Mt Fyffe – Hapuku Hut loop – Seaward Kaikoura Range

Day 1 Our group gathered at the Railway Station at 2.30pm and, along with Jane’s group, jumped in the club van to catch a 4pm ferry to Picton. The sailing was smooth and pleasant. We drove south from Picton, with lovely views of valleys as the sun set, until we arrived at the Kaikoura Top … Read more

Wharepapa Hut Bush-Bash – Remutaka Forest Park

We knew the Papatahi Crossing track was overgrown and, besides visiting Wharepapa Hut, we also wanted to see the extent of the growth to help decide whether the club should help DoC maintain the track. We met at Wellington Railway Station and headed over the Remutaka Hill in Mon’s car, arriving at the road end … Read more

Ten Man Hut and Kaikawaka Villa – Tongariro Forest

Monique kindly offered to be the designated driver for the club’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing by Moonlight weekend – foregoing the Crossing to drop off and collect the groups of trampers throughout the weekend. However there was still sufficient time between shuttling for her to explore the area… Ten Man HutThis hut, located in the Tongariro … Read more

Tongariro Alpine Crossing by Moonlight – Tongariro National Park

Coinciding with the first full moon of 2024, this was a weekend dedicated to moonlight Tongariro crossings. The plan was for groups of different grades to start the Crossing at various times throughout Saturday afternoon and evening (either walking or running), so they would each complete the track at night and enjoy the bright light … Read more

Round the Mountain Track – Tongariro National Park

Nine people signed up for the club’s New Year Round The Mountain – Ruapehu trip. The group featured a few people new to multi-day walks, a few new to the club, as well as some very experienced club members and trampers. The distance and demanding terrain mean that an excellent baseline fitness is a prerequisite, … Read more

Aokaparangi loop and Maungahuka Hut – my ‘why’ of tramping

Maungahuka Hut above the clouds in the Tararua Range

Aokaparangi Loop and Maungahuka Hut A 4 day hiking loop trip around the Aokaparanki Loop to Maungahuka Hut – the hut in the Tararua Range that started me on my tramping journey. The hut that started it all for me … Years ago, when I got my first Tararua Forest Park map for a school … Read more

Sunny Trip to Snowy Hut – Tararua Forest Park

We decided on a day trip to Snowy Hut, after a changing weather forecast swept away our plans for a 6-day expedition. Starting out from Otaki Forks just after 8am, we walked for about an hour on the road until we reached the start of the Waiotauru Hut track. In the first few kms of … Read more

Otaki and Ohau bush-bash – Tararua Forest Park

Day 1: Friday 12 January – Poads Road to Waiopehu HutThis trip was planned as a Medium-Fit trip in and out of Mid Otaki Hut via Poads Road. However, when it became clear a few other people couldn’t make the trip, and Mon and I wanted to visit South and North Ohau Huts as well, … Read more

Queen Charlotte Track – Marlborough Sounds

A group of 5 trampers did the Queen Charlotte Track to ring in the new year. As we were on our summer break, we decided to take the easy option and have a sea shuttle transport our overnight packs (with tents) to the campsite we’d be staying at each day – and we just walked … Read more

Pizzas, High Ridge and a Wild Pig – Tararua Forest Park

Friday (Road end to Powell Hut – 2h 45min) As we hopped into the van with the EM group on Friday, the vision for the trip was clear: there would be pizzas. How we would justify it as a club trip and what the tramping would actually involve was not as clear, however… The trip … Read more