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Youth Tramping Accessible to All

By Guest Author|2023-11-27T10:35:38+13:00November 20th, 2023

“For a group of neuro-diverse students, the biggest challenge can be getting the opportunity to take part in outdoor adventures.” After five years in the making, nine neuro-diverse students from Wellington East Girls’ College head off for their biggest adventure yet – a six-day ski and snowshoeing trip to the Cardrona Valley. Unit Leader, Leonie King, shines light on the students’ barriers to entry and the preparation required to complete their Gold DOE's Hillary Award.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Starting From Scratch

By Guest Author|2023-11-07T14:34:12+13:00November 7th, 2023

No ride, no problem. FMC Youth Award Grant recipient, Tara Isaacs, organises her own DOE Gold Qualifier from the ground up. Starting without a team, a shadower or a ride, she compiles a crew and all the components necessary to cross off one of her 'bucket list tramps' – the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk.

Backcountry Accidents

Mountaineering When Perceived Safety is Misleading

By Guest Author|2023-11-01T14:50:01+13:00November 1st, 2023

“What may seem to be a safe situation is only one mis-step away from catastrophe.” In an alpine environment, even one small error can lead to a life or death situation. A false sense of security coupled with an unfortunate event results in a tragic outcome for one mountaineer on Mount Ruapehu.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Stepping Into Discomfort

By Guest Author|2023-10-24T15:58:53+13:00October 24th, 2023

'No growth occurs when comfortable' becomes the guiding mantra for five Youth Award Grant recipients. Flexibility and persistence prove essential during their DOE Gold Qualifying Journey, as they respond to ill trampers and an emergency helicopter rescue along the Pinnacles.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant The Kayak Kapers

By Guest Author|2023-09-05T21:13:58+12:00September 5th, 2023

For their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifying Journey, Emiliana and her team opt for an alternative mode of backcountry travel – kayaking. Dubbed the Kayak Kapers, this team of twenty-four students (over half of whom had never kayaked) bravely took up their paddles and developed new skills during a multi-day exploration of the Marlborough Sounds.

Outdoor Community blog

Training Grant Keeping Calm Under Pressure

By Guest Author|2023-09-07T10:09:20+12:00August 30th, 2023

“By the end of the weekend, we were like a well-oiled machine.” As recipients of the 2022 FMC Training Grant, members of the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club shift from uncertainty to competency during their wilderness first aid weekend training.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Tackling the Tongariro

By Guest Author|2023-07-14T16:44:49+12:00July 14th, 2023

Over the April school holidays, six students set off to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Qualifying Adventurous Journey in Tongariro National Park. Demonstrating excellent planning for their tramp, the group successfully navigates all the challenges thrown their way and completes a trip of a lifetime.

Outdoor Community blog

Training Grant Peak Safety Course

By Guest Author|2023-07-06T19:17:14+12:00July 6th, 2023

"All too often we can apply the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude to exploring the outdoors, but in an emergency, that is of little help." After assessing their outdated first aid skills, the Otago Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club puts their FMC Training Grant to good use – an intensive first aid course where they learn everything from CPR to managing real-life scenarios with hands-on practice.

Spotlight

Mike Dawson Interview With a New Zealand Olympian

By Guest Author|2023-06-26T18:38:22+12:00June 26th, 2023

What do the Indus and Keve rivers have in common? Mike Dawson, former New Zealand Olympian in whitewater slalom and expedition kayaker, reveals his all-time favourite rivers, the biggest threats to river access and how whitewater kayaking is like solving a puzzle.

Spotlight

Shannon Mast Paddler of the Year 2022, Whitewater NZ

By Guest Author|2023-06-08T14:21:37+12:00June 6th, 2023

"There is just a whole lotta love in kayaking here in New Zealand, for the rivers and each other." Shannon Mast was unanimously voted as Paddler of the Year 2022, at Whitewater New Zealand’s AGM. In this interview, Justin Venable dives into what makes Shannon passionate about whitewater kayaking and New Zealand rivers.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Teamwork on the Tongariro Northern Circuit

By Guest Author|2023-06-01T10:07:49+12:00June 1st, 2023

"Journey – a long and often difficult process of personal change and development." For these four FMC Youth Award Grant recipients, they draw upon their strengths and honestly address their shortcomings to come together as a team to support one another, as well as look after fellow trampers on the Tongariro Crossing Northern Circuit.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Te Whare Tapa Whā

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:29:20+13:00May 3rd, 2023

Examining their Gold qualifying tramp through the lens of Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four dimensions of wellbeing), Alicia and Sophie reflect on the significant challenges they faced on the Rees-Dart Track and what strategies helped encourage them to continue.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Winter Wonderland on the Ruahines

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:28:23+13:00March 4th, 2023

Freezing temperatures bring unexpected challenges to a group of Duke of Edinburgh Silver qualifiers on the Ruahines. But through it all, they embrace the magic of a winter wonderland tramp surrounded by snow and icicles and demonstrate what is to be a good hut steward.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Second Chance Success

By Guest Author|2023-02-07T10:49:19+13:00February 7th, 2023

A second attempt and an alternative route pays off for these four Duke of Edinburgh qualifiers. After a flooded track and health problems forces the group to turn back on their first try, they persevere and successfully complete their next tramp with lots of fun and skill building along the way.

Trip Reports

Ōmanui and Beyond A Transalpine Adventure Into the Glaisnock Wilderness Area

By Guest Author|2023-01-20T04:11:53+13:00January 16th, 2023

Based in Fiordland working as a stoat trapper, Tom #1 and his mate Tom #2 embark on a week-long backcountry exploration into the Glaisnock Wilderness Area.

Backcountry Accidents

Historical Accident on the Three Passes

By Guest Author|2024-03-05T15:10:05+13:00January 11th, 2023

In 1934, two Canterbury University Tramping Club members were the subjects of an intense search after not reaching their destination. Shaun Barnett compiles their stories found in multiple newspapers from the period, in which the men recount their harrowing ordeal.

Spotlight

Rivers Motu Awa, Bay of Plenty

By Guest Author|2022-12-30T10:51:59+13:00December 20th, 2022

The Motu River lies in the ancestral lands of the East Coast Ancestor, Apanui Ringamutu. Blair 'Jah Lion' Trotman, with consultation from local hāpu representative Louis Rāpihana, shares the rich history of the Motu Awa and how its current kaitiaki (guardians) continue to care for the river today.

Outdoor Community blog

Youth Outdoors The Murchison Camping Club

By Guest Author|2022-11-26T05:54:08+13:00November 23rd, 2022

It all started in the nineties with a group of paddlers keen to meet annually and paddle whitewater. Now an official tradition after twenty years, this tight-knit group continues to gather every Christmas to pass on their knowledge and love of kayaking to the next generation.

Outdoor Community blog

Training Grant Snow Skills Weekend

By Guest Author|2022-11-21T13:42:45+13:00November 21st, 2022

After a close call occurs during a club outing, the North Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club (NOTMC) recognises the need to offer winter skills training for its newer members. With support from a FMC Training Grant, they organise a backcountry training weekend with a well-respected mountaineering and ski touring guide.

Spotlight

Rivers Falls Creek, A True West Coast Adventure

By Guest Author|2022-11-02T08:59:01+13:00November 2nd, 2022

What does it mean to be a West Coast adventurer? For Rata Lovell Smith, a Wahine Toa who runs the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Outdoor Education Program, the West Coast adventurer is as unique and powerful as the landscape itself. In this river spotlight, she highlights Falls Creek – a West Coast kayaker's dream and 'a sacred chasm of water and rock.'

Outdoor Community blog

Training Grant PRANZ Skills Development Programme

By Guest Author|2022-11-02T04:39:01+13:00November 2nd, 2022

With packrafting on the rise, PRANZ recognises their responsibility to establish a culture of safety and training around this popular sport. With support from the FMC Training Grant, they have developed and are now road testing a curriculum for packraft instruction.

Outdoor Community blog

West Mathias First Descent by Kayak

By Guest Author|2022-10-27T07:49:02+13:00October 20th, 2022

Four kayakers embark on a first descent of the West Mathias river, completing the pinnacle of whitewater kayaking with a broken thumb and triumphant spirits.

Outdoor Community blog

Kindred Organisations Forest & Bird and Predator Free 2050

By Guest Author|2022-10-08T09:12:05+13:00October 8th, 2022

What is Forest & Bird's role in conservation and how can you get involved? Former Acting Manager of National Projects, Gillian Wadams, breaks down F&B's contributions from the local to the national level and how their mission relates to Aotearoa's goal of Predator Free 2050.

Outdoor Community blog

Training Grant Avalanche Awareness

By Guest Author|2022-10-05T07:05:35+13:00October 5th, 2022

With support from a FMC Training Grant, the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) gains essential, hands-on knowledge in avalanche safety and response.

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