7,000 spots on the Milford Track, sold out within half an hour of bookings opening. DOC heritage and visitors director Cat Wilson said demand was intense from the moment bookings opened, with about 13,500 users already in line – higher than the roughly 12,000 users recorded last year.

“The Milford Track remains one of New Zealand’s most sought-after experiences, and we saw extraordinary demand again,” Wilson said. “Despite the very high traffic volumes, the booking platform performed well, and people moved steadily through the queue.”

Also in this week’s outdoor news: Opposition warns reforms open up conservation estate to sale, $7.1 million funding for upgrades to Great Rides infrastructure, Sir David Attenborough’s connections to New Zealand and more.

Missed yesterday’s feature? A lifetime of gear: 87-year-old tramper highlights memorable kit through the decades.

Take a look at this week's most read articles at wildernessmag.co.nz.

Walk1200km participant, Naomi, says she finds it all too easy to make excuses not to walk, particularly when she’s tired or if it’s cold, raining or dark.

But by joining her daughters and sharing her walking progress, Naomi is realising she is capable of completing the challenge.

Sam Summers Hut was built in the 1930s by gold prospector Sam Summers. The hut is built with schist and iron and served as shelter for the brothers while they sluiced for gold.

Sam left his hut to fight in World War II. After the war, he returned and continued living with his family on and off in the hut for decades. He maintained the hut until he died in 1997, at the age of 92.

The hut is now maintained by DOC. Overnight stays are not allowed.

We featured this hut in Sam Harrison's Wild Trip article in this month's issue of the mag.

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