Expeditions

Darkness and Light in the Olivines

What I Did Find Darkness and Light in the Olivines

By Guest Author|2022-06-16T12:44:56+12:00June 15th, 2022

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.

On the Hunt for New Routes in the West Coast Wilderness

West Coast Gems On the Hunt for New Routes in the West Coast Wilderness

By Guest Author|2021-10-08T12:40:49+13:00October 8th, 2021

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.

Newton Peak

The Gardens Newton Peak

By Ben Mangan|2021-08-21T10:43:16+12:00August 21st, 2021

Climbing in the Garden of Allah, Adams Wilderness Area on a FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship trip.

An Epic in the Olivines

Mist, Scrub and Ultramafic Boulders An Epic in the Olivines

By Guest Author|2020-08-19T18:18:58+12:00August 14th, 2020

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.

A Sweltering Southern Alps Traverse

Part 2 A Sweltering Southern Alps Traverse

By Guest Author|2024-01-29T12:11:12+13:00March 4th, 2019

In hindsight it’s easy to look back and ask ourselves why we didn’t do more side trips since the weather was so good.

A sweltering Southern Alps Traverse

Part 1 A sweltering Southern Alps Traverse

By Guest Author|2019-03-04T13:02:55+13:00February 28th, 2019

In late November 2017 Dulkara Martig set off from Arthur’s Pass with three other kiwi women, with the goal of walking to Mount Cook Village.

Diary of a traverse from Arthurs to Lewis

Young guns: Diary of a traverse from Arthurs to Lewis

By Guest Author|2018-05-01T14:21:44+12:00April 3rd, 2018

Max Truell and friends from the Western Springs College Tramping Club venture out on their biggest tramp yet.

West Coast, Best Coast: Part 2

Ivan's Story West Coast, Best Coast: Part 2

By Ivan Andrews|2022-08-23T05:08:55+12:00April 3rd, 2018

In Part 2 of their FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship trip, the Southern Alps crossing from the Rakaia to the West Coast is told from Ivan's perspective. Find out what the lads got up to after going solo on Day Four . . .

West Coast, Best Coast: Part 1

Anita's Story West Coast, Best Coast: Part 1

By Ivan Andrews|2022-08-15T09:00:24+12:00April 3rd, 2018

Ivan Andrews and friends from the Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club (VUWTC) were awarded an FMC Youth Scholarship in 2017 for a Southern Alps crossing from the Rakaia to the West Coast via the Bracken snowfield and Ivory Lake Hut.

Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 2

Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 2

By Guest Author|2021-09-17T15:02:00+12:00January 2nd, 2018

The grand-children of John Findlay continue their pilgrimage to the Olivine Range, and the glacier named after him.

Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 1

Olivine adventures Chasing Gold in the Arawhata, part 1

By Guest Author|2021-09-17T15:04:16+12:00January 1st, 2018

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.

The Roaring Lion

Kahurangi The Roaring Lion

By Daniel Clearwater|2018-09-02T09:53:46+12:00November 2nd, 2017

As four friends from the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club we were very fortunate to be the first recipients of the Simon Bell Memorial Scholarship.

Te Waipounamu Traverse

Epic Te Waipounamu Traverse

By Guest Author|2017-09-04T22:42:49+12:00September 4th, 2017

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

Day 64: Rocking on

Spine of the Fish Day 64: Rocking on

By Anthony Behrens|2017-06-13T14:34:47+12:00May 30th, 2017

A leisurely road walk brings out the best of the northern Coromandel.

The Ultimate Zero Day

Spine of the Fish The Ultimate Zero Day

By Anthony Behrens|2017-05-29T14:25:28+12:00May 29th, 2017

It's all over bar the shouting...and a couple of blog posts

Day 63: she drives me crazy

Spine of the Fish Day 63: she drives me crazy

By Anthony Behrens|2017-05-17T15:02:29+12:00May 18th, 2017

An unexpected side route offers up a sparkling gem...

Day 62: a walk down memory lane

Spine of the Fish Day 62: a walk down memory lane

By Anthony Behrens|2017-05-30T09:03:34+12:00May 17th, 2017

A chance text makes a new destination necessary.

Day 61: making tracks

Spine of the Fish Day 61: making tracks

By Anthony Behrens|2017-05-16T17:00:36+12:00May 16th, 2017

A spot of research and development before the last push.

Day 60: a unique roadside attraction

Spine of the Fish Day 60: a unique roadside attraction

By Anthony Behrens|2017-06-14T16:03:07+12:00May 15th, 2017

Slow tourism means being able to stop and talk when something unexpected occurs

Day 59 – leaving through the backdoor

Spine of the Fish Day 59 – leaving through the backdoor

By Anthony Behrens|2017-06-14T15:59:31+12:00May 14th, 2017

The art of guilty tramping and a walk to historic Whitianga

Day 57 & 58 – backcountry versus frontcountry

Spine of the Fish Day 57 & 58 – backcountry versus frontcountry

By Anthony Behrens|2017-06-14T16:01:03+12:00May 13th, 2017

A rebellious decision leads to some unease...

Day 56 – Walking access omission

Spine of the Fish Day 56 – Walking access omission

By Anthony Behrens|2017-05-08T11:45:24+12:00May 12th, 2017

Walking in ditches is the best way to see the real New Zealand

Day 55 – To the Beach

Spine of the Fish Day 55 – To the Beach

By Anthony Behrens|2021-10-02T18:19:08+13:00May 11th, 2017

Roadwalking is sometimes a necessary evil when you're trail hiking.

Day 54: eye witness account of the recent cyclone damage to Te Urewera

Spine of the Fish Day 54: eye witness account of the recent cyclone damage to Te Urewera

By Anthony Behrens|2017-06-14T16:03:59+12:00May 10th, 2017

The walkers are vindicated in their decision to avoid Te Urewera after Cyclone Debbie

Wilderlife

1 2 3

Next