One of my first hikes involved a moment that would change my outdoor aspirations forever. It would open my eyes to the possibilities of the adventures you could have outdoors. Travelling along the well beaten track along a popular hiking trail, some hikers emerged from the side, pushing through the thick rainforest vegetation onto the clear, well maintained path I was on. Their clothes were dirty and worn, their age showing in the faded colours and repair patches adorning elbows and knees. It was clear they had been on an adventure away from the crowds on the marked hiking trail. It immediate ..read more

The Routeburn track is a fantastic great walk in New Zealand. Offering a journey through deep Beech forests along bright blue rivers, stunning alpine terrain complete with lakes and wide ranging vistas, it has become a highly sought after trip for both those living in New Zealand, and also those visiting. The majority of hikers complete the Routeburn track in summer in the months from November to March, and you’ll often find the track quite crowded (by New Zealand standards) in this period. Many are also under the assumption that in winter, with snow blanketing the ground, that it is off limi ..read more

Hiking in winter can be an amazing experience, with white landscapes offering stunning vistas. It's also generally a lot quieter on trails, so if it’s the peace and quiet you are after, this can certainly be found! Knowing how to hike in a snowy winter will make you a more knowledgeable hiker and outdoor adventurer. It’s important to put the effort into learning about the risks and conditions before you go, but the reward can be well worth it! YOUR GUIDE TO HIKING IN WINTER Plan Your Trip Like any trip in the outdoors, a winter hike should first start with some planning. Research your intende ..read more

I didn’t want to look at the map. Sometimes, it’s better not to know. But finding out what’s in the canyon… well that, that I couldn’t resist! When the hard work and curiosity hit an equilibrium, you always have a recipe for an epic adventure! Having descended one of ,New Zealand's best canyons a few weeks earlier, Eagles Nest was a close neighbour with the same appeal. Although easier in technical grade, it was still inescapable and featured over 40 abseils. Efficiency was key, as was having experienced team mates and favourable weather. DO WE HAVE TO GET IN THE WATER TODAY? A cold snap had ..read more

Who doesn't like a night under the stars? One of the best ways of going ‘light’ while spending nights outdoors and getting close to nature is with a bivy sack! Some love it... others not so much. Here is how to make the most out of a bivy sack with your guide on choosing and sleeping in one! Bivying is the practice of sleeping in the outdoors with only basic protection from the elements. A bivy sack (or bag) is simply a single layer material bag that you sleep inside. Shortened from ‘bivouac’, a bivy can also refer to a temporary shelter, like under large overhanging rocks, in caves, under tr ..read more

Whether you have mastered getting out every weekend on an adventure or are still getting there (in which case I have just what you need ,right here), having some friends to do it with pretty much makes it way easier, and keeps it fun of course! But what happens if your regular partners cancel or bail, or, you just have no (adventure) friends? In this day and age, the small niches of outdoor activities are much easier to get into thanks to the internet. No longer do you have to grind away in social circles, trying and hoping to meet the right people. Right now at our fingertips, a whole world ..read more

When working the standard 9 to 5 week, trying to get out on the weekend can often end in the opposite happening for many people. Without proper planning, it’s easy to just let the weekend slip by with excuses of chores to do, bad weather, or needing a rest. I’m no energizer bunny myself, I feel the strain of the workweek like any other person. But year after year, I consistently make it out on an adventure on 90% of the years weekends, and continue to build my outdoor skills and tick off a bunch of trips I’ve got on my adventure wishlist. So if you want to get out more and have epic weekends ..read more

Adventure sports are on the ,rise. Outdoor brands are selling more gear and traditional sports participation is decreasing with a big increase predicted for adventure sports, perhaps even ,overtaking the traditional ones in the future. So why all the hype? As someone who spent a long period of life inside, away from the outdoors, I was probably the last person you would expect to start climbing, canyoning, or caving. But now I do, and I go out in every spare moment I have! After many years of adventuring in the outdoors, as well as leading my 2000 member strong adventure club, here’s what I n ..read more

Like most rock climbers, we all love our climbing gear. Often, we can’t get enough of it! So what exactly do you get someone if they love climbing? If we don’t do the activity ourselves or know the latest trends and gadgets, it can be a bit overwhelming on what to get. It doesn’t have to be like that though! I have put together a list of some of the best gifts you can get your climbing friend/partner/family member. They will love any of these! And for the ultimate gift, check right at the bottom to see what will truly impress them! Read More: ,,How Much Cost to Start Rock Climbing? ,,7 Tips t ..read more

Blistering icy winds, miserable sleet, and knee deep powder. For some, winter is the end of the year in terms of fun and enjoyment (or life, for the super dramatic). And for others, they chase it around the world like other people chase summers. So what is the difference between people that love winter and those that hate it? Sure, we all have some preference for a season which we love, but what stops us enjoying the ones we aren’t so fond of? CAN YOU ACTUALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WINTER? I remember before I started any outdoor activities I used to think winter was the time for staying inside, whi ..read more