I had never been to Hutt Forks in the Tararua Forest Park so I was interested when I saw that this trip to Alpha Hut would go there on the way. I didn’t know much about Quoin Ridge but it didn’t look too bad on the map. Tash had to pull out of leading so … Read more
Paua Hut has over the last few years looked a bit tired and forlorn – the outside appeared shabby and the inside was getting a bit grubby. Clearly some TLC was needed. A club maintenance trip was included in the schedule for January but only attracted a small number of helpers. Nonetheless the trip went … Read more
The middle section of the Rangitikei River offers some scenic paddling with a few rapids up to Grade 2. These rapids are mostly straightforward fun in a packraft and the views on the way down river are quite spectacular especially where the river flows between high cliffs. Three of us paddled the 35 km from … Read more
After three dead cows along the river, lots of river walking and a gust or two we made it to Mangatoetoe hut, about an hour in from the van. The night before, we’d driven to the campsite with the Easy group (in the other van), all stopping at Lake Ferry Hotel Restaurant for dinner. We … Read more
Are we on the right track? Our journey began with a traffic jam at Kaimanawa Road end. Being Labour Weekend, every man and his dog (literally – we were joined by a gorgeous kelpie) was out tramping. After a skillful 100 point turn, our shuttle driver deposited us at the beginning of the Umukarikari track. … Read more
Two Thumb Range – Boundary Stream, South Opuha River A 3 day hiking loop trip through The Two Thumb Range above Lake Tekapo passing through Boundary Stream and the Opuha River areas. As is a common occurrence, this trip started life as three days of perfect weather camping in the basin below the Dasler Pinnacles … Read more
Hollyford Pyke – a packraft circuit in Fiordland National Park Packrafting the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow to the West Coast and back via the Pyke River. The Hollyford Pyke circuit seems to defy gravity. You start at the Hollyford Road end and paddle down the Hollyford River, across Lake McKerrow, and down the estuary … Read more
I first learned about Punga Hut a few years ago at a WTMC social night talk on the best huts and tracks not on the map. Ever since, it has been on my adventure wishlist. When we did the number 1 canyon, I tried to convince the guys to make the short jaunt to visit … Read more
Summer Lodge Ruapehu 2019/2020 To all you potential Ruapehu summer lodge users. This year we are extending our ‘Open Lodge’ period, from just the two short weeks of Christmas/New Year to include the week or so after. So, the lodge will be open from Boxing Day 2019 through to Thursday 16th January 2020, a period … Read more
Jam Hut and Hornby Biv – 3 days in the Seaward Kaikoura Range A 3-day hiking loop trip through spectacular mountain scenery in the Seaward Kaikoura Range passing seldom visited Jam Hut and Hornby Biv Jam Hut and Hornby Bivvy by Megan Sety . We had booked flights to Christchurch with the plan to go … Read more