November 2022 Absent Friends
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.
Nature
How To Maintaining a Full Strength Club Committee
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.
Whitewater Rafting Paddling Between Giants
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.
Youth Award Grant The Kayak Kapers
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.
Ruahine Tops Two More 1,700 Metre Points
An overnight bivvy above the clouds sets the scene for a photographer's paradise, as Peter Laurenson heads south of Waipawa Saddle to Rangioteatua.
Youth Award Grant Tackling the Tongariro
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.
Climbing Seeking the Light
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.
Fatality A Preventable Tragedy in the Young Valley
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.
Mike Dawson Interview With a New Zealand Olympian
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.
Shannon Mast Paddler of the Year 2022, Whitewater NZ
"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.
Youth Award Grant Teamwork on the Tongariro Northern Circuit
"Journey – a long and often difficult process of personal change and development." For these four FMC Youth Award Grant recipients, they draw upon their strengths and honestly address their shortcomings to come together as a team to support one another, as well as look after fellow trampers on the Tongariro Crossing Northern Circuit.
Fastpacking Traversing the Richmond Range High Ridge From Mt Riley to Red Hills
"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.
Mountain Adventure Joy Amidst Suffering
“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.
Youth Award Grant Te Whare Tapa Whā
Examining their Gold qualifying tramp through the lens of Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four dimensions of wellbeing), Alicia and Sophie reflect on the significant challenges they faced on the Rees-Dart Track and what strategies helped encourage them to continue.
June 2021 Dunning-Kruger Effect
How does the Dunning-Kruger effect impact the way we estimate our competency in the outdoors? Uncle Jacko delves into how this effect has both a negative and positive influence on our backcountry experience. He also discusses navigation and communication in the backcountry – S122, ham radio gear and SOTA, for those amateur radio operators who love the outdoors.
Essentials Moa Hunting Checklist
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.
Mountain Adventure Fastpacking From Lewis Pass to St Arnaud
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.
Youth Award Grant Winter Wonderland on the Ruahines
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.
Kahurangi National Park Walking The Dragons Teeth High Route
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.
Ōmanui and Beyond A Transalpine Adventure Into the Glaisnock Wilderness Area
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.
Back to the Wild A Wedding Anniversary Tramp With Our Toddler
What better way to celebrate a wedding anniversary than by embarking on a family tramping adventure? On this occasion, a trek over the Kelly Range/Taipo River/Harman Pass tests skilled tramper and mum, Sonia Barrish, as she navigates slips and steep climbs on a four day, 51 kilometre tramp with her partner and 15-month old.
Historical Accident on the Three Passes
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.
June 2020 Quarter of a Century
Marking the 25th anniversary of his column, Uncle Jacko reminisces about his days of tahr hunting, contemplates the old adage ‘pain is weakness leaving the body,’ and suggests a humorous solution for dealing with DOC’s silly signs.
Mountain Adventure The Craigieburn Round
Inspired by the ‘Rounds’ in the UK, British native and New Zealand ultra-runner Martin Lukes designs the first ever New Zealand ‘Round’ – a classic long-distance mountain challenge taking in all of the summits of a local area in an aesthetic loop. After spending a summer bagging peaks in the Southern Lakes, Alastair McDowell tackles Canterbury’s answer to the famous mountain challenges of Britain: the Craigieburn Round.
