The Tramping Life

Jonty
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Conversations with people who share a deep love for exploring Aotearoa New Zealand on foot. From the well-trodden Great Walks to the rugged solitude of remote backcountry routes, our guests share their favourite hikes, huts, and hard-earned lessons from the track. Whether you’re an experienced tramper or just curious about what makes hiking in New Zealand so special. The Tramping Life offers inspiration, practical insights, and a deeper connection to the landscapes that shape us. #tramping #hiking #interviews #newzealand #nzhiking #hike #tramp #travel #walking #travel

  1. Travers-Sabine Circuit and Blue Lake

    4D AGO

    Travers-Sabine Circuit and Blue Lake

    In this episode of The Tramping Life, we return to Nelson Lakes National Park for one of New Zealand’s classic backcountry circuits — the 80km Travers–Sabine Circuit — with a demanding side trip to Rotomairewhenua / Blue Lake, regarded as one of the clearest natural freshwater lakes in the world. Starting from St Arnaud on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, the Travers–Sabine Circuit typically takes 4–7 days and traverses a broad cross-section of Nelson Lakes terrain: beech forest, braided river valleys, open tussock basins and high alpine passes. The high point is Poukirikiri / Travers Saddle at 1,787m — a 450m climb followed by a steep 1,000m descent into the Sabine Valley. Along the way I pass Lakehead and John Tait Huts, climb toward Upper Travers, descend to West Sabine, and push on to Blue Lake Hut near Rotomairewhenua. Please note: Blue Lake is a wāhi tapu (sacred site). Visitors must not enter or contaminate the water. This was my thirteenth multi-day tramp — and one of the more eventful. Torrential rain turned tracks into streams. I faced my first flooded river crossing and waited two hours for water levels to drop before committing. A broken hiking pole, hail, thunder, and a long, punishing 23km day tested judgment and pacing. I arrived at Blue Lake Hut in darkness and exhaustion — then woke to perfectly clear water, blue ducks, and mountains reflected in stillness. The Travers–Sabine Circuit rewards preparation, patience and sound decision-making. It is not technical mountaineering, but it is serious tramping — with real exposure to weather, terrain and fatigue.

    9 min
  2. Lydia Bradey - From Arthur's Pass to Everest

    APR 24

    Lydia Bradey - From Arthur's Pass to Everest

    Lydia Brady is a mountaineer, guide, and author, best known as the first woman to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen. In this episode, Lydia shares her remarkable journey from teenage tramping trips in the Lewis Pass to record-setting Himalayan ascents. She talks about the “James Bond day” that nearly ended in disaster, how she found confidence in the mountains, and what she’s learned guiding others at high altitude.   We also discuss how climate change is reshaping Aoraki / Mount Cook, the evolving culture of New Zealand’s alpine huts, and why reconnecting with wild places is essential for our wellbeing and our planet.   It’s a conversation about resilience, risk, and the deep rewards of living close to the edge. https://lydiabradey.com/

    24 min
  3. Cape Brett Track and Whangamumu / Te Toroa Track

    APR 17

    Cape Brett Track and Whangamumu / Te Toroa Track

    In this episode of The Tramping Life, we head to Northland for a rugged coastal overnighter along the Cape Brett Peninsula in the Bay of Islands — finishing at one of DOC’s most unusual and historic huts. The 16km one-way Cape Brett Track follows an old Māori trail through regenerating bush and along exposed ridgelines, with constant climbs and descents along the spine of the peninsula. On paper it’s moderate. In reality, it’s physically demanding — particularly in summer heat, with limited shade and often scarce water. At the far end of the peninsula sits Cape Brett Hut, a converted 1909 lighthouse keeper’s house — the last remaining dwelling of what was once a small, isolated community. Nearby stands the Cape Brett Lighthouse (first lit in 1910), one of the last complete original lighthouse complexes remaining on site in New Zealand. Staying here feels less like a typical backcountry hut and more like stepping into a remote slice of maritime history. I walked this in mid-summer, carrying nine litres of water in drought conditions — pushing my pack to 20kg over relentless, undulating terrain. Along the way were panoramic views from 345m above sea level, pest control lines and electric fencing, a detour to Deep Water Cove, and the dramatic final stretch along wave-battered cliffs. I even had a slightly unsettling night alone in the hut — accompanied by an inquisitive seagull that found its way inside. On the return, I extended the trip via the Te Toro Track to Whangamumu Harbour, visiting the haunting remains of the Whangamumu whaling station — the only land-based whaling station in the world to use nets to capture whales. Rusted boilers and oil vats remain scattered across a now peaceful harbour accessible only by foot or boat. Sixteen kilometres may not sound far, but the Cape Brett Track has a reputation for testing walkers more than expected. It’s a short tramp with a big feel — historic, exposed, and deeply atmospheric.

    9 min
  4. Rob Frost - Guiding Trans-Alpine Expeditions

    APR 10

    Rob Frost - Guiding Trans-Alpine Expeditions

    From school tramping clubs to epic trans-alpine expeditions, Rob Frost has spent a lifetime exploring the wild backcountry of Aotearoa New Zealand. An engineer turned mountain-guide, photographer, and author of the award-winning Aoraki Tai Poutini – A Guide for Mountaineers, Rob shares how early experiences above the tree line sparked a fascination with remote routes and self-sufficiency.   In this episode we talk about: - Misadventures that became defining lessons — and why “adventure is a sign of incompetence.” - Surviving blizzards, storms and nine-day epics in the Southern Alps. - How guiding with Mountain Journeys blends tramping and mountaineering into something uniquely Kiwi. - Writing, mentoring, and the enduring influence of Geoff Spearpoint.   A thoughtful conversation about humility in the hills, learning from mistakes, and finding joy in hard journeys. https://mountainjourneys.co.nz/ https://www.facebook.com/mountainjourneysnz/ https://www.instagram.com/mountainjourneysnz/

    30 min
  5. Tongariro Northern Circuit and Around the Mountain Track

    APR 3

    Tongariro Northern Circuit and Around the Mountain Track

    In this episode of The Tramping Life, we head to Tongariro National Park for an extended circuit of one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes — combining the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk with the Around the Mountain Track into a six-day, 82km loop from Whakapapa Village. Established in 1887, Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for both its natural and cultural significance. At its heart stand three volcanic giants: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. This is a landscape that is geologically young, spiritually significant, and constantly changing. The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a 43km Great Walk looping around Mount Ngauruhoe and incorporating much of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Around the Mountain Track is a tougher 66km circuit of Mount Ruapehu, crossing the stark Rangipo Desert and remote eastern flanks of the mountain. Linking the two creates a demanding but logistically straightforward full circuit of the park. In this episode, I describe a six-day itinerary. Along the way I share reflections from multiple visits to the park — from the busy Alpine Crossing to near-empty backcountry huts, sunrise over Ruapehu, distant views of Mount Taranaki, and the constantly shifting volcanic terrain. This is not technical mountaineering, but it is serious tramping. The terrain is often rocky and exposed, weather can change rapidly, and some sections involve long days between huts. In winter or shoulder seasons, alpine conditions demand appropriate gear and experience.

    14 min
  6. Peter Hillary - Everest, Aspiring, and Kea

    MAR 27

    Peter Hillary - Everest, Aspiring, and Kea

    Peter Hillary is a mountaineer, author, and adventurer. The son of Sir Edmund Hillary, Peter has forged his own remarkable path — from summiting Everest and crossing Antarctica to dedicating his life to exploration, storytelling, and conservation.   In this episode of The Tramping Life, Peter reflects on a lifetime spent outdoors — from his first climb at age ten with his father and Mingma Tsering, to sleeping sixteen years of his life under canvas.   We talk about the lessons of risk and resilience on mountains like K2, the changes he’s witnessed on Everest and in the polar regions, and the joy of sharing adventures with his own children. Peter also discusses his passion for conservation, his memories of New Zealand’s huts and valleys, and why spending time in wild places remains one of life’s greatest teachers.   A thoughtful conversation with one of New Zealand’s great adventurers — about family, legacy, and the enduring power of the outdoors. https://www.peterhillary.com/

    30 min
  7. Thousand Acre Plateau

    MAR 20

    Thousand Acre Plateau

    In this episode of The Tramping Life, we head into the north-west of Kahurangi National Park to explore the Thousand Acre Plateau — a vast upland landscape of limestone formations, open tussock and sweeping horizons. Rising to around 1000 metres above sea level, this elevated former seabed feels unlike almost anywhere else in New Zealand. Accessed via the Matiri Valley Road near Murchison, the tramp begins gently along a 4WD access track to Lake Matiri Hut, before a sustained 750-metre climb delivers you onto the plateau rim. From there, the route traverses open, often boggy terrain to the tiny two-bunk Poor Pete’s Hut and on to Larrikin Creek Hut beneath the limestone bluffs of The Haystack. Along the way are distinctive landmarks such as The Needle and Mount Misery, offering optional scrambling trips and expansive views across this stark, exposed landscape. I share my three-day, 44km journey across the plateau in mid-summer — the long hot crossings, the steep climbs, dry tarns, sandflies, an refreshing creek dip, and a close brush with heat exhaustion. We also encountered an inspiring retired couple who had been tramping five days a week for over a year — proof that adventure doesn’t come with an expiry date. This is a route rather than a manicured track. It demands fitness, sound navigation, and respect for rapidly changing conditions. In summer, there is little shade and heat can be a serious factor. In wet weather, the mud and stream crossings can be challenging.

    8 min
  8. Jan Finlayson - Public Access, Stewardship Land, and Grasshoppers

    MAR 13

    Jan Finlayson - Public Access, Stewardship Land, and Grasshoppers

    Jan Finlayson has spent a lifetime exploring and advocating for New Zealand’s wild places. In this conversation she reflects on childhood memories of camping and school tramps, early adventures on the Routeburn, and the lessons learned from near misses in the mountains and rivers. We talk about her strong views on hut booking systems and access rights, and why legal roads and stewardship land matter for the future of conservation. Jan’s stories move between humour, challenge, and deep care for the backcountry — and remind us what’s at stake in protecting the places we tramp.

    24 min
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About

Conversations with people who share a deep love for exploring Aotearoa New Zealand on foot. From the well-trodden Great Walks to the rugged solitude of remote backcountry routes, our guests share their favourite hikes, huts, and hard-earned lessons from the track. Whether you’re an experienced tramper or just curious about what makes hiking in New Zealand so special. The Tramping Life offers inspiration, practical insights, and a deeper connection to the landscapes that shape us. #tramping #hiking #interviews #newzealand #nzhiking #hike #tramp #travel #walking #travel

Information

  • Creator
    Jonty
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Tramping Life
  • Show Website
    The Tramping Life

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