South Island

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.

Opinion

Kahurangi Bivvy A Night Out on Mt Arthur

By Peter Laurenson|2024-03-19T13:45:25+13:00March 19th, 2024

Defined by its distinctive karst rock formations and sinkholes that remind trampers to guard each step, Mt Arthur lends itself to a photographer’s paradise. Documenting his trek to the peak with camera in tow, Peter Laurenson captures the maunga in all its glory.

Backcountry Accidents

Winter Tramping Catastrophe on Cascade Saddle

By Johnny Mulheron|2024-03-05T14:59:15+13:00March 5th, 2024

Completion of the Great Walks may lead less experienced trampers into a false sense of security, resulting in some attempting backcountry tracks beyond their skill sets. After finishing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Abel Tasman Coastal Track, a young tourist sets off on the Cascade Saddle in Mt Aspiring National Park. Under snow cover, Cascade Saddle is a serious alpine crossing that requires outdoor competence and proper equipment. Johnny Mulheron discusses the tragic details behind this solo tramper's fatal fall in winter conditions and what lessons we can take away.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trip Reports

Youth Award Grant Te Whare Tapa Whā

By Guest Author|2024-01-08T12:29:20+13:00May 3rd, 2023

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.

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.

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

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.

Outdoor Community blog

Back to the Wild A Wedding Anniversary Tramp With Our Toddler

By Sonia Barrish|2023-01-20T04:02:45+13:00January 16th, 2023

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.

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