An ascent of Pukekaikiore – Ruapehu day walks from the WTMC Lodge A guide for a hike from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge to the summit of Pukekaikiore the fourth highest volcanic peak in the World Dual Heritage Tongariro National Park Summer continues at Ruapehu. Until the snow arrives it’s a great time for daytrips from … Read more
The navigation training started with learning some theory at a cafe in Eastbourne. We stocked up on breakfast and coffee while learning about map features, coordinates, how to use a compass and the basics of taking a bearing. We then headed up into the Northern Forest section of East Harbour Regional Park (See: https://www.wellingtonnz.com/visit/trails/east-harbour-regional-park). On … Read more
Earlier this year, the club offered an opportunity for trip leaders to attend a first aid course run through Outdoor Education NZ (OETNZ – see: https://www.oenz.co.nz/. So one February morning, Sally and I headed to the Maungaraki Scout Club to hone our outdoor first aid skills. The last time I’d completed a first aid course, … Read more
We met at the Wellington Railway Station and were heading north in the club van by 3pm. After stops in Levin to refuel and Palmerston North for dinner, we made it to the North Block road end at about 8pm. Donning headtorches, we started up the hill to Sunrise Hut at 8.15pm. The track is … Read more
The Dolomites, in north-east Italy, had been on my radar for as long as I can remember, and although I regularly go to Europe to visit family, it was always hard to fit it in. The opportunity to go finally presented itself in June 2024, due to the public sector job cuts and putting my … Read more
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
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
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
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
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