Lagoon Saddle Track – part of the popular Cass Saddle Track – is an accessible, non-technical tramp on the cusp of Canterbury’s big backcountry with views over the upper Waimakariri Valley and the shimmering peaks of Arthur’s Pass.

The track leads to two cute two-bunk huts, which make for a cosy night to share with your tramping partner.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? NZ Mountain Film Festival founder and outdoor adventurer Mark Sedon shares three trips that have changed his life.

Cloud can descend at any time of the year and quickly turn the world grey. Your survival depends on knowing what to do in limited visibility.

Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand helps us know how to respond to white-out or grey-out conditions.

See our list of upcoming tramping events and activities across the motu. Have an event you want to feature? Email us the details!

TODAY: Electrify Queenstown

Location: Tahuna Queenstown

Talks, workshops, and experiences covering advances in electrification and renewable energy. Test out new electric things, speak to leaders in the space (i.e. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts), tour an electric home and more. More info.

18-22 May: Motuihe Island Volunteer Week

Location: Motuihe Island, Auckland Gulf

Five-day DOC volunteer programme supporting island restoration work including track maintenance, weeding, beach clean-ups, and habitat restoration. More info.

Various dates across April, May & June: Banff Mountain Film Festival

Location: Across the motu

Get ready, Aotearoa! The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour — the biggest annual fundraiser for the New Zealand Alpine Club — is back this April to July 2026. 

Ski big mountain lines in Norway after losing a leg. Attempt a daring first descent of Mount Robson's legendary South Face. Journey by packraft through Alaska's Brooks Range in search of an Arctic mystery. Follow two fathers dragging their two-year-olds through the Swiss Alps on mountain bikes and MORE. Don't miss out — secure your tickets today at banff.nz

21 May: Auction for Falcons

Location: Blenheim, 5:30pm

Sip, snack, and soak up the atmosphere while bidding on striking falcon-inspired artwork, handcrafted by brilliant NZ artists including Metalworks Wanaka, Indigo Wise, and more…proceeds going to kārearea conservation. More info.

21 May: Simon Runting — Birds Through His Lens

Location: Ranui Community House, Auckland, 7–9pm

Award-winning bird photographer Simon Runting shares wildlife photography stories and outdoor experiences. More info.

22 May: Whakatane Kiwi Trust Night Walks

Location: Ohope Scenic Reserve

Come along and learn about our local kiwi population and the work being done by our amazing volunteers to protect our national icon and other native taonga. If you listen carefully you might even hear the call of kiwi or weka! Birds aren't the only stars of the show though, you'll also discover various plant life, nocturnal creepy-crawlies like spiders and wētā, and incredible glow-in-the-dark fungi! More info.

22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity

Location: Nationwide

Conservation-focused activities and biodiversity awareness events across New Zealand. More info.

24 May: More Fungi - Guided Walk

Location: Otari Visitors Centre, 2pm

An opportunity to walk through the gardens and bush at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush with fungi guru Dr Geoff Ridley, to explore and discover the ever-changing array of mushrooms and fungi that are an essential part of its biodiversity. More info.

26 May: Guardians of Hope Documentary

Location: The Boathouse, Nelson, 5-9pm

A new documentary film highlighting the lives, challenges and resilience of rangers who devote themselves to protecting the natural world premieres in Aotearoa this month.

Guardians of Hope, filmed during Australian ranger Amanda Dudgeon’s extraordinary 94,000 km solo expedition through Oceania, brings audiences face-to-face with the people on the frontlines of conservation – including rangers working across Aotearoa New Zealand. More info.

30 May: Book launch - Trailblazers - A History of the Nelson Tramping Club (1934 - 2026)

Location: Elma Turner Library, Nelson

This is the story of a bunch of Nelsonians exploring their backyard, and in the process, finding joy, adventure and camaraderie. Among the day-walks and epic climbs are tales of aircraft crashes, missing trampers, romances, inter-club rivalry, as well as the building and maintenance of a dozen backcountry huts. Ninety-two years later, these trampers are still marking tracks and restoring huts. Written and presented by Ray Salisbury. More info.

2 June: Social Boulder @ The Gravity Well

Location: The Gravity Wall Nelson, 5:30-7:30 pm

Meet other climbers and improve your skills at our next social bouldering night at The Gravity Well! Join us for a super relaxed atmosphere, supportive crew & some one-on-one coaching. More info.

7 June: Paremata Flats Weeding Crew

Location: Paremata Flats Reserve, Delaware Bay, 9am–12pm

Monthly restoration working bee maintaining reserve habitats and removing invasive weeds. More info.

8 June: Canterbury Westland NZAC Section

Location: NZAC Headquarters, Christchurch, 7-8pm

We currently have several vacant positions on the committee. If you think you might be keen to give back to the club come along to our next committee meeting to see what you think. More info.

9 June: Raiders of the Lost Archive — Colin Monteath

Location: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, 7:30–9pm

Expedition photographer Colin Monteath shares stories from Antarctica, the Arctic and Asian mountain expeditions. More info.

13-14 June: Bush Skills for wāhine

Location: Whakamarama area, Bay of Plenty

Learn valuable skills for enjoyable and safe tramping and meet women with similar interests! More info - contact [email protected]

20 June: Searching for trampers

Were you a keen tramper? Were you a Rangiora Tramping Club member.
Please get in touch. We’d love to celebrate our 50th birthday with as many past and present members as possible. Email: [email protected]

Answer B - Clutha River

The Clutha River/Mata-Au is NZ’s second longest river, behind the Waikato River. At 338 kilometres long, it flows southeast through Central and South Otago from Lake Wānaka to the Pacific Ocean. The Clutha River is known for its beautiful scenery, gold-rush history, and fast turquoise waters.

Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.

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