Mountain Adventure Mount Oates Traverse
Work could wait another day for Alastair and Elisha, as they decide to traverse Mount Oates in Arthur's Pass.
Mini-ventures Family Bikepacking
Bikepacking doesn't have to be epic to be fun, and when it involves little people, it lets the whole family move at the same pace...
Bikepacking An E-bike Lap of the South Island
With trusty Wellington commuter e-bike turned tough, off-road vehicle, Gunilla Jensen embarks on her first bikepacking adventure. Rather than starting small, she undertakes quite the feat -- cycling once round New Zealand's South Island.
August 2009 How to Read a Weather Map
'When Highs gets over 1030: it’s going to get dirty.’ Bob McDavitt discusses wind and explains the five rules for deciphering a weather map.
Family tramping Flying High on Dragonfly
Adventurers Emily and Chris Forne take up the challenge that is tramping with a 20 month old again. This time exploring the East Matukituki and over Dragonfly Peak. There are some hurdles along the way but the effort turns out to be most rewarding...
March 2013 Lessons from a New Year’s Tramp
Uncle Jacko spends New Year's tramping with his 17-year-old nephew and reflects on the lessons they learned together.
November 2017 Pack-rafting
To run the rapid or to portage? In part of FMC's Outdoor Community campaign, Dan Clearwater shares key concepts for safe entry into pack-rafting such as proper gear, potential hazards, and what to do when you flip.
Backcountry te reo Kōrero ki te ngāhere
'In Māori history, forests are the domain of the atua Tane, who separated the sky father Rangi and the earth mother Papatuanuku in the Māori creation narrative.' In this republication of 'Backcountry te reo,' Ben Douglas delves into the language of the forest and offers pronunciation tips for learners.
Mountain Adventure The Weta Prowl of Steeple Peak
With weather determining their destination, Alastair and team spontaneously set off for a 'light-and-fast mission' to climb Steeple Peak.
March 2004 The Föhn Effect and ‘God’s Own Wet Zone’
Where in New Zealand lies 'God's Own Wet Zone?' Former MetService Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, explains in layman terms how to understand orographic precipitation, freezing level, and the best recipe for snow.
NZ Alpine Club Novara Peak
A lost booking, new washout, and a summer sleeping bag in alpine conditions...? Despite a very cold night and some unexpected terrain, Penzy Dinsdale completes her first and much anticipated mountaineering trip with the NZ Alpine Club.
Preserving the flow A Water Conservation Order for the Upper Ngaruroro
A group of Packrafters take to this pristine north island river to see just why it was recommended for a water conservation order
Tararua Tramping Club Rolleston via the Rome Ridge
Once just a dream, climbing Mt Rolleston via the Rome Ridge now becomes a reality for Simon Bell, but it proves to be trickier than expected. Accompanied by fellow climbers Rob Hawes, Stu Hutson, and Daniel Rogerson, this account was written by Simon for The Tararua Tramper (Vol.83, No. 7) and followed by Daniel’s reflections on the trip.
Waiohine epic Up Sh#t Creek With Only a Paddle
A lost packraft, flooded rivers, wetsuit tramping and SAR callouts: a reflection and analysis of an ill-fated paddling trip to the Waiohine Gorge.
Youth Award Grant Tarawera Falls
With the threat of being cancelled just hours before departure, a trip to Tarawera Falls started out rocky for these FMC Youth Award Grant recipients. But after three days in the backcountry, they learned that “a trip is worth a little bit of chaos.”
August 2013 Interesting Outdoor Mathematics
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.
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.
November 2009 10 Reasons to Hate a High (Anticyclone)
What are anticyclones? Former MetService Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, notes their more undesirable attributes and the ten reasons why he hates a 'High.'
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.
August 2016 What is a Pastime? Flames, Dutch Ovens, and the Definition of a Pastime
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.
‘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.
