WTMC Ruapehu Summer Lodge – and the remarkable Unnamed Glacier

WTMC Summer Lodge - Ruapehu Crater Lake and the unnamed glacier

WTMC Ruapehu Summer Lodge – and the remarkable Unnamed Glacier The smallest glacier on Mt Ruapehu is the most unusual – it is possibly the only glacier in New Zealand not melting away. And it is relatively easy to get to from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge. There are nine named glaciers on Mt Ruapehu, including … Read more

Ōtaki Forks temporary walking access

Ōtaki Forks temporary walking access A guide to DOC’s Emergency Access Track that provides a walking track to Ōtaki Forks bypassing the slip at Blue Bluff that has closed the road, and notes that the road will be reopened sometime in 2025. Note: (updated 18 December 2024) As of 21 December 2020 DOC has opened … Read more

Angelus Hut – a multi-day hike in Nelson Lakes National Park ❄

Nelson Lakes winter tramping featured image

Angelus Hut – a multi-day hike in Nelson Lakes National Park An 8 day hiking loop trip in amazing fine weather through the spectacular mountain scenery in Nelson Lakes National Park visiting Cupola Hut, and Angelus Hut via the Cascade Route up Hukere Stream. Once upon a time two WTMC trampers, Sarah and Batt, set … Read more

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – a brief history 1952 to 2022

The WTMC Ruapehu Lodge in winter 1954

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

Constructing Ruapehu Hut in 1953

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

Makara Walkway at night with Venus and the Moon

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.

Tararua Range – what are some of its faults?

The Tararua photographed from Mt Hector

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

🎄 WTMC Ruapehu Lodge summer 2023/2024

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge summer 2023/2024 Summer trips from the WTMC Lodge on Mt Ruapehu Looking forward to some time in the mountains where there is sublime scenery together with comfortable reasonably priced accommodation? Then you should try our lodge in our very own World Dual Heritage National Park at only $20 per night for adult … Read more