Carry your Kayak... Poutini’s Gorge
Jess Lange and mates carry in thier boats to paddle the gorges of the West Coast's classic Arahura River.
Te Araroa Part II: A Long Run on our Long Pathway
In Part II of her blog, Mary completes the North Island portion of the Te Araroa Trail just days before lockdown and emerges to find a world strikingly different from when she began her tramp.
November 2015 The Summer of El Nino
What is 'El Nino?' A weather pattern first labelled by the Peruvians, learn how it has impacted climate not only globally, but here in New Zealand.
Te Araroa Part I: A Long Run on our Long Pathway
As a recipient of the FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship, Mary Williams departs on a solo mission to complete the South Island section of the Te Araroa Trail.
August 2014 Winter Tramping
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.
Back to the Wild Winter Hiking with Babies and Toddlers
With winter in full swing, Sonia Barrish offers practical and insightful tips for winter hiking with a little one.
A new normal Solo Tramping
In light of social distancing restrictions, Sarah Tiong gives solo tramping a try. She discovers not only the benefits of going at her own pace, but how rewarding it can be to 'leave the psychological security of safety in numbers.'
A Forbidden Fruit Lake Orbell
When David Barnes finally gets the chance to join DOC's annual Lake Orbell trip, he seizes the opportunity. And it was well worth the wait.
Mountain Adventure Taranaki Winter
Finding their hut frozen solid was not enough to deter Alastair and his team from successfully completing a double summit of Shark's Tooth on Mt Taranaki.
Backcountry te reo Ngā maunga
Mountains play a powerful role in many Māori legends. In this edition of Kōrero ki ngā maunga, Ben Douglas explores the language of the mountains.
Two Peaks Barff, Dragonfly and the FOMO
Rob Hawes, Lorraine Johns, and Simon Bell climb two peaks during one long Wanaka weekend. In Rob’s account, he shares how Simon’s FOMO guaranteed that he didn't miss out on an epic climb.
Lost in the bush Six Squares of Chocolate
What makes you the richest person in the backcountry? When a group of research students' tramp in the Australian bush doesn't go as planned, they learn the importance of not only carrying a first aid kit, but an emergency supply of chocolate for morale.
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.
