Voices from the past Preserving in Perpetuity
"I am acutely conscious every time I get in the hills that someone had to fight to save that experience for me."... A 2010 opinion piece from then FMC President Richard Davies.
Stay aware A tragedy near Liverpool Biv
A 2008 tramping fatality near Liverpool Biv was a tragic reminder of some important lessons for backcountry travel.
Spine of the Fish Day 15: what a difference a day makes
Why rush? A quick trip to the next hut was in order after our big tramp the day before.
Guidebook South Island Weekend Tramps
South Island Weekend Tramps is a great addition to the shelf: for planning or, as Robin McNeill once wrote, to ‘facilitate daydreaming’.
Spine of the Fish Day 14: Whio country
We head back to the bush after quite a long stretch in civilization.
Kaumatua Tramping Club
Wellington’s Kaumatua Tramping Club caters for trampers 35yrs and over and is still going strong after 58 years.
Spine of the Fish Day 13: end of the road
A day of tarseal, birdsong and a random act of kindness.
Survivor story Lucky Escape on Zit Saddle
Nick Plimmer reports on a mis-adventure that occured on Zit Saddle between the Toaroha and Kokatahi valleys. The two trampers survived, but there was much to be learnt from their experience.
Tales Outsiders, stories from the Fringe of New Zealand Society
Some people choose to live on the fringes of society, some are driven to the edges. Gerard Hindmarsh's 'Outsiders' tells an eclectic mix of their stories.
In the Papers Misadventure on the 3 Passes
In 1934 two Canterbury University Tramping Club members were the subjects of an intense search. Shaun Barnett abridged their story using Papers Past (www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz).
Spine of the Fish Day 11: hometown advantage
The end of the Tararua Range would be in sight - if the rain would just go away.
Club Canterbury University Tramping Club
Club stalwart Nick Riordan details the excellence of the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC)
Spine of the Fish Day 10: the back of beyond
After a long day walking, Fiona and Anthony's sleep is interrupted by unexpected visitors...
Spine of the Fish Day 9: A Brave New World
The ups and ups and downs and downs of making your own trail through the New Zealand bush...
Young Valley A preventable death
What lessons can be learnt from tragic 2015 drowning of a tramper on the Gillespie Pass circuit?
Biography A H Reed – a New Zealand walking legend
The biography of inspirational Kiwi publisher, writer and long-distance walker A H Reed is worth wallking for
Spine of the Fish Day 8: going Alt.
A good day's walking takes Anthony and Fiona off the Te Araroa and onto the Spine of the Fish, making their own trail...
Kea A century of quotations about our mountain parrot
The curious and clever kea have inspired writing over generations. Enjoy these kea quotations.
Spine of the Fish Day 7: a zero day – shall we go on? yeah nah
Anthony and Fiona have their first zero miles day, taking some time to rest and dry out...
Poetry Boundaries, People and Places of Central Otago
Central Otago's Brian Turner, poet and observer, has sketched another portrait of the Maniatoto
Spine of the Fish Day 6: hair of the dog
When you expect the worst, it's nice to be proven wrong...
Spine of the Fish Day 5: stairway to hell
The most challenging day so far...many profanities but miraculously, no tears...
Lifestyle Backcountry Cooking
Tired of pasta and dried vegetables? Over dehydrated meals? New Zealand Backcountry Cooking might inspire you
Spine of the Fish Day 4: it’s a small world after all
About to leave civilisation for a week, we meet our first trail people...
