Coinciding with the first full moon of 2024, this was a weekend dedicated to moonlight Tongariro crossings. The plan was for groups of different grades to start the Crossing at various times throughout Saturday afternoon and evening (either walking or running), so they would each complete the track at night and enjoy the bright light … Read more
A WTMC ski trip to Mt Ruapehu Labour Weekend 1948 An entertaining account of a 1948 ski trip to Mt Ruapehu in a broken-down bus, stormy weather, and very little skiing
A deep longing.Carkeek! Carkeek! Oh, Carkeek!We’ll be with you soon. Those who tramped with me over the last couple of years will know this trip to Carkeek hut had been a long time coming. My interest in the most remote hut in the Tararuas started turning into an obsession in 2023 on a new years … Read more
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
My first WTMC tramp My first hike with the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club – a weekend at the WTMC Mt Ruapehu Lodge by Toby Durnall As a city bloke through and through, who loves his cocktail bars and having a wealth of restaurants to dine at, I can’t quite put my finger on why … Read more
Lees Hellfire Circuit — The Bounds of Hades A 5 day hiking loop trip through spectacular mountain scenery of Lees Creek, Misery Stream and Hellfire Stream in the Raglan Range – an area once called The Bounds of Hades 😈 Reports of other WTMC trips in the Leatham Conservation Area:
Putangirua Pinnacles track open or closed? – it was open in 1948 The Putangirua Pinnacles – the story of a WTMC trip to the Putangirua Pinnacles in 1948 with added photos taken in 2024. Revised 3 June 2025 The track to the Putangirua Pinnacles is now open, however, there is still an alert for the … Read more
Nine people signed up for the club’s New Year Round The Mountain – Ruapehu trip. The group featured a few people new to multi-day walks, a few new to the club, as well as some very experienced club members and trampers. The distance and demanding terrain mean that an excellent baseline fitness is a prerequisite, … Read more
Kaukau walk – by torch light, A walk to the summit of Kaukau at night. Photographs on a walk to the summit of Kaukau after dark and the wonderful views of Wellington City and suburbs including information on tracks, what to expect to see, and noting that kiwi are now living in the area and … Read more
We decided on a day trip to Snowy Hut, after a changing weather forecast swept away our plans for a 6-day expedition. Starting out from Otaki Forks just after 8am, we walked for about an hour on the road until we reached the start of the Waiotauru Hut track. In the first few kms of … Read more