Wild walking, part 3: more on how?

How do you go tramping? As well as knowing what to take, you need to know a few skills.

First, you need to know how to read a topographical map. These maps require a bit more skill to read than your average road map. One of the best ways to learn map reading is to go tramping with somebody who knows how to read one and learn from them, or do shorter walks that you already know and stop to study the map every so often to determine how the symbols on the map relate to the terrain around you. The entirety of New Zealand is mapped out in 1:50,000 detail (that’s 2cm on the map to 1km in real life). You can see these maps (and print them) freely by visiting NZTopoOnline and you can also buy them at many outdoors shops.

Another important skill is reading a compass and/or using a GPS. These tools help you go in the right direction when you otherwise wouldn’t know which way to go (for example, in poor visibility conditions such as night-time or cloud). They are most useful in combination with a map. Shops like Mapworld can provide useful advice.

It’s also important to know how to use your tramping gear. Test these out before you go tramping. How do you put your tent up? How does your cooker work? Can you cook your food to a suitable edible standard with it? Will you get blisters from your boots? Is your pack comfortable enough? How far can you walk with a pack on without being totally knackered? A lot of this is experience that comes from trial and error. The best learning comes from other people’s trial and error, and you’ll find plenty of trampers willing to help you with the basics by joining a tramping club. See
our tramping and walking category for a good list of tramping clubs around New Zealand.