An invaluable Tramping Guide To Advice and Fifteen Selected Tramps

Interest in tramping and the outdoors has risen astronomically in recent years,. Once very much a male domain, participation has embraced particularly solo females and families. For anyone entering the wonderful wilderness world of New Zealand via tramping, this book is an invaluable guide to equipment, bushcraft techniques and 59 selected walks in both North and South Islands.

I must mention the title and the use of the mystical word “Aotearoa”. To an overseas visitor, use of “Aotearoa” would seem wrong. After all it’s not the official name for the country and in fact, it’s origin was not Maori or even mentioned in the much discussed Treaty.

Be that as it may, I feel for marketing any book, the use of Aotearoa is not helpful. 

But then other publishers are for some reason, using Aotearoa so why not join the trend? 

Not for me thanks.

Nevertheless this is an excellent book, with each text of a walk, accompanied by photographs and a map.

The book is admirably directed at families with the first two sections dealing with important aspects such as packing, topographical maps, gear, food, weather, safe trampling, etiquette and then delves into the individual walks subdivided into hikes for children, quick walks, multi-day and rougher and tougher tramps and finally focusing on alpine and more rugged backcountry terrain.

I liked the emphasis on safety and judicious decision-making because the mountains are no place for fool-hardiness.

The author says her goal in writing the book is simple – “to inspire people to get out and explore this breathtaking country and give them the the know-how to do it.” 

Hannah-Rose Watt has achieved this admirably.

The excellent presentation and lay out make it an instructive and invaluable book for would-be trampers and experienced ones too. 

Highly recommended.