Coronation and Irene Getting Scroggy With It
During a climbing trip in Fiordland, Tarsh and her mates attempt to tackle two peaks in one go, which leaves her 'wondering why she had to fall in love with such a precipitous corner of the world.'
Mountaineering
Paradise Found The Gardens of Eden and Allah
Nine days in the wilderness. Sylvie Admore, Helen Liley, Sam Richardson, Björn Striebing and Stephen Waite (Auckland University Tramping Club) meet Simon and invite him along on their trip to the Adams Wilderness Area not long after being introduced. Helen and Sylvie recall their memories of Simon on a trip that he described as 'spontaneous and excellent'.
When the Mountains Say 'No' Te Puoho Glacier
Craving a backcountry adventure during lockdown, Penzy reminisces through photography and storytelling about a time when 'the mountains said no' -- in what became a trip that demanded creativity and perseverance in wild Fiordland.
Mountain Adventure Aoraki/Mt Cook via Sheila Face and Mt Tasman via Syme-Silberhorn
Alastair McDowell joins a mountaineering trip organised by the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. Using Empress Hut in Mount Cook/Aoraki as his base, he embarks on a weekend of icy adventure.
Treasures of the Kahurangi The Needle and the Haystack
During one magical Easter, Lorraine Johns and Simon Bell visit Kahurangi National Park in NW Nelson. Lorraine vividly recalls their journey through a bewitching landscape and shares how it became a trip to remember.
Mountain Adventure Mount Oates Traverse
Work could wait another day for Alastair and Elisha, as they decide to traverse Mount Oates in Arthur's Pass.
NZ Alpine Club Novara Peak
A lost booking, new washout, and a summer sleeping bag in alpine conditions...? Despite a very cold night and some unexpected terrain, Penzy Dinsdale completes her first and much anticipated mountaineering trip with the NZ Alpine Club.
Tararua Tramping Club Rolleston via the Rome Ridge
Once just a dream, climbing Mt Rolleston via the Rome Ridge now becomes a reality for Simon Bell, but it proves to be trickier than expected. Accompanied by fellow climbers Rob Hawes, Stu Hutson, and Daniel Rogerson, this account was written by Simon for The Tararua Tramper (Vol.83, No. 7) and followed by Daniel’s reflections on the trip.
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.
Arthur's Pass National Park Gorgy Creek Lake Trip
What are the benefits of trekking at a leisurely pace? Diane Mellish, team leader for the Peninsula Tramping Club, reveals the ingredients for her 'best trip ever' and why this track is an absolute must for all adventurers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Secret of the Unicorn Dilemma and Unicorn – Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
To rope or not to rope? A key question for Don French, Dan Pringle, James Wright, and Simon Bell when confronting the massive Strauchon Face of Dilemma Peak on the edge of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Simon describes this challenging rock climb in these notes prepared for his presentation to the Tararua Tramping Club in June 2013.
November 2015 Little Orange Track Markers
In this edition of Uncle Jacko’s Cookery Corner (originally featured in the November 2015 FMC Bulletin), Uncle Jacko covers a wide range of topics from DOC's orange track markers to the 421 different Scottish words for snow.
Above the clouds Torres Peak – West Ridge
Reward for effort. Steve Dowall, Peter Dickson, Lisa Wynne and Simon Bell climb Torres Peak high above the Fox Glacier in Westland National Park. An account by Steve Dowall of their December 2014 adventures.
Trans-Alpine Rock, Ice and Packrafts…
Emily Forne and friends attempt a combination of mountaineering and packrafting: six days by foot and raft from head of Lake Tekapo out to the Rakaia River.
