Safety in the <strong>Mountain</strong>s,11th editionBy Robin McNeill, <strong>Federated</strong> <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Clubs</strong>, <strong>2012</strong>.Paperback, 72 pages, $10. Reviewed by David Barnes (OtagoTramping and <strong>Mountain</strong>eering Club).How do you update a publication that’s beenaround for 75 years? Can it be done, and shouldit be done? When supplies <strong>of</strong> the 2003 (10th)edition <strong>of</strong> Safety in the <strong>Mountain</strong>s ran low, thesequestions landed on the plate <strong>of</strong> Moirs GuideSouth editor and Uncle Jacko’s Cookery Columnauthor Robin McNeill. He seems to have foundthe answers.First published in 1937 with the subtitle ‘AHandbook for Trampers and <strong>Mountain</strong>eers’, andintended to be taken into the Hills, by the 1970sit was a weightier tome. With other publications,notably those <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Mountain</strong> Safety Council,covering much <strong>of</strong> the same ground, for its sixthedition Safety in the <strong>Mountain</strong>s was shrunk downto the pocket-sized volume that I’ve known sinceI first took tramping seriously. Designed moreas an aide mémoire than a comprehensiveinstruction manual, it has also probably doneservice as reading for the hut-bound and as aplace to score games <strong>of</strong> 500.So, what’s changed in the new edition? Acomplete re-write, with major layout changes,the new version has a 60% increase in pages –although paper choice has meant there is not aconcomitant weight increase. So, instead <strong>of</strong> a list<strong>of</strong> bullet points, most topics have quite detailedinformation. Cartoons <strong>of</strong> bush-singlet cladtrampers are replaced by the clear graphics <strong>of</strong>illustrator Adele Jackson that generally enhancethe message. This is particularly well done inthe section on snow and ice travel, where apicture (with a few words) really is worth theproverbial thousand words. The illustrations inthe map and compass section may well make acritical difference to someone who only consultsa compass when the situation gets dire, andthe accompanying text provides one <strong>of</strong> theclearest I’ve read on a topic that bamboozlesmany people.Some aspects <strong>of</strong> the hills are no differentthan those encountered 75 years ago, but onebig change,even since thelast edition,is electronictechnology. Thebook coversthe use andlimitations <strong>of</strong>GPS receivers,personal locatorbeacons andcellphones, andlists a number<strong>of</strong> usefulwebsites.The first aid section has been renamed‘Wilderness Medicine’, and, with assistancefrom two doctors with extensive back-countryexperience, Claudia Schneider and Garry Nixon,Below Bushlineprovides extremely useful and very pragmaticadvice. It’s the first time that I’ve seen theimpracticality <strong>of</strong> CPR in a wilderness settingacknowledged in print. Although the book isprimarily aimed at the novice in the outdoors,this section alone will probably see me restoreSafety in the <strong>Mountain</strong>s to its rightful place inmy emergency gear.Robin McNeill’s trademark <strong>of</strong>f-beathumour doesn’t get much airing in the newbook, but the instruction to ‘in an emergency,apply match here’ was a laugh out loudmoment.Overall, this is a worthy successor to theprevious editions and one that all trampers,climbers and hunters should look at owning.Some <strong>of</strong> that information just might come inhandy one day.Reviews next issue (November <strong>2012</strong>)Stag Spooner, Wild Man <strong>of</strong> the Bush by Chris MacleanBuller’s Birds <strong>of</strong> New Zealand, The Complete Works <strong>of</strong>J.G. Keulemanns by Ge<strong>of</strong>f NormanShelter from the Storm, The Story <strong>of</strong> New Zealand’s BackcountryHuts by Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown and Ge<strong>of</strong>f SpearpointInto the Silence, George Mallory, the Great War and Everestby Wade Davis58FMC Bulletin • <strong>August</strong> <strong>2012</strong>FMC
The most dramaticseason <strong>of</strong> all!Picture yourselfhere...Build up BushwalkingOur Build Up trips are the most laid back andrelaxed that we <strong>of</strong>fer – early starts, early finishesand long lunch breaks sitting by tranquil pools. OnKakadu Highlights 11 & 12, you finish the trip witha night on a houseboat.Dramatic? Storms come and go – warm rain needsto be experienced to be believed. Frogs call and birdssing. The land turns green, almost as you watch. Allnature rejoices in the change. I enjoy the Build Upwalks so much that I’ll run either Kakadu Highlights11 or 12 for as few as 2 people at no extra charge.Join me and see why Ithink this is sucha special time <strong>of</strong> year.Phone 0061 8 8985 2134 Fax 0061 8 8985 2355www.bushwalkingholidays.com.auAOTEAROAText translated fromOUTDOOR MAGAZINEGermanyMARATHON MAGIC“MASTERPIECEThe lightweight pack Marathon Magic 33 from Aarn is full<strong>of</strong> genius ideas. Detachable front pockets (3l/each, 160g),give the pack a balanced and energy saving center <strong>of</strong>gravity. The moveable height shoulder straps and the topstabilisers give you freedom <strong>of</strong> movement – this also savesyour energy. Really cunning: the hip straps pull the flexibleplastic frame <strong>of</strong> the carrying system against your back.This is why the MM33 (33l/980g) fits as if glued onwithout restricting you. The airy back cushion allows forcomfort. Bottom line – a dream partner for day andweekend tours!”www.aarnpacks.com<strong>August</strong> <strong>2012</strong> • FMC Bulletin 59
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With each of our stores stocking ov
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and track projects. By and large th
- Page 8 and 9: LettersJan HeineAfter seeing the ph
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