A Mischievous Fairie Queene Her Ravenous Sandflies and Spiders
In an account of their victorious trip, Lorraine Johns, Nina Sawicki and Simon Bell tackle the Fairie Queene in the St James Conservation Area near Lewis Pass in February 2012.
Backcountry
November 2017 Te Kawa O Te Urewera
With its national park status rescinded in 2014, Te Urewera is now understood as a 'living entity.' While the values found in Te Kawa guide those who look after Te Urewera, they also serve to challenge and inspire all to live in greater harmony with the natural world.
November 2012 Sandflies and Battery Packs
Do you need a resource consent to build a snow-cave? Uncle Jacko finds a flaw in the 'Safety in the Mountains' handbook and gives us the inside scope on battery packs and the best antidote for sandfly bites.
Trans-Alpine Trip The Mathias Catchment
Sonja Risa recounts her first transalpine trip with fellow members of the Peninsula Tramping Club and gains valuable insight into how one mighty river can dictate the course of a trip.
Footsteps of the Rainbow Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku
Want to get away from your desk and into the backcountry? For the Peninsula Tramping Club, including two FMC Executives Jan and Liz, it was time for a group adventure. Leaving the office behind and taking a long weekend, they summit Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku -- the 'footsteps of the rainbow.'
Forgotten Lands Coromandel
While great strides have been taken to restore the native bird population, the future of the Coromandel Forests is less certain. FMC outlines its vision for the protection of the Coromandel Peninsula.
August 2019 Developing a Photographer’s Mindset
What happens when your life-long hobby becomes your profession? For photographer Richard Sidey, he began to lose the spark for his once beloved hobby. He shares how through clear purpose, technology and a few easy to follow steps, he found a way to rekindle his love of adventure photography.
June 2019 The Power of Photography
Confronted by the dramatic environmental changes occurring in New Zealand, former FMC Vice President Neil Silverwood explores how photography can be utilised as a powerful tool for advocacy.
Family Ladder in the Wilderness
Accompanied by his two sons, Ed and Will, Peter Laurenson capitalises on the school holidays to expend some of their teenage energy by climbing the Tararua Peaks.
Youth Award Grant Attempting the Tongariro Northern Circuit
Four friends set out on their Silver qualifying journey only to be tested by weather, thereby demonstrating their maturity in choosing safety over the finish line.
Youth Award Grant Making Memories on the Humpridge Track
As recipients of the FMC Youth Award Grant, eight students from St. Peters College brave the Humpridge Track in rain-soaked conditions and make lasting memories along the way.
Back to the Wild Tramping to Kahurangi Keepers Hut
A cast iron bath in a DOC hut?! On a weekend tramp, Sonia and her family discover the perks of staying in a hut once occupied by a lighthouse keeper and his family.
November 2011 ‘Safety in the Mountains’ & Backcountry Meals
Uncle Jacko talks backcountry meal ideas, the medicinal benefits of swearing, and much more in this edition of his Cookery Corner.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
