Shingle Slip Knob Plane Wreck

When I saw that a tramp to the plane wreck at Shingle Slip Knob was planned I was keen and quickly signed up. On my first climb of Mt Holdsworth when I was 12 years old we spotted the wreck in the far distance. Something about the wreck captured my imagination and it had been … Read more

Rees-Dart

We all arrived in Glenorchy the day before the tramp with high hopes. The weather that day was beautifully sunny and to get off to a good start we had a pre-tramp dinner at the hotel – also celebrating a birthday. However, there were a couple of cautionary notes: the long term weather forecast was … Read more

Stardate 2018

For those of us used to city life, the night skies seen on cloudless tramps are always impressive. The reason is simply explained by the light pollution map. However we rarely have someone on a trip who can explain what we are seeing at night, so hence the idea for this trip to learn more … Read more

Mountains, helicopters and a knife-ridge proposal

We’ve all been there…. weather watching in the days and weeks before a big trip, somehow trying to predict just when and how that next front from the South is going to hit, and how hard. All the while hoping it will be either side of your perfectly planned weekend. Add snow into the mix … Read more

Tararua Day Trip – Phillips Stream

Phillips Stream

Canyoning is heaps of fun. Don’t believe me? Well read Megan’s newsletter story of No 1 Canyon. Or take a look at our video of Phillips Stream. There is a small group within the club that is regularly canyoning – and now summer is here it’s time for lots more trips. So seven of us … Read more

Umukarikari Track

We had the usual Friday Station departure in a rented van along with Andrei, Matt and Fons who were doing a Medium-Fit trip in the same area. Although Wellington was experiencing unusually hot weather, the forecast for the area we were heading to was a little dodgy; possible thunderstorms and localised heavy rain. Will we … Read more

Flora and Fauna Fiesta

llona lead a group of us up to Cone Hut in the Tararuas in search of some cool flora and fauna. I was a new member to the club so was excited to see what the Tararuas had in store. We made out way down the Waiohine river gorge (via a small detour) and started … Read more

Sayer Hut

As a group of four we set out mid morning from the Holdsworth car park – choosing to take the track that passes the rocky lookout. This was a nice place to stop for a late morning snack and admire the view. We stopped for lunch at the river and enjoyed a few moments of … Read more

Winter wander to Makaretu Hut

Reading about Maarten’s achievements in visiting all huts in the Ruahines, and in particular his recommendation of Makaretu Hut as a hut to visit, prompted me to finish the report for a trip to the hut we did back in August. While the natural home for the WTMC may be the Tararuas, I grew up … Read more

Southern Crossing

(Featured image: Sumudu) This one had been on the to-do list for a while, and after chatting with my workmate and fellow WTMC member Sumudu, we decided to co-lead a trip together over the Tararua Southern Crossing. After chatting to the chief guide, the trip was added to the Sep 17 – Feb 18 Trip … Read more