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.
mountains
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.
Part II Dennis’ Last Coast to Coast
In Part II of a 10-day traverse, two friends hike and kayak their way to the finish line. Offering Dennis a second shot to finish the Coast to Coast Race and Stefan the chance to complete a trip of a lifetime, the loss of a few toenails proved more than worth it.
Youth Award Grant Ascending Towards the Clouds
Students from Otamatea High School work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award by ascending towards the clouds and climbing Mt Taranaki. Next up for these trampers is Gold level status.
Makorako II The Makorakoing
"Few things make you reconsider your life decisions more than sprinting 400m up a mountain half naked, straight out of bed, after getting 4 hrs of sleep - because all your food is gone." For Jason Rosinger and partner Laura Jacks, their plan to climb the North Island's sixth highest peak in a weekend took a slight detour...
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.
November 2004 Wind Speed and Direction in the Mountains
How strong does the wind have to be to knock over a tree ... or even a person? MetService Weather Ambassador Bob McDavitt provides a guide to measuring wind speed both in the mountains and on land.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
Mt Wilmot The True Matterhorn of the South
Ruari Macfarlane and his mum throw together a last minute plan to explore the fringe of deepest Fjordland.
Mountain Adventure Disaster in the Darrans
Alastair and Tony embark on a true Darran’s classic - the Bowen Allan Corner - and return with scars to prove it.
The Remarkables A Very Grand Traverse
Jason Rosinger, Daniel Smith, and Charlotte Holmes hop in Dan's DIY campervan and head to the Remarkables, where they make their ascent of Double Cone.
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.
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.
