Hawkins Hill Day Walk

The walk started up the track near the intersection of Landfill Road and Happy Valley Road. Still evident were the effects of the scrub fire which occurred in late February this year. Blackened scrub covering higher regions of the hill contrasted with the lush green below the main track which must have acted as a … Read more

The Editor’s Picnic

A two day retreat away from city life is always good for breaking the stress (or boredom) of a working week and so Ed Newsletter and I decided that, in spite of a MetService severe weather warning for the North Island mountains, we would head into the local hills. A wander over the Orongorongos to … Read more

“Old Codgers Trip”, Tutuwai – Mt Reeves

When I put this trip on the schedule it was intended partly as a joke at my own expense, partly as an attempt to lure some of the people I went tramping with 20 or 25 years ago out into the hills again, and partly as a theme trip with old-style clothes and gear. My … Read more

Kiriwhakapapa Nav

We made a 7:30 am Saturday departure from the Railway station, with a couple of guest punters, Gareth and Steve coming along to do the van driving and their own gourmet tramp. After passing through the Wairarapa towns without kebab or coffee stops, we were at the road end and ready to tramp at 9:15am. … Read more

The Most Epic Family Trip Ever (So Far!) to Kapakapanui

The weekend following the most fierce storm to hit Wellington since the Wahine Storm, proved an ideal time to take the kids for a winter tramp. Once Saturday morning sports were dispensed with, the car was loaded up with packs and the relatively short drive to Waikanae was in bright sunshine. We arrived at the … Read more

Tupapakururua Falls, Tongariro (Lodge Based)

On Friday evening, the Fit and Easy groups met up before heading off to the Lodge. The compulsory dinner stop in Bulls had all the punters feeling well fed and ready to continue the journey up north. After arriving at Whakapapa village it was surprising to note that the roads were not covered in snow … Read more

Thankyou for all your support

I could not have turned the newsletter around without so many of you bowing to my demands and regularly sending stories of your tramping times for inclusion in the newsletter. Every month I was amazed by the number of varied and interesting stories that arrived in my inbox … and this month is no exception. … Read more

Abel Tasman coastal track

On the back of a smooth Cook Strait crossing, our only challenge on arriving in Picton was getting our compact rental van boot closed over our packs, filled to the brim for a long weekend camping adventure. Happy Apple Backpackers in Motueka was a great place to crash overnight and we set off to Marahau … Read more

Bounds (2044m)

A group of eight members and non-members set off from the Railway Station under the guidance of trip leader Tony Gazley. It was my first trip with the club, but I knew a couple of people on it. After enjoying a beer on the windswept Interislander deck, in an attempt to avoid sea-sickness, we arrived … Read more