Update from the Gear Room – September 2013

Down in the basement of the club rooms, you will find the gear storage for the club. Every Wednesday, between 7:30 and 8:00 pm, we give out and receive gear for club trips. The range of gear we hold is typically group gear like flys, PLBs and first aid kits. However, we do carry personal gear … Read more

Shelter From The Storm: The story of New Zealand’s backcountry huts

‘Shelter From The Storm: The story of New Zealand’s backcountry huts’ Written by Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown and Geoff Spearpoint. One of the defining and unique features of the New Zealand outdoors is the backcountry hut. New Zealand has a remarkably diverse network of these huts, unparalleled anywhere else in the world, and for those … Read more

Wasps … Bee aware!

Author: Mika Verheul Tramping in New Zealand can be challenging. One of the risks perhaps underestimated by many trampers is a severe reaction to wasp venom. There are various opinions about how to deal with possibly allergic people when they get stung by a wasp, often resulting in uncertainty and anxiety. Emergency response might get … Read more

Online record of the huts you have visited

Record which huts you’ve visited through hutbagger.co.nz. Register on the site and you’ll be able to record and view the huts you have visited, export a list of huts visited and compare your stats against other hut baggers. The data is not going to be used for any purpose, just kept on the site. It … Read more

Congratulations to Ian Bunckenburg

At the Search and Rescue AGM on 30 August 2012, retiring member Ian Bunckenburg – ‘Buncks’ – received a long service award in recognition of his many years of service to search and rescue in the Wellington region. As well as his time spent on operations, Bunks has spent a considerable amount of time mentoring … Read more

Fancy tramping near the Wairarapa coast?

There are three DoC walks near the Wairarapa coast that may be of interest to you: Rockyhill:  6km return and has great views. Honeycomb Rock: a flat 10km return along the beach and passes seal colony. Oumakura Stream Bush Reserve: 400 acres of nice bush to walk around, with lots of wild deer living that … Read more

Why do we need Intentions sheets?

From: Kate Cushing, Vice President I thought it might be good to remind everyone why it is important the trip leaders provide the Intentions Sheets for their trips. And why, as punters, we need to provide emergency contact info and medical conditions.  It’s really not because I want an excuse to send out copious emails! … Read more

Other bits and bobs – April 2012

Fair Weather Trampers: in the NZ bush with the Cock & Bull Tramping Club A book by Julia Millen with sketches by Barbara O’Reilly Writes Hill Press 156pages; original sketches & maps ISBN: 978-0-473-20009-1; $30 One summer morning a group of drinking mates set out from Owhiro Bay for a short walk. Twelve hours later, … Read more

Kai on the Fly – July 2011

By : Aunty Rata Gidday fellow trampers, Daylight is in scarce supply, precipitation is abundant, the temperatures are finally beginning to drop and the next long weekend is miles away, it must be winter. Winter means that if you go tramping you may encounter snow and for some of you it means brushing up on your … Read more

Forever wild?! – 2011 FMC Conference

On June 11th and 12th the FMC celebrated its 80th anniversary with a two day conference at Te Papa. The Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC) is an organisation which operates at a national level, representing 82 tramping & mountaineering clubs (including the WTMC) and through these a total of more than 15,000 members that … Read more