193: Solo Tramping the Richmond Ranges and Running an Outdoor Store with Emily Thompson

Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast · Sep 11, 2026 · 1h 2m

Emily Thompson owns MD Outdoors, an all-women outdoor store in Nelson, and grew up on the West Coast of the South Island. She shares about a five-day solo tramp through the Richmond Ranges in late November, from Slaty Hut over Mt Rintoul, then through Mid Wairoa, Hunters Hut and Red Hills before hitchhiking out to St Arnaud. Emily talks about going lightweight, underestimating her food and trading Radix meals for noodles in the huts, and leading a struggling walker over the hardest section. Emily reflects on micro goals, eating every 45 minutes, and why she is stepping back from ultra running…