President’s report May 2020

President’s report May 2020 I hope you’re all staying safe and well, and are able to get out on some tracks now that we’re at Level 2. I’ve managed a few walks on my local steps, some with my pack and my trusty boots, and including a wonderful morning recently around the Zealandia Fenceline with … Read more

A Tale of Two Snowcaves (and a Lasagne)

Dawn overlooking Crater Lake from Dome at Mt Ruapehu

“And this is my snow saw,” said Nick, as he removed the gleaming blade from its holster. A strangely curved, unwieldy and yet hugely useful device for creating a snow cave, as I would find out later that weekend. Led by Nick H, we were a band of five who had gamely signed up for … Read more

NZ Sub Antarctic Islands

Southern Islands

Aimee visited the Sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica in January 2020 and writes about the part of her journey that fascinated her the most – the wildlife. The hurricane force winds, towering waves and bitter cold of the Southern Ocean might lead one to think that the Sub-Antarctic Islands and Antarctica must be inhospitable and lifeless … Read more

Baring Head Conservation Trip

Aerial view of beach at Baring Head

A club trip with a Saturday 9am start feels a bit decadent.  Grabbing some extra large almond croissants on the way to the meeting point, more so.  Even better though is the cause we are off to support – helping the Friends of Baring Head Trust in their work to restore the natural habit around … Read more

Breaking Free of Lockdown

Gollans Stream

When Prime Minister Jacinda Adern announced the country’s move to Level 2 effective 14 May 2020, I was poised over my laptop to organize a trip. I had very much been missing my tramping outings during lockdown. I sent out a desperate plea to a handful of recent tramping companions to come on a day … Read more

Zealandia Boundary Fence

Zealandia

We met at 8 am by the carpark opposite 31 Waiapu Road. Maj-Britt suggested an early start to avoid any overcrowding on the trail. Also, the weather forecast was not great and we hoped to get around the loop before the bad weather arrived. As it turned out we were only three so it was … Read more

Photo comp

Photo comp organisers

Given that Wed club nights are unlikely to start again soon the three organisers of the 2020 WTMC Photo Competition have decided that it should be planned to be conducted on-line. This also follows the recommendations of the FMC who run the NZ-wide competition. So – the plan at the moment is to have entries … Read more

FMC Regional Leadership Course

FMC Leadership

In early March WTMC got together with the Tararua Tramping Club to run a leadership course in the Orongorongo Valley. Although the WTMC runs its own leadership course each year, the two clubs were encouraged to run a joint course through an initiative from FMC to get clubs in a region to pool resources and … Read more

WTMC trip planning, online presentations and more

Firstly, we want to introduce your new Committee: https://wtmc.org.nz/about/committee-and-roles/ We’ve been collectively thinking and working on how best to support members at this challenging time for tramping.   For Alert Level 2 we’re planning some day trips that people can get to by private car or public transport, and taking into account physical distancing of at … Read more