The Tops Not quite like Doctor Who would do it
Exploring tops in Lewis Pass National Reserve
Photo Essays
Mountain Families: In the Hakatere
What an absolute perfect winter's day in August, just after a fresh snowfall, spending time exploring the Hakatere Conservation Park.
Climbing Mt Armstrong, Aspiring National Park
For North Island townies like me, one of the biggest challenges in any climb in the Southern Alps is just getting there in time for a weather window. So a climb of Mount Armstrong (2,174m), a little over 700 metres above the highly accessible Brewster Hut (12 bunks), is a good option when time is the limiting factor.
Climbing Mount Codral
An attempt of the south ridge of Mount Travers, Nelson Lakes, fueled by cold medicine.
A Traverse of Titiroa
An April traverse of Mount Titiroa from Hope Arm to Borland in Fiordland National Park.
FMC Photo competition 2018 The story behind the top shot
It was one of those trips where everything was on the edge of going so wrong yet ended up being so right.
Caroline Bellamy An artistic encounter with Fiordland
I had always wanted to pursue an artistic career and I soon realised the strong connection my painting had with the landscape.
Climbing Above the Fiord
As Simon pondered the viability of down climbing another steep section soaring above, it occurred to me that we were going to run out of time.
Milford Isolation A Ranger’s Diary
It may be one of the most popular walks in the world but what happens when winter reclaims the landscape?
Climbing A fortunate alignment
An early September climb of Mount Rolleston via Rome Ridge
The tops Trip evolution in the Kahurangi
With some relief we unlinked from our last four man river fording formation. Now safely on the true left of Ellis River, we knew there was only the gravel of Baton Valley Road between us and a warm shower, dry clothes and a good feed in Nelson.
Tararua tops Seven summits
Most have heard of the Seven Summits challenge, where the highest point on each of the world’s seven continents is climbed. But there’s also a seven summits challenge much closer to home.
Climbing Icy encounters above Bush Stream
Camping in the mountains in mid winter is cold. I have a down Macpac bag that’s meant to be cosy at minus seven. It wasn’t.
Ruapehu Climbing Te HeuHeu’s SE Ridge
Just as I thought what lay above wasn’t the prettiest icescape I’d seen, Simon paraphrased for me. “This ice is sh#t.” He was busily hacking away at brittle rime ice on steep volcanic rock. Ice fragments flew everywhere.
Climbing Craters in the snow
The moonless crystal clear sky offered the most vivid view of the Milky Way I’d ever seen.
Family I say Kos-tuze-co, they say Koz-ee-os-co
Climbing Australia's highest peak in winter
Climbing Alpine lessons at Arthurs Pass
Going with the flow, or in this case, snow at Arthurs Pass on Mount Temple and Mount Rolleston
Climbing Overnighting with a Kaitiaki
Since Guy Mannering and A. P. Harper first crossed it in January 1890, Ball Pass has become one of those better known spots than most in our Southern Alps.
Climbing Plan C – Southwest Ridge of Cloudy Peak
An attempt on the southwest ridge of Cloudy Peak, a little beyond Erewhon Station in the Canterbury mountains
Climbing Third time lucky
A round trip in winter from Homer Hut, climbing Mt McPherson via Talbot Ladder, then over Traverse Pass to Gertrude Saddle and down.
Tararua tops Chasing the fifteenth
In pursuit of the Tararuas' fifteen points above 1,500 metres
