🏔️#65 - Murchison Hut Removed, Harwoods Hole, AirTags, Selena Gomez, & Lots More.

And we are back with the 65th weekly NZ Hiking Newsletter.

I stuffed up last week and didn’t get any emails for about 48 hours as my inbox was full. Whoops. If your email bounced…send it through again, please.

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.

• Murchison Hut Removed. Rob Brown from Backcountry Trust put three photos up in a post a couple of days ago. The three photos were of Murchison Hut and its deteriorating condition over the years.

  The hut was removed from the mountain completely this week, looking worse for wear. The hut was closed in 2017 and hasn’t had a luxurious retirement that’s for sure. It’s exhibit A in how the climate is changing the backcountry, fast. See more details and the photos here.

• Harwoods Hole Is Not Legally Closed. Last week I mentioned the Harwoods Hole drama, with DOC putting closure signs up. This week they clarified that it is not closed (source)…so the signs are somewhat misleading.

  Following on from this, the Federated Mount Clubs of New Zealand (FMC) is now collecting a list of tracks that may be unnecessarily or incorrectly marked as closed. If you've got any that bamboozle you, post them in the thread (or email them)...with photos ideally. Thread here.

• New Paid Parking Survey. If you’ve used the new paid parking in Punakaiki, Franz Josef or Aoraki/Mount Cook, DOC would love for you to fill out a survey for feedback. Survey form here.

• Who Do You Call When You Need A Heli? There’s been some frustration within some search and rescue groups about the process of getting a chopper in to help with extracting people. In a good sign, Government has taken notice and is looking into things…hopefully the process can be streamlined soon. Full story here.

• The Te Araroa People. Here’s a nifty wee article from someone who was a volunteer hut warden for 9 days. I skimmed over the first half, but enjoyed the quick glimpses of people who came by the hut on the TA journey.

• Pirongia Shows A Heartbeat. It’s been 4 weeks since the Waikato got hammered by storms with Pirongia Forest Park all but being KO’ed. There are signs of life now that all tracks have been assessed by DOC, with a few tracks reopening. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but it’s a start. Press Release here.

😹 Hiking Funny

And here’s another one that was too good not to share.

Sure, it’s a bird video, but it’s related enough. Sensational stuff.

🗒️ More Track News Etc.

• Beware The Cow. Former NZ triathlete Braden Currie came off second best while trying to do a good deed by flipping a cow that was upside-down. The cow wasn’t happy, and Braden ended up with a broken fibula 😲 

  And another group came off second best with the same cow injuring someone bad enough they needed to be choppered to hospital. Full story from Braden.

• Our possums are a problem. Could Selena Gomez be the solution? When I saw that headline, I wasn’t sure if it was a parody or not. Turns out me and possums whave something in common. We’re both quite partial to an Oreo. Full story here.

• 2025 inReach® SOS year in review. We do seem to use the Garmin inReach a fair bit here in NZ for rescues compared to many parts of the world. You’ll likely find a couple of bits and bobs interesting in this. Check out the full review.

• Another Use Case For AirTags. AirTags have been around for over 4 years now and have been used for all sorts of purposes. But it could be another option to add to your emergency kit as outlined in the video below. It’s not going to replace your PLB, but with the second edition of the AirTag launching earlier this year, the range and battery life has improved.

• Yay Nature. The 2026 World Nature Photography Awards were announced. They always bring out the good feels. Check them out here

🎧 Podcasts For Your Ears

• #61 - Building a 4,500km Thru-hiking Trail in the Himalaya with Robin Boustead & Jeff Ballard | The Life Outside Podcast - Spotify link here

  • This episode gives those ‘hiking can save the world’ kind of vibes. It features two lads, Robin & Jeff, who have made it their life mission to make this into a world-class trail with all the good things.

• Jimmy Chin: Always Difficult | Climbing Gold - Spotify link here

  • I’ve seen plenty of epic Jimmys instagram photos over the years, but had never heard him speak. Great episode covering various topics, and how nothing he has achieved has come easy.

• 176: A Local's Guide to Northland and Building Hiking Communities with Hannah Whittaker | Aotearoa Adventures - Spotify link here

  • An interesting podcast, save this one to relisten to when you’re planning a trip to Northland as there are lots of tips and tricks, and best spots named. The community-building chat was neat too.

🧔‍♂️ What I've Been Up To...

This past weekend wasn’t epic but it was really nice and I did get to see two new trails that I hadn’t been on. And both were better than expected. Keeping expectations in check works again!

1. Basin View Track | Alexandra

   • And 8km loop that takes you over a dam, through thyme-lined trails, and fun views. Just five minutes from the middle of Alex!

2. Blue Lake Loop Track | St. Bathans

• I’ve been to St. Bathans a couple of times previously, but have never done the 4km loop around Blike Lake. Would recommend. It was harder than I expected, but hanging out at the lake afterwards worked a treat. And of course, it was washed down with a quality Rose's Ghostly Pale ale.

I’m supposed to be heading to Cameron Hut this weekend. Hopefully we can pull it off and I’ll have a trip report for you.

Update: On the way.

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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