Dunc Wilson, avid adventurer and author of The Big Loop: Cycling coastal New Zealand, has honed his gear list over many long-duration trips.
Between cycling around the coastline of New Zealand and packrafting the North Island, Wilson loves to fit in some good old-fashioned multi-day tramping. He sees every gear item as a team member with a specific function.
“Items get put through their paces on my long trips, so only the survivors get to continue onto the regular tramping trips,” he says.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? If you are new to tramping or have a family, an overnight hike to this hut provides real high-country adventure with minimal effort.
Quiz
This is from the NZ Topo50 map series, map AV26 – Kaitaia. Conical Hill is at:
A - 343924
B - 348922
C - 344923
D - 923344
E - 924343
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
What we're reading: The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets 📚
The Walking Cure covers the latest neuroscience on the benefits of walking and how the environment in which we walk affects our senses, emotions, hormones and more.
Streets encourages walkers to select a walk that fits your mood and to absorb yourself in the place as you meander along. While the book largely focuses on British and European settings, it is a good resource for Kiwi walkers, particularly Walk1200 participants.
Current Issue - April 2026
Should you go NOBO or SOBO on TA, enter the Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition, why autumn is the season for Queen Charlotte Track, mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
The weekend weather at a park near you…
| Location | Today | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Hut |
 3°/9°
|
 2°/12°
|
 2°/13°
|
 5°/10°
|
| Aoraki/Mt Cook VC |
 10°/15°
|
4°/18°
|
9°/19°
|
11°/17°
|
| Arthurs Pass |
9°/14°
|
6°/18°
|
5°/18°
|
10°/16°
|
| Ben Lomond Summit |
1°/8°
|
-2°/10°
|
 1°/11°
|
1°/9°
|
| Brewster Hut |
4°/7°
|
1°/11°
|
1°/12°
|
5°/10°
|
| Cape Reinga |
17°/20°
|
17°/20°
|
17°/20°
|
17°/18°
|
| Karangahake Gorge |
16°/22°
|
17°/21°
|
17°/19°
|
 18°/20°
|
| Kaweka J Summit |
6°/14°
|
5°/12°
|
6°/10°
|
9°/11°
|
| McKinnon Pass |
4°/8°
|
1°/10°
|
3°/11°
|
6°/10°
|
| Mt Heale Hut |
17°/18°
|
16°/19°
|
17°/19°
|
18°/19°
|
| Mt Pirongia |
9°/17°
|
9°/17°
|
10°/16°
|
13°/15°
|
| Mueller Hut |
4°/6°
|
5°/11°
|
6°/12°
|
6°/9°
|
| Pinnacles Hut |
14°/18°
|
14°/17°
|
14°/16°
|
15°/17°
|
| Pouakai Hut |
6°/14°
|
7°/15°
|
9°/16°
|
11°/13°
|
| Powell Hut |
8°/11°
|
6°/14°
|
5°/15°
|
11°/12°
|
| Rotoiti/Nelson Lk VC |
9°/18°
|
6°/20°
|
6°/22°
|
10°/16°
|
| Roys Peak |
3°/11°
|
0°/11°
|
1°/11°
|
3°/11°
|
| Tongariro VC |
7°/17°
|
7°/18°
|
9°/17°
|
13°/18°
|
| Waitawheta Hut |
15°/19°
|
16°/18°
|
14°/17°
|
16°/18°
|
| Woolshed Creek Hut |
7°/16°
|
4°/14°
|
6°/20°
|
9°/16°
|
Report created on 09 April, 2026 at 06:50am. For a full forecast of the park of your choice, visit NIWA.
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Quiz
Answer B - 348922
Conical Hill is the high point 224m.
To find the grid reference, look first along the horizontal figures near the bottom. Conical Hill lies in the column between 34 and 35, meaning the first 2 figures are 34. Dividing this column into tenths, Conical Hill lies in the column between 8 tenths and 9 tenths, making the third figure 8.
Next, look along the vertical figures along the side. Conical Hill lies in the row between 92 and 93, meaning the next 2 figures are 92. Conical Hill lies in the row between 2 tenths and 3 tenths, making the last figure 2.
This gives you a final grid reference of 348922.
Note that a grid reference should be quoted with a map number and a feature. This reference: “Map AV26 348922 high point.”
Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.
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