Episode Description
Robbie Burton has spent a lifetime straddling two worlds — the wild backcountry and the world of books. The long-time co-leader of Potton & Burton, one of New Zealand’s most influential independent publishers, Robbie has also tramped and climbed across the country, including a three-month traverse of the Southern Alps from Milford to Nelson Lakes.
In this episode, Robbie reflects on growing up free-range in Nelson, the teenage adventures that sparked his lifelong love of the mountains, and how those early experiences shaped both his outlook and his publishing career. We talk huts and hunger, heavy packs and light gear, how tramping culture has changed, and the challenges of keeping outdoor writing and photography alive in a digital world.
It’s a conversation about wilderness, words, and why some journeys — on foot and in print — are worth taking slowly.
Photo credit Mike Sim