Every morning, the sun rises over the sea. It comes up through the clouds in shades of gold and amber, silhouetting the forest in front of me. Some mornings it's pink. Some mornings it's fire. Some mornings the clouds are so thick I only know it's risen by the light that gradually finds its way through. I don't miss a morning.

This edition features practical advice for anyone dreaming of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, a training guide for Great Walks season, both October Himalayan departures, and an update from Shambhala about work that's quietly reshaping what the forest is becoming.

Matariki is almost here and we marked its approach by walking into a gold mine tunnel in the Kaimai bush and coming out the other side changed.

This month: the Waiorongomai Valley story, the Great Walks comparison you've been asking for, a pop-up Friday morning walk at Karapiro, and the July Reset and Recharge Walk at Lake Ōkataina.