Our tramp got off to an interesting start with Craig educating me in the week leading up to the tramp on what to do if I was ever chased by a bear since we had been talking about his Alaska trip. I was seriously hoping I would never have to put his advice into action. … Read more
The goal was to get to Top Gorge hut in the Ruahines where none of the group had been before. The forecast was variable, however it was predicted that the main issue was going to be the condition of the snow on the tops as the route involved a long day with a number of … Read more
There’s no point in roughing it until you have to, so Saturday morning breakfast was not cold muesli with reconstituted milk, but salmon on sourdough and espresso from the French patisserie in Greytown. I couldn’t resist slipping a tuna mayo roll from there into my pocket too. Mangatarere Roadend is a place less travelled. It’s … Read more
As Gareth and I headed up the south coast into a lively northerly breeze with about 100 other punters the same two thoughts were going through my mind as last year (1) this landscape is stupidly beautiful and (2) how many scratches and bruises will I incur on the way to the finish line? Sand … Read more
The long range forecast for rain morphed into a promise of a beautiful warm sunny weekend and with a nice hut at the end of an easy walk, a great weekend out was on hand. Ella and I had a rough start to our morning as we received a call from home advising us that … Read more
September starts off with a hiss and a roar with Grant Newton on 4 September talking about his trip to the sub-Antarctic Islands a few years ago. Grant captured many wonderful images so you will be in for a treat when you come along. Simon Bell revisits us on September 11 talking about rock climbing at Mt … Read more
Down in the basement of the club rooms, you will find the gear storage for the club. Every Wednesday, between 7:30 and 8:00 pm, we give out and receive gear for club trips. The range of gear we hold is typically group gear like flys, PLBs and first aid kits. However, we do carry personal gear … Read more
Bivouac is offering a unique opportunity for WTMC members this month on Thursday 26 September 6:30 – 7:30pm at their store on 39 Mercer St in Wellington. Come along to hear what’s new in tramping and mountaineering gear including Exped air mats, ultra lite Black Diamond walking poles and new items from Earth Sea Sky. … Read more
The one line summary: long drive for an overnighter in an old nurses’ home with a damp tramp to a hilltop hut sauna for fine dining, escaping the worst of the weekend weather. While Wellington was being lashed by weekend gales and rain, a group of trampers escaped the worst of the weather in the … Read more
Planning mountaineering trips like this in advance you hope for at least one goodish day out of two so that you can get to the summit. This time was different – the forecast was brilliant 5 days before and fell to a little windy by Friday. The only problem with weather like this is the … Read more