Book Review
“Gone Bush” subtitled “A Life in the Backcountry and Beyond” by Paul Kilgour published by Harper Collins. Paperback. Price varies from about $29.99 to $39.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman
This is a reprint in paper-back form of the 2021 first publishing of “Gone Bush” by Golden Bay bushman Paul Kilgour. It’s a welcome reprint as the author’s recounting of his wilderness adventures over several decades.
Underlying is a deep contentment and empathy with the wilderness and Nature. The climax to his tramping was a long 84 day, 774 kilometre walk from Fiordland to his home in Golden Bay in 2008 in which he actually walked 1546 kms.
It all started for author Paul Kilgour as young boy in a sleepy settlement north of Auckland where he discovered the joys of roaming and exploring. It developed into a deep satisfaction and more recently an escape from the increasingly crazy, mixed up world.
“For me the bush is the place where nothing else seems to matter,” he writes. “Being there is everything. The air is clear; the world is quiet; time stops.”
His ideal when in the hills or mountains is to reach a point where one doesn’t know which day of the week it is. On some trips, he’s deliberately left his watch behind and slept, walked or ate when he felt like it, oblivious to the hour of the day..
“I was tuning in to the natural rhythms, into the bush, the mountains and to myself. You feel part of nature, no more special than the birds in the trees or any other creature.”
He admits to occasionally having bouts with depression and in those times, the bush is often his solace.
Now in his 70s, Paul Kilgour has no intention of retiring from tramping the backcountry. Yet over his years he’s observed changes in the culture. “Something of the traditional backcountry culture has eroded.”
There are more people in the hills. Once Paul wouldn’t see a soul for days. Now some areas have been discovered by “mainstream tourists and it’s an entirely different scenario, with hundreds of visitors lining up up to cross swing bridges while the flash new boardwalks resonate with the thumping of a thousand footsteps.”
Once regular walks in the Abel Tasman Park had peace and solitude. “Now it’s a highway,” he rues. “Values seem to have been shelved in the name of coining foreign currency.”
Other trends are obvious. “There are more gear-freaks and more one-upmanship and outdoor clothing has become fashion statement.”
But there’s consolation in having known the best of yesteryears and Paul tells them in an easy going style.
It’s a great read. Highly recommended. Go buy a copy, you should find it a charming and absorbing read.
I read the first printing. It’s a real delight to read.
The author’s views on new fangled gear and fashion clothing, I can wholeheartedly agree with. Also the hordes of tourists. Look at the ridiculous situation on the Tongariro walk with long queues. The wilderness experience is gone with that carry-on!
Thanks for the review CORANZ and your articles that are always thought provoking..
Paul Kilgour’s book is a very good read.
If you haven’t read it, go and get a copy. It’s a book to dip into again and again.
The bushsman in the day, we’re tough as nails, if you could find a chatty one, they stories were hilarious, and there stories put on paper are a must read