Uncle Jacko’s Cookery Corner

One of the most popular and long standing columns in FMC’s bulletin publication. Robin McNeil explores opinions, techniques, trip reports, hints and tips with a healthy dose of satire and wit.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2024 Huntaneering and the Fall of Hunny Puffs

By Robin McNeill|2024-09-02T16:46:33+12:00September 2nd, 2024

Huntaneering: A sport where hunters arm themselves with an ice axe and crampons, as well as a rifle. With huntaneering on the rise and Hunny Puffs on the decline, Uncle Jacko delves into the demise of his once-favorite backcountry brekkie, the growing popularity of hunting whilst mountaineering and how a maunga can transcend cultural differences.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2024 Learn by Doing

By Robin McNeill|2024-08-19T15:12:36+12:00August 19th, 2024

Does the success society has at making life safer merely encourage us to take bigger risks? Uncle Jacko ponders how this question pertains to the backcountry, as well as explores bothy bags, hammocks and the Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project. He signs off with a friendly message to the blokes reading this column: people learn by doing, not watching.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2021 A Decent Brew at Altitude

By Robin McNeill|2024-06-07T11:55:15+12:00June 7th, 2024

How do you get a decent brew at altitude? Uncle Jacko experiments with the science behind spuds for energy and a summit brew-up, along with discussing the perks of night-time tramping and reminiscing about a tramp with a dear mate who passed away.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2023 The Indestructible Loopies

By Robin McNeill|2024-04-22T13:21:59+12:00April 16th, 2024

Are loopies, by definition, indestructible and how do we create a model to better understand risk in the outdoors? Uncle Jacko poses the argument that while there are exceptions to the rule, ill-equipped trampers often seem to survive and explains the idea behind the Heine–McFarlane–McNeill risksetting model that he helped to design.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2022 Alpha Centuri

By Robin McNeill|2024-03-26T12:39:31+13:00March 26th, 2024

Looking for a more affordable way to purchase gear? Uncle Jacko discusses the versatility of retired poly-cotton office shirts, the best sources for weather prediction and PLB features that can save the life of an incapacitated, solo tramper.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2023 Let Your Cravings Be Your Guide

By Robin McNeill|2024-02-27T13:49:48+13:00February 27th, 2024

Has your compass ever steered you in the wrong direction? In this UJCC, Uncle Jacko divulges what happens when one's faithful compass becomes an agent of chaos, how much water and electrolyte intake one really needs and some handy, DIY gear hacks for the backcountry.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2023 ‘Swamping’ and Pain Relief in the Mountains

By Robin McNeill|2024-01-21T17:47:48+13:00January 21st, 2024

Aches and pains slowing you down in the backcountry? Uncle Jacko dives into the best options for pain relief, the ever so popular 'swamping' trek and the pleasures of poetry inspired by Aotearoa's landscapes.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2023 Perpetual Sun

By Robin McNeill|2023-12-06T14:09:36+13:00December 6th, 2023

What is it like to go alpine tramping in a land of perpetual sun? Uncle Jacko responds to readers' comments and recounts his unique experience of backcountry and hut life in Tromsø, Northern Norway.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2022 Absent Friends

By Robin McNeill|2023-10-18T13:50:07+13:00October 18th, 2023

Uncle Jacko offers creative solutions for mending those pesky puffer jacket tears, shares how to calculate our carbon footprint and pays tribute to dear friends who have passed away.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2021 Dunning-Kruger Effect

By Robin McNeill|2023-04-27T11:34:20+12:00April 27th, 2023

How does the Dunning-Kruger effect impact the way we estimate our competency in the outdoors? Uncle Jacko delves into how this effect has both a negative and positive influence on our backcountry experience. He also discusses navigation and communication in the backcountry – S122, ham radio gear and SOTA, for those amateur radio operators who love the outdoors.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2020 Revisiting the Past

By Robin McNeill|2023-02-21T16:38:27+13:00February 21st, 2023

Uncle Jacko takes a deep dive into the past exploring what we learnt from the COVID-19 lockdowns and raising the question, "What do tourists really appreciate about New Zealand?" And as many trampers are well aware, the question of how much to pack is the perpetual challenge. Uncle Jacko tests out the idea of ‘going lightweight’ and discovers firsthand when lightweight crosses over into just not enough.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2020 Quarter of a Century

By Robin McNeill|2023-01-04T12:03:46+13:00January 4th, 2023

Marking the 25th anniversary of his column, Uncle Jacko reminisces about his days of tahr hunting, contemplates the old adage ‘pain is weakness leaving the body,’ and suggests a humorous solution for dealing with DOC’s silly signs.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2017 Coddiwompling and the Three Types of Fun

By Robin McNeill|2022-12-06T15:52:14+13:00December 6th, 2022

'Coddiwomple (v.): an English slang for travelling purposefully towards a vague destination.' Uncle Jacko contemplates the three types of fun and shares a few English and foreign words that capture the true essence of tramping in the backcountry.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2020 The Great Unknown

By Robin McNeill|2022-10-09T10:00:49+13:00October 9th, 2022

Uncle Jacko reminds us of the unlawful act of killing sandflies according to the National Parks Act of 1980, as well as pays tribute to the life of a dear friend and former editor of the FMC Bulletin.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2021 Tramping Politicians

By Robin McNeill|2022-09-11T07:47:13+12:00September 11th, 2022

Uncle Jacko expresses his deep gratitude for the New Zealand politicians who have prioritised conservation, encourages more politicians to get out tramping, and shares some hard-earned knowledge about preparation in the case of medical evacuation.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2022 Quicksand, Campfire Cuisine and a Gang of Hooligan Keas

By Robin McNeill|2022-08-30T10:19:16+12:00August 29th, 2022

Uncle Jacko encounters a gang of hooligan keas on the Cascade Saddle and shares how packrafts have improved since his DIY raft from the 90s, the best recipe for fine campfire cuisine and the real danger of quicksand in the Dart River.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2019 Toilets, Tourism and Transport Noise

By Robin McNeill|2022-06-21T14:01:57+12:00June 21st, 2022

Have you ever wondered what costs and resources are required for a backcountry toilet? Uncle Jacko talks toilets, tourism and transport noise, as he shares the calculation for Mr. Erlang’s queuing formulae, the challenge of toilets at high altitude, and DOC's concept of a Tranquillity Map in managing aircraft noise.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2004 Walking Sticks and Post-Op Tramping

By Robin McNeill|2021-10-14T15:25:01+13:00October 14th, 2021

Uncle Jacko shares creative tips for tramping post-operation and dives into a discussion on tea bags, GPS boosters, and walking sticks.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2008 Starving Donkey Syndrome

By Robin McNeill|2021-09-17T10:29:38+12:00September 17th, 2021

How do you choose where to tramp when you have TOO many good choices? In what he calls the 'Starving Donkey Syndrome,' Uncle Jacko discusses the challenges of having the privilege to choose, as well as DIY maps and the best, easy meals to prepare on a tramp.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2009 Uncle Jacko Gets the Last Word

By Robin McNeill|2021-08-26T14:12:52+12:00August 26th, 2021

Uncle Jacko reveals Darwin's lesser known law, 'Survival of the Unfittest,' and takes the opportunity to have the last word in a hut debate.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2014 What Comes Around

By Robin McNeill|2021-07-25T15:47:50+12:00July 25th, 2021

Uncle Jacko discloses his favourite YouTube videos ranging from 'cooking eggs and bacon in a paper bag' to 'ice axe self-arrest,' as well as shares a heartwarming story about the benefits of hospitality.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2018 Travelling on a Whim

By Robin McNeill|2021-07-12T11:18:26+12:00July 12th, 2021

'It’s always satisfying to make important decisions on a whim, because there can be no accounting for taste, no reason to justify and no explanation to satisfy.' Uncle Jacko reveals which of his trips were decided merely on a whim, as well as how he was talked out of travelling by donkey during his tramping adventures in France.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2004 Myths About Trampers

By Robin McNeill|2021-06-14T15:32:35+12:00June 14th, 2021

What image comes to mind when you think of a 'tramper?' Is it safe to superglue an open wound? Uncle Jacko debunks myths about what the average tramper looks like, as well as shares first aid safety and what it’s been like for him to learn to lead from the back.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2018 A Bit More on GPSs and Tramping Boots

By Robin McNeill|2021-07-12T09:47:38+12:00May 19th, 2021

Have the soles of your boots ever come off in the middle of a tramp? Uncle Jacko shares tramping boot woes and discusses why boot soles last longer when used than stored, as well as gets technical about GPSs and their accuracy.

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