 Thanks for these Jon can we have the 2004 ones now please. (See Article)
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 I'm looking forward to the article featuring Jon's presentation of Steve Gough's award.
Hope the prizes aren't pin-on medals.
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 Damn, another prize I din't win :( It would have been nice to have won a zipka after I came up with the idea of the awards in the first place..........but I guess it proves the draw is pure luck and everyone stands an equal chance of not winning.
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 Things must be bad Jeannie didn't win anything either
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What do the award winnners get? A virtual statuette? Or just a nice warm glow?
Frank, did you used to work for someone's private army on the quiet?!
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Me......never ...there was nothing private about it
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Did most people really vote for Snow and Rock? Not my favourite by a long way.
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I think we need a recount?
Have just done a quick count through the Best Online Outdoors Retailer - winner Snow & Rock, runner up Outdoors - I make it, give or take,
Outdoors - 20 votes
Cotswold - 8
Field & Trek 5
SNOW & ROCK 2 ?????????????????
Everybody else 1 or 2
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 I remember the nominations... completely missed the actual awards.
Was not at all impressed by Snow & Rock - Field & trek is much nicer.
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 I thought a huge proportion voted for The Outdoors Shop???
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 It must be my turn to win something by now!
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 Jules, aka Tigger
You've won my heart
Does that count?
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Everytime Owy :-)))
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.jpg) Well I'm pleased that NZ was the fav international destination. You're all welcome to visit anytime, and if you need ideas for tramps/hikes, then I'd be happy to help.
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Sounds like an invite for an OM meet at Matt's house to me ;-)
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 Snow and rock comments?I was amazed aswell.Maybe thers A silent majority?
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 Frank, you look like a mix between Darth Maul and a Mujahadeen. Pretty cool man!
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Sorry! That was completely off the point. Getting back to the point. Matt, I'm In NZ at the end of the year over Xmas and New Year and would love some input about best walks on both Islands.
Ta!
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Champagne.....Having been there in ab awfull weather prey for A good forcast!otherwise beautiful!!
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Mmm best walks in both islands. I'm glad you said that, cos so many people think that all the scenery is in the South, which of course is not true :)
North Island:
Tongariro Northern Circuit (2-3 nights) - this is an absolutely gorgeous 3-4 day hike, which incorporates a large chunk of the Tongariro Crossing (considered NZ's best day walk). You will see breathtaking views of the 3 main volcanoes (including Mt Doom for all LoTR buffs), as well as views of nearby mountain ranges. It has an almost Martian landscape in parts. I did this track in Winter (requires ice axes/crampons) and wow! is all I can say...
Lake Waikaremoana Track (3 nights) - very pretty lake circuit track, most of the time is spent in dense misty bush - moss hangs off everything and it has quite a mystical feeling in places. The high point of the track is at the top of a bluff (with a hut conveniently located there) which provides marvelous views. Accessibility to this track is a bit of a problem. It involves a 3hr drive on a winding dirt road. Not for the fainthearted...
Round the Mountain Track - once again circuiting a volcano - this time Mt Taranaki on the West Coast. Difficult terrain especially in or after wet weather - parts of the track are often closed due to slips, etc! Be prepared to go up and down ladders! I love this kind of stuff...
South Island:
Milford Track (3 nights) - NZ's most famous track. Very pretty, well maintained track, set in rainforest in the south of the South Island. It rains a lot, but this only improves the scenery as waterfalls pour off the sheer cliff faces that surround you. Bring your insect repellant. Sandflies there will eat you alive. In fact, regular insect repellant doesn't do much in that part of NZ - for best results you have to make your own. Make a mixture of 50% Dettol and 50% Baby oil. Slap it on, and the sandflies won't DARE touch you... nor will your partner/friends, but it's worth it! If you want to do this track at Xmas, you will need to book in July or as early as possible.
Routeburn Track (2-3 nights) - Set in a similar location to the Milford, but with a higher ratio of Alpine ridge walking to bush walking than the Milford. Early bookings for this track are highly recommended.
Kepler Track (3 nights) - Purpose built track, set near the Milford and Routeburn Tracks to take the overflow of hikers. In my opinion, this is the best of the three. It combines bush walking with alpine walking with lakeside walking. First night is spent up on a ridge in the best hut you're likely to see in NZ. Views to die for. Second night is spent in a hut down by a river in the bush. Sandfly alert. Third night is spent in a beach front hut on Lake Manapouri. There is a place where you can have a bonfire on the beach and watch the sun set over the lake. Breathtaking. It's also the most physically demanding of these three South Island tracks.
The last time I was in the South Island, I did these three tracks back to back, with a day off in between. What an awesome time! But of course, with each track being 4 days long you'll need a bit of time up your sleeve...
All of these tracks I've mentioned are called "Great Walks", and you've probably already done some research about them. There are some amazing walks that can be done that are "off the beaten track", but accessibility can be a bit of a problem (as can security for your parked car, etc).
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