland’s racing dinghy sailors, sailmaker to the world and superyacht crew member, has designed a custom stormproof tent for his TA journey.
The result is a tent roomy enough to sit up and stretch out in, and weighs just 1180g.
“My forte is attention to detail,” says Graeme. “I’ve had some good results in sailing, and I don’t think it’s because I’m a great sailor; it’s that I’ve always strived to have better equipment than anyone else.”
Missed yesterday’s feature? Mt Lyndon (1489m) is a popular day walk above the western edge of Lake Lyndon. The track itself is unmarked, but the climb to the lake’s namesake peak, will reward you with panoramic mountain views.
Quiz
To travel from Blind Saddle to Kahutara Bivvy requires leaving the marked track. Which is likely the most straightforward way to reach the bivvy?
A - Leave the track and travel down the forested stream to the south of the bivvy. Then follow the river north and bush bash up to the Bivvy.
B - Stay above the bushline and make your way to Pt 1354. From here travel down to the bivvy in the most direct way possible.
C - Stay above the bushline and make your way to Pt 1354. Follow the stream northwest of Pt 1354 downhill to the river. From here follow river south and bush bash up to the bivvy.
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
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Recipe: French ridge crêpes
Light, cheap, and tasty, these crêpes will impress your tramping mates for a filling breakfast.
Profile
Cook time: 20 min
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 cup flour
3 tbsp milk powder (mixed into 1 cup milk)
1 egg – powdered egg works well, too
100g chocolate hazelnut spread
25g chopped hazelnuts
1 tbsp oil (if you’re not using a non-stick frypan)
Fried pear slices for garnish if you’re really trying to impress!
Method
Mix the ingredients into a thick paste and stand somewhere cool for at least fifteen minutes then dilute with water to a thin cream consistency.
Heat up the frypan, if non stick use a little oil, and then add in just enough batter to thinly cover the bottom of the pan. Cook for about thirty seconds per side (until the edges start to turn) then flip and brown the other side.
While they’re still warm, apply a layer of hazelnut spread and sprinkle over some finely chopped hazelnuts, fold into quarters and serve. Bon appétit!
Poll results
On Monday we asked Wilderness Daily readers ‘what's the next major gear item on your wishlist?’
The results are in:
23% Waterproof jacket or puffer
19% Tent
19% Sleeping bag/quilt
17% Other
11% Mattress pad
11% Tramping pack
Here is a selection of comments from our readers:
[Mattress Pad] “ Have a old sea to summit sleeping pad, that's seen better days.”
[Tent] “Will be my first purchase of a one man tent.”
[Other] “PLB”
[Other] “Gore tex boots”
Have a question you want to ask your fellow Wilderness Daily readers? Send us an email at [email protected]
Quiz answer
Answer B - Stay above the bushline and make your way to Pt 1354. From here travel down to the bivvy in the most direct way possible.
According to Pat Barrett who travelled this route for our story in 2024 this was the best way to reach the bivvy from the saddle.
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