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 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.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2014 Track Marking and Tips for Winter Tramping

By Robin McNeill|2021-06-13T13:34:38+12:00May 13th, 2021

What is one of the main perks of winter tramping? The sandflies go on holiday. Uncle Jacko discloses tricks for winter tramping, how his down jacket became the first tramping apparel he could wear in town, and in what activity redundancy is key.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2012 Solo Tramping and Snowcaves

By Robin McNeill|2021-06-07T14:39:22+12:00April 16th, 2021

The only true recourse for sandfly bites? According to Uncle Jacko, it's stoicism. In this edition of UJCC, he considers sandfly bites, why he doesn't enjoy solo tramping, and an alternative floor plan to the traditional snowcave.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2013 Cheap Gear and the Capstan Equation

By Robin McNeill|2021-03-25T14:33:21+13:00March 25th, 2021

What is the Capstan Equation and how does it apply to rock climbing? In this edition of UJCC, Uncle Jacko gets technical, offering insight into why knots and belay devices work. He also discusses cheap gear and reveals how he decides between buying in-store versus online.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2013 Lessons from a New Year’s Tramp

By Robin McNeill|2021-03-05T11:34:30+13:00March 5th, 2021

Uncle Jacko spends New Year's tramping with his 17-year-old nephew and reflects on the lessons they learned together.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2013 Interesting Outdoor Mathematics

By Robin McNeill|2021-02-02T19:13:02+13:00February 2nd, 2021

How do you measure the height of a bridge when alone in the backcountry? Uncle Jacko explains how nature provides what we need for mathematics and how according to one calculation, 1.4 kg of chocolate might just be an acceptable amount during a long tramp.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2016 What is a Pastime? Flames, Dutch Ovens, and the Definition of a Pastime

By Robin McNeill|2021-01-14T11:24:42+13:00January 14th, 2021

In this edition of UJCC, Uncle Jacko advises on stove safety, as well as discusses his view on the 'profitless pursuit of pointless pastimes' and being 'too goal-driven.' He also reminisces on the hallucinations that come when sleep deprived during a backcountry ultra-marathon.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2012 Sandflies and Battery Packs

By Robin McNeill|2020-12-19T16:49:21+13:00December 17th, 2020

Do you need a resource consent to build a snow-cave? Uncle Jacko finds a flaw in the 'Safety in the Mountains' handbook and gives us the inside scope on battery packs and the best antidote for sandfly bites.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2011 ‘Safety in the Mountains’ & Backcountry Meals

By Robin McNeill|2020-06-28T15:25:27+12:00June 28th, 2020

Uncle Jacko talks backcountry meal ideas, the medicinal benefits of swearing, and much more in this edition of his Cookery Corner.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2014 Winter Tramping

By Robin McNeill|2020-06-30T15:04:47+12:00May 31st, 2020

Uncle Jacko emphasises the importance of a good pair of knickers in the backcountry and how winter tramping often seems more alluring whilst in the comforts of an armchair.

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