While we had originally hoped to packfloat down the Waiohine river, a stormy couple of days earlier in the week and light rain in the forecast meant that we had to turn our minds to Plan B in the Ruahines. After last minute sickness in the group, only Tayla and I pitched our tents at … Read more
🎵What a way to start a medium tramp on a Thursday, cruiiiiising on the Interislander (okay it was the Bluebridge), sailing to the other side. After the ferry dropped our crew of 13 (including James’ MF group) in Picton, we grabbed a bite to eat from one of the many fine dining establishments in town. … Read more
The plan for the weekend was a Waipakihi Hut loop – heading in over Urchin and following the Waipakihi River to the hut on Saturday then out via the Umukarikari Range on Sunday. A perfect mix of tops and river travel. While this was a medium trip, I’d indicated to the group that we were … Read more
With a red warning storm on the doorstep, we barrelled out to the Tararuas early on Saturday to go for a wander. Heeding the forecast, we adjusted plans slightly to avoid getting drenched and battered, opting for a day mish, inevitably followed by a warm shower and cozy bed at home. We arrived at Holdsworth … Read more
Two groups were heading to Waipakihi Hut in the Kaimanawa Forest this weekend: the EM group (seven members) travelling via the Umukarikari Track, and the M trip (five members) going in along the Waipakihi River. We all met at the railway station and were on the road shortly after 4:30pm on Friday. With light traffic, … Read more
This trip started on the Thursday afternoon with just two of us from the original five after unfortunate incidents and accidents meant the other three could no longer come. James and I were still keen to get out and explore some new country in the Raglan range, so after an afternoon ferry and dinner at … Read more
The trip was scheduled as going to Nina Hut and Manson Nicholls Hut in Lewis Pass. However the huts were booked by early December so we considered alternative trips and camping rather than overnighting in huts. We met Thursday afternoon at the railway station and then caught the ferry, driving on to Murchison for the … Read more
Trip Leader Sally picked up our group with the van at Wellington Train Station Platform 9, along with the three trampers from the Medium Fit (MF) group. Our crew of eleven started our journey departing at about 4:30pm, encountering a decent bit of traffic on our way north. We stopped for dinner in Bulls to … Read more
A Bannister crossing had been on the to-do list for both Anne and I for a while. The Bannister Ridge, with its dramatic and imposing profile, had captured our imaginations on previous trips. Anne had planned a Cattle Ridge-Bannister-Dundas loop in autumn last year, however we didn’t get the weather window to do that trip. … Read more
After being granted an extra hour of sleep thanks to a change in pick-up time, 11 of us set off to Sunrise Hut at 7.30am on Saturday morning. We were heading up as one group, before splitting into three at the hut, for WTMC’s inaugural Masterchef cook-off. Ethan had informed us each team’s dishes would … Read more