⛰️#33 - Outdoor Cocktails, Great News For Private Land Access, Black Peak, & More.

Author

Jub Bryant
April 04, 2025

And we are back with the 33rd NZ Hiking Newsletter, sent every Thursday/Friday.

I'll let you know what’s going on in the hiking scene in New Zealand, along with other related bits and pieces I find interesting.

Alright, let’s get into it.

🗒️ Track News Etc.

  • While the finer details are to TBD, a big step in the right direction has happened regarding access to private land for activities like hiking, climbing, and mountain biking. Some areas have had no access due to land owners being potentially held liable for accidents happening on their land (that’s so US thinking). That looks to be coming to an end…next step, free to roam? A few more details here via FMC.

  • I came across a new brand, Easys. Their tagline:

    “Cocktails for the outdoors. Easy to make, lightweight cocktails. Just add water and alcohol.”

    • I’ll try to remember to buy some…while I’m dubious, as someone who often carries a fair few cans in my hiking pack for sunset beers…they got me when they said: One sachet is 97% lighter than a 330ml can, that’s a lot of weight off your back!

      They’ve nearly got me hook, line, and sinker with that solution (not that I’ve considered it a problem). Check them out here: https://easys.co.nz/

  • I’ll be interested to know if the New Zealand Nature Fund gets much in the way of donations from the new information panels at Routeburn’s Divide Carpark. People can scan the QR code, and the funds will go towards helping continue the legacy of Evan Smith, longtime McKenzie Hut Warden. The project has raised $200,000 which has been used to help bring the chorus of birds back to the area thanks to 652 traps. More details here:

  • If you’re in Queenstown and/or Wanaka in late June, consider grabbing a ticket to the NZ Mountain Book & Film Festival. Having been there in the past, it’s a good evening and the big guest this year is US Climber Beth Rodden.

  • There are four full-time staff on the Aoraki/Mount Cook rescue team (plus a few extra over summer). You can read a little about what goes on for those in that team, and what some of the toughest rescues look like. Article here.

  • I’ve not heard anyone say Mount Egmont recently, but Mount Taranaki is how most people I’ve heard refer to the mountain. But now it’s officially Taranaki Maunga and Egmont National Park is officially Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, with no English variation. These changes from the New Zealand Geographic Board took place yesterday. More details here.

😹 Hiking Funny

🛖 Hut News

Dorset Ridge Hut. Photo credit: Steve Wilman

  • The Dorset Ridge Hut (Tararua Forest Park) got about 530 hours of work done on it over the last month or so, thanks to GWBN volunteers. There’s a great write up about it here, along with photos. This adventure didn’t go smoothly (Tararua weather doing its thing), but it goes to show what can be done with a bit of persistence and committed volunteers. The hut is good to go for decades to come.

  • Whakapapaiti Hut (Tongariro National Park) got a new paint job recently thanks to the Backcountry Trust. The four legends went a step further and hiked in with all the gear, saving a helicopter needing to go in, and they managed to get the full 18-bunk painted…as well as the woodshed at loo. Fun fact, the hut was built 60 years ago. More details and photos.

  • Mid Waiohine Hut (Tararua Forest Park). The 63-year old got a new lease of life with a new paint job. More details and photos. I enjoyed a few of the extra stories John Mccann shared:

    • Built in 1962

    • The materials were airdropped by fixed wing and parachute

    • This was one of the huts that got a long drop

    • The long drop seat was obtained from the plane wreckage that crashed on Shingle Slip Knob in 1955.

  • Nikau Flat Hut (East Coast) got an extreme makeover in 3 days (was supposed to be 5, but weather stuff). The crew who went in gave it a good paint, reroof, installed a wood burner, built a woodshed, and bunk ladders, among other tasks. That’s a great list of jobs completed. More details and photos.

Waipakihi Hut. Photo Credit: Brett Stokman

  • Waipakihi hut (Kaimanawa’s) got a makeover which those who are staying during the roar will appreciate. In the photo above, that’s a new roof, with some fresh work on the deck. What you can’t see? The new woolshed, wood burner and table. More details and photos.

  • Kaweka Flats Biv had a makeover thanks to three lads who know the biv well, which makes the job that much more special. They gave it a full paint job, varnished the floor, new door, full step into the biv and there’s new skirting to prevent moisture from affecting the biv. More details and photos

🧔‍♂️ What I've Been Up To...

I finally made it to Black Peak near Wanaka (starts at Treble Cone carpark) last weekend. There’s a few Black Peaks in Otago, so to verify I’m talking about this one. It’s a route I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m stoked I finally got there. It’s one big day that’s for sure, one you’ll want to have mint weather for it. As well as being what DOC would say advanced hiker as there are some little bits of exposure, and a tinge of routefinding.

It was awesome being able to single-trail following the ridgeline from time to time in advance. And interesting how on the rope section, even though you aren’t putting your bodyweight on the rope, it’s needed to feel comfortable…at least for me.

Anyway, would recommend. I’ll get the blog post up at some point. Happy to answer any questions. Here’s the GPX file and below are some more snaps:

Have a great week, hike it up.

As always, reply to this email (or message me on Whatsapp +642041702764) with anything and everything…I’m happy to chat.

Chur,

Jub

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