Solo: Backcountry Adventuring in Aotearoa New Zealand

by Hazel Phillips

One afternoon in Auckland, journalist Hazel Phillips decided to close her laptop and head for the hills. She then spent the next three years living in mountain huts and tramping alone for days at a time, all the while holding down a full-time job. As she ranged from Arthur’s Pass and the Kaimanawa Forest Park to the Ruahine Range and Fiordland, she had her share of danger and loneliness, but she also grew in confidence and backcountry knowledge. Her story of this solo life is an absorbing blend of adventure and humour, combined with her research into tales from the past of ambition and death in the mountains. She also casts a feminist eye over the challenges women climbers and explorers faced. Full of pluck, courage, and resourcefulness, this book is for all those who long to wade through emerald rivers and breathe the mountain air.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2022

Reviews

[Simone B · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a female solo tramper, I was curious to read this book, hoping for relatable stories and insights. I think the strongest parts of the book were the personal stories, I liked learning about different tramps around the country & the author's reflections on how her confidence grew.

However I think these stories could've been told with a more consistent narrative thread, and this was my main issue with the book - it felt very disjointed to read, jumping from anecdote to history lesson to feminist rant, then back into the same anecdote. But by that time I'd forgotten what she was doing in the first place! I think this book would've been a lot better if it had been written either as a memoir or book of historical accounts instead of a mishmash of both, the way it was structured just didn't flow for me.

Overall I'm glad I stuck with it, although it was confusing to read at times. The author has a sharp sense of humour which shows in her writing and is a nice surprise as you read. She also makes really important points about the experiences females face in the outdoor communities. If nothing else, I hope this book inspires more women to adventure and share their stories.

[Chloe Fergusson-Tibble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solo: Backcountry Adventuring in Aotearoa New Zealand by Hazel Phillips was a delight for my adventuring heart.

I really enjoyed reading about the different trails that Hazel went out and did, particularly the Kaweka and Ruapehu trips because they’re closest to me and I keenly took notes for my own trips in the future. I liked that she focused on women in the wilderness and there was always a focus on building experience and growing. It made tramping seem really attainable because she was being honest about her own fears and failures. The chicken trip felt close to my heart because it was a trip to overcome previous failures and fears. I feel encouraged to step a little further out of my comfort zone because of this book.

I enjoyed some of the history but did find it morbid at times 🤣. It was a nice reminder of the powers of nature.

There were bits in the book where Hazel spoke to the meaning of going “solo” in my opinion. Interestingly, it wasn’t when she was on her own. Both times I reflected on the importance of ‘being able to go solo.’ As in - being able to navigate and make decisions about whether to proceed or not - on your own. It was powerful stuff.

I recommend this one for people who love long walks, trampers, mountaineers, and anyone who is wanting to get off the couch to try. It’s very inspiring. Solo will be in stores on the 9th June. You can preorder now on the @masseyuniversitypress website.

Thanks @masseyuniversitypress for this copy!
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#books #bookish #ilovebooks #womenreading #booksimreading #currentlyreading #solo #hazelphillips #nztramping #walking #aotearoa #hiking #justfinishedreading #women #wilderness

[Briony File · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing read, extraordinary experiences and lots of interesting research into the history and casualties of the areas Hazel has adventured but at times also a bit harsh and judgemental - although it is Hazel’s story and the judginess is not without reason.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, pleasant read. There’a not a really cohesive thesis to the book, but major themes include: tramping solo, being a woman in the wild, historical context, and trip logs. Many relatable moments for women who’ve hiked solo in Aotearoa.

Downsides: The author spends a lot of time putting down newbie trampers, despite demonstrating herself to be one throughout the book.
I can also understand why NZAC members might question why someone who struggles to get to French Ridge and Liverpool was residing in their front country huts.

[Andrew Barley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the bits when Hazel is talking about her own experience and paints a picture of the scenery. Her writing is excellent - entertaining, funny, observant. A lot of the book is little snippets of stories about people who have died while adventuring - and they are interesting stories, but not as immersive as Hazel’s own experience. Her story is also broken up a lot by grouping the adventures into different regions of NZ rather than chronological order. It’s an interesting idea, but combined with the snippets of other people’s stories, it makes it feel a little disjointed. Often she’ll briefly touch on one of her own adventures, maybe just for a paragraph, before moving on, and I want to say “please, tell us more!”. That said, it’s well worth a read if you’re interested in adventuring. The points she makes about the challenges faced by female adventurers (and encouraging more women to go adventuring) are powerful. Perhaps my favourite part of the book is the last chapter when she takes us with her on some of her hikes/climbs, and talks about each day of the adventure - it felt a bit like The Salt Path. I’d love to read another book if Hazel writes one about her adventures, where she dives into her own stories more deeply.

[Annie Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked hearing about Hazel's adventures combined with tales of incidents and women's history in the outdoors. Particularly enjoyed the stories of the mysterious women who disappeared in Arthurs Pass, the fiordland moose and the lost tribe Kāti Mamoe.

Also Freda De Faur was badass and I really wanna read more about her.

The other week I was tramping at the Otehake hot pools which Hazel talks about in the Arthurs section. In the bushes by the hot pools there was lots of abandoned gear like someone had been living there years ago and abandoned all their things, pots, billy, sunscreen, coke bottle, shelter possibly buried under leaves and soil.
It certainly had an airy feel to it.
Reading Solo after, I saw the story of the two American students who survived there while stranded in 2012 and I figured out it could have been their things I saw.

Anyway I like all the bits of info in this book, I would say that each chapter can be read stand alone. There isn't really a storyline throughout the book more just chapters on her adventures in different areas with stories and history in those areas.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too have a slightly morbid fascination with people who vanish in the outdoors. It's a bit disjointed and I would actually have liked more about her trips and experiences, but an absorbing read nonetheless.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this sometimes and found other bits a little hard.
The writing is amazing, but it doesn't flow smoothly. I can understand bulking the topics together by parts of the country, and the historical snippets are interesting, but it definitely breaks up the narrative a little much for my liking.
Also found the section on walking from St Arnaud to Hanmer a little confronting with its talk about needing to be skinny and whether she was obese - not what I expected from a book otherwise quite feminist in its discussion of the outdoors (also, the route sounds like its really rough and unusual - but 85% of it was on Te Araroa trail, so I'm not sure when this trip happened that it was so isolated and unusual?)

[Rupe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it was regularly jarring due to being quite disjointed; many segues are so abrupt, and allusions are so far apart, that you wonder if she just forgot to finish the paragraph. Would have given four stars until I read in the notes she voted for ACT in 2020... Anybody who can announce that without experiencing a deep shame clearly has severe empathy issues and does not deserve the extra two stars! Haha

[Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phillips takes you on a whirlwind tour of New Zealand tramping, alpine climbing, history, risk, death, feminism, and confidence. I think this is a really valuable read for anyone into the outdoors - it has a lot of lessons to teach if you are ready to receive them. It is also equally entertaining and makes for a good story if that is what you are into! I learned a lot which I always enjoy.

[Daniel Weatherley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I came away wanting to know more about the author. I thought it was strongest when talking about her inner life - why she was doing things, what she thought and felt. I was less interested in the various historical tales of woe which probably take up about half of the text.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while in NZ and found it really fascinating to learn more about the history and culture of exploration and climbing in this beautiful place, I also loved the feminist perspective of the author and the great story telling.

[P · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF is the reason for the 1 star. Disjointed, all over the place writing. Changing subject/topic or historical tidbit every few sentences, with a bit of man hate thrown in. Bore. Read ‘Solo’ by Jenny Tough instead.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it would be a linear reflections of Hazel leaving society and her journey living in huts & the trails across Aotearoa. Instead each chapter is about a different region/mountain range, about stories of the people who have died there and the history of the area, as well as her own experiences there. Big discussions of how women were/are seen as ‘less capable’ climbers which is interesting (and sad). The book is a little hard to follow and not what I expected, but still an interesting read.

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read about the male vs. female views etc. in the outdoors world. I wasn’t expecting a history lesson on Aotearoa New Zealand and its visitors/adventurers, and I would have liked more of her own story. It did jump fairly quickly through some of the chapters and regions, which was a bit of a shame. Inspiring nonetheless, and nice to follow her ups and downs on her journey in the great outdoors.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're into climbing mountains at snow level, a MUST READ. I had no idea how many deaths there have been in the mountains throughout Aotearoa. And also how much mountaineering was done back since the 1800s! Fascinating stories but will put the willies up you if you're thinking of getting to the snow with little experience. Hazel writes in an entertaining storytelling way. Great mix of NZ history and our love of adventure.

[Amanda Heapy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to pick up a book that describes personal experiences of tramping & historical tales of misadventure in familiar locations. Unique & meaningful in that it brings tramping & history together underpinned by perspectives on gender in the outdoors, safety, self sufficiency, confidence & finding home. Definitely worth a read.

[Danya Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Good casual tone. Reflected some of my own experiences and scattered some new and interesting historical information throughout. I'm sure some anecdotes about casual mansplaining and outright sexism could irritate some but I know they are factual! Coming from a family of female trekkers I found it very interesting and read it over a few days.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, Phillips has plenty of interesting stuff to say about tramping in NZ, particularly as a woman.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most morbid book I've ever read.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts well but become very repetitive. The author also appears to have a real chip on her shoulder regarding men which also becomes tiresome.

[Gia Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a female climber and hiker for many years I found this book wildly frustrating. Felt discombobulated, erratic and lacking something I can’t put my fingers on.

Sadly very disappointed.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is good, but a bit cynical and self indulgent.

[Robynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having walked the Milford Track with Hazel back in 2009, I enjoyed reading about her adventures, interspersed with interesting historical facts.

[Eves.Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh. This book made me want to quit my job and go to all the places mentioned.