Latest newsletter/content thingo
Latest newsletter/content thingo
I couldn't think of a snazzy title for this latest adventure round-up, so just left the draft one in. Anyway, here's what's been happening.
Coming up in this little update:
DOC delays 2023/24 Great Walk bookings
The Big Loop still selling big
Why I’m taking a break from the #tentlife
Kia ora, hi! I’m just back from a long and tiring overnight mission in the Kahurangi National Park. Phew, sleep was good last night. What a place Kahurangi is! Have you explored those parts?
The West Coast Instagram account recently posted how werewere-kōkako are now in season and to look out for them. New Zealand’s famous blue mushrooms are bold in the forest. How funny, then, that just a few kilometres over the divide, as I descended into West Coast region’s Leslie Valley, I saw this:
Right, what else has been happening?
Great Walk bookings delayed!
Today was supposed to be booking day for a bunch of next season’s Great Walks. However, DOC has hit pause after last week’s Milford Track meltdown. Bookings for Abel Tasman Coast Track, Kepler Track, Rakiura Track, Whanganui Journey, Paparoa Track, Routeburn Track, Tongariro Northern Circuit will now open at some point in June.
Last Thursday, the system responsible for booking and taking payment for the very structured 4-day, 3-night Milford hike, got overwhelmed by all the people looking at it. This caused it to take a nap part-way through the morning. It soon recovered and reopened shop, effectively selling out in just a few hours.
I spent a good hour battling the site, only to be told bookings weren’t available yet. However, Zoe somehow managed to snare us two slots. Raincoats on standby, we’re going in November!
A rough guide to the Abel Tasman huts
Talking of Great Walks, you might know I recently tackled the (crowds of the) Abel Tasman Coast Track.
If you’re looking at booking this aesthetically-awesome Great Walk, you might like to take a read of this little guide I quickly threw together:
The Big Loop still doing big sales
I got some big news recently: my first book The Big Loop continues to grab people's imaginations and sell. According to the latest figures, four copies were sold every five days last year! I think that's awesome for a 2019 book.
Thank you for the continued support and taking the time to read about that crazy bike adventure. It's still such a surprise and a joy to walk into a book shop and see my work on sale. If you have time, please leave an honest review on Goodreads.
New first editions are down to the dozens, so if you want one - typos, warts an' all - now is the time to shop. Ask in your local indie bookshop (they will have an account with publisher Bateman Books), head to duncwilson.co.nz to have a signed one sent your way or Paper Plus still has some copies.
Also, quick shout out to the Rotoroa Island ranger David who has a copy. Apparently, my young niece mentioned my bike ride to him and he replied: "I have that book!"
#tentlife hiatus
After living in a tent for much of the last 16 months, it’s time to roll up the sheets and move into a four-walled, roofed building for winter. Will I cope?
Sticking around Te Waipounamu for now, Zoe and I are going to supervise-clean a hostel in Nelson for the winter months, in return for an adventure base. Will I sleep in such a large enclosure? What if the bed is too soft?
The middle-of-the-night toilet trip just got a lot easier, though, right?
Substack launches Notes
Yes, I have been using Substack Notes a little bit. Join me on there for a little more immediacy in the adventure updates. Try it at substack.com/notes.
And finally…
I’ll be back with more on that Kahurangi mega-trip very soon. (I got to Karamea Bend in a day!)
Thanks for staying subscribed. Also, a particular massive thank you to my first PAID subscriber. Your generous support means I’m able to keep exploring and bringing back stories and tips from our amazing outdoors. Even just telling others who may be interested counts as a boost.
Until next time, stay safe out there! I’m off to figure out what extra special stuff paid subs will get…