Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club
Enjoying the great outdoors since 1947
Due to the early 8am Saturday morning start we did what many of the other competitors did and headed out to camp at Holdsworth roadend on the Friday night. We left the railway station at 6pm, and after a substantial dinner at Istanbul in Carterton we set up our tents and had an early night. Cars … Read more
Randonneuring has many great rides organised by sister clubs around the world. Often, these rides are not only scenic but place us among creatures of which we are unfamiliar. This year, while travelling to 1200k events I have unintentionally cycled with moose and caribou, hiked amongst the grizzlies and wolves, camped out with black bears, … Read more
The group met on a fine sunny Saturday morning at 8.45 am, Platform D to catch the 83 Eastbourne bus which would take us to Queensgate. Purchasing a Day Tripper for $9.50 allowed us to jump on any bus up until 12 midnight (excellent deal). From there, we transferred to the 160 Wainui North bus. Just over the Wainuiomata hill on … Read more
We left Wellington on a beautifully calm and sunny Friday afternoon. In fact, if you didn’t live in Wellington, you might have thought that summer had finally arrived. If the forecast was true, then most of the lower North Island would enjoy a rain-free weekend. Alistair Young was going to be leading our Medium-Fit fivesome … Read more
It all began at 5.30pm on a balmy Wellington Friday afternoon. Setting off enthusiastically into rush hour traffic, we began our journey to the start of the track. Van conversation ranged from the art of being a llama farmer who farms llamas, buying boats, mermaids, Bolivian taxi drivers and the number ‘37’ and the obvious superiority of pilates over … Read more
Now I’ve been in New Zealand for 9 months, I thought it was about time for my second overnight tramp with the club. For a Brit, looking at the summer schedule in January was a little confusing, but the Edwards-Hawdon trip looked like a good one; good potential for great views and nice timing for … Read more
The idea Following the thrill and tranquillity of water-focussed South Island tramps at Christmas, I was keen for aquatic adventures closer to home. Spencer floated the appealing idea of a weekend pack float along the Waiohine river from Mid-Waiohine hut to Totara Flats. It sounded fun and challenging. The planning Meticulous research and preparation happened … Read more
. We left Wellington early, arriving at a sun-streaked Putangirua Pinnacles after a quick 30 minute walk from the road end. These badlands had a starring role as Dimholt Road in Lord of the Rings, the road to the land of the dead. Heading up the ridge from the pinnacles, we quickly realised that this … Read more
If they served tramping trips in restaurants, then this trip might have been called the Westland tasting menu. The group convened in Hokitika on boxing day. Some had had an entrée in the Arthur’s Pass area, others dived straight into the main course. After more than a little debate about the best location for weather … Read more
I’m not quite sure where to start. The idea to do the 3 passes at Christmas emerged, I think, from Ian’s head sometime in September. From there it spread, multiplied, mutated, entered the Cloud, and finally was brought down to earth again at 6.15pm at the Railway Station the Friday before Christmas, after an epic … Read more