West Mathias First Descent by Kayak
Four kayakers embark on a first descent of the West Mathias river, completing the pinnacle of whitewater kayaking with a broken thumb and triumphant spirits.
March 2020 The Great Unknown
Uncle Jacko reminds us of the unlawful act of killing sandflies according to the National Parks Act of 1980, as well as pays tribute to the life of a dear friend and former editor of the FMC Bulletin.
Kindred Organisations Forest & Bird and Predator Free 2050
What is Forest & Bird's role in conservation and how can you get involved? Former Acting Manager of National Projects, Gillian Wadams, breaks down F&B's contributions from the local to the national level and how their mission relates to Aotearoa's goal of Predator Free 2050.
Training Grant Avalanche Awareness
With support from a FMC Training Grant, the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) gains essential, hands-on knowledge in avalanche safety and response.
Citizen Science The New Zealand Bird Atlas
What's one simple and easy way you can help with conservation? Whether you're lounging in your backyard or out for an overnight mission in the bush, noticing and logging the bird life around you on the eBird app has a profound impact. Dan Burgin, NZ Bird Atlas Team, takes readers step-by-step into how they can begin 'Atlasing' on the eBird app and develop competency in their bird identification skills.
Hunting A Hunting Tragedy
A hunting trip results in tragedy after a hunter misidentifies his target. Nick Plimmer and Johnny Mulheron explore the events surrounding this terrible loss and share essential guidelines for accident prevention.
Video Paddling the Sinbad Gully: Part II
In Part II of their adventure, three mates continue on their three-day winter whitewater mission in Fiordland.
Video Paddling the Harrison River: Part I
Oddly for these three mates, the depths of the southern winter seem to inspire thoughts of overnight whitewater missions. And this year was no different . . .
August 2021 Tramping Politicians
Uncle Jacko expresses his deep gratitude for the New Zealand politicians who have prioritised conservation, encourages more politicians to get out tramping, and shares some hard-earned knowledge about preparation in the case of medical evacuation.
Youth Award Grant Winter Tramping Along the Two Thumbs Range
Winter tramping and a roughly polled track presents these FMC Youth Award Grant recipients with new challenges, as they complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold tramp along the Two Thumbs range from Mesopotamia to Tekapo in four days.
March 2022 Quicksand, Campfire Cuisine and a Gang of Hooligan Keas
Uncle Jacko encounters a gang of hooligan keas on the Cascade Saddle and shares how packrafts have improved since his DIY raft from the 90s, the best recipe for fine campfire cuisine and the real danger of quicksand in the Dart River.
Survivor Story Scree Slope Crossing
Halfway through their Lewis Pass to Nelson Lakes tramp, an experienced tramper tumbles 25 metres down a scree slope on Thompson Pass. Due to the skilled response by his party and the helicopter rescue team, the tramper is successfully evacuated. The team reflects on lessons from their ordeal and Johnny Mulheron shares essential, lifesaving tips for outdoor enthusiasts.
Whitewater Kayaking Top Choices for Whitewater Huts
After asking paddlers from Whitewater New Zealand about their favourite huts for whitewater kayaking, Shaun Barnett shares their top choices along with a few of his own.
Youth Award Grant Party of Five on the Kepler Track
As a Youth Award Grant recipient, Harri Pickett embarks on a snowy Kepler Track and faces the tough decision to turn around when conditions become unsafe.
Video Paddling the Albert Burn
Three mates enjoy a wonderful day out, exploring a beckoning gorge amongst the incomparable Otago Alps. No helicopters needed for these guys, as they commit to a walk-in mission on the lower gorge of the Albert Burn, Lake Wānaka, Aotearoa New Zealand. Paddlers: Ewen Rodway, Michael McDonald, Ruari Macfarlane. Film by Ewen Rodway [...]
March 2019 Toilets, Tourism and Transport Noise
Have you ever wondered what costs and resources are required for a backcountry toilet? Uncle Jacko talks toilets, tourism and transport noise, as he shares the calculation for Mr. Erlang’s queuing formulae, the challenge of toilets at high altitude, and DOC's concept of a Tranquillity Map in managing aircraft noise.
Cascade Saddle A Tale of Two Valleys
Four days, two valleys, and one spectacular peak – the Moa Hunters delve deep into Mount Aspiring National Park and take on the Cascade Saddle.
Volunteering Revegetation of a Club-Owned Pine Forest in Natives
When a friend of the early Otago Tramping Club (now OTMC) gifted them a large block of land in 1930, it came with one requirement: protect and preserve the skyline hills as an asset for future trampers and walkers of Dunedin.
Equipment Failure Ski Mountaineering and High Consequence Fall
After successfully skiing the entire east face of Aoraki/Mt Cook, an accomplished backcountry skier attempts the Caroline Face and tragically passes away after an equipment failure. Matteo Scoz offers tips on gear checks and how to properly transition between modes of travel to avoid disastrous consequences.
Backcountry te reo Whanganui Te Awa Tupua
‘Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.’ The Whanganui River was accorded the status of legal personhood in 2017. Kathy Ombler shares the history of struggle that led to this point, as well as the significance, values and framework behind Te Awa Tupua.
North America Climbing Moab’s Classic Desert Towers
After saying farewell to the Canadian Rockies, Alastair and Tim road trip to the Utah desert to climb Moab's lesser-known tower routes.
What I Did Find Darkness and Light in the Olivines
After receiving the tragic news that her partner Lochie is missing, Tara pauses their plans to traverse along the Southern Alps from Cape Farewell to Fiordland to help with his search. When the search is called off, she makes the heavy-hearted decision to continue with the trip. Tara recounts the final leg of her journey as a Simon Bell Memorial Scholarship recipient – a solo trek across the Olivine Ice Plateau towards Red Mountain and down to the ocean at Big Bay.
Historical A 1927’s Perspective on Backcountry Accidents
In this historical news article from 1927, an Evening Post journalist examines the recent rise in mountaineering and river-work accidents and the personal stories behind them.
Volunteering The How and Why of Becoming a Pest Trapper
What does volunteering as a pest trapper look like? Myrthe Braam shares what inspired her to start trapping and how her involvement with trapping has changed over the last four years, as well as offers specific tips on how you can get involved too.
