The winners of the 2020 FMC photo competition were announced in November's Backcountry. If you haven't had a chance to see them yet, you can find them on our website.

Each year, FMC provides slideshows of all the entries to our competition; many clubs enjoy an evening playing “guess the location” or simply having them playing in the background at the end of a meeting.

You can download the slideshows from the FMC Archives.

The Department of Conservation has publickly notified the consultation on the reclassification of the Kawarau/Remarkables Conservation Area. Submissions are currently open and close on 26 February 2021.

All relevant documents are available on the DOC website.

FMC has long been advocating for the reclassification of the Remarkables Conservation Area, and for the creation of a Remarkables National Park.

FMC president Jan Finlayson said it was “very pleasing” that DOC was looking to reclassify the land. The natural values of the Remarkables land were extraordinary and “ticked all the boxes of national park-ness”.

If the process was successful, it would provide a model for the remaining third of public land that was classified as stewardship land and was vulnerable to being sold off or damaged, she said.

You can read more about this in the news here.

Family tramping tips on Radio NZ. Seventeen minutes of inspiring audio for outdoor parents at home with the little ones!

FMC executive member Jamie Stewart explains how a lifetime love for the outdoors can be fostered from a very early age, right from your back door.

Tips and tricks follow, as the kids get older and bolder, helping to create fantastic memories and connections with the outdoors and with family.

Get inspired and get out there with your little ones this summer! Listen to Jamie's interview on Radio New Zealand.

Don’t forget to pack your camera if you’re off to the West Coast this holiday season! Any photo taken within the boundaries of the proposed Wild Rivers park can compete for an additional prize in our photo competition.  

The annual theme is designed to encourage photography relating to a topical issue which FMC is battling for. So get yourself to the Coast this summer and capture some stunning images of this magnificent and (currently) poorly protected part of Aotearoa. 

Browse the richly illustrated and interactive story-map which showcases FMC’s Wild Rivers park proposal.

We are delighted to welcome the Fiordland Endurance and Adventure Racing (FEAR) Society to FMC. 

In a nutshell, FEAR Society are a club whose club trips are adventure races.  (Think grass-roots GODZone, without the race T-shirt or prize money, run by club volunteers!). The ethic is tough challenges, through some incredible terrain, with classic kiwi understatement.

See our announcement on www.fmc.org.nz for a glimpse into this club of incredible amatuer adventure racers. 

After a few months away due to COVID19 forcing these folk to close their physical store, the team at Good Rotations are back as a webshop.  

FMC members can get 10% off packrafts, bikepacking bags and gear.  Visit www.fmc.org.nz/discount-card to get the code and see more than 50 discounts available to our card holders. 

If you’re a current member of a FMC club, you can opt in to D2U and get a temporary e-card within 24hrs of signing up. Visit www.fmc.org.nz/D2U

FMC has 10 copies of the Kennett Bro’s new guide, Bikepacking Aotearoa, to give away.

To enter, send us a story about a Bikepacking adventure, and the first 10 we select for publication on our Wilderlife.nz website will get a free copy!

Stories should be 800 to 1500 words, and be accompanied by at least 1 photo per 200 words.  The adventures don’t need to be epic, and the photos don’t have to be mind blowing; just an enjoyable read and something we can use to inspire others to follow suit!

You must be a current FMC club member or supporter to enter, and consent to your story and photos being published on our blog. Selection of the winners is at sole discretion of the FMC Development Officer. Books will be sent to winners in early 2021. 

If you want your copy the old fashioned way, the books are available direct from Kennett Bros. Don’t forget to see your November Backcountry for the discount code to get 20% off!

FMC is proud to have financially supported this project, as part of the Outdoor Community campaign spotlight on Bikepacking. 

Got an idea in mind to get a project up and running in the remote places of your backyard?

The Backcountry Trust volunteer programme is open for applications for Round 14 until the 30 January 2021.

It's easier than you think to get some track or hut work up and running and whether it's a big or small project, the BCT board will look at any good ideas that contribute to making New Zealand's backcountry a great place to enjoy.

Visit the Backcountry Trust website to learn more and apply.

Waitaki District Council informs us that work to upgrade the Temple Stream Bridge on Lake Ōhau Road is currently underway, and is going to cause traffic delays at the site from time to time.

From the 11th January 2021 work to replace the deck at the Maitland Stream Bridge will begin.

This bridge will be closed for 10 weeks and the only access will be via the ford should the river level allow.

This will affect all recreational users wishing to access Temple Stream or the Hopkins River valley in Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

The FMC office will be closed from Saturday 19 December 2020, reopening on Monday 11 January 2021. Phone messages and emails will be responded to after the office reopens.

For urgent enquiries, contact FMC President Jan Finlayson or FMC Vice-president Neil Silverwood.

Enjoy your summer adventures!