Salisbury Lodge and environs – Kahurangi National Park

Another awesome weekend spent exploring (and hut bagging) near the Cobb Reservoir! Thursday The trip began with our group and a medium-fit (MF) group meeting at Wellington Railway Station on a Thursday afternoon to catch the afternoon ferry. After arriving in Picton, we set off to drive to Motueka, via Nelson. Very unfortunately, we all … Read more

Puke Ariki (Haywards Korokoro Traverse) – Belmont Regional Park

I had run the Puke Ariki track a few years ago but hadn’t spent much time in Belmont Regional Park since. After doing a day trip with the club to find Tin Hut last year, I remembered what a great walk Puke Ariki was, and how suitable it would be for a club trip. We … Read more

Putaputa Shelter – Kaitoke Regional Park

The Putaputa A-frame shelter in Kaitoke Regional Park had been on my to-do list for a while. (See: Putaputa Shelter) Tantalisingly close to civilisation, but involving either some off-track bush-bashing and a steep descent, or travelling up a gorge (where Putaputa Stream is located). It seemed like the perfect half-day trip. The fact it was … Read more

Papakura o Taranaki |Pouākai Circuit – Egmont National Park

Drive to North Taranaki (Friday 28 March) On Friday, 14 adventurers met at Wellington Train station at 5pm, to drive to North Taranaki.  A few went in Sara’s car. The rest went in the club van, heroically driven by Bailey and Raj. There was a stopover in Bulls to enjoy dinner.  The group slept at … Read more

Mud, sweat and sour squirms: Waiopehu Hut – Gable End Ridge Loop – Tararua Forest Park

I was slouching up against the wall of an Indian takeaways on Kent Terrace when I made the call. A weather bomb had hit the Tararuas, swelling rivers and drowning my dreams of taking my troop of ‘easy-medium’ punters to Mangahao Flats Hut. Instead, I spent the time waiting for my butter chicken pondering an … Read more

Pukeamoamo/ Mitre via Mitre Flats Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Friday 14th Feb  We combined resources with the MF trip group who were heading to Holdsworth trailhead. We all set off in the club van from Wellington Railway Station at 4.30 pm. We had decided on this earlier meet up time to give us more time for the walk into Mitre Flats Hut on the … Read more

Holdsworth Day Walks – Gentle Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, and the Summit.

Holdsworth daywalks Gentle-Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, Mt Holdsworth Summit featured image

Holdsworth Day Walks – Gentle Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, and the Summit. Three hikes in the Holdsworth area of the Tararua Range – Gentle Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, and the summit of Mt Holdsworth – including route guides, photos and a video. Gentle Annie Saddle Inspired by a TTC day trip of many years ago Tony and … Read more

A Baldy – South King – Mitre Flats Hut adventure – Tararua Forest Park

The original plan for this trip was to head into Atiwhakatu Hut on Friday night, climb Baldy Peak and then go on to the Broken Axe Pinnacles and McGregor Biv on Saturday and then back to Holdsworth Lodge via Angle Knob and Jumbo on Sunday. While Saturday’s weather looked pretty good, Sunday’s forecast was for … Read more

Up, up, up and down, down, down to the river, Upper Makaroro Hut – Ruahine Forest Park

After a long drive, broken up with a long wait for our “pre-ordered” burgers in Carterton, we were all pleased to arrive at the Mangleton Road end parking area. The “10 minute” walk-in to Sentry Box Hut took us almost twice the time in our rush to get to the Hut. We had charged ahead … Read more

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC A sherpa assisted summer Taranaki Maunga climb to Syme Hut then up the southern slopes towards the summit turns dramatic when a rescue helicopter arrives to lift three unknown stranded climbers leaving the party to retreat in difficult conditions. Read this true Kiwi mountaineering adventure of … Read more