FMC Newsletter October 2022

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Olives in the Olivines. Photo (c) Shar Mathias, Otago University Tramping Club. The trip was supported by a 2021 FMC Youth Expedition Scholarship.

2022 FMC Expedition Scholarship and Training Grant recipients announced

The recipients of the 2022 FMC Expedition Scholarships have been announced:

Simon Bell Memorial Expedition Scholarship

Sarah Fisher, Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club, for an expedition to Rakiura’s Tin Range, Gog and Magog.

Youth Expedition Scholarships

Adam Sanders, Canterbury Mountaineering Club, for a traverse of the Malte Brun Range.

Eliot McKelvey, New Zealand Canyoning Association, for a mountains to sea packrafting expedition from St Arnaud to the Clarence River mouth.

Ellorine Carle, Whitewater New Zealand, for a descent of the Taieri River from the Lammerlaw Range to the coast.

Emily Prout, Canterbury University Tramping Club, for an alpine journey from Homer Hut to the Okuru River.

Nicole Cameron, Canterbury University Tramping Club, for an expedition to New Zealand’s ‘Pole of Inaccessibility’ in the Olivine Wilderness.

Jared Sewell (17 yrs old), Individual Supporter, for a journey along the length of the Te Araroa Trail.

Liam Bartlett, Otago University Tramping Club, for a traverse of the Llawrenny and Terror Peaks in Milford Sound.

Liam Hewson, Otago University Tramping Club, for a traverse of the Tin Range on Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Naeco Laird (14 yrs old), Stratford Tramping Club, for a trip over Zit Saddle and Lathrop Saddle.

Nicholas Jones, Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club, for a journey from Kaikōura to Little Wanganui on the West Coast.

FMC Training Grants

North Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club, for a snow skills course.

New Zealand Packrafting Association (PRANZ), to support leadership training.

Otago Section New Zealand Alpine Club, to run a first aid course.

Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club, to run a first aid course.

Congratulations to all the scholarship and training grant recipients on their successful applications. We wish you a summer full of rewarding adventures, and look forward to your trip reports!

You can learn more about FMC’s Expedition Scholarships and Training Grants on our website.

Manuoha Hut, Te Urewera. Photo (c) Danilo Hegg

FMC comments on reports of hut removals in Te Urewera

“The proposal to remove DOC huts from Te Urewera has come as somewhat of a surprise to FMC. We acknowledge that this is a result of Crown injustices, 20 years of DOC’s neglect of the Urewera backcountry. We also acknowledge Tūhoe’s wish to revitalise backcountry infrastructure on their ancestral land in a way that embodies their culture”, says FMC President, Robin McNeill.

“The state of much of the hut network in Te Urewera upon settlement was already questionable. It is understandable that Tūhoe see hosting poorly maintained DOC huts without a maintenance budget as an unwelcome imposition.”

McNeill is disappointed that recreational interests were not consulted on the plan. “DOC needs always to properly engage with the public on matters that are of such importance to the recreational community”.

“FMC seeks a future where tangata whenua and manuhiri work together to look after and appreciate Te Urewera. We will be meeting with Tūhoe to further understand their plans for Te Urewera. Until then, it would be inappropriate to comment on those plans. We would, of course, hope that huts with significant historic or recreational value could be retained. We are also in discussions with DOC to understand why they felt it appropriate to make this decision on behalf of the public with no input from the tramping and hunting communities, and to seek assurances that this doesn’t happen again.”

Mr McNeill understands the concerns some trampers hold that the DOC huts may not all be replaced. Trampers need to be much more alarmed by hinted DOC plans to abandon backcountry huts throughout the rest of New Zealand, he says.

“DOC Head Office has already cut funding for the Backcountry Trust, which is doing sterling work enabling volunteers to restore backcountry huts – our places – that DOC will not do themselves. I hear DOC is considering cutting funding for all backcountry huts. If that were true, it would not be acceptable.”

“DOC has a statutory duty to foster recreation, and FMC calls upon DOC to openly engage with the recreational community on these matters in future.”

A list of huts in Te Urewera, and the plan for their decommissioning, is published on our website.

FMC Youth Award grants: next round closes 15 November

Through the generous support of the Maerewhenua Trust, these cash grants help candidates of the Duke Of Edinburgh's Hillary Award and Scouts NZ's Venturer Award with the cost of their backcountry journeys and expeditions.

Check out some of the stories of past recipients on Wilderlife.

The next round of applications closes on 15 November; visit our website to learn more and to apply.

2% for FMC

Starting your Christmas shopping? Give the gift that gives twice with Home of Brands.

FMC members can access thousands of discounted products - and two percent from every purchase is donated back to FMC to support our projects.

FMC members can join for free. See https://fmc.org.nz/ 2forfmc/ for details of how to sign in.

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: Training grant - Avalanche awareness

With support from a FMC Training Grant, the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) gains essential, hands-on knowledge in avalanche safety and response.

“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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