Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club
Enjoying the great outdoors since 1947
I was disappointed that we weren’t camping out on the Friday night. It is one of the few chances that I get to see the stars without the light pollution from the city. As it was, I had to set the alarm for 5.45am on the Saturday morning. Times before 6am are anathema to me … Read more
Quick out of the blocks on Friday night at 5.30pmish, Snowcraft 2 set off for our second trip to The Mountain. Due to delays from phaffing, traffic and phaffing, some had to consume their Bulls kebabs on-the-run. The sun-gods seemed to have turned their back on Whakapapa this time, choosing instead to warm the faces … Read more
I had one of those days where serious lapse in judgment overtook me. This coming Sunday weather was going to be a stunner. So, what do I do? I decide to enquire with Shirley (Queen of the Tararuas) if she’d like to do a day walk on the Sunday. Left it entirely up to Shirley … Read more
When we set forth on the Great Walk we hoped our way would be lit by the moon but it was still well below the horizon. Walking by torchlight and in silence it feels like one is in ones own world, thoughts slow down and there are only the night noises to keep you company. … Read more
In Arthur’s Pass on Friday night we pack ready for an early start. DJ has a cold and has so far refrained from reminding me that he is on an alpine sabbatical. I decide to sleep in the main room at the Alpine Club Lodge so DJ is not disturbed by me checking my watch … Read more
It was with immense satisfaction that the first judder of many peculated through my bones at the start of The Heaphy Great Walk. This was no tramp though, but a long awaited mountain biking adventure. I first rode this track back in 1996 on a fully rigid bike. Then I was new to MTBing. Now, … Read more
We met in the Rahai Street car park at 10.00. Although the weather forecast was dubious, we had perfect walking temperatures. We began our ascent through the bush track through the Porirua Scenic reserve, really well maintained track that had only the odd bit of litter here and there. We came to a dirt road … Read more
The instructions were to be at platform 9 by 5.15 for a 5.30 take-off. Arriving, I find snow chains being fitted. Don’t they know the snow has gone? Don’t worry, it is only that Kate wants to see sparks. OK. Then out came the map book as there was concern that the Manawatu Gorge was … Read more
Towering high above the alpine village of Porirua stands the magnificant peak of Colonial Knob. Okay, while it did look like a mountain during the August snow fall, it’s not THAT tall, and neither did the family group climb it in August. But at 450m, it is an honest climb, with magnificent views over Porirua, … Read more
The last time it snowed in downtown Wellington I was too young to dress or feed myself. In the intervening years this ability had only slightly improved, yet I had learnt the basic use of an ice axe and crampons. So off we went all tooled up for the slow drive to the Ruahine’s only … Read more