Uwe Stemmer’s sparse entries in Te Araroa hut books will be familiar to many TA walkers. While some wax lyrical about the trail, are notes for others or art projects between the lines, his entries most often include just his name, ‘CHCH’, and ‘TA SOBO’, all in a big bold scrawl.

Or ‘TA NOBO’. Or, last summer, ‘SOBO’ once more. Because Stemmer recently became just the second known person to walk Te Araroa three times: southbound, northbound and southbound again.

Naomi Arnold profiles the German-born 61-year-old who has a love for TA.

Missed yesterday’s feature? Get a taste of Arthur’s Pass NP’s scenic interior on this overnight.

What does the black circle with a line under it symbolise?

Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…

Sometimes when we make a plan to go somewhere, the destination takes over our thinking and we forget about the journey. Making the destination the focus can also be dangerous. A common theme in coroners’ reports is that the deceased, or the party, continued on long after they should have turned back.

These six tips are useful to help you slow down and enjoy the journey, safely.

See our list of upcoming tramping events and activities across the motu. If you have an event you want to feature, email the details!

1 & 30 Aug: Recloaking the Half Mile

Location: Half Mile Reserve Alexandra

This is the project's third year, and they have 1,000 plants to get into the ground this season.

The group is planting our eco-sourced, volunteer-grown native plants following the removal of pine trees. Go and join, meet some Central Otago locals (both plants and people), restore our environment, enjoy some fresh air and some afternoon tea afterwards. More info.

26 Aug: State of the Snowpack #2 with Penny Goddard & Anna Scheirlinck

Location: Further Faster, Christchurch, 6:15pm

State of the Snowpack Aotearoa is several evenings over winter, of honest, practical avalanche intelligence from people who spend their winters digging pits, reading terrain and keeping others safe.

Local professionals will break down what's happening in the Craigieburns, Arthur's Pass and the surrounding Canterbury ranges — not in textbook terms, but in the kind of plain language that helps you make better decisions when you're standing at the top of a slope.

This isn't a course. It's a community conversation because better information shared across a community means more people making it home. More info.

27 Aug: Beers & Repairs with LandSAR

Location: Cactus Outdoor, Christchurch, 5:30pm

We’ll be in our store doing small repairs on the spot and hanging out with whoever turns up. This time we’ve also got LandSAR joining us for a “What’s in your first aid kit?” session, plus one of the SAR dogs and their handler will be there for the evening.

We’re also opening up the stockroom and putting out a selection of seconds before they go live online the next day. More info.

29 Aug: Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour NZ 

Location: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, 2pm

Celebrate 10 years of New Zealand's premier adventure film tour spotlighting women who absolutely send it! Since day one, Gutsy Girls has been championing fearless female adventurers who push boundaries, shatter expectations, and prove that gutsy is a way of life—not just a moment. More info.

2 Sept - 21 Oct: Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2026

Location: Multiple locations

The Women’s Adventure Film Tour® (WAFT) returns for its eight year, celebrating extraordinary women and their thrilling adventures. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled showcase of courage and triumph that will ignite your spirit. Don’t miss this unforgettable adventure! More info.

3 Sept: Outdoor Training New Zealand Auckland Branch meeting

Location: Point Chevalier Tennis Club, Auckland

The Auckland branch of OTNZ has an active committee, a manageable course schedule, and holds two monthly evening meetings to introduce new topics of interest and engage with the wider membership. More info.

4 Sep: Sam the Trap Man, A Bushman’s Book of Yarns

Location: Further Faster, Christchurch, 6:30pm

Filled with as many good yarns from the bush as his debut book, and including a guide to edible native flora and fauna, this is a book that will inspire and delight in equal parts! 

And the best part? You can come and see Sam live in the shop, to talk about his new book, his conservation work and a whole lot more yarns! There will be time for questions you have for Sam too, so come prepared! More info.

10 Sep: Section Talk with Nina Dickerhof

Location: Cashmere Club, Christchurch, 7:30pm

The Olivines are a very remote range of mountains West of the Divide that have an almost mythical reputation. Bordered to the south by the massive Olivine Ice Plateau the Olivine Range stretches north almost to Jackson Bay, and is home to great mountaineering and transalpine trips. Nina, with her partner James Thornton has explored this area over many years, including the Central Olivines, and Nina will talk about a number of trips to this fabled range, with some snippets of climbing history thrown in. If you’re interested in remote multi-day transalpine adventures, you won’t want to miss this! More info.

10-12 Sep: OTNZ Basic Navigation and Compass Skills

Location: Wenderholm Regional Park

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to be able to navigate using a Topo-50 map and ground features on well-marked tracks in areas typically open to the general public. More info.

12 Sep: Overnight hike to Waitawheta Hut

Location: Waitawheta

Group trip for Wahine and their young children: Hike to Waitawheta Hut from the Franklin Road entry of the Waitawheta Tramway. We will stay overnight and return the next day. 3-4 hours one way, relatively easy hike. More info.

15 Sep: Closing date for Federated Mountain Club Scholarships

FMC’s expedition scholarships support bold and imaginative adventures beyond the beaten track — from tracing rivers from mountain tops to the sea, to chasing Fiordland’s tallest waterfalls, exploring the tallest underground climbs, or making first descents into wild canyons.

They offer two types of scholarships: Youth Expedition Scholarship for adventurers under 30 years of age and Simon Bell Memorial Scholarship for explorers of all ages. More info.

17 Sept: The Great Outdoors Pub Quiz

Location: MD Outdoors

Back by popular demand for its second year with our amazing quiz master Emma. Grab your mates and test your wilderness wisdom at The Great Outdoors Pub Quiz! Theme attire encouraged - flannel, fleece or full tramping kit! More info.

19 Sep: OTNZ Canterbury Navigation Course

Location: Awaroa/Godley Head

This course will endeavour to develop your personal practical skills and prepare you for tramping safely in the outdoors, led by qualified instructors. More info.

18 to 26 Sep: Climate Action Festival 2026

Location: All over Nelson

Be part of a week of inspiration, education, fun and collaboration as we explore a regenerative and low-emissions future together. The theme for this year’s Festival is Our Place, Our Power. The 2026 Climate Action Festival is about returning to our place. Our Tūrangawaewae is where we stand empowered and connected. More info.

24-25 Sep: Adaptive Adventure Film Festival

Location: Bivouac Outdoor 6pm and Braintree Wellness Centre at 2:30pm

For many living with disabilities, a life of adventure in the outdoors can feel far from reach. The Adaptive Adventure Film Festival, run by Mastering Mountains Charitable Trust, exists to challenge perceptions of what’s possible, advocate for inclusivity in the outdoors, and prove that an adventurous life remains within reach, no matter a person’s abilities. This year we are thrilled to show six stunning and powerful films. The films, spanning rafting, snow sports, climbing, and mountain biking, speak to the importance of the outdoors, the importance of community, and the power of hope. More info.

26-27 Sep: Children's Practical Bushcraft

Location: Waitakere Ranges

Come and experience an overnight stay in the Waitakere Ranges at the Alpine Sports Club hut. Have fun with your host, Sue, making bush bivvies, map reading, and compass navigation. There will even be time to roast some marshmallows. This is an ASC members-only event. More info.

Answer B - Cave

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