There’s a heap to organise for any long-distance tramp:
choosing where to go, sorting out your route;
your gear, that’s not such a big deal if you get out regularly;
food, that can take some time as you have to approximate your itinerary, how many days;
in fact dehydrating your own dinners;
transportation, both to and from;
maps and/or GPS info, you gotta know where you are out there;
co-ordinate your companions, good luck, not so easy; etc.
GPS or paper maps?
There’s an easy answer, how about both.
Shared experience is what life is about.
But man, have you ever tried to orchestrate a group?
Training?
Answer: not much required.
Everyone has their own ideas about food, but when you have more than a week’s supply strapped to your back maximum calorific value and getting that warm cosy feeling at the end of your dinner is high on the list of priorities.
The weather in New Zealand is mostly consistent: assume it’s going to be foul and then every fine day is a bonus.
There’s major expense in setting up gear, but, as they say, it’s an investment in your health, your physical and mental well being.
There’s a balance between extreme adventure and a pure cottonwool existence and it comes down to this: preparation and reading signs of danger.
Overseas trampers can have considerable experience with winter conditions and snow.
The situation in New Zealand can be very different from that overseas experience.
Most hunters are well drilled in the mantra “Identify your Target”, and are disciplined in restraining pulling the trigger until they are sure they have something four legged in their sights, not just blasting away at any movement in the shrubbery.
How much is your life worth?
Dehydrating meals for hiking is surprisingly easy, if you have the right equipment. Like a fan forced oven with some low sided baking trays.