Across the Pass: A collection of tramping writing

by Shaun Barnett (Editor)

New Zealanders have produced a rich body of literature about tramping, with writing spanning nearly two centuries and ranging from poetry and songs, journals and newspaper pieces to magazine articles and books. The pieces in Across the Pass , as selected by Shaun Barnett, range from epic tales to stories of strolls. Some writers celebrate the intricacies of nature and the strong bond forged when facing challenges together, while others talk of treading the trails first pioneered by their ancestors. All say something about the many textures and colours of the experience we call tramping. Across the Pass includes writing from New Zealanders such as writer John Mulgan, mountaineers Sir Edmund Hillary and Lydia Bradey, adventurer Graeme Dingle, public servant Bill Sutch, MP Eugenie Sage, and photographer Craig Potton.

Genres: Nonfiction

372 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2022

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous gorgeous book, such a lovely collection of tramping stories covering every aspect of what it means to tramp in Aotearoa. Reading this while having been sidelined from tramping for the last few months thanks to a serious ankle injury has been equal parts emotional and comforting. It helped soothe the itch at least temporarily, but I am all the more looking forward to getting back out into the hills. Some of the pieces in here brought me to tears, some made me laugh out loud, and most gave me the warm familiar feeling of putting on an old sweater. Highly highly recommend for anyone who loves our beautiful wilderness in Aotearoa, whether you are a backcountry adventurer, a great walk enthusiast, or a day tripper. Can't imagine a better book to find in a hut one day - if I can ever bring myself to part with my copy I migh leave it for someone to enjoy some day.

[Stefan Fairweather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection. Some of the writers have a real flair for it - Mark Pickering and his 'easy group' first tramp in NZ. That and John Rhodes 'tramper goes alpine' describing a trip up Mt Franklin in NLNP were my two favourite pieces. Great work Shaun.

[Brenda Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snippets of other books, tramping club journal entries an poetry in quasi chronological order, Shaun plays tribute to the many women and (mainly) men who tramp. The short story format - no more than 4 or 5 pages - is curated into 5 sections: footprints, packs and tracks, canvas and iron, bush and mountains, companions and the tramping experience.

The sections show how tramping has evolved from Maori bush expertise, gold prospecting and South Island pass finding to clubs, deer hunting to recreation.

The challenge of pitting oneself against or being uplifted by nature is the main focus. Incidentally there is the change from hardship amongst once untouched forest often times abounding with now extinct birds and fish to modern day comfort and fewer encounters with rare native species.

A perfect book for the armchair naturalist to dip into on occasion or to take as a travel companion. It brings back lots of good memories of happy days in the bush.

[Jill Mccaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic selection of snippets, stories, history and something ephemeral, something that communicates the uneasily described joys and tribulations of tramping.
I underlined sections and read each piece with deep pleasure. This is a book I will dip back into and savor for a very long time.

[Kirsty McMurtrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savoured every page of this book - a great read.