After successfully skiing the entire east face of Aoraki/Mt Cook, an accomplished backcountry skier attempts the Caroline Face and tragically passes away after an equipment failure. Matteo Scoz offers tips on gear checks and how to properly transition between modes of travel to avoid disastrous consequences.
‘Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.’ The Whanganui River was accorded the status of legal personhood in 2017. Kathy Ombler shares the history of struggle that led to this point, as well as the significance, values and framework behind Te Awa Tupua.
After receiving the tragic news that her partner Lochie is missing, Tara pauses their plans to traverse along the Southern Alps from Cape Farewell to Fiordland to help with his search. When the search is called off, she makes the heavy-hearted decision to continue with the trip. Tara recounts the final leg of her journey as a Simon Bell Memorial Scholarship recipient – a solo trek across the Olivine Ice Plateau towards Red Mountain and down to the ocean at Big Bay.
In this historical news article from 1927, an Evening Post journalist examines the recent rise in mountaineering and river-work accidents and the personal stories behind them.
While trapping began as a way for Marcia to bond with her teenager daughter, it evolves into her own personal project. In this honest account of what it takes to be a trapper, Marcia pushes past her comfort zone to overcome challenges and develop backcountry skills.
A crew of Silver Duke of Edinburgh qualifying students comes prepared with a contingency plan for every weather scenario, as they embark on the Tararuas and experience many of the elements that an alpine climate has to offer.
While volunteering in conservation requires a generous sacrifice of time and effort, Tony Walton of the Auckland Tramping Club shifts the perspective from ‘giving back’ to ‘receiving back’ and shares the many rewards he has gained from his time as a volunteer.
A second attempt at conquering the 2885m Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku reunites the Moa Hunters, a group of simple blokes with a simple goal: find a moa.
Despite high river levels cancelling their canoeing trip, this adventurous group of DOE Gold qualifiers bring a whole new meaning to 'carpe diem.' With their extra time, they tackle whitewater rafting, rock climbing and canyoning, even climbing Mount Ruapehu with ice axes.
Need a first aid refresher? Christchurch Tramping Club member, John Kerkhofs, provides a quick, helpful guide to remembering the basics after the FMC Training Grant funds his club's first aid course.
From sunshine to high speed winds of over 100 km/h, a week-long rafting trip teaches Youth Award Grant recipient, Harry Brenton-Rule, to be prepared for every scenario in the backcountry.
What’s the hardest part of any tramp? A return to civilization. The Glen Eden Venturers tackle over 80km along the Rees Dart Track and while feeling reluctant to rejoin society, they become inspired to take their knowledge and train young scouts in backcountry skills.
Do you want to take the next step in volunteering and make conservation a lifestyle? Mary Jowett shares how the 'Adopt a Plot' scheme allows volunteers to take ownership over a plot of land and save its native vegetation without the use of spray.
Inspiring the next generation: FMC provides free mountain films for school students.
A 19-person ascent of Mt Aspiring along with poor visibility? For these experienced mountaineers, it only adds to the thrill of a backcountry trip with good mates.
Gerald Bruce-Smith reports on pest-busting in the South Island’s first national park, Arthur's Pass.
Travelling with a toddler always has its uncertainties. But travelling 300km by bike while towing a toddler is a next level adventure. For this brave family of three, the experience is even better than they imagined.
The allure of an unchartered climb is enough to entice climbers Jamie Macalister and Martin Johnson. As recipients of the FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship, they venture to scale the expansive, 300-metre-high face on Douglas Spur above the Paringa River.
After realising they need a near miracle to significantly reduce the pest population in their region, a generous donation and a team of volunteers arrive on the scene.
Chris Sommer and his new climbing mate take on Friday’s Fool – a 200 meter mixed (rock and ice) route at the heart of the Remarkables range. After their rope gets mysteriously cut, the pair face a life or death situation resulting in a Search and Rescue evacuation.
With our snowlines edging upward and helicopter access carbon adding to the problem, using an e-bike (where permitted and practical) is a good solution for access to slightly more remote ski tours. James Shoshoni and his mates have a successful go at e-bike ski touring and traverse fresh powder on Mt Stephenson.
'There always seems to be more to gain no matter how much you give.' Guided by this philosophy, Cath and her partner become active volunteers in the trapping community in Southland. After relocating to Central Otago, the pair are introduced to a new landscape, as well as the wildlife and pest diversity that comes along with it.
Well known for being one of the muddiest tramps, Brianna Loan learns firsthand the frustration (and fun) of being stuck in the mud with mates. As a recipient of the FMC Youth Award Grant, she and her team share laughs, forge friendships, and together face a crucial safety decision when the weather turns.
Ngā mihi anō ki a koutou, e whai ana te maramatanga o te reo Māori! In our te reo column from Backcountry Magazine, we explore some of the language associated with rivers and streams.
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