Nic Low: Following historic routes through the Southern Alps

Nic Low is an author of Ngāi Tahu and European descent, born in Christchurch, he writes fiction, essays and criticism. Nic Low's new book Uprising takes the reader on fifteen treks through "ancestor country", Ka Tiritiri-o-te-moana, the Southern Alps, following historic routes. Uprising traces journeys Nic took through the mountains on foot, ski and by waka to unlock the stories of Māori explorers, raiding parties, gods and goddesses. He walked to understand. Each chapter is a physical journey through the landscape, revisiting episodes in history and attempting to understand how his forebears saw the land. It's a book about immersion in place, which he hopes trampers and climbers will take to read in situ. Nic is appearing at the Mountain Film and Book Festival.