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.
Random Spot Secret views on the Kaimai
Trampers go the darnedest places, here Peter Lee-Johnson and his Katikati Tramping Club mates find a view in the southern Kaimai.
Expedition Scholarships Tararua Traverse
In the summer of 2015/2016, a group from the Auckland University Tramping Club traversed the Tararua with support from the FMC Mountain and Forest Trust
Speak Out Our Wild Spaces Under Threat
Caver, photographer and passionate outdoorsman Neil Silverwood on the threat of development to our wild places.
Wilderness Kaimanawa – Heart of the North Island
Conservation guru Les Molloy ponders the future of conservation planning and wilderness in the Kaimanawa.
Epic Te Waipounamu Traverse
In the rainy summer of 2016/2017, Allan Brent, Lydia McLean, Alexis Belton and Mark Leslie set out on an epic mission to traverse Te Waipounamu. Here is a taste of their journey, with captions by Alan Brent. The Te Waipounamu traverse was supported by an FMC Expedition Scholarship
The X-Pisa’s A Snow Shoeing and Paragliding Adventure
Caught by race fever from the Red-Bull "X-Alps" paragliding adventure race, Melanie Heather comes first on her own imaginary race closer to home; from Cardrona to Cromwell; the "X-Pisa."
Mahi Volunteering in the wilderness
On an obscure spur, high in the Hokitika river, Frisco hut was isolated by overgrown tracks for 30 years after the deer cullers left. No more!
History McCormack Hut
Experienced DOC ranger Bruce Postill recounts the valley-hopping history of what was McCormacks Hut
Novelty Hot Water Huts
The Backcountry has many surprises, occasionally even a spot of luxury. Ian Bade gives a couple of tips about where to find a hot shower.
