This was essentially a day trip cleverly disguised as a weekend trip, leaving Friday night and returning later than expected Sunday arvo, yet only tramping during the day on Saturday. As such we had nearly as many adventures off the trail as on! Most of us were belatedly “getting back into it” post lockdown. I … Read more
The Mahu Whenua covenants were established by Robert Lange of Soho Property Limited in partnership with Queen Elizabeth II National Trust in September 2015 to ensure the protection of around 53,000 hectares of iconic New Zealand high country between Queenstown and Wanaka (1). Approximately 70% of the 60km Mahu Whenua Turk Traverse is on Coronet … Read more
Red Hills Ridge – Richmond Range A 4 day loop trip hiking through spectacular mountain scenery along the Red Hills Ridge in the Mt Richmond Forest Park. It had been two years since my first experience of the Richmond Ranges, my first overnight WTMC trip, a medium grade where I bit off more than I … Read more
As many WTMC holiday weekend trips do, this trip started with the Interislander ferry to Picton and a drive to a DoC campsite. This time Kawatiri just beyond St Arnaud and handily situated right next to the both SH6 and SH63 (handy for access that is, less handy for sound sleeping). Queueing for the loo … Read more
Makara Beach to Red Rocks A video taken on a day tramp around the seldom visited coast west of Wellington. PS. Permission required from Terawhiti Station to cross private coastal land. PPS. Read Harry’s trip story which gives a lot of good tips about the route.
I had never stayed in Paua Hut (the club hut in the Orongorongo Valley) and also had not been up Mt Matthews for over four years. When I saw that this tramp required a leader I volunteered. After leaving Wellington Station as per normal on the Friday evening we drove to the Catchpool carpark at … Read more
In August 2016 we completed our AIC (Alpine Instruction Course) at Temple Basin in Arthurs Pass. I remember one morning after emerging from our snow cave high up above the ski field, we got the best views of the rising sun lighting up the mountains across the pass. The most prominent of the lot was … Read more
Atene Skyline Track For those yet to experience the Whanganui National Park but would like a taste of what the terrain offers, there is the easily accessible Atene Skyline Track. It is just 30 minutes drive from Whanganui on the Whanganui River Road. Being a near loop, it will suit many – walkers and trail … Read more
Alpha Hut was our plan B, as we could not make the Southern Crossing happen due to the closing of the Otaki Forks road. We met on Saturday bright and early at 6:30am at the train station, before driving to Kaitoke carpark (Kiwi Road end). We left around 7:45am and started walking in the beautiful … Read more
