Patrick Lam

Thoughts and travels of Patrick Lam

Review: Takahē: Bird of Dreams by Alison Ballance

Stories about takahē: re-discovery, conservation, and their habits.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Comparing the Old Ghost Road and Paparoa tracks and their books

The Old Ghost Road and the Paparoa Great Walk cross similar terrain on the West Coast in New Zealand. But the Old Ghost Road was led by a nonprofit, while the Paparoa was the product of the Department of Conservation. Let’s compare them.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Friday, September 20, 2024

Trip report: Christchurch/Lincoln, Queenstown, and Doubtful Sound

Not the Cascade Saddle, take 2. Canterbury Open (judo), Queenstown hikes (Ben Lomond, Welcome Rock) and bike trips (Gibbston), and Doubtful Sound for 2 nights.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Thursday, June 6, 2024

Trip report: Whanganui Journey—five days canoeing on the Whanganui river

Great Walk #9: not a walk at all, but a 145km canoe trip down the Whanganui River, with gentle rapids. We got there using public transit.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Monday, April 8, 2024

Review: The Last Front Line by Brendan O'Dwyer

How the sausage is made: Brendan O’Dwyer writes about building the Paparoa Great Walk on NZ’s West Coast.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Mount Hopeless attempt, August 25-27, 2023

We carried mountaineering gear 50km on a long weekend and had a nice walk in the fluffy snow, but no summit.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Thursday, October 12, 2023

Review: Flight of the Huia by Kerry-Jayne Wilson

A review of a 2004 book about NZ ecology, ecosystems, and species endemic to NZ.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Monday, September 4, 2023

Atene Skyline Track, June 17, 2023

Atene Skyline day hike in Whanganui National Park. A bit faster than predicted time. Well-formed if somewhat steep track. Excellent undercast views. Also, Bushy Park near Whanganui.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Leaving Early: The Last Day of our South Island December 2022 trip

A day in the life. Making and executing last-minute travel plans to get back to Wellington from the South Island.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Saturday, December 31, 2022

Trip Report: Judo Nationals in Christchurch, October 14-16 2022

Finally, I make it to NZ judo nationals, taking 3rd. Designer Cottage was a great place to stay. Plus, Christchurch Tram.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Monday, November 14, 2022

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Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo; patrick.lam@uwaterloo.ca

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