It is always difficult to write an article when the newsletter editor was actually on the trip. She will firstly change the text so that the truth is actually recorded and secondly will also be suspicious of any of my future articles. I had wanted to go to Sawcut gorge for a long time. Katy … Read more
What has happened to tubing in the club? Once it was an extremely popular summer activity. It’s a great way to see stretches of river that would otherwise be inaccessible. And of course it’s great fun! As Ratty said in the Wind of the Willows, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, so much fun as simply … Read more
Weather Fine start on Saturday, overcast developing with a couple of light showers in the afternoon cloud breaking for a clear Sunday. No wind. Track conditions The track appears to be infrequently maintained; so although generally pretty easy to follow, there are quite a few tree falls which haven’t been cleared so there is a … Read more
In November 2010 I did a great trip to Elder Hut in fine sunny weather (yes, this was the Tararuas). The views from the hut were brilliant, and it got the sun until late in the evening. So when the trip was put on the proposed WTMC summer schedule for March 2012, begging for a … Read more
Pretty much perfect weather all weekend: overcast for the climb on Saturday clearing during the night to a brilliant, cloudless Sunday. Virtually no wind. The trip starts with pie and chips for breakfast in Carterton at the Goodness Food Café. Don’t be fooled by the humble exterior, the food is good and they threw in … Read more
A blustery Friday evening saw 12 eager punters off along State Highway 2 over the Rimutakas towards the Ruahines in Southern Hawkes Bay. 5 destined for an Easy grade walk to Sunrise Hut and 7 for the Easy Medium aiming for Top Maropea Hut. A slightly longer than expected but worthwhile wait for kebabs in … Read more
A summer trip to Mt Ruapehu is a favourite of all of ours, so quite a few of us headed up for the family tramping trip in March. It ended up that we had three trips in one, with all of us doing different things at different times. Here are three perspectives on this trip. … Read more
This Easter trip promises to be a sort of easy-going natural history expedition. That’s what Illona’s billing suggests: moa bones, caves, an asbestos mine, a historic hut, rock shelters as well as Kahurangi’s flora and fauna, plus gourmet dining every night. We arrive late at Flora Saddle car park on the Thursday night and pitch … Read more
Contemplating our wounds during lunch half way through the scrub bash back to the tops of the Douglas Range, someone remarked that this was like childbirth: we’d forget the pain and do it all again. That certainly rang true for three of us. Sharron, who’d laboured here with David and me five years before, had … Read more
Wow, what a glorious weekend! The weather gods were extra kind to the young trampers. This was the writer’s first tramp in … let’s say her son is nearly 17 and leave it at that. Her external frame pack was the focus much discussion but hey: isn’t retro in? I’m sure mustard coloured, swing jackets … Read more