When I met up with Ron at a local pub, he belied his 80+ years with a twinkle in his eye, a clear voice and a sharp memory. We spent the afternoon over a pint, as club life in the 1960s came to life in Ron’s reminiscing. How did you first get introduced to the … Read more
The Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) is running a survey to look at ways we could share out the work of running our club more effectively. The purpose of this survey is not to single out members for doing more or less, it’s simply to assess how we manage the club, and how we could manage it better. … Read more
Saturday morning was sunny but quite cool when we emerged from the van at the road end. Extra layers of clothing were quickly added. Our track was a 4-wheel-drive route, at times deeply rutted and beginning with a huge muddy pool. We walked downhill through regenerating bush to the first of 10 river crossings and … Read more
This is the first in a series of interviews with some of the WTMC life members. Sue Walsh is one of the life members that is well known to a lot of us who go to club regularly. She’s been the friendly welcoming face you saw up front on Wednesday nights for several years up until … Read more
With Aunty Rata I like to run, always have done. As a child growing up on a dairy farm characterised more by rolling hills than flat pastures us kids were supplementary cattle dogs albeit rather more obedient than the actual dogs. The reward for our athletic efforts was getting to sleep in the house rather … Read more
with Aunty Rata Kia Ora and happy new year Wasn’t it nice to get the Club Journal just before Xmas? Felt like an extra special present and if like Aunty Rata you were struggling to squeeze in a few fun trips into the hills between all those heavy rain warnings, you probably had a bit … Read more
Mountain bikers can begin riding Kahurangi National Park’s Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks now but are reminded they cannot begin riding the Heaphy Track until 1 May 2011, says the Department of Conservation. The DOC comments follow the announcement by the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) that it has approved a revised … Read more
with Aunty Rata Kia ora fellow trampers The end of the year is nigh and my focus on sharing recipes with you is also starting to wane. Mostly this is because thanks to the efforts of Megan Sety, Illona Keenan, Kevin Cole, Amanda Wells, Steve Austin and the rest of the team the Club now … Read more
Could trip leaders note that there is not an unlimited supply of small flys to hand out for trips. If you have a big group, please request big flies. I know we all like to save weight in our packs but it’s a limited supply! If it’s a busy week, eg before a long weekend … Read more
with Aunty Rata Greetings fellow trampers, I hope you made the most of the great Labour weekend weather to be had everywhere but Wellington! The bank holidays or as we Kiwi’s call them long weekends are traditionally very busy for the Club, particularly for trip leaders who often find themselves with big groups of people … Read more