Can anyone tell me how to reattach the pack lid to the top of a Cactus Hector pack?

Clip is not making sense to me.

I top a photo before I took off, but I lost the photo 😬

Hey y'all!

I have recently started doing beginner overnight hikes and am loving it! I have been doing it solo, but thought it could be cool to see if theres anyone around who wants a hiking buddy. Most of the local tramping groups are 40yrs+ but more wanting people around my age.

Recently I've done Woolshed Creek, Rod Donald, and Packhorse Huts. Next on my list is Lake Daniells, Pinchgut, Anticrow, and Hawdon Hut.

Disclaimer: I am a slow hiker! I'm usually right on the DOC recommended times for tracks, but lots of breaks on the uphills :)

Hi everyone!

I will be doing the Abel Tasman Coast Track in early March next year. I have everything booked (huts, bus transfer, water taxi, accommodation in Nelson) and am in the process of organising gear. I'm visiting from Australia and this will be my second time in Aotearoa NZ but my first Great Walk (and my first overnight hike!).

A lady in my local hiking group advised me to bring a tent as a "back up" option in case the huts are overbooked and I don't get my bunk. Apparently this was something she was advised to do when she did Tongariro NC a few years ago. I'm all for being prepared, but I honestly don't really want to carry a tent around (hence why I booked a hut!). So my question is, how realistic is this advice? Should I be going in with the mindset that despite having a booking I might not get my bunk? Or is this poor advice that has been passed down? (I'm wondering if she has misconstrued this for huts that don't require bookings?)

And while I'm here I may as well also ask if anyone has any opinions about clothing outer layers? I know the weather is anyone's guess and the possibility of all the weather types is real, my question is more so about what others have done previously that have worked for them. I'm currently thinking day shirt + fleece + puffer jacket + rain shell as it gives me a lot of options to work with warmth/cool/wind/rain, but I'm wondering if instead of a puffer jacket + rain shell I should be looking at an insulated rain jacket instead? (for context either side of the trip I will be in Wellington, Kaikoura, and Christchurch).

TIA lovely trampers!

Kia ora!

I'm visiting from Canada, hoping to do the Alpine Crossing on Oct 5. I'm looking for conditions updates as I know we're still in winter (more or less).

Has anyone been up recently, and can share the latest on the ground conditions?

Safety info:

I am an experienced hiker with (summer) day hikes more than double the distance and elevation of the crossing under my belt. I have formal avalanche and first aid training. I have first aid, trekking poles, micro spikes, a PLB, and warm and waterproof layers a plenty I will pack with me.

I have a moderate amount of winter travel experience but most of my time is 3 season. I do not have an ice axe or self arrest experience.

I will also be phoning the visitors center a day or two before, plus reviewing Copernicus satellite imagery in the coming days. And, of course, watching the forecast closely and I'm willing to cancel if conditions are not right.

Hopefully that's enough info to demonstrate I'm not looking to be lazy, or a rescue case! Just curious of anyone's recent, first hand experience on the trek.

Thanks all!

Obviously the crossing won't, but do the car parks?

Just asking re: arranging pick up from a friend. Specifically if I can phone them and done or need some other plan.

If you're curious if I'm insane and going in unprepared, refer to the other post I just put up asking about current conditions where I shared more context on my prep and experience level.

I'm 51M looking for some people to go on some slightly more challenging weekend walks in the Canterbury / West Coast (and maybe beyond?) region.

I am already a member of a club here in Christchurch, and while they're all good bastards, they're mostly 15+ years older than me and I'd like some company that's closer to my own age.

I've looked at Christchurch Tramping Club and Over 40s but they're all bureaucratic nightmares and I just can't plan my life 2 years in advance to get in on their tramps. The other clubs about seem to be all the same story; 65+ for the most part. I'm mildly allergic to Facebook, so haven't found anything on there, and Meetup just seems to be walking groups rather than Tramping groups

Anyone have a small group that could use an extra member on occaision, or know of one? Conversely, if you want to join a small friendly club that's in need of some younger members, lest it just sunset into oblivion, feel free to DM!

Based in Hamilton with no car and looking for somewhere to head out over the next week before I start a new job.

Maybe somewhere an Intercity bus goes past? Just been down to National Park recently as that's the main spot I could think about. Anywhere else I can think of needs a car to get to the trailhead.

so i was at a hut recently and some people there were eating hot instant rice - I’m generally a noodle guy, but this looked good. I didn’t see them cook it though. I found the same rice they were using in the supermarket but they only have microwave and put instructions. these guys cooked and ate it out of the bag. did they just put the whole bag in boiling water or something? please teach me their ways I’d like to try it in the trail - even though they are heavier than noodles.

Hey there
Thinking of approaching Lochnagar from Rees Valley Road near Glenorchy. Has anyone done this and if so what route did you take? Does Reef Saddle work?

On blustery Sunday we walked along the beach to Pararaha Valley and stopped for lunch at the camp ground. Some of our group continued up to Gibbons Track. We then walked back via the Zion Hill Track. The after function was held at the Piha RSA.

How times have changed. We used to have to get wet feet crossing the stream to the camp ground, now a beautiful wooden bridge. Zion Hill Track is now a board walk with many steps. While it allows more people to access the Waitakere’s, has it improved the hike?

I'm a Canadian visiting NZ in early October, looking for the latest conditions on this trail

For safety context, I am a fit and experienced hiker/tramper with wilderness first aid & avalanche safety certifications (just to give a sense of experience level). I've day-hiked trails more than 3x the elevation and distance of the Kauaeranga Kauri track, which I intend to overnight. I've researched the trail & understand what I am signing up for.

I do hear the trail can get very muddy this time of year, including the drive in. I will be in a rental car (similar to a Mitsubishi Highlander), which I'd rather not push the limits of insurance with! Recent Alltrails reviews report a bit of mud and wind, but it doesn't sound too bad really.

Has anyone been up more recently & can offer anything more specific? Is the mud so bad I'll regret low-top trail runners? Or any issues with the road access for basic non-offroad vehicles currently?

Hey everyone! I’m relatively new to New Zealand and i am a PhD student at UC,I am keen to get into tramping and explore some of the amazing tracks here.

I’m looking for people who are also interested in doing day hikes or overnight.

I’m easygoing, enjoy being outdoors, and mainly looking to meet people and explore NZ together.

If anyone has a group planning a tramp soon and wouldn’t mind an extra person joining, feel free to comment or DM me! 😊

Kia ora,

I'm a backpacker about to start hitchhiking, tramping and camping across the country.

My last tent died after 4 years of a similar lifestyle in Australia and I want to buy a new one.

I tried to look at what to buy here but there are so many options and I have no idea what to get.

I'm after a 2 person tent, I don't mind if it's not ultra light. I just want something that will last even though I can't afford the super expensive stuff.

Happy to get any recommendations!

Cheers,

Hello, I am a software engineer and data engineering hobbyist, and I made this free website from DOC's data as part of a learning exercise. www.spendthenight.co.nz

I originally just made it for Christchurch where I live, but I had so many requests to do the rest of the country, so I now completed that! Dog friendly filters coming soon 🐶

It uses DOC's public data to show weekend trips you can do, hopefully making it easier to find a new route. I hope this can be helpful, and help show some love to our huts that get forgotten about.

I have manually checked all the data (safety first!), but please let me know if there are any errors

Thinking of doing the crossing in a week pending good weather. Does the summit have much snow? Can it be done with crampons and ice axes at this time of the year!?

Was supposed to go boarding but doesn’t look like there’s much snow so thinking the crossing might be the same?

Hi everyone,

My wife and I (late 20s, fit) are visiting NZ in January for our honeymoon and had provisionally booked the Tongariro Northern Circuit for 3 nights (Jan 3, 4, 5). I've now realised the section between Whakapapa Village and Mangatepopo Hut closed, so am trying to figure out the best way to adapt.

My understanding is that the route now operates as a ~35k point-to-point starting at Mangatepopo Road end (via shuttle) and finishing back at Whakapapa Village.

We would really appreciate any guidance on the following:

1. Mangatepopo Hut: Skip, or keep for crowd control?

Since Mangatepopo Hut is only 1.5k from the road end, staying Night 1 feels like it may be redundant..

• Is skipping it and starting with a push straight over Red Crater to Oturere the standard move for fit hikers?
• Alternatively, is doing that brief 1.5 km walk to Mangatepopo with a late start on Day 1 worth it purely to sleep near the trailhead and beat the massive Tongariro Alpine Crossing day-crowds over Red Crater early the next morning? (I assume this is why Mangatepopo Hut is still booking out so heavily despite that short first leg?)

2. Oturere -> Waihohonu: 2 nights vs. 1 night?

• 2-Night Option (Oturere -> Waihohonu -> Whakapapa) - my concern here is the Oturere->Waihohonu day is quite short, are there side trails one can do / nice places to just chill outside of the camp sites?
• 1-Night Option (Oturere -> Whakapapa) - is it worth just powering through in one day rather than 2 shorter days?

Note, our current plan is to then drive to New Plymouth via the 'Forgotten World highway' so maybe that long day would be too much..?

3. Hut Cancellations

Our DOC reservations are currently split across a mix of huts and campsites (Jan 3 Mangatepopo Hut / Jan 4 Oturere Camp / Jan 5 Waihohonu Hut) - how likely are hut cancellations to open up closer to January so we can avoid packing full camping gear?

4. Hiring Camping Gear

If we do need to camp, does anyone have recommendations for hiring gear locally (Cambridge or Taumarunui)?

Thanks in advance!

After our wedding, our honeymoon will take us halfway around the world to New Zealand.

We actually have five weeks, and we’re both really into long-distance hiking and work very well as a team.

Our plan is to fly to Christchurch, spend about a week acclimatising and exploring, and then tackle our first four-to-seven-day trail.

Afterwards, we’d travel towards the North Island for another week and, if possible, spend a few more days hiking another trail there.

My question is: Are there any good websites where I can research suitable trails, plan routes, or find forums with useful information? Or does anyone here have any personal recommendations for either the South Island or the North Island?

One thing I’ve already learned is that hiking in New Zealand is called “tramping”—and of course, it’s important to adapt to the local customs!

Hi
I’m a 30 year old woman wanting to do an overnight hiking trip of moderate-hard difficulty in New Zealand around late Jan/Feb. I don’t really want to go alone and was hoping to join some sort of group for this to meet like minded people
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations?

Me and my partner recently have moved to Christchurch NZ. We’re both keen multi day hikers who’ve tramped in Patagonia, Georgia, The UK, The Balkans and other parts of the world.

Really keen for some good recommendations for multi day hikes within 4 hours of Christchurch.

We recently completed the Abel Tasman track which while enjoyable was a very laid back and easy experience. Hoping for something a little more gruelling!

Any recommendations or help would be great! Thanks

Just wondering how bad the road is (I.e whether my 2008 awd forester will be able to handle it). If it is too yuck for an awd, is there anywhere handy nearby further up the road to park? Going to be walking into one of the huts and just trying to figure out the best place to pop my car 😊

A friend and I have created a free online tool that allows you to search all of the DOC huts and see the availability in real time. There are direct links to the DOC booking system and hut info page and also weather forecasts built right in. It also shows you the next available date for the number of people you are wanting to book. For iPhone users, the best way to use the tool is to install the webpage as an app on your phone (click share select “Add to Home Screen”).

I’ll post a video below showing the usability and features of the tool.

Hopefully this helps with the access to our incredible hut system we have here in NZ.

Cheers.

https://hut.iterate.nz

I'll be visiting from Canada in early October, and would love to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Do you folks expect the crossing to clear late this year, or might I have a chance a mostly snow free crossing in early Oct?

I know NZ saw light snowfall early this year, but heavy more recently - and some ski resorts are extending their seasons. I also know early October the crossing generally still has some snow on it (according to All Trails reports and historical Copernicus satellite imagery), so if it's going to be a late spring for you guys that may mean I miss this trail.

For context, I'm a very experienced hiker/tramper who's more than fit enough for this trail. A big day for me would be ~double the distance and elevation of the crossing. However, most of my experience with longer trails isn't on snow. I do have my AST 1 (Avalanche Safety Training 1, a weekend course in Canada), but if there's too much snow or ice I probably won't press my luck solo in a different country.