Here are two words for you: Personal. Responsibility.

As an advocate for the environment, I also harp on about personal responsibility when it comes to these things. If you’re not going to do something positive, then those around you won’t bother either. But if you do take positive action, then others around you may be inspired to do the same (think how wide your social circle reaches). On a larger scale, if people take action on an issue, the trend will gain momentum until it’s a fully-fledged social movement.

Now Hubbards (yes, the friendly face of breakfast cereal) has launched the Carbon Crusade, with lofty ambitions to battle climate change. Er, I mean Climate Change. Yes, it’s big, but they’re doing it one step at a time with the philosophy that every step counts.

The Carbon Crusade is a series of off-road running and walking events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Each participant will walk or run a 13-15km course, stopping halfway to plant four native trees. Climate change is caused by rising levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are attributed to (among other things) the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, petrol, gas and coal. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the most predominant greenhouse gas – trees absorb and store CO₂, so they’re the perfect antidote. By taking part, you’ll also get the chance to admire stunning views from usually inaccessible parts of our be-oot-iful country.

Get into it; you know you want to.

Who do you go tramping with?

People you can get along with, and who are reliable, and have good judgement.

You will be spending most of the time on your tramp in the company of your tramping partners. Sometimes, tramping can be pretty miserable – you can be tired, wet, hungry, frustrated, and worried, all at the same time. Such situations tend to bring out the best and worst in people. You will also have times on a tramp where you are witness to breathtaking natural beauty. These times seem better when shared with a friend you trust.

A good selection of people with the right qualities for tramping partners can be found, unsurprisingly, in a tramping club. Often, you will be able to learn much from more experienced members of tramping clubs. Mind you, there often seem to be one or two people who rub you the wrong way.

I’ve found tramping with family a good way of enriching family relationships. I started taking my kids on overnight tramps when they were about 5 or 6 years old and they have, by and large, enjoyed it. The key to tramping with children is light packs and good snacks. Half-hour chocolate stops keep their energy and spirits up, especially on the hills.

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.

How does one actually go about tramping? There’s two categories of things you need: objects that you need to take, and things that you need to know. This blog post deals just with objects you need to take. What you need to know will be in next in the Wild walking series. So, what should you take with you on a tramp? The overriding rule here is small and light.

Check out some outdoors shops for a good selection of outdoor gear and equipment.

To balance a life of technology and business, I go to the other extreme and like to wander around in the back country of New Zealand, tramping (hiking for those non-New Zealanders). No power (except batteries for the head-torch). No transport (except our feet). No running water (except for the streams and rivers). Carrying all naturally unavailable necessities, including shelter, clothes and food.

Why do what seems like hard work? Well, it’s often peaceful, but sometimes ragingly wild. It reminds you that there are more things than just what people have created. Scenery is often spectacular. It’s healthy, both physically and psychologically. It encourages resourcefulness. It builds perseverance and resistance to discomfort. It helps us not to take for granted the easy life we have. It makes for some great photos.

Future blog entries will cover the how’s, what’s, where’s, who’s, and when’s of tramping (not necessarily in that order).

For some great walks in the wilderness, check out our New Zealand walking tracks category.