Writer and photographer Shaun Barnett is the author of many books about tramping including the best-selling Tramping in New Zealand and A Bunk for the Night.
His tramping adventures began at high school and he says: “Pretty soon I was obsessed.”
Barnett says it’s a life of simplicity - things are stripped back to a rhythm of walking, deciding when to eat, shelter, pitching a tent.
He answered listeners' questions and spoke to Jesse Mulligan about his top tramping tips.
Photo: Shaun Barnett
Are day walks considered tramping?
Barnett says yes. The word tramping comes from the German term trampen which means to walk heavily.
In New Zealand you carry your gear with you so it’s heavy, he says.
What’s the best dessert you’ve ever created in a back country hut?
“I tried to make ice cream out of snow once – that was not a success. We just sort of mixed in some cocoa powder and that wasn’t good.”
But you can buy instant cheesecakes that you just add margarine to, he says, adding that it looks really fancy if you make it in a frisbee instead of a bowl and bring it out to a group of people all eating dehydrated food.
Are there any two-night tramps on Aoraki / Mount Cook?
“It’s quite difficult for tramping because it’s quite steep terrain, normally mountaineering type terrain but there is the trip up to Mueller Hut which is a spectacular location.
“It’s a reasonably arduous trip, you probably want to take an ice axe and you do need to book the hut ahead of time, it’s quite popular.”
Tips for tramping with an infant?
Barnett says he has three children, who were introduced to tramping quite young.
“One of the key things I think is making sure that your really matching things to their level and not sort of doing a tramp that you want to do and dragging them along. Kids love going slow, they love not walking too far, they love looking at things, particularly things on the ground so you want to let them do that rather than march them for hours until a hut somewhere.”
What mistakes did you make when you first started?
Lots of mistakes, Barnett says. While he didn’t do so himself, he recommends people join a club and learn from experienced people.
One of the first long trips he did was in winter, in cheap boots. Crossing a river on the second day he found the whole sole ripped off.
“The smart thing to do would have been to turn around and head back out but we carried on for another four or five days and we got into deep snow and by then my boot had completely disintegrated so I was just down to a sock.”
Luckily there was a pair of boots left in a hut that Barnett was able to take.
“I never used to carry enough gear, probably tried too ambitious trips too early on.”
Tramper, writer and photographer Shaun Barnett with the gear he takes on a tramping trip. Photo: Supplied
What do you take with you?
“I take as little gear as I can get away with for the trip, to try and keep my pack as light as possible and that includes my footwear, I’ll choose footwear according to the trip.”
A light weight sleeping bag for summer and a heavier one in the middle of winter, he says.
When it comes to undies, merino is the best, he says. “They don’t get smelly; they keep you warm and they don’t chafe as much as cotton undies.” Plus, Barnett says, you only need two pairs.
“I’ll keep in the top pocket of my pack; my personal locator beacon, my map, my compass, a knife, sunscreen and some snacks and that’s all really accessible.”
Tips for avoiding blisters?
Barnett says to wear your boots, or shoes, well in advance. Do lots of day walks, walks around town and get used to them.
On the trip he says blister prevention plasters can be worn.
Minimum safety gear?
A personal locator beacon is crucial, he says. “If you become overdue and there’s a search for you, you can set them off and it cuts out a whole lot of the search aspect of search and rescue.”
A good raincoat, warm clothing, a small first aid kits and anything for allergies that might be needed are also important, he says.
