Heuristic Trap: Commitment An article for the Winter 2026 edition of the PRANZ newsletter. This is the first of a six part series on heuristic traps or mental shortcuts. These can sometime lead us into dangerous situations. They are the situations that leave you wondering “how did I get here” and afterwards the decision seems …
An article for the Summer 2025 edition of the PRANZ newsletter. This one covers a vital but often unrecognised safety skill. What is the most important safety skill? Think quickly, and without reading ahead, I want you decide on an answer of the one single most important safety skill a paddler could have. Got it? …
“The river had other ideas. The current snatched the bow of his boat and hurtled him sideways against the buffer wave.Sandra sunk into a crouch. No sooner had his head reappeared from the waves…”
Day four of any attempt of an East-West traverse of the Southern Alps, from the Hopkins River to the West Coast Highway, encompassing the Landsborough and Karangarua Valleys.
A recount of tramping the upper Landsborough and crossing the Karangarua Saddle.
A last minute decision to packraft the Arahura leads to a change in plan and dramatic results.
Day two of a four day traverse in South Westland. The author attempts to cover 26km of rough country in a day.
Day 1 of an attempt of an East-West traverse the Southern Alps, from the Hopkins River to the West Coast Highway, encompassing the Landsborough and Karangarua Valleys.