OUR MOUNTAINS - Journeys to NZ's Highest Places

Three-quarters of New Zealand lies more than 200 metres above sea level, making us one of the more mountainous countries in the world, so it’s no surprise that many of us have a great affinity for the rugged backdrop against which we live.        Two men with a particular respect for our high places, writer Paul Hersey and photographer Mark Watson, both experienced climbers, embarked on a year-long journey across the length of the country to visit, climb and tell the stories surrounding 15 of its most significant summits.        The narrative that emerges has an overarching environmental theme, as Hersey questions the value New Zealanders place on our ecological heritage and discusses local issues with the people living on and near the mountains. In addition to accounts of tramping and climbing experiences, there are references to local history, Maoritanga, geology, farming and conservation, alongside entertaining and engaging personal comment.         Stunning photographs captured by Watson show some of our best known peaks in a fresh way, completing a moving evocation of the New Zealand landscape and its mountain-related culture. New Holland $45.00

The Author & Photographer

Paul Hersey has climbed, surfed, mountain-biked, or otherwise explored his way through most corners of New Zealand and many destinations overseas. He is the author of two books about climbing, Where the Mountains Throw Their Dice and High Misadventure both published by New Holland, and writes articles for various magazines. Mark Watson is a Lyttelton-based photographer and graphic designer, whose work has been widely published in books, magazines and calendars.  He has spent several years working for the New Zealand Alpine Club, has been managing editor of The Climber magazine and editor of New Zealand Alpine Journal, and has directed the publishing and design for numerous guidebooks. The author and local climber Phill Davies traverse the crater rim towards the summit of Mount Taranaki . Phill climbs the final few metres of thick rime ice to the summit  The 1950 war memorial on the summit of Mount Hector (Tararuas) can be an eerie sight through the cloud.