Words & imagery by @adventures_of_riko
This is Gale and Riko, a 4-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who was born in Motueka and bred in Christchurch. He started off hiking the Port Hills as a puppy and now goes everywhere with me, all over the South Island.
Left: Riko on top of Mole Tops looking over to Nelson Lakes Nation Parks tarns. Right: Orson Raider XL in front of Mt Barth where we camped for 2 nights.
There’s something magical about being in the mountain with Riko when he is trotting happily beside me. I can tell he loves to be out there as much as I do. The world slows down, worries fade, and suddenly it’s just you, your best friend, and the rhythm of nature.
I never thought I would actually stand at the start of a trail in the Southern Alps with a heavy pack on my back and my dog by my side. For a long time, depression and anxiety ruled my life. Some people told me I wasn’t independent enough, that I wouldn’t cope with something like this — the weight of the pack, the challenge of the mountains, the uncertainty of the journey. Part of me believed them. But another part of me was tired of living small, tired of letting fear make my decisions. So here I was, somewhere in the mountains, doubting at first, but putting one foot in front of the other anyway. Before I know it, I am confident enough to do a multi-day trip with Riko.
I started small, just tackling some of the walking tracks in the Port Hills. Step by step, my confidence grew until I was finally brave enough to go on a solo hike with Riko to Mt Cloudsley in the Craigieburn Range. It was terrifying and satisfying all at once. On those day hikes, Riko also started training to carry his own gear. At first, it was just his boots, some treats, and water — but it felt like we were both learning how to shoulder our own loads. What amazed me was how quickly his confidence grew. With every hike, I could see more strength in him — his tail high, his stride steady, like he knew he belonged out there just as much as I did.
That’s when the thought hit me: What if we tried more than just a day hike? Could we actually do an overnight trip together?
Our first overnight tramp was at the Ahuriri Conservation Area — two nights over Christmas and Boxing Day 2023. The valley was perfect: gradual elevation, wide open spaces, and epic glacial views of the Huxley Range. As I looked up at those ridgelines, I remember thinking, one day, I’d like to be up there. Watching Riko settle into camp so naturally — carrying his gear, exploring with confidence, curling up at night without worry — gave me the reassurance that we could take on more.
Fast forward to Waitangi Day 2025, and we were. Riko and I along with our friends stood on the ridge of the Huxley Range, looking back down at the valley we’d once camped in. That trip turned out to be one of our most fun — and most terrifying — adventures. We scrambled up an unmarked route to an unnamed lake with zero visibility, slid down scree slopes, and bush-bashing our way back to the valley. Through it all, Riko was bounding ahead, sniffing every rock and bush, tail wagging like he’d just discovered the world for the first time. Meanwhile, I was clinging to my pack, heart racing, questioning every step. His unstoppable energy, fearless leaps, and pure joy were impossible not to catch — somehow, his excitement kept me moving forward when I wanted to freeze in place.
And beyond the mountains and valleys, something even more special happened. Hiking with Riko introduced me to incredible friends and their dogs. Spending hours together on trails, navigating difficult terrains, sharing laughs and challenges, I realised these weren’t just hiking companions — they had become lifelong friends. Thanks, Riko!!
Left: Riko and myself on the way to the eastern ridge of the Huxley Range. Right: Tilly, Bertie and Riko on the way to find the mysterious unnamed Ahuriri glacial lake.
Riko beside the unnamed glacial lake on Huxley Range.
When you’re camping in New Zealand mountains especially with a dog, the tent isn’t just your cover — it’s a safety shelter aka home for you and them. I learned quickly that not all tents are equal when it comes to tramping here. In New Zealand, where the weather can turn fast, a good tent can make or break your trip.
My first tramping tent is from Orson as I know Orson tents are built for tough NZ conditions, but also because they have models that actually make sense for dog owners. I was looking for something that is robust, big and light enough for me to carry when I go tramping with Riko. I decided on Orson Raider XL. Here is what I was looking for a tent.
Features to Look For as a Dog Owner:
- Vestibule Space → Somewhere to stash gear, boots and give your dog a little buffer from bad weather.
- Durable Floor → Claws + thin tent material = disaster. Orson’s floors can actually handle it.
- Ventilation → Crucial for keeping the tent cool in summer and preventing condensation in winter.
My Orson Raider XL is just perfect when it is just us, with the extra long length Riko can sleep at the end of the tent by my feet. In the vestibule area I can store my extra gear. This is perfect for our 3 season mountain adventures.
We recently hiked Mataketake Range over Easter. This was my first multi day hike with Riko. It was a long 3 days with over 40km and 1,700m elevation gain. The Raider XL was just perfect for this.
Left: Orson Raider XL on top of Mataketake Range with Aoraki/ Mount Cook in the background. Right: Riko and his backpack on Mataketake Range Top.
I get a lot of questions around how to train Riko for hiking and carry his own gear. You can’t just drop a dog into the wild and expect them to “get it.” Trust me, I learned this the hard way on our first night — where every crack of a branch or wild duck quacking set him off like a burglar alarm.
The best advice? Start small. Before going straight to sub alpine or alpine camping, we camped in the backyard with our Orson tent. Then we tried a local DOC campsite. Only after a few practice runs did we head into the real backcountry, and still, started off by camping in the valley rather than higher altitude spots.
When I put his backpack on for the first time to do some of the local hikes in Mid Canterbury, he looked at me as if he wanted to say, “Excuse me, what is this?” Eventually he understood and adjusted himself to the weight of the pack. I only let him carry just around 10% of his bodyweight and do not tend to overload him. We have to remember that they are dogs and not mules. Don’t make them carry stuff for you. They should just carry their own stuff.
The patience pays off. By the time we made it deep into the mountains, my dog was happy to curl up in the tent. The more you do it the more they will get used to and become comfortable camping with you in a tent.
And you might wonder what is the essential gear for dog camping in New Zealand.
If you think you’re carrying a lot of gear for yourself, wait until you add dog supplies to your pack. Riko, of course a good boy, carries his own gear as well. Here’s the list of what Riko (and I) carry (for him) - it’s worth every gram:
- Dog mat that actually fits inside the Orson tent → keeps your dog insulated from the cold ground. I usually carry an extra insulated half-length sleeping mat.
- Collapsible food and water bowls → lightweight and easy to pack.
- Extra water → streams aren’t always safe or even exist at all on some tracks.
- Towel for muddy paws → the vestibule is your best friend.
- Dog jacket → NZ nights get cold, even in summer.
- First aid kit for dogs → paw balm, tweezers for grass seeds, bandages.
- Dog boots → for sharp rocky terrain
- His anti-histamine → you never know what your dog could be allergic to in the outback
- Shovel or Poo bags → Leave no trace!
The Southern Alps aren’t a gentle backyard walk. Cold snaps, snow, sudden rain — they’re all part of the deal. Packing well for your dog isn’t about being fancy; it’s about making sure they’re safe, warm and able to keep walking beside you the next day.
NZ’s backcountry weather doesn’t mess around. One day it’s sunburn, the next it’s sideways rain. We started off tramping in 3 seasons and often at a lower attitude until recently when we have started challenging ourselves more by camping at higher attitude and during the colder months. I reached out to the team at Orson to see what the best option is for a 4-season tent that is tough and strong for NZ's unpredictable backcountry weather. I was recommended an Orson Alpha 2. This is not just about keeping us comfortable inside the tent, but rather a safety thing and it was non-negotiable.
Here is why I think Orson Alpha 2 is perfect for backcountry camping with your dog:
Built for NZ Conditions
The Alpha 2 can handle high winds, heavy rain and alpine chill. Its semi-geodesic frame and PU-coated ripstop fabric mean you and your dog stay dry and secure even when the weather turns nasty. We have experienced this first hand with wind gusts close to 70kph, rain all night long and temperature plummeting below zero at the altitude of 1,700m near Nelson Lakes National Park.
Space for Two… and a Dog
I often have my partner joining us on our tramping trip. Alpha 2 has plenty of room for two people plus more room for a dog. Dual doors and vestibules make it easy to manage muddy paws and wet gear. The bonus is that you don’t have to fight for the door when you have to do your business at 3am in the morning!
Fast & Dry Setup
Dogs aren’t always patient when it’s bucketing down. With external poles and quick-clip pitching, you can get the Alpha 2 up in minutes—fly and inner together—so your pup isn’t left shivering outside.
Breathable & Comfortable
Multiple vents keep air moving, which is especially handy when drying out damp fur and boots. Less condensation, less dog smell, better sleep.
Backpack-Friendly
Weighing just over 3kg, the Alpha 2 packs down small enough for multi-day missions. Add the optional groundsheet for extra durability if your dog likes to sprawl or dig before settling. Trust me when you’re doing multi day hike you want to choose a strong and sturdy tent and not an overly-extra-light-tent.
That first hike in the Southern Alps didn’t cure my depression or erase my anxiety. But it did something almost as important — it showed me that I’m capable of more than I thought. Every step, every night in the tent, every challenge met with my dog by my side chipped away at the idea that I wasn’t “independent enough.”
Hiking and camping with a dog in New Zealand aren’t always easy. It takes planning, patience, and gear that won’t let you down. But the payoff? Waking up in the mountains, unzipping your tent, and watching your dog wag his tail at the sunrise. That moment alone is worth every heavy pack, sore legs and back.
Follow Gale & Riko's adventures on Instagram: @adventures_of_riko
Orson Alpha 2 | 4 Season Semi Geodesic Alpine Tent