Nature

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 2022 Alpha Centuri

By Robin McNeill|2024-03-26T12:39:31+13:00March 26th, 2024

Looking for a more affordable way to purchase gear? Uncle Jacko discusses the versatility of retired poly-cotton office shirts, the best sources for weather prediction and PLB features that can save the life of an incapacitated, solo tramper.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Four Years to Gold

By Guest Author|2024-03-26T12:40:09+13:00February 20th, 2024

From a weka invasion to endless blisters, Phoebe Squire and four classmates earn their DOE Gold on the Queen Charlotte Track in the spectacular Marlborough Sounds.

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.

Features

Botany Mission Alpine Daisy Hunting With Jane Gosden

By Masha Oliver|2024-02-20T11:40:14+13:00January 30th, 2024

“I grew up in National Parks around New Zealand,” is a statement not many of us can claim. But Jane Gosden can. As a keen ecologist with a special interest in alpine plants and years of working in and above the bush line, she recently published a field guide to alpine daisies in the genus Celmisia. Her curiosity and attraction to Celmisia took her on a nationwide mission, from the mountains to the sea. In her story for Wilderlife, she talks about her life and work in high, wild places and her love for everything that inhabits them – especially plants.

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.

Lifestyle

Learning From Pros High Mis-Adventure

By Ray Salisbury|2023-12-22T18:06:10+13:00December 22nd, 2023

After 50 years of tramping, Ray Salisbury reveals how the mountains taught him lessons on humility and resilience.

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

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.

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.

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

Youth Award Grant Stepping Into Discomfort

By Guest Author|2023-10-24T15:58:53+13:00October 24th, 2023

'No growth occurs when comfortable' becomes the guiding mantra for five Youth Award Grant recipients. Flexibility and persistence prove essential during their DOE Gold Qualifying Journey, as they respond to ill trampers and an emergency helicopter rescue along the Pinnacles.

Uncle Jacko's Cookery Corner

November 2022 Absent Friends

By Robin McNeill|2023-10-18T13:50:07+13:00October 18th, 2023

Uncle Jacko offers creative solutions for mending those pesky puffer jacket tears, shares how to calculate our carbon footprint and pays tribute to dear friends who have passed away.

How To

How To Maintaining a Full Strength Club Committee

By Rebecca Gray|2023-09-28T16:13:28+13:00September 28th, 2023

Every club is faced with the task of finding and managing leadership, which can often feel daunting. FMC Executive Officer Administrator, Rebecca Gray, shares pro tips and creative solutions for designing a vibrant, effective and committed club committee that is sustainable for years to come.

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

Youth Award Grant The Kayak Kapers

By Guest Author|2023-09-05T21:13:58+12:00September 5th, 2023

For their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifying Journey, Emiliana and her team opt for an alternative mode of backcountry travel – kayaking. Dubbed the Kayak Kapers, this team of twenty-four students (over half of whom had never kayaked) bravely took up their paddles and developed new skills during a multi-day exploration of the Marlborough Sounds.

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.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Tackling the Tongariro

By Guest Author|2023-07-14T16:44:49+12:00July 14th, 2023

Over the April school holidays, six students set off to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Qualifying Adventurous Journey in Tongariro National Park. Demonstrating excellent planning for their tramp, the group successfully navigates all the challenges thrown their way and completes a trip of a lifetime.

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.

Spotlight

Mike Dawson Interview With a New Zealand Olympian

By Guest Author|2023-06-26T18:38:22+12:00June 26th, 2023

What do the Indus and Keve rivers have in common? Mike Dawson, former New Zealand Olympian in whitewater slalom and expedition kayaker, reveals his all-time favourite rivers, the biggest threats to river access and how whitewater kayaking is like solving a puzzle.

Spotlight

Shannon Mast Paddler of the Year 2022, Whitewater NZ

By Guest Author|2023-06-08T14:21:37+12:00June 6th, 2023

"There is just a whole lotta love in kayaking here in New Zealand, for the rivers and each other." Shannon Mast was unanimously voted as Paddler of the Year 2022, at Whitewater New Zealand’s AGM. In this interview, Justin Venable dives into what makes Shannon passionate about whitewater kayaking and New Zealand rivers.

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