Supported by FMC's Simon Bell Memorial scholarship, during November and December 2021, Alastair McDowell and Hamish Fleming climbed all 24 named 3000m peaks in the Southern Alps in a single push.

They started up the Copland Valley in Westland with a climb of Mt Sefton and finished 31 days later after a bike ride from Mt Cook Village to Aspiring Hut to summit Mt Aspiring/Tititea.

Congratulations Alastair and Hamish on a tremendous achievement.

We are mourning the passing, during the past month, of several figures who have given hugely to FMC and to the wider outdoor community.

Jan Heine, keen tramper and botanist, pioneering environmentalist and influential wilderness advocate, passed away aged 81 on 28 December 2021. Jan was married to Arnold Heine, past FMC patron and editor of the FMC Bulletin. Jan’s contribution to the latter was substantial, as she did the layout and design, proofing and editing.

You can read an obituary to Jan Heine on Stuff.

John Nankervis, renowned mountaineer and past president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, died in January 2022 after suffering a stroke. His climbing CV included over 50 New Zealand first ascents, mainly in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland/Tai Poutini national parks, as well as numerous expeditions overseas. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to mountaineering. A lawyer by profession, John provided pro bono legal advice to FMC, for which we are immensely grateful.

Hugh Barr, a tramper and mountaineer, was involved in a wide range of environmental and outdoor projects, including the Te Araroa Trail. He passed away in December aged 80. Hugh was FMC President from 1993 to 1995 and a member of the FMC Executive from 1976 to 1978, and again in 1991-1992.

Both John Nankervis and Hugh Barr were Tararua Tramping Club life members. You can read their obituaries on Stuff here. We also acknowledge the passing of TTC long-time member Ian Baine.

As ski area concessions expire and DOC considers renewals, FMC asserts that enduring public access must be a foundation of any new agreements.

“Practical public access on public land must be a fundamental part of the privilege of operating a ski area on our conservation estate” - Jan Finlayson, FMC President.

You can read more on this, and about our recent submission on the Treble Cone ski area application, on our website. 

Federated Mountain Clubs’ ‘Same as SH1’ campaign has been re-launched and president Jan Finlayson is calling for better information and access around unformed legal roads.

“There are about 56,000km of these unformed roads throughout the country, and they have the same legal status as any road, including State Highway 1… As land use and ownership changes, so too does the access to these unformed legal roads,” Finlayson said. “These roads are critical connections and provide access to the commons.”

FMC would like the Government to increase the powers of the Walking Access Commission (WAC) to allow them to enforce these roads.

Read more in the news

Victoria and Emilie spent Christmas on the Te Araroa Trail but just before the holiday, they had a chat with Kathryn Ryan.

Hear their full interview on RNZ.

Follow their adventures on Instagram and Facebook, and read the latest digest of their adventures on Wilderlife,

As part of their journey, Victoria and Emilie are raising funds for both the FMC Mountain & Forest Trust and the Mental Health Foundation, through a Givealittle page. They have raised over $11,000 thus far.

Water-to-go sell reusable water filter bottles for tramping, camping, travel and emergencies.

Check out all bottles at www.watertogo.co.nz and for 15% off, quote FMCNZ15  when you order.

There are now more than 60 discounts for holders of the FMC discount card, including 30% off DOC annual hut passes, and a chance to give “2% for FMC” when you buy discounted homewares, outdoor gear and more through Rewarding Concepts. 

The team at Backcountry Trust is grateful for the recent sponsorship of Canyon Brewing co., which will donate 5% of this summers' profits of the "Vacation" line of beers.  

Get your brews delivered by ordering online, or find them in good pubs in Otago and direct from their brew-bar by the Shotover Canyon in Arthurs Point near Queenstown.