Reviewed by Tony Orman
The outdoors for everyone
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, bush-craft techniques and 59 selected walks in both North and South Islands.
The Aotearoa name is inappropriate
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, its origin is 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 using Aotearoa so why not join the trend? Not for me thanks.
Covering a great variety of walks and tramps
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 and etiquette. Then it 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.
An instructive and beautifully presented book
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 breath-taking country and give them 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.
Wild Walks Aotearoa by Hannah Rose Watt is published by Penguin Books, RRP $50