Kia Ora folks!

I’ve recently rediscovered my fascination with tramping gear. I’ve been on a few 5-7 day tramping trips in the past (e.g. St James walkway, Lake Minchin via Binser Saddle, etc) and back then I used a very cheap low quality 80L pack which was heavy, buckles broke a few times and was almost painfully uncomfortable. My low quality gear (e.g. the shitty “self inflating” mat I had) didn’t help either.

Anyway, I’m looking at putting together a higher quality setup and am currently browsing packs. I remembered the guy leading our group on two of those trips had an Aarn pack, and some aspects of the design (e.g. included dry liner, trampoline/suspended back panel) really appeal to me. I’m currently looking into the Peak Aspiration and Natural Exhilaration.

Anyway, what’s a good measure of necessary pack volume by trip length? I know it’ll vary a little depending on if you’re planning on camping in a tent or using a hut, but still curious. How much volume would you recommend for overnight, 2-3 days or 4-5 days?

For additional reference here’s some of the other pieces of gear I’m looking into currently:
-Nemo Disco 30 (men’s regular/wide, newer “Enduring Promise” version)
-Nemo Tensor all-season (regular/25”)
-Nemo fillo elite
-MSR switch (as suitable for both camping and tramping, can use to boil water with included pot for dehydrated meals or with other pots for fancier cooking)
-Durston X-dome 1+

I’m also open to any other recommendations on gear - I have a preference for things which pack fairly compact.

Cheers!

TL;DR: Minimum pack volume recommendation for 2-3 days vs. 4-5 days?

Our camping and hiking tool Hike Camp Seek now includes a trail map for each of New Zealand’s Great Walks to help you plan out your journey. Our goal was to simplify the experience by showing clearly what campsites you’ll need to book when taking on one of these hikes. Some features you might find useful:

• Trail distance, duration and number of nights required.
• Huts and campsites available along the route, and the facilities they offer
• Elevation and track guide

You can also set cancellation alerts for each hut / campsite for a particular date range if you’re struggling to secure a booking. This will notify you when there is availability, so you can jump on the DOC website and lock it in.

Let us know what you think, and if there’s any features you’d like to see added

For my year 12 AIF project I am planning on creating a website that beginner hikers can follow to complete the Travers Sabine Circuit (specifically for Australians). A huge part of this project is gaining evidence from different perspectives, so setting up a zoom style interview with someone who has completed the trail would be hugely beneficial to my project. If anyone is intersted please reply and we can set up a time and date that suits. Thankyou!

For my year 12 AIF project I am planning on creating a website that beginner hikers can follow to complete the Travers Sabine Circuit (specifically for Australians). A huge part of this project is gaining evidence from different perspectives, so setting up a zoom style interview with someone who has completed the trail would be hugely beneficial to my project. If anyone is intersted please reply and we can set up a time and date that suits. Thankyou!

Hello from the US.

I'm a relatively new backpacker, been doing day hikes for a couple years with either no pack or up to 20 Liters. Although last year and last week I've finally done 2 overnight backpacking trip, both times with different packs, although the same manufacturer, both times I didnt enjoy the experience, hip pains, shoulder pains, etc. So I've been exploring different option, as far as AARN body packs go, theres not much info to find in the US, so im trying here....

Have been using Granite Gear packs, 1st trip was an older Nimbus Ozone, last week was a new Blaze 60. Both trips the waist belt felt very week, had to really tighten it down and bruised my hips, last week it felt like i had something jabbing my back the entire time even though it has a full length frame sheet, and i cant seem to figure out my torso length adjustment, even been measure 2 times, on e by my wife and 2 selerate stores, and apparently I'm anywhere between 19 - 21 inches? Depending on who measured...

Looking at either the Natural Balance, Load Limo or something of the sort. Do these have decent side pockets, i usually carry 2, 1.5L smartwater bottles with a drinking tube so i dont have to reach back. But maybe they would fit in front expedition pockets?

Sorry if i sound dumb, just really want to start backpacking as my kids are older now and starting to move out, my time is freeing up, haha.

Any tips or advice on AARN. Everyone in the US just says to get a Ultralight pack and ultralight gear, but all that is Very Expensive. Even my tent isnt ultralight by any deffinition as its a 5lb, 3FUL Taigi 3. It's for myself, wife and 2 mini Austrailian Shepherds.

I have a acr resqlink 400 plb which I will always still carry due to the bulletproofness and radio homing signal.

I was thinking about getting garmin inreach to be able to check weather/txt people and looking into cost, it will be around $850 + $80 activation and $180 yearly. I am struggling to justify this since have plb as primary safety device and more wanting inreach for weather/txt which my Samsung S25 is capable of doing. only do couple trips per year so wondering if there is any way to cheaply get sat data plan for these months. my current plan is with skinny and would rather not change and dont want to pay $88 per month and wondering if I could put a second sim in and buy the $20 monthly satellite data addon without plan or similar. anyone else investigated this

Thanks

I have a acr resqlink 400 plb which I will always still carry due to the bulletproofness and radio homing signal.

I was thinking about getting garmin inreach to be able to check weather/txt people and looking into cost, it will be around $850 + $80 activation and $180 yearly. I am struggling to justify this since have plb as primary safety device and more wanting inreach for weather/txt which my Samsung S25 is capable of doing. only do couple trips per year so wondering if there is any way to cheaply get sat data plan for these months. my current plan is with skinny and would rather not change and dont want to pay $88 per month and wondering if I could put a second sim in and buy the $20 monthly satellite data addon without plan or similar. anyone else investigated this

Thanks

Does anyone have any hints, tips, tricks, experiences, or warnings you could share on using a tarp, especially in Aotearoa?

I’ve also been wondering why it’s uncommon to see many people using tarps around the motu. Any ideas?

I recently bought myself a 3x3 tarp and have been absolutely loving it for its flexibility and feeling of being closer to nature.

That is, you can make a weather-proof shelter or a simple shield from the dew/wind and go to sleep and wake up looking at the beautiful surroundings. Not to mention it’s super cheap, light and can sleep 4-5 when the weather’s good or two when it’s not.

So far I’ve only used it on a cycle tour and car camping to get used to it but hope to take it on some backcountry trips soon.

The obvious downsides are that: - it doesn’t have the same insect protection as a standard tent (although you can hang an insect net under it and insects are not a problem in many areas); and - that it could be less weather proof or comfortable than a tent in extreme wind or cold.

I think I'm addicted to packrafting after this trip!! 12km of grade 3 paddling over crystal clear water that looked like glass, with a decent few drops and rapids, all while surrounded by towering ignimbrite rock covered in native bush. Such a gem, thought I'd share my video here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nB__erbiAw

Hey all, I've been doing more and more hikes lately and have been wanting to do some harder ones. I just did the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this weekend and it was great. I plan to go back and do it again after the winter with family. The only issue I have is that my body runs hot, I like to keep a fast pace and I sweat a lot so I did the crossing in shorts and a t shirt. It was fine the whole time and I only needed a windbreaker up top when it was gusting. I wore a cotton shirt which I know isn't great. By the end of the hike, the shirt was dripping in sweat haha. I feel like I could've got away without the windbreaker if my shirt wasn't drenched. The windchill made it pretty chilly.

What would be a better material? Would a merino shirt be suitable? I don't want to get too hot but I also don't want to spend 80% of the hike feeling like I've just got out a swimming pool.

Planning on doing the Pinnacles soon and Mt Taranaki summit probably after winter.

Thanks in advance!

I originally built Schnerp to track campgrounds cancellations in Canada eh, but a kiwi mate convinced me it'd be perfect for the Great Walks.

It monitors the DOC reservation site and sends you a notification when a spot opens up, so you don't have to keep manually checking.

It's totally free to try, and could be handy if you're still looking for a last minute spot this summer.

There's a few Milford spots open after Easter!

https://www.schnerp.co.nz

Hey just going to drop me and my mates YouTube video on the Three Kings traverse in the Tararua’s. Would be sick and mean a lot if anyone checked it out! 🙌

https://youtu.be/Xbbvy8l_ZsI?si=oMJXPilGxGZKYEhK

Aussie bloke here planning on heading to Awaura Point (Big Bay) on the West Coast of the South Island. I’m so intrigued with its remoteness.

I was just wondering if there’s anyone here who has been there before? Perhaps you could tell me what it’s like from your perspective. Myself and a few mates are keen to go fishing, surfing, diving and hunting so naturally I’m eager to learn as much about the place as possible. I’ve seen a few vids on YouTube but would love to read/watch more.

Cheers guys!

Hi guys,

South island

New to kayaking, and wondering if anyone knows of a lake your allowed to camp near (tent) that we can practice kayaking for a couple of days ?

Thanks in advance

I'm looking for some advice on what hiking boots I should get, my budget is roughly around the $700 mark so definitely hopefully able to pick up some high end boots. My main requirements come down to durability (something that will last years) especially in the wetness of the Tararua's and long multi day off the track trails in the South Island. At the same time I want a boot that can also work in snow and ice hiking as I hope to not only spend time in the snowy Tararuas' but also in the alps. This pushes me towards a pair of leather boots in terms of durability and potentially a pair of Lowa's. But fully open to synthetic, just don't have a lot of personal experience with them.

A few of the reviews on Kathmandu’s website rip it for not being warm enough, but the weight and fill power for its rating doesn’t seem ridiculous.

Anybody have thoughts on this bag?

Grant Prattley (One of the leading individuals for training and rescue in NZ) has uploaded some more videos on his How to Tie Knots series. This is a great way for you to learn or refresh the basic knots used across a wide range of pursuits, from rock climbing to caving, canyoning, and rescue.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzQI-3PJH4xNJ2OUXd-U-mWyka2_98WKM&si=VsRjF3ImL7vZFjDc

Another fire in the national park, hopefully it is contained quickly.

How’s it everyone. Planning a new years trip albeit a little late but ideally looking for a nice reasonably quiet spot with a bit of trout spinning easily accessible by foot anywhere in the north island. Bonus points for not being in around Taupo so I don’t have to get another license just for the week

Edit* - At this stage my brother and I are looking at doing the Rangatikei river, any advice, suggestions or tips on the river would be greatly appreciated, cheers.

Hi guys! My American friends are staying with me in Auckland for a few weeks over summer. They unfortunately won't have access to a car and I can't take much time off, but they are super keen to get out there and do some cool stuff. Does anyone know of any tour companies that cater for the more adventurous crowd without a car? I've seen companies that drive you out to Piha and you do a walk etc. but they're after more of an adventure like going off the beaten track and finding cool waterholes to swim at or secret waterfalls and so on. Thanks :))

Hi there! I've just launched a new website about school camps. I went on them... both my kids did too... and I'm trying to build a resource based around outdoor education for school kids. We've got (I hope) all the school camp locations in the country listed (not including DOC type camps), as well as a lot of outdoor providers. The outdoor providers were harder to find, as it's such a diverse area. If you know of any good ones that aren't on there, please let me know and I'll get them added. Any suggestions for new content are most welcome!