North America Climbing Moab’s Classic Desert Towers
After saying farewell to the Canadian Rockies, Alastair and Tim road trip to the Utah desert to climb Moab's lesser-known tower routes.
Rock climbing
Mountain Adventure Otira Face – Mt Rolleston
Nothing like a pristine, bluebird day in the mountains to beckon all climbers. For Alastair McDowell and Hamish Cumming, it signals that it's finally time to tackle the intimidating northern side of the Mt Rolleston - the Otira Face.
Near-Miss How (Not) to Get into Canyoning
'We're cold, wet, tired and it's about to get dark. And we've still got that big abseil to go...' Safely home after her first foray into canyoning, Megan Sety and her team reflect on their type-2 adventure. They learn firsthand that while canyoning is an ideal sport for trampers and climbers to explore, it requires its own set of technical skills and expertise.
Rescue Cheeky Keas, I Reckon
Chris Sommer and his new climbing mate take on Friday’s Fool – a 200 meter mixed (rock and ice) route at the heart of the Remarkables range. After their rope gets mysteriously cut, the pair face a life or death situation resulting in a Search and Rescue evacuation.
Rolleston Range Turret Peak
A fun, sociable weekend as Nina Dickerhof, Rob Munro, James Thornton, and Simon Bell visit the Rolleston Range at the head of Lake Coleridge and climb Turret Peak. This is Simon’s account of the trip, which was previously published in NZAC’s 'Vertigo.'
Mountain Adventure Macpherson – Talbot Traverse, Darran Mountains, Fiordland
What he deems as 'one of the best alpine day trips in New Zealand,' Alastair McDowell makes his annual pilgrimage to the Darran Mountains in Fiordland and creates video footage of his climbs.
Living the Dream Life in Wanaka
Simon Bell travels to Wanaka to become a full-time climber. His family recalls the special time they time spent together and Simon's mission to climb as many Great Peaks as possible.
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.'
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.
June 2013 Cheap Gear and the Capstan Equation
What is the Capstan Equation and how does it apply to rock climbing? In this edition of UJCC, Uncle Jacko gets technical, offering insight into why knots and belay devices work. He also discusses cheap gear and reveals how he decides between buying in-store versus online.
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.
August 2013 Interesting Outdoor Mathematics
How do you measure the height of a bridge when alone in the backcountry? Uncle Jacko explains how nature provides what we need for mathematics and how according to one calculation, 1.4 kg of chocolate might just be an acceptable amount during a long tramp.
Take 3 The Long Ride Home
Each year, university student Marina Comeskey makes her annual commute home to Wellington from Christchurch ... by bike, that is.
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.
October 2010 Rock Climbing at the Arapiles
Four young blokes get technical. Rowan Sinton, Mike Dalzell, James Collett, and Simon Bell spend a week rock climbing in Australia. These are the notes from Simon’s presentation to the Tararua Tramping Club in October 2013.
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.
Sabre: Trail runners, rock shoes and bare feet
After climbing Tutoko in 2012, Vaughan Snowdon and Simon team up again to attempt another peak in the Darran Mountains of Fiordland National Park.
