Mt Ngāuruhoe – a day loop to the summit

Mt Ngauruhoe summit and Tama Lakes

Mt Ngāuruhoe – a day loop to the summit A hiking loop trip to the summit of Mt Ngāuruhoe from the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) Lodge on Mt Ruapehu. Something to think about next time you are at the lodge. Mt Ngāuruhoe is the second highest mountain in the Tongariro National Park at … Read more

WTMC – my first club tramp

My first tramp with the WTMC

My first club tramp My first club tram- – a weekend at the WTMC Mt Ruapehu Lodge by Toby Durnall As a city bloke through and through, who loves his cocktail bars and having a wealth of restaurants to dine at, I can’t quite put my finger on why I have a yearning to get … Read more

Waihōhonu Hut – Tongariro National Park

Most of our group met at Wellington railway station at 4.30pm on Friday, apart from Jo, Caeden, and Antonia who travelled separately. We shared the van with the Medium-Fit group. We met up with Jo and the others at Bulls and then at the top of Bruce Road at Whakapapa ski field, where we went … Read more

Ruapehu Summit and Tama Lakes

Mt Ruapehu

At 7.45 am seven bright-eyed and eager trampers stepped out of the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge and set off up Mt Ruapehu. It was a great day for a climb—blue skies with barely a breath of wind. It didn’t take long before we left the road and stepped our way across shingle and large rocks, tinged with … Read more

Summiting Ruapimple – Ruapehu’s baby brother

Summiting Ruapimple – Ruapehu’s baby brother An easy climb to the summit of Pukeonake the lowest named volcanic peak in Tongariro National Park Two van loads of happy WTMC trampers reached our lodge close to midnight. Everything was completely fogged in. Luckily the green lights up at XXC gave a good hint where to stop … Read more

Lodge Daywalks – Tama Lakes and Ruapehu Summit

WTMC at Tama Lakes

As a city bloke through and through, who loves his cocktail bars and having a wealth of restaurants to dine at, I can’t quite put my finger on why I have a yearning to get exposed to the elements on a wind-ravaged hillside. Maybe getting out in the elements is my way of restoring balance … Read more

Stunning views at Tongariro National Park

If you have never done the Tongariro Crossing or if you have never done any tramp in the Tongariro National Park, it is time to get your boots ready! The views of the volcanos, lakes, craters and tussock are just stunning; and you will wish you have been there earlier. Because we were an easy … Read more