NZ Gear List for December

I'll start by saying that I have no experience hiking in NZ, but, I will be going next year as well and hiking on the south island. My gear list is actually really similar to yours. One thing that you might want to consider is taking a legit rain jacket. I usually hike in a poncho but I will be bringing a 3 layer rain jacket, cuben rain kilt, and event gaiters for the south island. Might be over kill but the extra ounces seems worth it if the rains in fiordland live up to the hype.

I know the arc blast is seam sealed but you may also want to bring a pack liner or at least some lightweight dry bags for your cloths and sleeping bag. I'll be taking zpacks cuben dry bags with me.

Curious to hear what others have to say since I'm sure I will be refining my list over the coming months as well.

Add industrial strength insect repellant and ultra-fine-weave mosquito netting, for the sandflies.
Skip the hand sanitizer – it'sd a silly idea. Just ordinary soap and water.

Cheers

Definitely agree with the rain jacket – fiordland gets huge rainfall, the highest in NZ. I saying that, the summer doesn't have as much rain. My fiancée and 10 yr old daughter hiked the Routebourne track in late Jan this year and they had hot, sunny days and it was 30C at 7pm one night… They had a 45F and 50F rated bag / quilt and that was plenty warm enough. I'd take a 30F rated bag which opens out for ventilation in December though as summer sometimes doesn't switch on in NZ properly until after Xmas. Most of the great walks are base around the backcountry huts here in NZ, which you will need to book in advance to secure a place (I'd be looking now for Jan as they fill up really quick). Some tracks allow traditional campimg, but some do not – we don't tend to camp other than designated huts / campsites here in NZ on the main routes. The huts are a great social experience however, generally very comfortable – just bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper! Consider the Hillary Trail if you are staying over in Auckland – it's a really challenging 3-4 day walk through beautiful native bush, black sand beaches and small seaside settlements. Think of the movie 'The Piano', the track passes through where the movie was shot. Camping is at designated sites only, but they are really pretty spots. Enjoy your time in NZ! I recommend the Waikaremoana lake track also in the North Island, it's a taste of pre-colonial NZ as a lot of the bush was not touched by the early settlers and the region is quite a lot more isolated than many others. You can camp around the lake or use the huts, just check the distances as it's quite a long walk if you want to camp and are starting at the bottom of the main bluff…

On the Routeburn, Jan '15.

Edit: absolutely agree on the insect repellant, both sandflies and the Mosquitos are really bad here!

I'd reiterate what's been said above, and add you will need a robust rainwear solution that handles wind-driven rain, and solid bug protection from sandflies using both repellent and long lightweight clothing. From what I can gather about the PNW, gear that works there should largely be ok for NZ. I wrote some previous posts about tramping in nz, do a search on here. For other points of view search for blog posts on gear from Te Araroa hikers. Restless Kiwi has some detailed thoughts on UL gear primarily Zpacks from walking the Ta Araroa this year.

One thing about the great walks, they book out months before on popular holiday dates. Also if you stay in the huts you won't need to bring a tent or mattress, so you can replace the lost weight with gourmet food and beer!

Sandflies are the spawn of hades
Annoyance of gnats with the bite of a mosquito.
I never take bug spray when I backpack, but I was begging for it in NZ.

Wanted to throw this in here… Is it worth the weight to bring a 5wt fly rod? I will need to look into permits.

Also would like to do some whitewater while I'm down there… I'm a class 2/3 boater now but should be more confident in 3+ by December if anyone has any recommendations.

Thanks

Evan

Are you serious!?!? Its New Zealand!!! YES! bring your fly rod! Leave the food at home, you can survive 3 weeks with out food, but in the name of all things holy bring the fly rod!

Your sleeping bag is probably overkill, a 32F bag is quite adequate unless you'll be doing some mountaineering.

Sand flies are no joke. Long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks or gaiters, face shield, fingerless gloves. Bug spray also.

The rivers are gorgeous which makes the fishing worth doing. The big brown trout are spooky and picky beyond anything I've encountered elsewhere, which honestly I didn't find all that fun compared to freestone mountain rivers in the US, but if you're a serious fisherman it should not be missed.

Real rain coat for sure in Fiordland. Also make sure that Tarptent is well seam sealed. If you'll be doing some more rugged backpacking off the Great Walks, especially on the west coast, a down coat is probably less than ideal.

The huts are pretty awesome, especially the new ones with gas cookers and coal-fired stoves. As you won't need a tent or stove you can bring camp shoes, a clean set of clothes, and some nicer food.