Journal

The Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) Journal is an annual(ish) publication that celebrates the adventures, experiences, and knowledge of club members. We encourage all members, from seasoned trampers to those new to the club, to contribute. Your stories, photos, and insights are what will make our journal a vibrant record of club life.

Journal 2025

We are now accepting submissions for the 2025(ish) edition of the WTMC Journal!

The 2025 Journal will focus on trips and adventures from Summer 2024 to December 2025. Given the last edition was in 2018, we will consider submissions outside this range for exciting or unusual trips. Inclusion of any article will be at the Journal Editor’s discretion and minor edits may be made.

Submissions can be emailed to journal@wtmc.org.nz. Note some submitted work may also be used to promote the club on social media, with permission.

Older editions of the journal

Guidance for submissions

The kind of things we are looking for:

  • Trip write ups: The core of our journal! We’re interested in stories from all types of club trips – tramping, climbing, skiing, mountain biking, kayaking, and more. It doesn’t need to be an epic adventure; even shorter, local trips can make for great reading.
    • Focus on what made the trip memorable: challenges, triumphs, funny moments, unexpected discoveries, or personal reflections.
    • Include details that will resonate with other club members: route descriptions (briefly, unless it’s a new or unusual route), hut experiences, weather conditions, and highlights of the scenery.
  • Feature Articles (some ideas):
    • Poetry: Been stuck in a hut and written a bush ballad? We want to hear it.
    • Skill-Based Articles: Share your expertise on navigation, safety, outdoor cooking, photography tips, or any other skill relevant to outdoor pursuits.
    • Historical Pieces: Stories about the club’s history, significant past trips, or notable club members.
    • Conservation/Environmental Topics: Articles related to conservation efforts, environmental issues affecting our wild places.
    • Personal Reflections: Essays on what the outdoors means to you, the challenges of outdoor pursuits, or the camaraderie of club life.
    • Recipes: Cook up some interest and share that recipe for Tararua biscuits.
    • Art!
  • Photography: Photographs are crucial for the journal! We’re particularly interested in action shots and images that capture the essence of your trip.
    • Submit your photos separately as high-resolution files (JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or EPS are preferred).
    • Ensure your photos have appropriate captions and credit the photographer.

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Content Focus: The journal aims for good coverage of the wide range of activities that happen in the club.
  2. Originality: Submissions should be original. Use of AI is permitted but must be noted. Editors have discretion.
  3. Accuracy: Please ensure all factual information (dates, names, locations) is as accurate as possible.
  4. Word Count: There are no strict word limits, but remember to be punchy! For trip write ups you could expect to write anywhere between 300 – 1000 words per day.
  5. Formatting:
    • Submit your written piece as a Microsoft Word or Google Docs document.
    • Use minimal formatting (e.g., don’t use tabs to separate columns in tables; use visible vertical borders).
  6. Author Information: When submitting, include your full name and the names of any trip participants.
  7. Deadlines: Keep an eye out for announcements from the journal editors regarding specific submission deadlines for the annual journal. These are typically announced well in advance.
  8. Editing Process: The editors have discretion over the articles that are published. Substantial edits to contributors’ articles will be discussed with the writer as a matter of courtesy.
  9. Photos: Please send images separately as high-resolution files when you submit your content. Include them in the main body text of your document for placement reference if possible, but also send the original high-resolution files.

How to Submit:

  • Email submissions to Journal@wtmc.org.nz.

Tips for a Great Submission:

  • Tell a Story: Even trip reports can have a narrative arc. What was the goal? What obstacles did you face? What was the outcome?
  • Be Descriptive: Use vivid language to paint a picture for the reader. Engage their senses!
  • Be Authentic: Your unique voice and perspective are valuable. Don’t feel you need to be a professional writer.
  • Proofread: A quick read-through before submitting can catch many errors.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and making the next WTMC Journal a fantastic read!