Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club
Enjoying the great outdoors since 1947
First decision to be made was should we go SH1 or SH2?? Which will have less traffic and be the quickest? Majority said go SH2 so we did, although our first driver was a bit unsure as we got to some heavy traffic with a “Delay accident ahead” sign. But it all cleared very fast! … Read more
John C Bidwell, an arrogant British trader, made the first ascent of Ngauruhoe in March 1839 against the express wishes of Te Huehue the Tuwharetoa chief. Then after his climb Bidwell proclaimed to an angry Te Huehue that he was greater than the mountain god because he alone had stood on the top. Bidwell used … Read more
This being the first newsletter for the 2013 WTMC committee, we thought it fitting to introduce ourselves: Sharron Came, President My job is to ensure our club is well run and members are inspired to make the most of New Zealand’s fabulous natural environment through participating in our cool outdoor group activities and indoor social … Read more
Welcome to the Social Convenor’s corner! I’m excited about being back on committee and in this role. I’m on the hunt for speakers for Wednesday nights and I have one or two “hunters” keeping their ears to the ground to pick up speakers for me too. If you are keen to try your hand at … Read more
The Howlett’s Hut loop trip via Te Hekenga has been on the schedule for a while now, repeatedly postponed by weather, and it was great to finally knock it off. After driving up with the Rangi Hut trip group and having a good feed in Levin we stopped off at Mangaweka campsite for a few … Read more
Leaving platform 9 an hour later than usual turned out to be a smart decision, with most of the Friday afternoon traffic already gone it was a smooth drive to Levin where we stopped for some food and to check out the public toilets with background music… really weird. Back on the road again we … Read more
A dawn chorus of korimako wakes us long before the sun hits our shaded campsite at Courthouse Flat. The results of a successful predator trapping campaign soon become evident as we headed off into the eastern side of Kahurangi National Park. It’s like stepping back in time as korimako, piwakawaka, toutouwai, kereru and miromiro swoop … Read more
We met up at Platform 9 for the usual last minute tramping requirements, and introductions to members of our party and the MF group. We had a comfortable trip out to Masterton along with an exciting, extended adventure in Chinatown. Chinatown is found in Greytown, where it takes 40 minutes on a Friday night to … Read more
A dodgy foot has enforced a break from tramping for the time-being and the need to find an alternative weekend activity. The on/off road MTB tour has proved to be a very satisfactory replacement providing plenty of scope for entertainment. If you have a bike in the garage, the additional kit required is modest so … Read more
Later the following week I decide to do a road foray along Keneperu Sound. I study the Topo map carefully and the DOC website; there seem to be plenty of camp-sites and a fair length of road to explore so that’s about as detailed as the plan needs to be. I commute to work with … Read more