Mike Gilbert

Beer Tramp 2017

Date: 16 December 2017.
Trip type: Beer appreciation (but we did walk to each pub).
Location: Garage Project Taproom, Kelburn Village Pub, Sprig and Fern, Hashigo Zake, Goldings and dinner at Hotel Bristol .
Author: Natasha.
Trampers: Ian, Richard, Jenny, Garth, Karen, Doro, Ian, Janine, Emily, Helen, Stuart, Natasha and Mike (leader) (Apologies if your name isn’t listed; Mike blames beer for not remembering).

When I saw a beer tramp listed on the trip schedule, I thought it was a mistake. Since when were we allowed to drink alcohol on club trips? I discovered it was a pub crawl requiring punters to walk between bars around Wellington on a hot sticky Saturday. What a great idea – I could … Read more

Lodge Daywalks – Tama Lakes and Ruapehu Summit

Date: 10-12 March 2017.
Trip type: Easy Medium Tramp.
Location: Ruapehu Lodge.
Author: Toby.
Trampers: Tony Gazley (leader), Mike Gilbert (co-leader), Caryl, Catherine, Richard, Juliette, Ross, Sarah, Clinton, Toby, Rodrigo, Adam, Tom, Rhiannon, Jue, Chan, Brendon, Heather, Annika, Ross, Ute, Elaine, David, Sumudu, Andrew.

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

Ruapehu Rumblings – October 2017

What a great snow season that was! We finished it off with a sold out Labour weekend. Now it’s time to think about summer trips to enjoy barbecues on the deck and everything Tongariro National Park has to offer. Don’t forget the lodge in summer There are lots of great club trips scheduled for early … Read more

Ruapehu Summit, Plans B and C

Date: 10-12 March 2017.
Trip type: Easy Medium Tramp.
Location: Ruapehu Lodge.
Author: Annika.
Trampers: Tony Gazley (leader), Mike Gilbert (co-leader), Caryl, Catherine, Richard, Juliette, Ross, Sarah, Clinton, Toby, Rodrigo, Adam, Tom, Rhiannon, Jue, Chan, Brendon, Heather, Annika, Ross, Ute, Elaine, David, Sumudu, Andrew.

A full 24 of us piled into both vans to drive to the Lodge and scale Mt. Ruapehu, the highest peak on the North Island. We got there in time to catch the tail end of the “Tasman Tempest,” and thus were unable to ascend the peak. We did still, however, have a great weekend … Read more

Inside and under the clouds…

Date: 4-6 November 2016.
Trip type: Easy.
Location: Tongariro National Park.
Author: Marieke Mulling.
Trampers: Mike Gilbert (leader), Marieke, Jane, Rory, Julia, Karen, Ryan, Sun, Tim, Caitlan, Matthew.

After a relatively quick ride to WTMC Ruapehu Lodge, we had the general introduction – we were asked to kindly not to put the lodge on fire and told when we were expected to be ready for the tramps. The lodge is much more comfortable than a road end since road ends don’t have spring mattresses, … Read more