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.
A lost packraft, flooded rivers, wetsuit tramping and SAR callouts: a reflection and analysis of an ill-fated paddling trip to the Waiohine Gorge.
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.”
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.
Each year, university student Marina Comeskey makes her annual commute home to Wellington from Christchurch ... by bike, that is.
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.
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.
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.
What are anticyclones? Former MetService Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, notes their more undesirable attributes and the ten reasons why he hates a 'High.'
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.
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.
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.
"Few things make you reconsider your life decisions more than sprinting 400m up a mountain half naked, straight out of bed, after getting 4 hrs of sleep - because all your food is gone." For Jason Rosinger and partner Laura Jacks, their plan to climb the North Island's sixth highest peak in a weekend took a slight detour...
Is your family dinner night getting a bit stale? Sonia Barrish gets creative by hosting family dinner at a backcountry hut. Travelling with five adults and a baby, this crew has an overnight adventure at Pinchgut Hut.
In an account of their victorious trip, Lorraine Johns, Nina Sawicki and Simon Bell tackle the Fairie Queene in the St James Conservation Area near Lewis Pass in February 2012.
With its national park status rescinded in 2014, Te Urewera is now understood as a 'living entity.' While the values found in Te Kawa guide those who look after Te Urewera, they also serve to challenge and inspire all to live in greater harmony with the natural world.
How strong does the wind have to be to knock over a tree ... or even a person? MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt provides a guide to measuring wind speed both in the mountains and on land.
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.
Sonja Risa recounts her first transalpine trip with fellow members of the Peninsula Tramping Club and gains valuable insight into how one mighty river can dictate the course of a trip.
What are the benefits of trekking at a leisurely pace? Diane Mellish, team leader for the Peninsula Tramping Club, reveals the ingredients for her 'best trip ever' and why this track is an absolute must for all adventurers.
Want to get away from your desk and into the backcountry? For the Peninsula Tramping Club, including two FMC Executives Jan and Liz, it was time for a group adventure. Leaving the office behind and taking a long weekend, they summit Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku -- the 'footsteps of the rainbow.'
While great strides have been taken to restore the native bird population, the future of the Coromandel Forests is less certain. FMC outlines its vision for the protection of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Dan Clearwater from FMC interviews Cobbler Glenn Gray in Oamaru. His aim was to find out why the backbone goes out of some boots, and help us understand how your boots can be repaired
Climate change. Global warming. What’s causing it? Is it down to us?
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