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.
Makorako II The Makorakoing
"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...
Back to the Wild Family Dinner at Pinchgut Hut
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.
A Mischievous Fairie Queene Her Ravenous Sandflies and Spiders
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.
November 2017 Te Kawa O Te Urewera
With its national park status rescinded in 2014, Te Urewera is now understood as a 'living entity.'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.
November 2004 Wind Speed and Direction in the Mountains
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.
November 2012 Sandflies and Battery Packs
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.
Trans-Alpine Trip The Mathias Catchment
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.
Arthur's Pass National Park Gorgy Creek Lake 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.
Footsteps of the Rainbow Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku
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.'
Forgotten Lands Coromandel
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.
Gear repair Why have my soles collapsed?
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 Is it down to us?
Climate change. Global warming. What’s causing it? Is it down to us?
August 2019 Developing a Photographer’s Mindset
What happens when your life-long hobby becomes your profession? For photographer Richard Sidey, he began to lose the spark for his once beloved hobby. He shares how through clear purpose, technology and a few easy to follow steps, he found a way to rekindle his love of adventure photography.
Clubs Thriving or Just Surviving? Clubs of the Future
What are the role of clubs and how can they stay relevant for future generations? Kathy Ombler, journalist and FMC member, delves into the many creative ways clubs are practicing diversity, advocacy, and technology.
Training Grant Snow Skills for the Top of the South Tramping Clubs
Nelson Tramping Club was awarded a FMC Training Grant: a cash grant to enable this snow skills weekend which was run in combination with the Marlborough Tramping Club.
June 2019 The Power of Photography
Confronted by the dramatic environmental changes occurring in New Zealand, former FMC Vice President Neil Silverwood explores how photography can be utilised as a powerful tool for advocacy.
Poor man's Mt Cook Skiing Off the Top of the North Island
Video footage of this trip exists, and I will pay good coin to ensure it never sees the light of day.
Paparoa Track Pre-lockdown Peddling
Penzy and friends head out to ride the Paparoa Track on a wet westcoast day; thier last mission before the lockdown....
Family Ladder in the Wilderness
Accompanied by his two sons, Ed and Will, Peter Laurenson capitalises on the school holidays to expend some of their teenage energy by climbing the Tararua Peaks.
