Mountain Journeys

09/06/2026

Several of our Alpine Skills and Navigation courses are SOLD OUT but the following course dates still have a few spots available…

19-21 June: Intermediate Navigation Skills (1 place remaining)
10-12 July: Essential Alpine Skills (2 places remaining)
24-26 July: Women’s Essential Alpine Skills (1 place remaining)
1-2 Aug: Essential Navigation Skills (1 place remaining)
8-10 Aug: Women’s Essential Alpine Skills (3 places remaining)

Head to our website to reserve your spot now, or send us a DM for more information. We'd love to help you reach your 2026 goals, so please do get in touch! 😊

08/06/2026

“The best campsite I've ever stayed at”

(Those of you who receive our newsletter will be familiar with this series. Each newsletter contains a reflection from the almost 30 years of Rob’s tramping in Aotearoa - you can sign up from the homepage of our website 😉)

A few summers ago on a pilot trip for Mountain Journeys (i.e. figuring out good places for future trips) we stumbled across this absolute gem of a site on the Toaroha Range, hidden in a rift right on the range crest, not far south of Genoa Peak.

It's an ideal spot when travelling between the Kokatahi and Toaroha valleys. Great tarns for swimming, a sheltered flat area of short grass for camping, and sunset views for dining. I was even surprised by a birthday cake that my wife Josie had carried for two days!

28/05/2026

🧭 New dates just added to our Instruction Course calendar!

Essential Navigation Skills (2 Days)
6-7 June
1-2 August
19-20 September

Intermediate Navigation Skills (3 Days)
19-21 June (1 place remaining)
28-30 August
25-27 September

Advanced Navigation Skills (4 Days)
3-6 September

If you'd like to learn both navigation and alpine skills, with the chance to put it into practice on a multi-day journey, there's also:

Essential Transalpine Skills (6 Days)
22-27 October

No matter what your level, we can help you upskill. Get in touch if you'd like to learn more. 😎

26/05/2026

⛺️ EMERGENCY SHELTERS - What is actually going to help?

Do you carry a foil blanket in your emergency kit? Have you ever tried actually using one? Often listed as an ‘essential item’ for events, here we explain why we think they’re almost useless in most conditions. Fortunately, there are some great alternatives.

When might you need an emergency shelter? Well hopefully NEVER - but to be realistic, if you get caught out overnight, someone gets injured on the trail, or the weather turns faster than expected, then the clothing you have with you might not be enough.

These situations happen, so carrying something that’s not too heavy but can keep you and your group warm is vital.

26/05/2026

Yay! We've just scheduled another Women's Alpine Skills Course for 8-10 August, with the irrepressible Bia Boucinhas instructing. There's space for up to FOUR women to join her for three days at Arthurs Pass.

If you missed out on the 24-26 July course (sold out) then this is your chance to learn the essentials of alpine travel, snow camping, and avalanche safety, in a supportive environment.

22/05/2026

Our Chief Guide Rob’s father, Graham, another keen tramper, recently visited us in Christchurch. He’d recently purchased a raincoat (an un-named brand) but after only a few weeks it seemed leaky. After hearing all the positive comments about Earth Sea Sky, he set off for their office to seek a quality replacement jacket.

What did Jane, David, and Michael try to sell him when he arrived?

Nothing.

They tested his existing jacket using a hydrostatic head machine and found that it was, in fact, waterproof.

Further interrogation revealed that Graham’s next-to-skin layer was one which was not very good at wicking perspiration away from his skin, and thus often felt clammy. He was advised to use a good bi-component thermal layer beneath his jacket next time, and was sent on his way with no new products to his name.

This highlights the Ellis family’s total commitment to encouraging people to make use of what they already have rather than being tempted by yet another new product. We’re proud to sell their products through our online store - for those who actually need them!

06/05/2026

PLACES STILL AVAILABLE on upcoming Navigation Courses.
Your problem isn’t that you’re bad at reading maps and compasses - you just haven’t been taught some useful tricks that make it easier.

***
INTERMEDIATE NAVIGATION SKILLS (3 days)
-19-21 June (1 place remaining)
This course will give you skills for untracked terrain, whether you’re tramping, hunting, adventure racing, or mountaineering. You can be a beginner on this course - it just has a slightly faster pace and a little more scope for practice than the 2-day Essentials Course.
***
ESSENTIAL NAVIGATION SKILLS (2 days)
-6-7 June (4 places remaining)
-1-2 Aug (4 places remaining)
This course will improve your confidence with the fundamentals of navigation. If you ever find yourself again in the dark, in thick mist, or off-track, you’ll have the tools to figure out where you are and get where you need to go.
***

Don’t settle for just ‘My nav is OK’! Book your spot today through our website, or give Rob a call if you have any questions. 021 022 11126 🙂☎️

05/05/2026

SOUTH INDIAN DHAL RECIPE🍴⛰️

Another star appearance in Mountain Journeys trip cuisine is our South Indian Dhal. This recipe was picked up on Rob’s travels through Kerala. Cook it in a big batch and dehydrate overnight, then freeze in individual portions that can be packed at short notice for your next trip in the hills.

Tasty, nutritious and filling - this meal is also vegan and gluten free. It can be customised depending on how spicy you like it!

Link to full PDF in comments below, also on the Tips & Tricks page of our website.

Think you’ll give this a go? Let us know!

30/04/2026

Our Chief Guide Rob Frost was chuffed to be interviewed for the ‘My Tramping Life’ podcast by Jonty Crane. Have a listen next time you have a spare half hour.

Rob talks not only about how Mountain Journeys all started, but also about what got him interested in the outdoors and remote tramping in the first place, along with a few memorable experiences.

Thanks again Jonty, it was a pleasure to speak with you!

From school tramping clubs to epic trans-alpine expeditions, Rob Frost has spent a lifetime exploring the wild backcountry of Aotearoa New Zealand. An engineer turned mountain-guide, photographer, and author of the award-winning Aoraki Tai Poutini...

29/04/2026

WATERPROOF TROUSERS - which pair is right for you? ✔️

Rob has tried dozens of pairs of waterproof trousers (aka overtrou) over the years. For easy tramping, transalpine trips, or mountaineering, here’s what to look for when choosing a pair of overtrou. 🌧️

The full video is on the Tips & Tricks page of our website, along with tons of other useful content!