Track Talk – Aug 2011

We’re in the throes of Spring schedule planning. If you’re reading this online, it’s not too late to come along to the planning night, this Wednesday 3rd August, from 5.30pm onwards at the clubrooms. Bring maps and ideas, and get some free pizza in return. Thanks heaps to everyone who’s sent in their ideas for … Read more

The Nature of Things – Aug 2011

After a super mild autumn and a slow start to winter the snow suddenly arrived in dramatic fashion with a couple of good winter storms. Whakapapa now has a respectable 140cm snow base making skiing and other stuff not only possible but enjoyable. With impeccable timing we managed to slot the first weekend of Snowcraft … Read more

Track Talk – July 2011

Sometimes trips aren’t as tough as you anticipate. In late May, I made my third attempt on the Maungahuka circuit. This involves going from Holdsworth Road end over Holdsworth Peak and Isabelle, down to Mid Waiohine Hut, up that punishing climb to Aokapanui, along to Maungahuka, down past Concertina Knob to Neill Forks Hut, up … Read more

The Nature of Things – July 2011

The committee was so busy we forgot to meet this month. There is a great deal going on administration wise and out in the field. The highlights are recorded in this newsletter. Thanks to everyone who has obliged us by writing trip reports. I’m sure I’m not the only person who looks forward to reading … Read more

The Nature of Things – June 2011

Last month I said I’d be reporting back on any special projects to be undertaken this financial year. At this stage we are putting a bit of extra energy into three areas: Membership acquisition Lifting usage of the club Lodge Improving the club website These three areas are interrelated. Ideally we want to replace departing … Read more

Track Talk – June 2011

My trusty MSR cooker must have boiled thousands of litres. A brush with immolation in 2006 meant it sported a slightly melted pump handle but I viewed this as a useful theft deterrent rather than a disability. Annual servicing maintained its reliability, as well as giving me the ability to reassemble its impressive array of … Read more

Track Talk – May 2011

Enclosed with this newsletter is the Winter trip schedule, which runs from May to the end of August. Thanks heaps to everyone who has offered to lead a trip, and also to those who have suggested road ends and come along to the planning night. And thanks to Richard Lardner who has stepped into the … Read more

The Nature of Things – May 2011

The 64th AGM has been and gone. Thanks to the 2010-11 committee for their great work running the club and to those members who made the effort to attend. For those of you who missed the AGM I have your names and numbers. The highlight was Sue Walsh being made a life member. Sue is … Read more

Track Talk (April 2011)

As I write, we’re working on the winter trip schedule, with a planning meeting held at club last week. I’d like to thank the dozen people who turned up to enjoy some pizza and develop trips for each roadend. Using this kind of collaborative process is a great way to make sure that the schedule … Read more

Track Talk – March 2011

One great thing about Jonathon Kennett’s recently published Adventure Guide to the Tararuas is that it makes you see your favourite (or at least closest) mountains in a new light. As well as suggestions for tops epics, there are significant chapters on gorge and tubing trips, along with mountain running possibilities. One tramp that he … Read more