The middle section of the Rangitikei River offers some scenic paddling with a few rapids up to Grade 2. These rapids are mostly straightforward fun in a packraft and the views on the way down river are quite spectacular especially where the river flows between high cliffs. Three of us paddled the 35 km from … Read more
After three dead cows along the river, lots of river walking and a gust or two we made it to Mangatoetoe hut, about an hour in from the van. The night before, we’d driven to the campsite with the Easy group (in the other van), all stopping at Lake Ferry Hotel Restaurant for dinner. We … Read more
Are we on the right track? Our journey began with a traffic jam at Kaimanawa Road end. Being Labour Weekend, every man and his dog (literally – we were joined by a gorgeous kelpie) was out tramping. After a skillful 100 point turn, our shuttle driver deposited us at the beginning of the Umukarikari track. … Read more
Two Thumb Range – Boundary Stream, South Opuha River A 3 day hiking loop trip through The Two Thumb Range above Lake Tekapo passing through Boundary Stream and the Opuha River areas. As is a common occurrence, this trip started life as three days of perfect weather camping in the basin below the Dasler Pinnacles … Read more
Hollyford Pyke – a packraft circuit in Fiordland National Park Packrafting the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow to the West Coast and back via the Pyke River. The Hollyford Pyke circuit seems to defy gravity. You start at the Hollyford Road end and paddle down the Hollyford River, across Lake McKerrow, and down the estuary … Read more
I first learned about Punga Hut a few years ago at a WTMC social night talk on the best huts and tracks not on the map. Ever since, it has been on my adventure wishlist. When we did the number 1 canyon, I tried to convince the guys to make the short jaunt to visit … Read more
On Friday afternoon I met with Elly our trip leader at 2.30pm at the car rental office to collect a fancy SUV. We drove to the train station to get Matt (whom I have been tramping quite a lot with on recent club trips) and Nicole who is a colleague of Elly’s. We arrived at … Read more
We set off on Friday after work with the club van and headed for Hawke’s Bay. After dinner in Carterton and a few driver changes, we parked at North Block Rd end at 10pm, and were asleep by 10:30pm at Triple X Hut. On Saturday we could take it easy and have a relaxed breakfast … Read more
The trip in pictures What people thought of the trip Well organised and it provided a really good introduction to club trips. I gained some useful tips on the basics, like how to properly pour out of a billy when it’s full of boiling water! and what ongaonga looks like. I liked the scenery, the … Read more
Could be worth your time reading FMC Regional Leadership Development Course – February 2020 Earlier this year the FMC kicked off an initiative that is intended to assist tramping clubs recruit and train trip leaders. Most clubs have a systemic problem with recruiting and retaining a sufficient number of members who can capably lead trips. … Read more