Today I will concentrate on the West Coast of the South Island.

1. Seal Colony Walk, Cape Foulwind
Located 12 km south of Westport this walk goes near densely populated seal colony and also presents a wonderful views of the coast. From mid-November you will be able to see seal pups. This walk is about 400 meters of gravel surface with some gentle climbs. Suitable for wheelchairs.

2. Colls Dam Walk, Nelson Creek
This is a 1860′s gold mining site with good examples of tail races, tunnels and water races, in addition to a dramatic lookout above the historic dam. This walk is 1.2 kilometers long (takes about 1 hour to complete). Location – 29 km north of Greymouth, Gows Creek Rd car park. Suitable for mountain buggies and walkers but not wheelchairs.

3. Dolomite Point Walk, Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
Located at Punakaiki Village this is one of the most popular walks of the south island. It goes through nikau palms to viewing platforms and shows the amazing limestone layers. Watch waves force water up blowholes creating powerful geysers and dramatic noises at high tide. This walk is fully accessible with no impediments apart from single path with no wheelchair access (signposted). Length – 900 meters.

4. Rakaitane Walk, Arnold River Bridge
View Lake Brunner from the bridge then walk to a little sandy beach. Beautiful podocarp forest lines the track.
Length – 1.1km/30 min. Location: Anua St, Moana on Lake Brunner, southeast of Greymouth. Accessible for wheelchairs.

Lake Brunner. photo by Thomas Cuelho

5. Tawhai Walk, Tawhai picnic area
Enjoy a short walk through mature tawhai forest with ferns and many native birds, including the rare kakariki (parakeet). Located on SH7 south of Reefton this walk is only 235 meters long accessible for wheelchairs. But keep in mind that toilets there have no wheelchair access.

6. Kahikatea Walk, Lake Kaniere
This walk features towering kahikatea trees and views of Mt Tuhua and the lake. Listen for kakariki, kaka, robin and bellbird. Location – 19km east of Hokitika, Lake Kaniere Rd. Start at the Sunny Bight picnic area. Accessible for wheelchair.

Lake Kaniere. photo by Andrew Turner

I hope you enjoy these easy but very beautiful walks and spend a great day outdoors!

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This time it will be all about Canterbury region.

There are three great easy access short walks at Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, and though they are not accessible for wheelchair, they are good for mountain buggies and walkers.

1. Hooker Valley Walk (to lookout)
Located at Hooker Valley Road, before Mt Cook village, and begins at the visitor center. Though only about 900 meters (30 min) long, it is a popular walk to the Alpine Memorial lookout with great views of the Southern Alps when clear.

2. Mt Cook Village Paths
This walk around red tussock lined paths, with superb views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, is about 2km long. Its surface is sealed, packed gravel and some gentle slopes. One path has steps.

3. Kea Point Walk
This is the longest walk among the three – 3.5 km (can take up to 1.5 hours to complete). Starts at White Horse Hill campground at Hooker Valley Rd, before Mt Cook Village. This walk has gravel and steep slopes and goes through sub-alpine grasslands to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall formed in 1913. The walk includes information panels about kea and, when it’s clear, ends with wonderful mountain views.

Walks at Athur’s Pass National Park

photo by Dave Apple

Old Coach Road Walk
Located 6 km south of Arthur’s Pass Village it is a pleasant forest walk, which follows a century-old coach road that was cut into the hillside to avoid the flood prone Bealey River. Old rock wall remnants are still visible.
This walk is 1.1 kilometers long, which will take you about 40 minutes to complete. The surface is gravel, sealed and boardwalk. Suitable both for wheelchairs and mountain buggies and walkers.

photo by Wendy Schotsmans

More about Easy Access Walks in my next posts, and until then, take care!

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Until now if I wrote a description of a walk or gave tramping advice, I always had in mind trampers who are fit or at least can walk on rough terrain. But not everybody is that lucky and people with different disabilities also love nature and want a chance to experience it. Luckily, DoC have provided many walks that are suited for such people. Some of the walks have wide walkways suited for wheelchairs and facilities in convenient places. Here I will describe some easy access walks of the South Island.

Bellbird Walk at Nelson Lakes National Park
It is a short gravel surfaced walk taking about 15 minutes to complete located at Kerr Bay, St. Arnaud. One of New Zealand’s “Mainland Islands”, the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project is a sanctuary in Honeydew beech forest and excellent for bird watching. Extend your walk to Honeydew walk (1.2km/ 45 min) which is wheelchair assisted.

Tawa Walk, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

This is gravel and boardwalk surfaced walk located on SH6 (State Highway 6) between Blenheim and Nelson. It takes about half an hour to complete. From the cafe, walk through one of Marlborough’s last river-flat forests, which has towering beech, rimu and kahikatea trees and plenty of birds.

Totara Path, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

This is another short walk located near the Tawa Walk. It takes about 15 minutes to complete walking on grave surface with gentle slopes. You’ll walk through podocarp, broadleaf and beech trees. A magnificent ancient totara tree is a feature.

Waikoropupu Springs Walk, Golden Bay

This walk is located 9km north of Takaka. It will take you about 35 minutes to complete its 750 meters of gravel surface and boardwalk. This is New Zealand’s largest natural spring and a sacred place for Maori. The water of Pupu Springs are crystal clear, and you can see to a huge depth through. Have in mind that toilets there have no handrails.

In my next post I will continue writing about easy access walks, so come back soon!

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It was a 4 days hike in the mountains, where I had to climb about 1000 meters and descend them afterwards, cross many creeks and one river, and many kilometers of rough terrain to conquer. Since it was a multiday hike I also had a fairly heavy backpack with me, carrying my tent, food, and other gear.

I thought – what the hell, this is going to be a difficult tramp, so why not try to make it a bit easier by using trekking poles. And guess what? They did a terrific job! Lets see how they helped me:

1. My backpack was heavy so when I had to walk through rough terrain, it was pretty difficult to keep my balance, but with trekking poles I felt much better, it was like having four legs.

2. When I climbed up, I made my trekking poles shorter, and they helped me to maintain straight posture while climbing, where otherwise I would bend.

3. When I descended, I made my trekking poles longer, and they did the same thing as when climbing – helped me to maintain straight posture.

4.  Crossing creeks was that much easier – you can hop from stone to stone and the only thing that gets wet is, of course, the trekking poles.

In addition to my own experience manufacturers claim that using trekking poles reduces the strain on your knees by 20% ! So by using them you can help preventing future injures and knee problems.

Of course, using trekking poles is something that you’ll have to get used to. It can take you more than one tramp. And I also don’t recommend using them on all the tramps that you do. For example if you go out for a one day (or less) walk, and you only take a water and snacks with you, then most of the chances are you will do just fine without trekking poles.

So in my opinion every tramper should at least give trekking poles a chance.

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The Mountain Radio Service is essential for all of them. You see, New Zealand’s nature is very unpredictable and sometimes can be very dangerous. Especially if you are new to the country and not familiar with its rapid weather changes.

For example during heavy rain (which can start suddenly and unexpectedly) rivers can rise and cut you off from civilization for hours or even days. And there is virtually no cellphone coverage in the backcountry so you won’t be able to call for help.Here is when the Mountain Radio Service comes in handy. So how it works? Pretty easy:

Before the trip you hire a radio, which is not so heavy to carry (1.2kg for the smaller one and 1.8kg for the larger, spare batteries included). There are many base stations scattered across New Zealand providing coverage for most of the backcountry areas. One time a day base station generates a call (referred to as a “sched”), during which the base station operator gives weather information and takes details of the location and intentions of hikers.

Operator can also call to your contact people regarding changes to your plans or your pickup times caused by bad weather or flooded rivers. If you are in emergency then operator, of course, will help you deal with it using any means necessary.

When you hire the radio, you will receive all the details about setting it up and using it. One important thing to know is that when you’ll have to use the radio, you will have to string a long aerial wire, which could take more than 10 minutes in bush or rough terrain.

Mountain Radio can be a life saver, and it also gives you a great amount of peace of mind during your hikes in the wildest areas of New Zealand.

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The mutual support method provides a backup for people who may lose their footing during a crossing. If you slip or lose your grip, your companions can support you. Using waist belts or pack straps. This is the preferred variation, especially in deep water. It’s quick to set up as it only requires normal equipment and it gives good support if anyone stumbles or slips.

1. Line up people according to their level of strength and experience.
a. A strong person at the upstream end of the line.
b. The strongest, most experienced person alongside them for extra
support.
c. Another strong person at the downstream end.
d. The rest of the group in between.

2. Undo chest straps and loosen shoulder straps.

3. Check that waist belts are done up.

Warning signs

There are some signs that you must never ignore:

1. Discolored, surging water
2. The sound of rolling stones on the riverbed
3. Trees and debris being carried along.

For more information on river crossing please visit New Zealand Mountain Safety Council

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Before crossing

1. Decide whether or not you should cross – assess the river’s depth, color, speed, catchment area and runout; look for alternatives such as a bridge upstream; consider escape routes along your route; or wait for the river levels to drop. Choose a suitable and safe location. Never risk
crossing a flooded river. If in doubt, do not cross.

2. Prepare yourself for crossing:

a. Pack chest straps should be undone.
b. Place any foam bedrolls on top of the pack.
c. Slightly loosen shoulder straps.
d. Use pack liners to ensure that gear in your packs is waterproofed.
e. Remove leggings to reduce drag; leave your boots on.
f. Have a dry run of your crossing method. Inexperienced or weaker members should be in the middle of the group.

During crossing

1. If crossing alone, make sure you use a pole to support yourself while crossing.

2. If in a group, use the mutual support method. Do not break up the formation until everyone in the crossing group is safely on the bank. Make sure you communicate with all members of the party.

3. Carefully pace your movement, do not hurry. It’s better to be delayed but alive.

4. Stay in line with the current.

5. Stay away from boulders.

After crossing
1. Check everyone for coldness, and change into warm or dry clothing. Hypothermia can start after crossing.

2. Have a snack or warm drink.

3. Check with the others if they are OK to continue with the tramp.

In my next post on this subject I will describe the mutual support method for crossing rivers, and also some warning signs that indicate that crossing is not a good idea.

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Tips that will make your stay in a tent more pleasant:

• Buy a good tent. Don’t settle for something cheap. Your tent has to be absolutely waterproof, but also has to be ventilated, and have a good insect netting. It also should have enough room for people and gear. It is best to buy a tent that can stand by itself, without being held by pegs because sometimes you’ll have to put up a tent on a hard surface and it will be difficult to hammer in pegs. If you will use pegs – buy a hammer.

• Sleeping mats. Go for self-inflatingcamping sleeping mats. They will provide better comfort together with good isolation from the ground.

• Sleeping bags. Buy a professional sleeping bag for cold conditions (-5 or even -10 degrees Celsius). It is better to sleep on top of your sleeping bag in a warm weather than feeling cold when camping in highlands.

• Flashlight. You want to be able to see thing inside your tent after dark. It is best to buy a headlamp so that your hands will be free.

• Put up your tent while you still have sunlight. It will be much easier and more convenient.

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If symptoms of hypothermia are detected on one or more of your party members you should stay calm and perform the following steps:

1. Stop walking and find shelter. Get the victim out of the wind and rain.

2. Put a victim into a sleeping bag. If possible, put drink bottles with warm water inside a sleeping bag. Also a good idea would be for some one to get inside the sleeping bag with the victim to exchange body heat.

3. Give warm and sweet drinks to victim because they will warm the body from the inside. Do NOT give liquid to an unconscious person!

4. Place the victim in the recovery position. If you don’t know what it is, you can read about it in Wikipedia.

5. Check Airway. Start resuscitation if breathing stops. Monitor the victim for changes in level of consciousness and temperature. Handle an unconscious patient with extreme care and move
them only when absolutely necessary.

Never rub the victim. Never give alcohol to the victim.

Gradually heat the victim and never do that rapidly.

Here are some additional facts about hypothermia:

• People have died of hypothermia without once complaining of the cold

• If one person of your group has hypothermia symptoms, others may also have hypothermia.

• Hypothermia symptoms can look like fatigue, and the victim may not realize the danger.

• Young and old people are more likely to get hypothermia, but even the fit and strong can have it.

• Distinguishing between Hypothermia and Cold Shock. If the patient’s temperature is less than 35C then they should be treated as a hypothermic patient. Otherwise it is unlikely to be hypothermia.

Take the temperature in the armpit for at least 3 minutes. If the temperature is less than 35C, take a rectal temperature, as it will give a better assessment.

I hope that you will never have to deal with hypothermia, and prevent it in the first place. But every person that likes to hike should know how to deal with it.

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1. Wind. Strong wind can take much of the body heat.

2. Cold. In New Zealand temperature may drop suddenly. Temperature also drops with increased altitude.

3. Wet clothing. Dry clothing insulates your body from the surroundings much better than wet clothing.

4. Injury. Injury may increase the risk of hypothermia.

5. Anxiety.

6. Fatigue. If a person not fit enough for the trip or carries too much weight on him it may highly increase the chances of getting hypothermia.

7. Recent Illness. If a person was sick prior to going on a tramp it will increase the chances of getting hypothermia. Flu is especially dangerous.

8. Insufficient Food. Not enough food, person eats not often enough, person eats the wrong kind of food.
Keep all these causes in mind when judging serious situations during your hikes. In my next and last article in the series about hypothermia I will talk about dealing with hypothermia

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