From now on, please make sure all your payments (whether for trip fares, membership fees or lodge) go into our new bank account, which is Kiwibank 38-9017-0330533-00 Why are we changing banks? The new bank account offers better processes for those operating the account. What if I accidentally paid into the old account? We will … Read more
The Schormann to Kaitoke (S-K) traverse of the Tararuas has been on the hit list of many trampers since the early 1960s when it was first suggested that it may be possible to do the trip in a weekend. This was finally achieved in October 1963, and was then followed by many more in subsequent years. Later … Read more
Nick Jennings’ tramping CV is impressive. The list of roles he’s performed for WTMC, Federated Mountain Clubs, Mountain Safety Council, DOC and its predecessors, and LandSAR, is extensive. Mike Gilbert spent an afternoon talking with Nick about the times and places behind the statistics. How long ago did you start tramping? I started in the … Read more
Have you ever been tramping with a leader who carries a textbook and binoculars in their pack? Illona Keenan is one such leader. She led Andrei, Caryl, Claire, David, Erika, Kerry, Mark and Rachel up the Mangatainoka River and over a ridge into the Ruamahanga on an overnight fauna and flora extravaganza to Roaring Stag … Read more
This year the subscription reminder letters are being send as hardcopy with your 2015 Journal and the November FMC bulletin. They should be dropping through your letter box in the next week or so. The 2015 Journal is a real gem with some great stories and beautiful pictures for you to pour over during the Christmas … Read more
Are you a ‘peak bagger’ a ‘hut ticker offer’? Do you love going out into the bush to satisfy your personal desire to experience our beautiful natural heritage? Let’s face it; unless you are leading a trip helping others, tramping is done for our own selfish reasons of personal enjoyment and experience. And there is … Read more
A lot of you will probably be wondering what happened with the WTMC survey that you all filled in a month or two ago. The answer is that the committee have been working hard to look at what you all said and how we can improve the way the club operates. Some great information came … Read more
I mentioned to Pete one weekend at Ruapehu Lodge that I was doing some Life Member interviews and he promptly said ‘Right we’d better bloody get on with it then’. So he regaled me with decades of club adventures over coffee surrounded by kids playing and with stunning views of Taranaki out the window. When … Read more
Recently Illona and I attended a DOC consultation session covering the new Wellington Conservation Management Strategy. This 10 year strategy covers some important areas that WTMC people regularly tramp in, so it’s great that DOC have involved us in the planning process. For more information about the Wellington CMS visit DOC’s website DOC will soon … Read more
DOC was recently approached by a group of community representatives, who are keen to see mountain biking options in the Tararua Forest Park. There are currently very limited opportunities for recreational mountain bikers to enjoy the Tararuas, unlike most other DOC managed areas throughout the country. DOC has proposed to allow mountain bikers access to … Read more