FMC Newsletter January 2024

Griffin Creek. (c) Neil Silverwood.

Griffin Creek

FMC is taking the next step to protect Griffin Creek from excessive and unnecessary use by the proposed hydro scheme.

In October 2023, High Court judge dismissed FMC's claim for the limit of the maximum water intake for the purposes of Griffin Creek Hydro Ltd’s (GCHL) hydro scheme. FMC believes there is an error in judgement and is now appealing the High Court Decision in the Court of Appeal, with a hearing scheduled for May 2024.

“The appeal is just one of the steps we are taking towards clarifying the concession processes and how conservation legislation is applied and interpreted, in order to protect our wild places for future generations to enjoy,” says FMC President Megan Dimozantos.

Read a full press release on our webpage.

Blue Lake. (c) Aaron Zhao, Christchurch Tramping Club.

Check, clean, dry – say NO to rock snot

Like the look of this lake? We do too. We want our pristine lakes and rivers to stay clean and prevent the spread of Didymo and Lindavia. Along with DOC we encourage all backcountry users to stay diligent and clean all their gear in the cleaning stations provided, when interacting with rivers and lakes in the backcountry.

Please make sure all your gear has been bone dry for at least 48 hours before using it in another body of water, or soak it for 10 minutes in 10 percent detergent solution.

This includes your footwear, walking poles, togs, fishing gear, and all your paddling gear – boats, paddles, footwear, personal flotation device etc. If unsure, please check with the local DOC office or visit MPI web page.

BCT crew at Panekire Hut. (c) Megan Dimozantos.

Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is open again

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, which had been closed since February 2023 due to the impacts of flooding and severe weather damage sustained during Cyclone Gabrielle, reopened on 10th January 2024.

An intensive repair and maintenance programme to reopen the track led by Tūhoe was supported by DOC, external contractors, local and recreational communities and volunteers.

As part of a Backcountry Trust crew, members of the FMC board and whānau have also contributed to the reopening of the track with renovation work on Panekire Hut a few weeks ago.

Bookings are open now through the DOC booking system.

Painting Freeman Burn Hut. (c) Rob Brown

Backcountry Trust among the semi-finalists for 2024 NZ Community of the Year Award.

We are delighted that Backcountry Trust is among the semi-finalists for 2024 New Zealand Community of the Year Award.

BCT was established in 2017 with a support of FMC and has been invaluable in restoring and renovating numerous backcountry huts and tracks. It is wonderful to see that the hard endeavours of BCT and its volunteers are recognized by the wider public.

BCT, we're keeping our fingers crossed! We greatly appreciate all your outstanding mahi.

New Year Honours 2024

Warm congratulations to the members of the extended FMC whānau, who received New Year 2024 Order of Merit Honours, and whose work we highly appreciate:

Steven Campbell ONZM, for services to Search and Rescue,
Dr Graeme Elliott ONZM, for services to wildlife conservation,
Hamish McCrostie ONZM, for services to outdoor recreation and Search and Rescue,
Joan Knight MNZM, for services to the environment,
Aaron Nicholson MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Police and Search and Rescue,
Senior Sergeant Karl Wilson MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Police, disaster victim identification, and Search and Rescue,
Lindsay Wood MNZM, for services to environmental sustainability and climate change awareness.

See the full list here

Ray Salisbury and friends in Oturere Valley, 1991. (c) Ray Salisbury

On Wilderlife: Ray Salisbury – High mis-adventure

The start of the year is a perfect time to put some plans in place for good practices - in life and the outdoors.

In his witty and honest review of distant misadventures, Ray Salisbury ponders the importance of lessons gained from near misses in the wild and through reflection identifies good practices for future ramblings. Read it this week on Wilderlife!

Club kōrero

FMC is keen to be more closely connected with our member clubs. As part of this, we are hosting a quarterly online 'club kōrero' where clubs can dial in for an hour to get an update on FMC happenings, and ask questions of the Executive.

Join us for our third kōrero on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at 7.30pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to eo@fmc.org.nz no later than 9 February 2024.

Similarly, if there are items you would like to see on the agenda for discussion, please let us know so we can ensure we have the right information in front of us to answer your questions.

Donations

Every donation helps ensure our work will continue for generations.

You can make a donation to support FMC's work at:

https://fmc.org.nz/donations/

We now also offers the option to make recurring donations.

Donate to the Mountain & Forest Trust

To support activities such as research, projects related to outdoor recreation, legal work, books, and more.

Maerewhenua Trust

FMC is grateful for the continued significant support from the Maerewhenua Trust. The contributions allow FMC to have a much wider reach and impact, and FMC's volunteers to focus on the core purposes of the organization.

FMC Supporter Card

Make the most of your FMC Supporter Card for savings on travel and touring, outdoor gear, magazines and digital accounts.

On Wilderlife: Harriet Watson. No ordinary woman

Harriet Watson is no ordinary woman. One might think she is a wonder woman!
As a young woman suffering from endometriosis, she ran and cycled 650 km of the West Coast wilderness over eight days to raise awareness and funds to help those with the same condition.

“We must closely guard the welfare of our National Parks and Reserves. These should not be regarded as the property of our minister or the government. They belong to the people of today and tomorrow. We must fight for their protection if necessary.” Fred Vosseler – Inaugural FMC President (1932)

Editor: Danilo Hegg. Feedback welcome to eo@fmc.org.nz

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Federated Mountain Clubs
PO Box 1604
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand

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