mountains

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

Mt Taranaki The Busy Lizard

By Peter Laurenson|2023-11-20T12:54:36+13:00November 16th, 2023

'Though plenty of inexperienced day walkers happily climb Taranaki, the mountain is still one of the most deadly in New Zealand. For many, the northern summer route is their surest way to safely experience climbing Taranaki.' Seasoned mountaineer, Peter Laurenson, provides foundational advice for minimising trouble and maximising fun on Mt Taranaki this summer.

Backcountry Accidents

Mountaineering When Perceived Safety is Misleading

By Guest Author|2023-11-01T14:50:01+13:00November 1st, 2023

“What may seem to be a safe situation is only one mis-step away from catastrophe.” In an alpine environment, even one small error can lead to a life or death situation. A false sense of security coupled with an unfortunate event results in a tragic outcome for one mountaineer on Mount Ruapehu.

Trip Reports

Whitewater Rafting Paddling Between Giants

By Peter Laurenson|2023-10-11T16:12:59+13:00September 21st, 2023

With an extensive background in tramping and mountaineering, photographer Peter Laurenson explores the advantages offered by whitewater rafting and journeys along the iconic Waiau Toa/Clarence River from Acheron to the sea.

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.

Features

Holly Beckham Climbing Back to Tell Her Story

By Masha Oliver|2023-09-08T14:17:44+12:00September 8th, 2023

The story of Holly Beckham is a story of a Māori wahine toa, who is determined to find her way back to wairua by climbing the highest mountain in the world. With no alpine training, but survival of loss, abuse and addiction, she is starting from the ground up.

Outdoor Community blog

Winter Tips Leading Alpine Trips

By Rebecca Gray|2023-08-22T14:25:47+12:00August 22nd, 2023

What makes a suitable alpine leader and how do you identify these people in your club? New Zealand clubs have a proud tradition of passing on knowledge to newer members who later themselves become leaders. FMC provides a guide to identifying and supporting not only current alpine leaders, but a framework to raise up the next generation.

Photo Essays

Ruahine Tops Two More 1,700 Metre Points

By Peter Laurenson|2023-09-21T12:12:43+12:00August 16th, 2023

An overnight bivvy above the clouds sets the scene for a photographer's paradise, as Peter Laurenson heads south of Waipawa Saddle to Rangioteatua.

Book Reviews

Climbing Seeking the Light

By Peter Laurenson|2023-07-10T08:33:15+12:00July 7th, 2023

In his award winning book, climber and leading alpine photographer Gavin Lang, reveals his ascent to light and 24 New Zealand's highest mountains through authentic storytelling and heart-stopping photography.

Backcountry Accidents

Fatality A Preventable Tragedy in the Young Valley

By Johnny Mulheron|2023-06-29T13:14:00+12:00June 29th, 2023

A cascade of poor decisions – lack of experience, a hyperfocus on reaching their destination despite horrendous conditions and the separation of party members – results in the preventable loss of a young woman left behind on the Gillespie Pass. Examining the events leading up to this tragedy, Johnny Mulheron and Erik Bradshaw offer sound advice for trampers heading off the beaten path of the Great Walks.

Book Reviews

Climbing The Cold Inside

By Shaun Barnett|2023-06-22T19:19:52+12:00June 22nd, 2023

Accomplished writer, climber and mountaineer Paul Hersey bares his climber's soul in this absorbing and honest book about the crux of climbing life: the contradiction of rich reward versus unimaginable loss.

Features

Meet Your New President Morning Coffee With Megan

By Masha Oliver|2023-06-08T13:59:23+12:00June 8th, 2023

“It's gonna be a wild ride!” said Megan, laughing, when asked about the work of Federated Mountain Clubs for the next presidential year.

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.

Trip Reports

Mountain Adventure Joy Amidst Suffering

By Alastair McDowell|2023-05-18T04:46:31+12:00May 17th, 2023

“Was it fun?” After a six-day non-stop adventure race through the mountains around Mt Aspiring, Alastair McDowell ponders this question and asks himself, "Why do we do this to ourselves?" He shares a thought-provoking exploration into what calls mountaineers into the wild, what the experience is truly like, and how brushes with fatality are an ever present reminder of mortality.

Backcountry Accidents

Survivor Story 100 Metres Plunge

By Nick Plimmer|2024-03-05T15:07:40+13:00April 28th, 2023

Would you be prepared to make the same decision if you were alone? The impact of group dynamics, including polarisation and ‘risk-shift,’ can lead to life-threatening circumstances in the backcountry. Nick Plimmer examines a real-life situation where a party of four trudges on despite poor conditions, resulting in a 100 vertical metres fall into the plunge pool of a waterfall and an extremely close call.

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

Mountain Adventure Fastpacking From Lewis Pass to St Arnaud

By Alastair McDowell|2023-03-04T13:01:08+13:00March 4th, 2023

Through the wild and remote Matakitaki region to the well-trafficked and sociable valleys of Nelson Lakes, Alastair McDowell takes the reader on a visual journey of his fastpacking mission in photo essay form.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Winter Wonderland on the Ruahines

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:28:23+13:00March 4th, 2023

Freezing temperatures bring unexpected challenges to a group of Duke of Edinburgh Silver qualifiers on the Ruahines. But through it all, they embrace the magic of a winter wonderland tramp surrounded by snow and icicles and demonstrate what is to be a good hut steward.

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.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

August 2020 Revisiting the Past

By Robin McNeill|2023-02-21T16:38:27+13:00February 21st, 2023

Uncle Jacko takes a deep dive into the past exploring what we learnt from the COVID-19 lockdowns and raising the question, "What do tourists really appreciate about New Zealand?" And as many trampers are well aware, the question of how much to pack is the perpetual challenge. Uncle Jacko tests out the idea of ‘going lightweight’ and discovers firsthand when lightweight crosses over into just not enough.

Backcountry Accidents

Homer Saddle A Disastrous Descent

By Johnny Mulheron|2024-03-05T15:08:45+13:00February 14th, 2023

One of New Zealand's finest mountaineers of the modern age passes away in a fall during a descent towards Homer Saddle. In an examination into these tragic events, Johnny Mulheron and Nick Plimmer examine the safety measures taken and the coroner's recommendations, including a rare quote that he includes in his final report.

Trip Reports

Ōmanui and Beyond A Transalpine Adventure Into the Glaisnock Wilderness Area

By Guest Author|2023-01-20T04:11:53+13:00January 16th, 2023

Based in Fiordland working as a stoat trapper, Tom #1 and his mate Tom #2 embark on a week-long backcountry exploration into the Glaisnock Wilderness Area.

Simon's Trips

Close Call The Jagged-Upham Couloir Attempt

By Simon Bell|2023-01-16T10:28:16+13:00January 16th, 2023

A close call occurs on Jagged Peak with one climber undergoing a serious accident, successful helicopter rescue and lengthy recovery. Heather Rhodes joins Vaughan Snowdon and Simon Bell to attempt Jagged Peak in the Arrowsmith Range of South Canterbury, resulting in a 300m fall.

Backcountry Accidents

Historical Accident on the Three Passes

By Guest Author|2024-03-05T15:10:05+13:00January 11th, 2023

In 1934, two Canterbury University Tramping Club members were the subjects of an intense search after not reaching their destination. Shaun Barnett compiles their stories found in multiple newspapers from the period, in which the men recount their harrowing ordeal.

1 2 3 4 5