Safety first The importance of training
Anne Taylor from the Southland Tramping Club explains why you should get some proper training before heading out on your own packrafting adventures.
Risk vs Reward Coping with failure on Malte Brun
Failure is inevitable in the mountains, yet the only time we truly fail is when we do not grow from such experiences. Failure teaches us resilience in the face of future hardship.
Eastern Kaweka's Heretaunga heritage
Done a bit of tramping on the eastern side of the north island? Chances are you've stayed at a Heretaunga Tramping Club hut. Glenda Hooper and four club mates from HTC visit a favourite spot and recall the clubs hard work building huts and tracks there in the 40's, 80's and today.
Trench Foot The joy of GodZone or a peril for Packrafters?
Not just for adventure racers or soliders any more; packrafters beware! Timothy Hargrave gives us the low down on rotting feet in Fiordland.
A taste of Te Araroa Part two: What it means to be a Kiwi
A solo tiny tramper sets her sights on the trail for a life-changing five month journey. By Julie Stacey
A taste of Te Araroa Part one: Preparation
A solo tiny tramper sets her sights on the trail for a life-changing five month journey. by Julie Stacey.
Funding the future The FMC Mountain and Forest Trust
Find out about where your donations go, to help support the objectives of FMC
Aquanauting: Taking a boat for a walk
Penzy Dinsdale offers us a few thoughts about Aquanauting in the Otago Uni Tramping Club (OUTC)
On a dream
Alpine tops, grade 2 rapids, southern ocean and two perfectly calm crossings of Hauroko, the "Lake of the sounding wind". Jamie McAuly had a dream trip by all accounts...
The excitement of the unknown Exploring the Paringa
A remote West Coast river, packrafting, rain, a lack of information about paddling descents; for Chris Abel, it was hard to think of more exciting ingredients for an adventure.
Photo comps: Just amateurs
Sally Stockdale explains why her club began running a photo competition again.
Manapouri to Foveaux Strait The quintessential Fiordland journey
On Christmas Eve we set off from the West Arm of Lake Manapouri with around a weeks’ worth of food, packrafting and tramping gear, a bunch of TOPO maps and loose plans to make it to Foveaux Strait. We had a small box of food delivered to Lake Roe Hut on the Dusky Track to pick on the way. For two weeks we linked together rivers, Fiords, lakes, some trails and a few different mountain ranges to make it to the Southern Ocean.
Time to step up Cruising down the Clutha
Aimee Smith steps up from passenger to trip leader on a glorious paddle down the Clutha.
Canyoning Exploring the Wilberforce
Sometimes inspiration comes at you from a strange angle.
Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 2
The grand-children of John Findlay continue their pilgrimage to the Olivine Range, and the glacier named after him.
Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 1
The seed was planted for this trip a couple of years ago, when my sister and I were was told that there was a glacier in the Olivine Ranges named after our late grandfather, John Findlay.
Back in the day The origins of a packrafter
Hugh Canard reflects on a few past (mis)adventures which make him grateful for the modern packrafts we have these days.
First descents: The General
Joe Bugden and Greg Tilden commit to the exploration of a world class technical canyon in the Dart valley.
Hindsight: learning from bad experiences
Hueristic traps can negatively influence outdoor decision making. Maria Hamelink recalls a few learning experiences which cemented her vow to "never cross a river just because someone says its ok."
Upper Otaki Gorgeous gorges
Traditionally, the Otaki gorge below Waitewaewae Hut was the domain of trampers with tyre tubes in low summer flows, and the occasional heli-kayaker when it been raining. Now, like many of the Tararua gorges, this is set to become a classic packrafting trip.
Packrafting A kayaker’s perspective
After 40 years exploring rivers all around the world, Hugh Canard explains why he loves his new river tool.
FMC Photo competition 2017 The story behind the top shot
Kane Hartill shares the story behind his magnficent photo; of mountain adventures across generations and being there just at the right moment.
Packrafting Stuff you ought to know
Interested in giving Packrafting a whirl? Dulkara Martig offers some information you might want to know before giving it a go.
Great Kiwi clubs Three days in the Coromandel
Katikati Tramping Club members make the most of the long weekends weather to explore and tramp through a delightful part of the Coromandel peninsula.
