“The lights are moving—the aliens are coming for us now!” I jokingly teased Tony and suggested we both hide in our tents… Tony and I had decided to do a two-day tramp exploring our own backyard a bit more—a circumnavigation of Mt Matthews that would include both on and off-track travel in the Remutaka Forest … Read more
“Is anyone alarmed that I’m still considering the original plan?” This question came on Friday night from our trip leader James after consulting the weather forecast to see that not only did we have a severe weather warning for the Tararua Range due to heavy rain rolling through, there were also gale force winds forecasted … Read more
Belmont Regional Park is one of my favourite places in the Wellington area. The Park has plenty of tracks and is easily accessible by public transport. The Puke Ariki Traverse travels the length of the Park from the Dry Creek entrance to Cornish Street in Petone. The total length is about 24km. Polly and I … Read more
Ferry booking mix-ups and more than an hour’s delay to board meant it was well after 10pm when we arrived at the Matiri Valley West Bank road end. The hydro scheme construction works mean the walk in to Lake Matiri hut is now only 50min mostly on construction road, which during working hours you need … Read more
Bounds Circuit – 6 days in the Leatham Conservation Area A 6 day hiking loop trip through spectacular mountain scenery in the Leatham Conservation Area passing through Boulder Stream, Wye Route, Turkeys Nest, Gosling Hut, Waihopai River, Waterfall Stream, and Boulder Stream Day 1 – Leatham Road end to Hidden Hut via Boulder Stream and … Read more
Tramping Gillespie Pass has been on my radar for a while and when Pete mentioned that he was planning to tramp it over Waitangi weekend I was keen – with a stroke of good luck I had the time off work already and managed to book flights last minute that didn’t cost an arm and … Read more
What a fantastic way to spend Easter! A very memorable experience kayaking the Marlborough Sounds indeed. What made this trip so special? Everything that could go right, went right. If anything didn’t go to plan then it effortlessly became an adjusted plan. An early start to the long weekend on Thursday with an anticipated ferry … Read more
The Matiri Range and 1000 Acre Plateau Searching for a Needle in a Haystack A 5 day tramp from the Wangapeka River, along the Matiri Range to the 1,000 Acre Plateau and the Matiri River. Tony assured me that I would be able to find The Needle in The Haystack easily. Well, he wasn’t wrong but … Read more
St Arnaud and The Camel –and the rusty summit tin A 4 day hiking loop trip through the spectacular mountain scenery of the St Arnaud Range passing over the summit of a peak called The Camel, and finding the rusty summit tin. Route to The Camel How long have you tramped for? I have tramped for … Read more
The Ruahine Ranges pulled out all the stops for this tramp, with varied terrain, the opportunity to use the gear for every weather in our packs, breathtaking views, and sounds of the rare Whio and rushing water. Taking the long way round via Tunupō loop we were well rewarded for our 8 hour tramping effort, … Read more