A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
Want an inspirational long read? Backpacker has featured an impressive story of grit and determination by one hiker who planned the adventure of a lifetime after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
In 2019, Dan Slater was diagnosed with MS, a neurological disease in which the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheaths around the nerves in the brain and spine, interrupting the signals sent by the brain to the rest of the body.
After years of planning, in 2023, he set out to hike the 800km stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail traversing the Sierra Nevada Mountains. While planning the trip, his condition deteriorated. He went from breezing through multiday hikes to being unable to walk for half an hour.
It never crossed his mind to delay the trip. He stubbornly declared, “Whether it took eight, ten, or twelve hours per day, I would go the distance. Little did I know that twelve hours would be my minimum daily slog.”
Pure Tūroa Limited to operate Tūroa ski field
One News is reporting that this year’s ski season in Tongariro National Park will go ahead as the Government granted Pure Tūroa Limited (PTL) a 10-year concession. It follows the Government’s warning last month that a $7 million bailout for the field’s previous operator, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), would be its last.
“The concession means the public can continue to enjoy the recreational benefits available in the Tongariro National Park — one of the most majestic places in the country — for years to come,” Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said in a statement on Saturday.
“The 10-year concession allows for outstanding Treaty settlement negotiations to unfold and gives greater protection to iwi and hapū interests and responsibilities, including the future park negotiations, whilst ensuring the continued operation of the ski field.”
The announcement came after a four-month process run by the Department of Conservation, involving public consultation and engagement with iwi. RAL will surrender its concession to PTL, while Whakapapa ski field remains under the ongoing management of RAL’s receivers.
Rich Californians using boulders to block hikers’ parking
A few residents of a wealthy Santa Barbara County neighbourhood are once again trying to make it difficult for the public to access its popular trails and hot springs.
At least six Montecito residents were ordered to remove boulders and plants obstructing public parking areas used by hikers. Public works warned the residents of civil litigation or criminal prosecution if they did not comply, along with fines and penalties totalling $850 ($1,400 NZD) per day.
The median home price in Montecito is just under $7.5 million ($1.2 million NZD). Some of Montecito’s residents include Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The obstructions in Montecito are not the first case of wealthier Californians attempting to block public spaces. Earlier this year, homeowners in the Bay Area put up a chain-link fence to block access to the beach, despite $4.7 million ($7.8 million NZD) in fines from authorities and in 2023, Malibu residents were penalized for obscuring access to a public beach. Read the full story from the LA Times.
China reopens Mount Everest access to foreigners
For the first time since the pandemic, China is allowing foreign climbers to access Mount Everest via Tibet. All passes to use the Chinese route up the mountain will be distributed by the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA). Foreigners who obtain tourist visas to China must get an additional permit for Tibet, a semi-autonomous region. There are a maximum of 300 permits available annually for non-Chinese climbers.
Guide Adrian Ballinger says climbing from the Chinese side used to be more popular because it was viewed as safer. That changed in 2008 when the Chinese government shut down the mountain for the entire season. Ballinger says, “A lot of people lost a lot of money. And because of that decision, the business shifted to the Nepali side.”
Now, with foreign climbers able to access Everest via the northern route through Tibet for the first time since 2020, that trend may slowly begin to reverse. Read the full story from CNN.
4 beautiful hiking destinations to explore in Hungary
Hungary might not be the first place you think of as a hiking destination in Europe, but from strolls amidst flowery meadows or the thrill of conquering mountain peaks, Hungary has plenty to offer for outdoor enthusiasts, according to Daily News Hungary.
The regions highlighted include the Zemplén Mountains, characterised by rolling hills, dense forests, charming valleys and medieval castles and churches. The Balaton Uplands National Park offer breathtaking landscapes, volcanic hills, vineyards and lush meadows. And the Pilis Mountains, near Budapest, has hiking trails with views of the Danube and the surrounding countryside. Hikers can also explore ancient ruins, charming villages and dense forests in the Pilis Mountains.
