Backcountry hut

Youth Award Grant All Weather Tramp on the Heaphy

By Guest Author|2024-04-14T18:11:47+12:00April 14th, 2024

Thunder and lightning, sunshine, rain and even hail accompanies Bella and Egor's Duke of Edinburgh Gold Qualifier, pushing Egor to persevere through his fear of thunderstorms and even declare: "I have loved my Adventurous Journey, as it has opened up many wonderful New Zealand backcountry places that we have explored." As recipients of the FMC Youth Award Grant, Bella Allen and Egor Shefer reflect on their trip of a lifetime along the Heaphy Track.

Trip Reports

Fact or Fable What’s in a Word? Exploring Untracked Leatherwood in the Tararua Forest Park

By Megan Sety|2024-04-14T12:01:30+12:00April 10th, 2024

Four hours to cover one kilometre . . . ? For Megan and a hardy group from the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC), an escape route provided by the '1996 Tararua Footprints Guide' offered refuge away from strong winds. However, an equally challenging battle ensued between tramper, scrub and river as the group navigated untracked leatherwood in the Tararua Forest Park.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2023 Let Your Cravings Be Your Guide

By Robin McNeill|2024-02-27T13:49:48+13:00February 27th, 2024

Has your compass ever steered you in the wrong direction? In this UJCC, Uncle Jacko divulges what happens when one's faithful compass becomes an agent of chaos, how much water and electrolyte intake one really needs and some handy, DIY gear hacks for the backcountry.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Exploring Diverse Vegetation and Landscapes

By Guest Author|2024-02-12T10:25:05+13:00February 12th, 2024

Time for Gold! Zander Groenewald from Otamatea High School in Northland completes his Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition around Taranaki Maunga.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

March 2023 ‘Swamping’ and Pain Relief in the Mountains

By Robin McNeill|2024-01-21T17:47:48+13:00January 21st, 2024

Aches and pains slowing you down in the backcountry? Uncle Jacko dives into the best options for pain relief, the ever so popular 'swamping' trek and the pleasures of poetry inspired by Aotearoa's landscapes.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2023 Perpetual Sun

By Robin McNeill|2023-12-06T14:09:36+13:00December 6th, 2023

What is it like to go alpine tramping in a land of perpetual sun? Uncle Jacko responds to readers' comments and recounts his unique experience of backcountry and hut life in Tromsø, Northern Norway.

Outdoor Community blog

Youth Tramping Accessible to All

By Guest Author|2023-11-27T10:35:38+13:00November 20th, 2023

“For a group of neuro-diverse students, the biggest challenge can be getting the opportunity to take part in outdoor adventures.” After five years in the making, nine neuro-diverse students from Wellington East Girls’ College head off for their biggest adventure yet – a six-day ski and snowshoeing trip to the Cardrona Valley. Unit Leader, Leonie King, shines light on the students’ barriers to entry and the preparation required to complete their Gold DOE's Hillary Award.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Starting From Scratch

By Guest Author|2023-11-07T14:34:12+13:00November 7th, 2023

No ride, no problem. FMC Youth Award Grant recipient, Tara Isaacs, organises her own DOE Gold Qualifier from the ground up. Starting without a team, a shadower or a ride, she compiles a crew and all the components necessary to cross off one of her 'bucket list tramps' – the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk.

Trip Reports

Ski Touring The Mahu Whenua Traverse

By Andy Carruthers|2023-09-12T14:23:18+12:00September 12th, 2023

What is a mountain Turk? Offering a world-class, alpine journey along the backbone of the Harris Mountains, Andy Carruthers and five mates test out Turk life by ski touring the Mahu Whenua Traverse.

Trip Reports

Fastpacking Traversing the Richmond Range High Ridge From Mt Riley to Red Hills

By Andy Carruthers|2023-05-25T19:19:16+12:00May 25th, 2023

"You know you have taken on a good adventure when you have butterflies in your tummy." Feeling ready to tackle another ambitious mission, Andy and his two mates attempt to fastpack the Richmond Range High Ridge in 45 hours over four days.

Outdoor Skills

Essentials Moa Hunting Checklist

By The Moa Hunters|2023-04-24T10:55:23+12:00April 24th, 2023

Whether you're 'tramping,' 'hiking,' or 'rambling,' safety and preparation is key to preventing a backcountry trip from turning into a disaster. The Moa Hunters share a simple list of essential, must-have items to bring on all your backcountry trips.

Trip Reports

Kahurangi National Park Walking The Dragons Teeth High Route

By Andy Carruthers|2023-05-22T13:58:16+12:00March 1st, 2023

After planning their tramp over two years ago, Andy and his mates finally embark on the backcountry trip they've been waiting for – Dragons Teeth in Kahurangi National Park.

Outdoor Community blog

Back to the Wild A Wedding Anniversary Tramp With Our Toddler

By Sonia Barrish|2023-01-20T04:02:45+13:00January 16th, 2023

What better way to celebrate a wedding anniversary than by embarking on a family tramping adventure? On this occasion, a trek over the Kelly Range/Taipo River/Harman Pass tests skilled tramper and mum, Sonia Barrish, as she navigates slips and steep climbs on a four day, 51 kilometre tramp with her partner and 15-month old.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

June 2020 Quarter of a Century

By Robin McNeill|2023-01-04T12:03:46+13:00January 4th, 2023

Marking the 25th anniversary of his column, Uncle Jacko reminisces about his days of tahr hunting, contemplates the old adage ‘pain is weakness leaving the body,’ and suggests a humorous solution for dealing with DOC’s silly signs.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Winter Tramping Along the Two Thumbs Range

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:16:35+13:00September 7th, 2022

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.

Outdoor Community blog

Whitewater Kayaking Top Choices for Whitewater Huts

By Shaun Barnett|2022-08-15T10:51:19+12:00August 15th, 2022

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.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Party of Five on the Kepler Track

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:18:29+13:00August 10th, 2022

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.

Trip Reports

Cascade Saddle A Tale of Two Valleys

By The Moa Hunters|2022-06-18T16:55:30+12:00June 18th, 2022

Four days, two valleys, and one spectacular peak – the Moa Hunters delve deep into Mount Aspiring National Park and take on the Cascade Saddle.

Simon's Trips

Mountaineer's Dilemma Club Trip to Pioneer Hut

By Simon Bell|2022-06-10T20:43:30+12:00June 10th, 2022

Eight days and multiple peaks make for another epic adventure with friends. Rob Hawes leads a party of six climbing from Pioneer Hut, high above Fox Glacier in Westland National Park. With volatile weather conditions, they face the tough decision to continue on or turn back from summiting Mt Tasman, New Zealand's second highest peak.

Trip Reports

The Moa Hunters Pea Soup and Brown-Trousers Pass

By The Moa Hunters|2022-06-09T17:10:45+12:00June 9th, 2022

Three moa hunters embark on a true classic: 'The Three Passes' – Harman, Whitehorn and Browning. With thick cloud and minimal visibility, they learn the shortcomings of relying solely on their sense of direction and find newfound appreciation for the compass.

Trip Reports

The Moa Hunters On Top of the World

By Guest Author|2022-06-09T17:19:45+12:00May 18th, 2022

A second attempt at conquering the 2885m Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku reunites the Moa Hunters, a group of simple blokes with a simple goal: find a moa.

Adventures with Emilie

Merrivale to Bluff On the Home Stretch

By Victoria Bruce|2022-05-09T16:32:01+12:00April 14th, 2022

Over six months and 3,000 kilometres later, this incredible mother-daughter team crosses the finish line into Bluff and completes Te Araroa. While ending this epic journey and rejoining civilisation may be bittersweet, Emilie reminds us that they have many more adventures ahead . . .

Adventures with Emilie

Te Anau/Princhester Hut to Merrivale The Bush Baby

By Victoria Bruce|2022-04-27T16:34:52+12:00April 9th, 2022

Refreshed and ready for action, Victoria and Emilie return to the Trail to tackle the second-to-last leg of their journey – the Takitimu Mountains in the Southland region.

Adventures with Emilie

Arrowtown to Te Anau When the Going Gets Tough

By Victoria Bruce|2022-04-20T13:12:27+12:00April 4th, 2022

A concussion en route to Queenstown requires Victoria and Emilie to take a brief hiatus from the Trail. With morale and motivation running low, Victoria finds encouragement in the kindness of friends and makes the decision to continue the trek onto Te Anau.

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