Dunstan Downs pastoral lease in Central Otago is currently undergoing tenure review. Straddling the transition between Canterbury and Otago in terms of local governance and natural values, this 12,351.4 hectare Crown pastoral lease stretches from the Ahuriri River in the north, to near Lindis Pass in the west, and to the 2,088-metre Mt St Bathans in the south. On the Wether, Dunstan, and St Bathans ranges, much of the property covers full ridge-to-valley altitudinal sequences. The pastoral lease includes part of the iconic Lindis Pass area as well as Ahuriri riverside land.

A preliminary proposal of the tenure review was publicly advertised in September 2020, and is open for public submissions until 24 November 2020. All documents are available on the Land Information NZ website.

FMC has written a submission on the preliminary proposal. Based on the objects of the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and relevant underpinning science, it recommends greater protection than is put forward by the preliminary proposal.

Read more

NZSki Ltd has announced the installation of a toll gate on the Remarkables Ski Field Access Road, commencing Tuesday 10 November. The gate toll will be in place until the skifield's winter operations begin in June 2021.

The fee is $10 per vehicle (regardless of size or the number of passengers) and can be paid at the gate by credit or debit card.

FMC acknowledges that NZSki's concession allows them to charge a fee for vehicle access. At the same time, we believe that as an industry leader, NZSki Ltd has a social responsibility not to add barriers to public access to public conservation land. We are also looking into the calculation of the $10 fee.

We are currently working on options to have the gate removed. We will keep you updated on progress.

Confronted by the dramatic environmental changes occurring in New Zealand, FMC Vice-President Neil Silverwood explores how photography can be utilised as a powerful tool for advocacy.

Check out the full article featured in this week's Wilderlife.

https://wilderlife.nz/2020/11/the-power-of-photography/

The Department of Conservation has increasingly been directing its recreation funds to tourism hotspots, neglecting much of the backcountry that is traditionally New Zealanders' main playground.

As we experience a renaissance of recreation in our own backyard post COVID-19, there’s a chance to reset the system in line with the Conservation Act 1987, which directs DOC to ‘foster’ recreation (tourism is to be ‘allowed’). It’s an opportunity to address issues such as how DOC’s recreation budget is allocated and to what extent maintenance work on our backcountry structures should fall on the shoulders of volunteers.

Listen as Kathryn Ryan interviews Peter Wilson (Backcountry Trust and FMC Exec), Steve Taylor (Department of Conservation) and Stephen Espiner (Lincoln University) on RNZ’s Nine to Noon:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018772958

D2U is an optional service, which is available only to current members of an FMC affiliated club.

To sign up, visit www.fmc.org.nz/D2U, pay $20 and receive;

• The next four issues of Backcountry magazine, posted directly to you. 
• A temporary electronic FMC Discount Card valid till the end of June 2021.
• Your normal printed Discount Card with the June issue of Backcountry.

www.fmc.org.nz/D2U has much more information about the service and answers some frequently asked questions.

As the results for 2020 arrive in your November issue of Backcountry magazine, we announce the annual theme for next year's competition. Any photo taken within the boundaries of the proposed park can compete for an additional prize.

The annual theme is designed to encourage photography relating to a topical issue which FMC is battling for. So get yourself down 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. 

There are over 50 discounts available for holders of the FMC Discount Card, including 30% off the DOC Annual Hut Pass.

Visit www.fmc.org.nz/discount-card/ for full details of the new discounts below.

Cobbler Glenn, 10% boot repairs and brand new boots.

Trips and Transfers - Nelson Lakes and Beyond, 10-50% of transfers and accommodation.

Backcountry readers will have the discount code for the new Kennett Bro’s “Classic New Zealand Bikepacking” guide books, which are due on sale 14 December. Keep an eye on www.kennett.co.nz to buy your copy. 

A volume for each island details routes aimed squarely at Kiwis: the emphasis is starting from your back door, in satisfying low-carbon (and cost) round trips. 

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

The November issue of Backcountry features a Q&A with Ray Salisbury, author of the new book on the history of Mt Arthur. 

FMC members can purchase a copy at a discounted rate of $48.00 (RRP $59.99) with free freight to NZ addresses. Use coupon code FMC20 (valid til 28 Feb 2021) when ordering online: 

https://www.pottonandburton.co.nz/product/tableland-mt-arthur/

The Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club have published a poster for each range, in celebration of their annual hut bagging competition. 

These are available for sale, with proceeds going directly to the club's maintenance of Mid-Pohangina Hut and Ngamoko Hut in Ruahine Forest Park.

A2 Size is $18,  A1 size $30, plus postage and packaging (approx $15 for a rolled tube). Contact Warren Wheeler, (06) 356 1998.  warren.wheeler.2017@gmail.com

Purchase your hard copy at FMC’s online shop (discounts for packs of 10), or browse the content on Wilderlife.nz for free.

Catering on club trips:  painless planning for group leaders

Navigation and map training: instructor resources

Club trips & courses: The HSWA and Adventure Activities Regulation

We’ve been busy and have 3 new/updated “Outdoor Community” resources: part of the wider project which has all sorts of advice for clubs or groups, from archiving, to trip transport laws, to photo competitions to leader development. 

If you’ve got wisdom to contribute, or have ideas on what topics we cover next, please get in touch. 

Pencilled in for Feburary 2021, the exact cut-off date will be decided by the BCT board in December. Read about the BCT’s latest news, as it starts making progress with its Kaimahi (Jobs) for Nature-funded restoration projects alongside its volunteer project work.