Kaiparoro to Roaring Stag from Makakahi River, Tararua Range 27/11/2021 A trip of pain and pleasure, our party of five take the little-traveled off-track hard route to Roaring Stag via Kaiaporo from the Makakahi River roadend. Do we regret it? Leaving Wellington at a leisurely ~7:30am, four of us blat over the hill and meet... Continue Reading →
Tramp: Te Mara Blue Range Mikimiki loop daywalk
Te Mara / Mikimiki daywalk loop 03.10.2021 A bunch of Bushcraft Wellington Meetup folks camp and tramp a daywalk loop on the eastern Tararuas similar to the popular western Tararua Kapakapanui circuit. We are Mich, Mark, Hannah, Hannah (they can decide who's first) Mike, Alain, Loretta, Ange, Nick and I. We head over the Remutaka... Continue Reading →
Two benefits to roadside garbage
Whether you live in sunny Aotearoa or are here on a visit, one thing you'll notice as you toddle about our fair country is an impressive volume of roadside trash. Takeaways and energy drinks seem to have the lions share, but you'll find plenty of beer bottles too and of course, the humble yellow sponge... Continue Reading →
Walking the black dog
My friend Nik ran a special walk in Wainui on the Friday Night Adventures Meetup recently, and I thought I'd say a few words on the subject as well. It's OK to be challenged and find things difficult. Most of the time we can do it by ourselves but it's great to know we have... Continue Reading →
Tramp: Waikuku Lodge, Sutherland Hut, Aorangi Range
A great loop adventure in the northern Aorangi Range to celebrate Bushcraft Wellington Meetup's 1st birthday. Waikuku > Sutherland Hut loop 2021-09-12 Fresh out of a Level 3 lockdown, 17 of us head out to Waikuku Lodge well-south of Martinborough on Friday night, to spend two nights out here. With two fireplaces (one efficient and... Continue Reading →
eSports’ missed moment
I watch eSports. I watch other people play computer games. I've done it for a long time now, and it's a growing sub-culture whose time had seemingly come with COVID, but eSports has missed its moment. Real Time Strategy (RTS) are the best ones. I find watching RTS far more compelling than other 1vs1 elite... Continue Reading →
Level 4 COVID limericks
If it's 'authoritarian' to stay home for four,Recall the kin sent off to war!Just sit on your arse,You can wait out this farce,Then be back with your friends of slack-jaw. Well done getting four doz. loo rolls.Will you eat them if it's for you the bell tolls?If someone can't wipe their assThey'll just do it... Continue Reading →
My darker end to ‘The Notebook’
Way back when I first watched The Notebook I had had a few beers and I wasn't paying a lot of attention. So little that, when the final scene came and Allie realises who the Duke is, I mistook who it was. I thought the movie was a bit naff but the ending was surprisingly... Continue Reading →
Tramping: A-frame shelter, Putaputa Stream, Tararua Forest Park
A-frame, putaputa stream, 09.05.2021 A small group of Meetup trampers met to find the A-frame shelter on the Putaputa stream that feeds the Hutt River. Given there's not much out there about this, thought I'd share our timing without giving too much away! Carpooling from the city, we meet up at the Rivendell carpark -... Continue Reading →
Tramping: The Milford Track
Sunk costs and sunk spirits collide with amazing scenery on this much anticipated fail-tramp of the Milford Track over summer with Claire's parents. Milford Track 17-20.01.2021 The four of us arrive to the wharf and it isn't raining. We stick the carkey in a lockbox and leave the car, knowing we'll see it in four... Continue Reading →
Wellington Parking Ticket
I got a parking ticket. I got a parking ticket and it violates all that is fair, Just and decent. Since I am technically wrong and I'm powerless to do anything, here's my catharsis. Claire and I are getting married soon - it's very exciting - and my best men and I need to look... Continue Reading →
Tramping: Tableland Circuit and Mount Arthur, Kahurangi National Park
Tableland Circuit, 09-11.01.2021 A much-recommended trail in the Kahurangi National Park with a lot of unique interest, Claire and I set out for two nights on the Tableland Circuit as part of our South Island Summer Roady. The long, steep gravel road up to Flora is shrouded in mist at 500metres and completely lost at... Continue Reading →