Wilderness is proud to announce the inaugural Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship as a tribute to leading tramping author and photographer Shaun Barnett.

Open to aspiring photojournalists of all ages, the annual scholarship offers up to $1000 to the successful applicant in support of their backcountry adventures and creative development.

The scholarship will fund an Off the Beaten Track-style tramping trip in New Zealand, write about it and provide supporting photographs for publication in Wilderness. You can find examples of OTBTs here.

Who can apply?

The scholarship is open to all Wilderness subscribers and any immediate family members living in the same household (i.e. children. There can be only one application per subscriber number).

Missed yesterday’s feature? Be inspired to take bigger adventures and mountain grandeur by staying at this age-old hut.

Tramping with kids can be a juggling act, and the Real Meals Youth Range makes mealtimes on the track easier.

Designed with classic kid-approved flavours like Mac’n’cheese, noodles and lasagne, they are meals children genuinely enjoy eating after a big day outdoors. Each pouch is a full adult portion, making it ideal for hungry teens or easy to share between younger trampers.

Lightweight at around 100g, they’re easy to carry, quick to prepare and nutritious — great-tasting food that keeps the whole whānau smiling on the track.

Which peak is the highest point in Kahurangi National Park?

Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…

Outdoor instructor Paul Caffyn had recently paddled the entire Fiordland coastline with a friend. Launching his fibreglass kayak into Jackson Bay, Caffyn continued paddling up the West Coast, sometimes accompanied by mates but mostly alone. Usually a friend followed his progress from the shore, helping him disembark, cook and camp each night.

Off the Heaphy coast, Caffyn capsized and swam his kayak in to shore. Later, he was separated from a companion in violent seas and came close to drowning at The Nuggets. On 23 April 1978 he landed back at Te Waewae Bay where he’d started. In total, Caffyn took 75 days to circumnavigate the 2500km coastline.

These cookies are the beginnings of a fantastic s’more: simply sandwich a square of chocolate and a marshmallow (scorched to your liking) between two cookies.

Cookie dough

Spiced sugar ingredients

S’more extras

At home, preheat the oven to 180°C. Make the cookies by mixing the melted coconut oil with the nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla essence in a big bowl.

Add the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl and fold the mixture until it all comes together. If the mix is looking dry, add water or milk one tablespoon at a time until the dough is more workable.

To make the spiced sugar, mix the brown sugar with the additional cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl. Roll the cookie dough into golf ball-sized spheres and coat each one in the spiced sugar.

Place on a lined baking tray, squish down slightly with the back of a fork and bake for about 15min. Check them after 12min, squish a little more to get crinkly edges, and keep cooking until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or bag.

On Monday we asked Wilderness Daily readers how the first month of Walk1200km is going.

The results are in: 39% are right on track, 34% are ahead of your plans and 27% a bit behind but will catch up.

Here is a selection of comments from readers:

“I'm trying to get a bit ahead of winter. I'm enjoying getting out early catching the early sun and coolness of the morning.”

“Found out that just a few little extra walks a day adds up!”

“Reality is I’m a fine-weather walker, so I’m making more of ann effort to get ahead on fine days, instead of catching up after. ”

“Thank you so much. I wouldn't have walked ANY kilometres let alone 96 ! I'm very grateful. At the start of the New Year, this challenge gave me something to look forward to. It gave me hope. That's why, after reading the editorial in the magazine, I decided to become a subscriber. My way of giving a relatively small thank you for what you have given me.”

Answer D - Mt Owen

At 1875m, Mt Owen is the highest peak in Kahurangi National Park.

Want to visit? Read our trip report on how to summit Mt Owen.

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