with Amanda Wells – Chief Guide After a tough winter it seems like summer is finally here, though in Wellington we tend never to count chickens prematurely. It’s a strange switch from battling ice and hypothermia to being mindful of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Hopefully you’re planning an active summer in the hills. Included with … Read more
with Amanda Wells – Chief Guide Tramping can be a psychologically challenging sport. Aside from the difficulty of dragging yourself plus pack to the station when you’d rather be having a quiet drink, and the sitting for hours in a van, the trip itself can mess with your head. A few weeks ago, we were … Read more
My recent trip to Tasmania was costly in gear terms. And I’m not talking about what I bought or repaired to prepare for the trip; that’s just normal wear-and-tearing updating. I’m talking about mistakes made due to tiredness, distraction or sheer stupidity. It started on day one when I lost my sunglasses. While I am … Read more
At the end of July I spent four days tramping in Lewis Pass with a friend who relocated to Christchurch a couple of years ago. Previously a member of the WTMC, Laurayne was telling me how things are done by clubs down there. They don’t do communal dinners – instead everyone brings along their own … Read more
With Amanda Wells – Chief Guide Lately I’ve been thinking about relative risk. We might assume that our perception of danger is based on objective assessments of quantifiable facts, but experience generally teaches otherwise. I participated in Snowcraft 2006, which concluded with a lengthy descent from a snowcave through gale winds and poor visibility. “Worst … Read more
With Amanda Wells, Chief Guide It’s already time to start thinking about the Spring schedule, which runs from September to the end of January. This time, we’re going to do the planning slightly differently. At the moment, we’re looking for ideas of road ends. You don’t have to specify the trip(s), just a road end … Read more
In March I did a Mountain Safety Council river-crossing course, where we threw ourselves into some Hutt River rapids and attempted to exit using a combination of pack floating and limb thrashing. It was one of those courses where your confidence is strengthened through knowing that you’re already doing basically the right things. Rivers are … Read more
It’s always a challenge starting something new and figuring out how everything fits together. When I started tramping with the club almost exactly five years ago, the last thing I would have imagined was becoming chief guide. Just going along to club nights and heading out into the hills with strangers was challenging enough! But … Read more
Greetings All, Committee Member Profile: Paul Jeffries 1. Place of birth: Blenheim 2. Occupation: Chief Guide 3. Been a WTMC member for: 5 years. 4. How I have benefitted (from being a member): Made good friends & been on some awesome tramps 5. Best WTMC Alpine trip: Lake Angelus Nelson Lakes 6. Best NAV trip: … Read more
Day Walk leaders required for all the keen walkers from the new members night to the end of March Kilometres please text Gareth or me transport@wtmc.org.nz the speedo reading for each trip, thanks drivers. Please return the gear clean and dry. Important Dates Monday 8th March 6.30-8.30pm Trip Planning Meeting at Clubrooms Bushcraft 12-14 March … Read more