Take 3 The Long Ride Home
Each year, university student Marina Comeskey makes her annual commute home to Wellington from Christchurch ... by bike, that is.
Forgotten Lands Recognising the whenua through reclassification
What is the significance of 'stewardship land' and in what ways is this classification lacking? DOC Manager in Planning Permissions and Land, Karl Beckert, outlines the history of stewardship land and the process by which DOC is striving to reclassify lands to reflect the conservation and cultural values of the whenua.
Part II Dennis’ Last Coast to Coast
In Part II of a 10-day traverse, two friends hike and kayak their way to the finish line. Offering Dennis a second shot to finish the Coast to Coast Race and Stefan the chance to complete a trip of a lifetime, the loss of a few toenails proved more than worth it.
Youth Award Grant Ascending Towards the Clouds
Students from Otamatea High School work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award by ascending towards the clouds and climbing Mt Taranaki. Next up for these trampers is Gold level status.
Part I Dennis’ Last Coast to Coast
After becoming good friends 10 years ago while training for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Race, Stefan and Dennis embark on their own wilderness traverse -- a 10-day, 250 km west-east crossing of the South Island. In Part I of their epic, they trek through difficult conditions and reassess the future of their trip.
‘Greenhorn on a Greenie’ A Lake Hāwea Bike Packing Adventure
On his first bike packing adventure, Andy Vause decides to circumnavigate Lake Hāwea. He learns firsthand the perils of cycling along the Dingle Burn and offers advice for those planning their next bike packing adventure.
Makorako II The Makorakoing
"Few things make you reconsider your life decisions more than sprinting 400m up a mountain half naked, straight out of bed, after getting 4 hrs of sleep - because all your food is gone." For Jason Rosinger and partner Laura Jacks, their plan to climb the North Island's sixth highest peak in a weekend took a slight detour...
A Mischievous Fairie Queene Her Ravenous Sandflies and Spiders
In an account of their victorious trip, Lorraine Johns, Nina Sawicki and Simon Bell tackle the Fairie Queene in the St James Conservation Area near Lewis Pass in February 2012.
Trans-Alpine Trip The Mathias Catchment
Sonja Risa recounts her first transalpine trip with fellow members of the Peninsula Tramping Club and gains valuable insight into how one mighty river can dictate the course of a trip.
Arthur's Pass National Park Gorgy Creek Lake Trip
What are the benefits of trekking at a leisurely pace? Diane Mellish, team leader for the Peninsula Tramping Club, reveals the ingredients for her 'best trip ever' and why this track is an absolute must for all adventurers.
Footsteps of the Rainbow Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku
Want to get away from your desk and into the backcountry? For the Peninsula Tramping Club, including two FMC Executives Jan and Liz, it was time for a group adventure. Leaving the office behind and taking a long weekend, they summit Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku -- the 'footsteps of the rainbow.'
Forgotten Lands Coromandel
While great strides have been taken to restore the native bird population, the future of the Coromandel Forests is less certain. FMC outlines its vision for the protection of the Coromandel Peninsula.
August 2019 Developing a Photographer’s Mindset
What happens when your life-long hobby becomes your profession? For photographer Richard Sidey, he began to lose the spark for his once beloved hobby. He shares how through clear purpose, technology and a few easy to follow steps, he found a way to rekindle his love of adventure photography.
Clubs Thriving or Just Surviving? Clubs of the Future
What are the role of clubs and how can they stay relevant for future generations? Kathy Ombler, journalist and FMC member, delves into the many creative ways clubs are practicing diversity, advocacy, and technology.
Training Grant Snow Skills for the Top of the South Tramping Clubs
Nelson Tramping Club was awarded a FMC Training Grant: a cash grant to enable this snow skills weekend which was run in combination with the Marlborough Tramping Club.
West Coast Lambert Glacier and the ‘Gardens’
A group of friends embark on a week-long traverse of the Lambert Glacier and the Gardens of Allah and Eden.
Communications End of the Mountain Radio?
Satellite based comms devices have largely taken over from the humble mountain radio, but the latter isn't dead yet. There's still several groups of volunteers around NZ who rent out the sets and tune in for the 'sked' each night. We heard from Hugh Wilde, chairperson of the Wellington Mountain Radio Service to give our readers his take on pro's and con's of some of the gadgetry.
Youth Award Grant Attempting the Tongariro Northern Circuit
Four friends set out on their Silver qualifying journey only to be tested by weather, thereby demonstrating their maturity in choosing safety over the finish line.
Mist, Scrub and Ultramafic Boulders An Epic in the Olivines
When Katherine, Penzy, and Lydia set off for a girl’s only traverse of the Olivine Range, little did they know it would take 15 days and a helicopter transport.
Youth Award Grant Making Memories on the Humpridge Track
As recipients of the FMC Youth Award Grant, eight students from St. Peters College brave the Humpridge Track in rain-soaked conditions and make lasting memories along the way.
Mt Wilmot The True Matterhorn of the South
Ruari Macfarlane and his mum throw together a last minute plan to explore the fringe of deepest Fjordland.
The Remarkables A Very Grand Traverse
Jason Rosinger, Daniel Smith, and Charlotte Holmes hop in Dan's DIY campervan and head to the Remarkables, where they make their ascent of Double Cone.
Carry your Kayak... Poutini’s Gorge
Jess Lange and mates carry in thier boats to paddle the gorges of the West Coast's classic Arahura River.
Te Araroa Part II: A Long Run on our Long Pathway
In Part II of her blog, Mary completes the North Island portion of the Te Araroa Trail just days before lockdown and emerges to find a world strikingly different from when she began her tramp.
