Category Archives: update

Good insight on river safety

Posted on 29 January, 2018 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Earlier today Toni Burgess (aka AntNZ) posted an excellent article about river safety in New Zealand. I’ve written about river safety on this blog in the past, yet Toni’s article, which also draws on expertise from Heather Grady of Outdoor … Continue reading →

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Election Year 2017

Posted on 28 August, 2017 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

This year’s been full of political promises around conservation, recreation and tourism. From time to time, over the last few years, I’ve written on DOC funding and spending issues. eg. on tourists and park access fees, on spending versus funding, … Continue reading →

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Something to listen to

Posted on 14 September, 2016 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

I’ve not yet read Laurence Fearnley’s Going Up Is Easy, but it’s on my reading list. It’s the biographical account of Lydia Bradey as the first woman to ascend Everest without oxygen, and the only New Zealander to do so. … Continue reading →

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The Walking Access Mapping System Goes Mobile

Posted on 14 March, 2016 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

I’ve recurringly written about the Walking Access Mapping System since it was put online by the Walking Access Commission. The system collates masses of data from local and central goverment. It’s very helpful when trying to figure out places which … Continue reading →

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Otaki Gorge Road Closed, Also for Foot Access

Posted on 22 December, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Just quickly, for now at least, it looks as if Otaki Gorge Road has been closed. Not just for vehicles due to the usual slip, but also to foot access. At this time, it also appears to be indefinite. Alternatively, … Continue reading →

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This coming weekend

Posted on 26 August, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

I’ve been struggling to get out lately due to other commitments, and it’s likely to continue for a while longer. This weekend, though, I’m anticipating a short jaunt in the Tararuas with Tongue and Meats, in the vicinity of Mitre … Continue reading →

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Positive News for Cone Hut

Posted on 30 July, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Some have probably already seen this, but following my earlier post regarding the vandalism of Cone Hut, Stuff reports that there’s been a positive and concerted effort to repair and restore it to a state better than what it was … Continue reading →

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Good LandSAR Publicity

Posted on 16 May, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

This morning’s Dominion Post has some fab publicity for New Zealand’s LandSAR organisation, derived from a couple of recent high profile incidents in the Tararua and Rimutaka Ranges in the lower North Island. The first article profiles a couple of … Continue reading →

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Searching for accounts of attempts on the Schormann-Kaitoke (SK) traverse of the Tararuas

Posted on 19 February, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Very briefly, I’d like to help propagate a request from my local club (Tongue & Meats), who are looking for the stories of anyone who’s attempted an SK in the last few years. The SK is named for Schormanns-Kaitoke, which … Continue reading →

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More comprehensive mountain forecasts

Posted on 31 July, 2013 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Very quickly, it’s great to see that, as of today, the Met Service is providing more comprehensive mountain forecasts under its commercial contract with the Department of Conservation. Jacqui Bridges has helpfully detailed the changes in a post on the … Continue reading →

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