Hiking
This page is dedicated to my interest in hiking. New Zealand is renowned for its exceptional hiking opportunities, often referred to as “tramping” locally. It offers a wide variety of trails, from short day hikes to multi-day adventures, showcasing diverse landscapes and stunning natural beauty.
Photos
Kaweka Forrest Park, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, December, 2023.
Dominie Hut 1,500m, Kaweka Forrest Park, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, June, 2025.
Gear
Pack
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Macpac Te Araroa 55L Hiking Backpack | 2024 | $250.00NZD | 1530 | |
| Catus 15l Dry Bag | 2023 | $20.00NZD | 100 | |
| Black Bin Bag | | | | |
Sleep System
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme Insulated Sleeping Mat (R6.2) | 2025 | $314.00NZD | 720 | |
| Kathmandu Icarus Hybrid Down Sleeping Bag (-5) | 2024 | $200.00NZD | 1310 | |
Shelter
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Rab Trailhead Bivvy Bag | 2025 | $200.00NZD | 400 | |
| OZtrail Hiker Fly (350 x 210 cm) | 2024 | $39.95NZD | 900 | |
Water Filtration
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| LifeStraw Peak Squeeze (650ml) | 2023 | $59.99NZD | 100 | |
| Solomon Elite Bladder (1.5L) | 2025 | $79.99NZD | 120 | |
Cooking
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Gascraft Camping Backpacker Stove | 2023 | $37.00NZD | 200 | |
| Pot | | | | |
| Spork | | | | |
| Smith & Wesson HRT Fixed Blade | 2023 | $39.00NZD | 100 | |
Electronics
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Nitecore NU30 | 2024 | $60.00NZD | 90 | |
| Nitecore MH12 V2 | 2025 | $135.00NZD | 85 | |
| Garmin inReach Explorer PLB | 2024 | $300.00NZD | 300 | |
| Belkin 10,000mAh Power Bank | 2023 | $60.00NZD | 200 | |
| Garmin Instinct Solar 2 | 2025 | $544.00NZD | 50 | |
Wear
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Salomon OUTline GTX Shoes | 2022 | $200.00NZD | 350 | |
| Rain Jacket | 2023 | $100.00NZD | 300 | |
| Rain Pants | 2023 | $100.00NZD | 300 | |
| Mid Layer Jacket | 2023 | $100.00NZD | 300 | |
| Base Layer Top | 2023 | $20.00NZD | 200 | |
| Base Layer Bottom | 2023 | $20.00NZD | 200 | |
| Rab Balaclava | 2023 | $20.00NZD | 100 | |
| Oakley Sutro Lite Sunglasses | 2024 | $200.00NZD | 30 | |
| Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles | 2023 | $100.00NZD | 500 | |
Miscellaneous
| Item | Year | Cost | Weight | Notes |
|---|
| Custom Trauma/Survival kit | 2024 | $70.00NZD | 700 | |
| Silva Field Compass | 2025 | $50.00NZD | 50 | |
Total Weight
Base weight: ~8kg Water: ~2kg Food: ~2kg Total: ~12kg
Huts “Bagged”
Hut Bagger Profile