Is Sayer Hut the oldest hut in the Tararua Range? Sayer Hut at Totara Flats in the Tararua Range is the oldest hut in the Tararua Forest Park and it has an interesting history. Yes, Sayer Hut is the oldest tramping hut in the Tararua Range and has a fascinating story to tell. In 1878 … Read more
Totara Flats – a brief history Totara Flats are a delight – but the story behind their formation is one of destructive geological movements along the Wellington earthquake fault-line. One of the nicest places in the Tararua Forest Park for an easy tramp is Totara Flats. There are a number of good tracks to take … Read more
Mitre Flats – a little gem A guide to hikers wanting to visit Mitre Flats in the Tararua – with descriptions of the track and hut. Some people don’t like the track into Mitre Flats. It’s named on maps as the Barra Track after the bushman that first cut it and it does seem to … Read more
WTMC Ruapehu Lodgea brief history 1952 to 2022 A concise history of the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) Lodge on Mt Ruapehu from its initial construction in 1952 until 2022. Most club members will know we have a lodge at Mt Ruapehu. Many of you will have stayed there. But the lodge didn’t just … Read more
WTMC – 75 years of the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club A brief history of the first 75 years of the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club A 3-minute history of the WTMC The WTMC is now a grown up 75 year old. Sir Ed would have asked if this is somehow more significant than 74 … Read more
Makara Walkway – an after dark delight An easy walk around the Makara Walkway for spectacular views after the sun has set. Starting at Makara Beach, follow the coast to Opau Bay, then up the road to the gun emplacements, and finally down the track back to Makara. Distance 7 km – about 3 hrs.
Mitre Flats – tramping with science A hiking trip into Mitre Flats, Tararua Range, to use some simple experiments to explain everyday phenomena in the hills Wind chill (W) = 13.12 + (0.6215t) – (11.37k0.16) + (0.3965tk0.16) Have you ever wondered why a rainbow disappears when you view it through polarised sunglasses? Or why the rivers … Read more
Tararua Range –what are some of its faults? The Tararua has many earthquake faults, and the Wellington Fault and the Wairarapa Fault have left many obvious geomorphological features visible to the hiker. 🌧 One of the faults of the Tararua Range is that it rains a lot and there are only about 80 sunny days per … Read more
Lake Manapouri – Hope Arm packraft A 2 day tramp/ packraft at Hope Arm, Lake Manamouri, including a climb to the top of the Monument. For a Mt Lake Monowai packraft story go to The Monowai Circuit. For a Mt Titiroa story go to The snows of Titiroa.
Pouakai Circuit – a day walk A nighttime hiking loop trip around the Pouakai Circuit, Egmont National Park