Mountain Adventure Craigieburn Moonlight Traverse
Guided by a full moon and clear skies, Alastair McDowell and his team embark on a visually charged journey -- an overnight moonlit traverse through the Craigieburn Range.
Kakapotahi Paddling Flooded Rivers
Like living in a ski town on a powder day, Hokitika is a river town, and we get our fair share of ‘fat’ powder days – just the melted type.
Regional Leadership Development Courses – 2020
Feedback, tips and tricks for running a Leadership Development course for your club.
August 2012 Wind in the Mountains
Have you ever wondered what causes those UFO-shaped clouds high above the mountains? Or why some areas are lashed by strong winds while others remain protected? MetService Forecaster, Leigh Matheson, offers insight into the role wind plays in the mountains.
November 2017 The Importance of Tea
Uncle Jacko poses a controversial question: which is the best tea to take along tramping? In his column from November 2017, Uncle Jacko reveals his love of Assam tea and emphasises the value of learning from one another in the backcountry.
Blue Lake with a Baby
When Family Tramping feels a little like an Adventure race...
Forgotten Lands Gwavas Conservation Area
Covering 2,700 hectares of the Wakarara range in Central Hawkes Bay, the Gwavas Conservation Area has been awaiting reclassification since DOC's early days. John Beech, General Committee Member for the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club, offers insight into this region's battle for reclassification and greater land protection.
What to do When the mountains are on lockdown
How do you navigate a lockdown when you're used to spending all your time outdoors? Tarsh Turner offers 4 tips to help fight the lockdown blues and explains why the mountaineer lifestyle has helped prepare her for these difficult and unprecedented times.
Mountain Adventure The Nun’s Veil
After an ankle injury causes the group to rethink their plans, Alastair McDowell and seven fellow climbers abandon Mt Huxley in favour of climbing the Nun's Veil, a sizeable peak in the lower Tasman Valley.
One slip... A Bruised Bum on the St James Walkway
In the hills we're all equal, and no one minds too much what state we're in; even sheepishly nursing a bruised bum and wet undies from a forgettable stumble.
November 2013 Whakawhanaungatanga
Uncle Jacko shares one of his joys in life: finding new words and ideas. In this edition of his Cookery Corner, Uncle Jacko passes on the meaning of the Maori word "Whakawhanaungatanga," as well as teaches us about the real value of calories in the backcountry and what's inside "The Dangerous Book for Grown-up Boys."
About Conservation Boards A Voice For Local Communities
What are Conservation Boards and what purpose do they serve? Bruce Jefferies, Deputy Chairperson from the Central Otago Lakes Branch of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, explains the function of Conservation Boards and the essential role they play in representing public interests in DOC operations and conservation in general.
A for Adventure A Family Adventure Challenge
Leah Parker sets an adventure challenge for her family: to get her boys outdoors at least once a week for a year. In her article, she recounts the highlights of their 52 outdoor adventures and why she encourages other families to create their own challenge to get outdoors.
June 2011 Tropical Cyclone Season
How do storms get their names and who chooses them? Former MetService Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, explains the history behind naming storms, how they are categorised, and his insight into the 2011 tropical cyclone season that caused widespread damage.
Youth Award Grant Highlights from Lake Waikaremoana
Five students from St. Matthew’s College and qualifiers for the Duke of Edinborough’s Hillary Award Gold share highlights from tramping the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk — a 46 kilometre track in Te Urewera, the homeland of the Tūhoe people.
The Secret of the Unicorn Dilemma and Unicorn – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
To rope or not to rope? A key question for Don French, Dan Pringle, James Wright, and Simon Bell when confronting the massive Strauchon Face of Dilemma Peak on the edge of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Simon describes this challenging rock climb in these notes prepared for his presentation to the Tararua Tramping Club in June 2013.
Back to the Wild St James Walkway – with a Baby!
When Sonia Barrish and partner take their 1-year old daughter on her first multi-day hike, they came prepared with everything she might need. What they didn't prepare for, however, was Sonia becoming injured. In this edition of 'Back to the Wild,' their family learns the importance of carrying a Personal Locator Beacon in the backcountry.
Forgotten Lands Mavora and Livingstone Ranges, Southland
Why is land classification important? What are the consequences of classifying an area as a stewardship land as opposed to a national park? FMC Executive Crystal Brindle explains how classification works and champions for the Mavora Lakes Conservation Area and Livingstone Mountains to be awarded the highest tier of protection.
Youth Award Grant Tramping the St James Walkway
Liam Hewson embarks on an excursion three years in the making -- his final tramp for the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award along the St. James Walkway, Lewis Pass.
Climbing The longest night
Snow plugging on the Grand Plateau, then a descent via Cinerama Col
March 2012 Cloud Reading Using Isobars
Former MetService Ambassador, Bob McDavitt, shares his expertise in the art and science of reading weather maps and clouds.
November 2015 Little Orange Track Markers
In this edition of Uncle Jacko’s Cookery Corner (originally featured in the November 2015 FMC Bulletin), Uncle Jacko covers a wide range of topics from DOC's orange track markers to the 421 different Scottish words for snow.
Back to the Wild A More Natural Toilet Training Approach
Sonia Barrish asks the question: "What do people in countries without nappies do?" By following her baby's cues, Sonia learns about a more natural approach to toilet training that's perfect for family trampers.
Above the clouds Torres Peak – West Ridge
Reward for effort. Steve Dowall, Peter Dickson, Lisa Wynne and Simon Bell climb Torres Peak high above the Fox Glacier in Westland National Park. An account by Steve Dowall of their December 2014 adventures.
