Ten of us (4 M and 6 EM trampers) met at 1pm on Waitangi Day (a Thursday) for the drive to Kaweka Forest Park. After stopping for leg stretches in Shannon and Woodville, and a meal in Hastings. We arrived just before dark at the road end campsite and pitched our tents for the night. … Read more
As part of the club’s efforts to develop new and emerging trip leaders, the club ran an Intermediate Bushcraft Course over the weekend of 31 Jan – 2 Feb 2025. We were extremely grateful for the financial support offered in the form of a Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) training grant. Dominic and Dave from the … Read more
At lunchtime on Friday 3rd January, our group of 7 EM trampers along with the MF group, met at the Wellington train station bound for Nelson Lakes National Park. We had a smooth sailing across the Cook Strait before bad weather hit Wellington! However, we didn’t escape the rain in Picton. As the rain pelted … Read more
As many a good trip began, our group assembled at Wellington Train Station at 4.30 pm on Friday, along with the group of 3 people who planned to head up Mitre Peak on Saturday. Our plan was to head into Atiwhakatu Hut on Friday night. On Saturday we would make our way onto the tops … Read more
Day One: Travel Day – Wellington to Mangatutu Hot Springs campsite Day Two: Makahu Road to Ballard Hut Day 3: Ballard Hut to Te Puia Hut and hot springs Day 4: Te Puia Hut to Wellington
Thursday 6th Feb Making the most of a 4-day weekend, we set off early from Wellington and enjoyed a scenic drive up to Helisika (Poronui Station) on Taharua Rd, off SH5. This location is in Hawke’s Bay, near Taupo. With the Desert Road closed for maintenance, we made detoured through Tongariro National Park and enjoyed the … Read more
Carkeek Hut, in the middle of the Tararuas, had long been on the minds of Mon and I. Surrounded by other Tararua landmarks (as noted below), we took the opportunity to craft a more ambitious long weekend plan when only the two of us signed up for the trip – we swapped out two nights … Read more
This was billed as a new members tramp, but featured six enthusiastic non-members sampling some of what the club has to offer. Our destination was Paua Hut, the WTMC’s hut in the Orongorongo Valley, accessed from the Catchpool carpark (a 45 minute drive from Wellington Train Station via Wainuiomata). Given the walk to Paua Hut … Read more
Fri 17 Jan – Travel to WTMC Club Lodge at Mt Ruapehu We all met at Wellington Train Station after work on Friday and loaded into the club van, excited at the prospect of an adventurous long weekend for Wellington Anniversary – doing a variety of day trips, based at the club’s lodge near the … Read more
Fri 3 Jan – Ferry and camping at West Bay (Jetty Campsite) It was with anticipation that the four of us met at Wellington train station at 11.15 am. I’d been waiting to get a 5-day window for a while to attempt this tramp and duly put it on the trip schedule. We were to … Read more