WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – the aurora and the honey mead 🧸

Teddy Bears picnic at the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – the aurora and the honey mead At the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge the Teddy Bears Tramping Club enjoyed viewing the aurora and then also the tasty honey mead Today was an exciting time for us teddy bears at the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge. First there was an activation of the lahar warning system … Read more

Mt Owen – and some thoughts on trundling*

Tony and Sarah selfie with silly hats at Bulmer Lake on the way to Mt Owen

Mt Owen – and some thoughts on trundling* A 3 day hike to the summit of Mt Owen via Bulmer Lake in Kahurangi National Park. *Ref “The Art, History And Ethics Of Trundling” Below me, Tony jumped as a rock went whizzing past him at head height, missing him by a few inches. He looked up … Read more

Maitland Pass – with a llama and bananas

Tarn in the Ahuriri Valley, Ruataniwha Conservation Park

Maitland Pass –with a llama and bananas A 4 day hiking loop trip crossing over Maitland Pass in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park passing a llama and bananas Listen: “We thought the llama would be carrying your packs!” I laughed at what seemed like a good joke from some mountain bikers we had bumped into in the … Read more

The Bounds of Hades – Lees, Misery and Hellfire

Lees Hellfire Circuit Featured Image

The Bounds of Hades – Lees, Misery and Hellfire A 5 day hiking loop trip through spectacular mountain scenery from Lees Creek to Misery Stream and Hellfire Stream in the Raglan Range – an area once called The Bounds of Hades Carrying two tents. Spaniards on steroids. Endless tree-fall. Slow bushbash through dense beech forest. … Read more

Cameron to Ashburton circuit – an alpine tramping trip.

Upper Ashburton Glacier

Cameron to Ashburton circuit – an alpine tramping trip. A 4 day alpine tramping loop trip through spectacular mountain scenery including the Ashburton Glacier For another alpine tramping trip go to Ball Pass – a nice alpine day walk For a further alpine tramping trip go to Stumpy Stream

A WTMC ski trip to Mt Ruapehu Labour Weekend 1948

The fantastical flying bed bus

A WTMC ski trip to Mt Ruapehu Labour Weekend 1948 An entertaining account of a 1948 ski trip to Mt Ruapehu in a broken-down bus, stormy weather, and very little skiing

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

Putangirua Pinnacles track open or closed? – it was open in 1948

A view of the Putangirua Valley showing the pinnacles from above

Putangirua Pinnacles track open or closed? – it was open in 1948 The Putangirua Pinnacles – the story of a WTMC trip to the Putangirua Pinnacles in 1948 with added photos taken in 2024. As at February 2024 the track from the campsite and carpark into the Putangirua Pinnacles is closed because of a dangerous … Read more

⭐Kaukau walk – by Torch Light

On the summit of Kaukau and the view of Wellington City at night

Kaukau walk – by torch light, A walk to the summit of Kaukau at night. Photographs on a walk to the summit of Kaukau after dark and the wonderful views of Wellington City and suburbs including information on tracks, what to expect to see, and noting that kiwi are now living in the area and … Read more