Iron Gate Hut

Our drive up on Saturday morning involved lots of discussion about the weather. Were we doing the right thing? Should we maybe go to Rangiwahia instead, avoiding any potentially nasty creek crossings? The severe weather warning was pretty vague as to when exactly to expect the forecast gales and rain. Hmmmm. At Shannon it was … Read more

Cow Saddles and the Garden

Armed with maps, compasses and lollies, we headed into the hills from the carpark at Kiriwhakapapa (Ethnicity; lit. genealogical skin) with the trip leader, Amanda, to show us what’s what. After following the Old Tram Track up to the first saddle, we settled down to our first lesson in navigation. Instructions were laid down for … Read more

Confusion amongst the supplejacks – Waitewaewae Hut

More photos from Sarah & Rachel – Album 1 & Album 2 After several changes to the original trip plan due to the alpine trips been canned and storms dumping a whole heap of snow along the tops of the Tararuas, a tramp to Waitewaewae was eventually decided upon. The group of nine, including team … Read more

Snowcraft 2014 – Part 2

Continued from Snowcraft 2014 Part 1 in last month’s newsletter… On the way up to Whakapapa it got darker and cold. We could see by the side of the road from National Park that a lot more snow fell during the week. On the drive up the Bruce, past the snow chain bay the van … Read more

Promotions – August 2014

We’ll be holding our next New Members’ Night on Wednesday, 29 October from 7:30pm. We’ve started hosting these nights twice a year to reach out to those who are keen to join the club, or just to get out in the great New Zealand outdoors for the first time. In the past years we’ve seen more then … Read more

Over a cuppa – August 2014

Sue returns today from her adventures and while she was away, I’m shocked to report that no one took up my offer of a chocolate bar in return for a club talk. So just in case you missed it, I’ll offer a second chance…sign-up to give a club talk in the month of October and … Read more

Odds & Ends – August 2014

World Wildlife Fund NZ – Launches Conservation Awards WWF – NZ has launched the first ever New Zealand Conservation Innovation Awards to identify new ideas that will help protect the amazing species and spaces in New Zealand. If you’re a backyard tinkerer, laboratory genius, or anything in between, if you have ideas to help communities to … Read more

Powell-Holdsworth

First of all here’s the stats from Richard’s GPS: Sat 23 Aug 14 09:55 – 16:30 hrs From Holdsworth Road End to Powell Hut and top excursion. Distance: 11.1km Average Speed: 2.3 km/h Min Elevation 300m Max Elevation: 1425m Height climbed 1500m Height Descended: 630m Sun 24 Aug 14 08:05 – 14:00 hrs Mt Holdsworth … Read more

Rock climbing at Kawakawa Bay

There’s a steadily growing group of rock climbers in the club. Most often you can find us in Fergs or Hangdog trying to keep our skills up, but there’s nothing like being out on real rock. Winter isn’t exactly the best time to be climbing outside, it’s tough going when you’re cold, especially if the rock … Read more

Tukino Alpine & Ice Climbing

With the tantalizing prospect of settled weather arriving after a good dump of snow, it seemed that much of Wellington headed North to play on the mountain. We enjoyed a mesmeric Kapiti sunset and the gastronomic highlights of Bulls before ploughing onto a blustery and very foggy desert road. A midnight briefing at Tukino Alpine Sports Club … Read more