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From the President – June 2024

Kia ora, This article provides general club updates including: Ngā mihi Anne  The Easy/Medium trip to Cascade Hut over the weekend of 21-23 June was the club’s first to that Hut via the Hinemaiaia track.  Overall, the group found it a very pleasing and scenic track with stunningly clear streams and rivers. The “cascades” near … Read more

Panatewaewae – Tararua Forest Park

I wanted to lead this trip because there was a big empty space on the Tararua Forest Park map on my dining room wall, where I haven’t yet stepped foot. It was going to be a navigation challenge with few marked tracks in the area. Four keen beans signed up. I like to reflect on … Read more

Boo Boo Hut – the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range bear hunt

Boo Boo Hut door

Boo Boo Hut the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range bear hunt A 9 day hiking loop trip through the spectacular mountain scenery in the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range area of the West Coast of South Island. #BearHunt Clue: A sleepover at the home of Yogi Bear’s friend. Back in April 2020 during lockdown, some naughty teddy … Read more

Kākāpō Peak – with no unicorns or doughnuts left behind

Unicorns on Kākāpō Peak in Kahurangi National Park

Kākāpō Peak – with no unicorns or doughnuts left behind A 4 day hiking trip up the Cobb Valley and climbing Kākāpō Peak in Kahurangi National Park ‘Where are the Kākāpō? Where are the kea?’ Suddenly I am surrounded by a blessing of five unicorns sitting next to me on the summit of Kākāpō Peak. Well … Read more

Roaring Stag Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Nei te mihi maioha ki ngā kaitiaki o Tararua maunga. Arā, ko Rangitāne o Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, ko Muaūpoko, ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira, ko ngā iwi o taua wāhi katoa hoki. Tēnā koutou katoa. A warm thanks to the guardians of the Tararua range. Namely, Rangitāne o Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, Ngāti Kahungunu … Read more

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – what goes on when you’re not watching 😆

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge Working Party June 2023

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – what goes on when you’re not watching 😆 A report on the WTMC Lodge at Mt Ruapehu working party June 2024 that attended to the outstanding maintenance issues before opening for the 2024 ski season.

Is Sayer Hut the oldest hut in the Tararua Range?

Photograph of Sayer Hut taken at night with the interior lit by candlelight

Is Sayer Hut the oldest hut in the Tararua Range? Sayer Hut at Totara Flats in the Tararua Range is the oldest hut in the Tararua Forest Park and it has an interesting history. Yes, Sayer Hut is the oldest tramping hut in the Tararua Range and has a fascinating story to tell. In 1878 … Read more

Waiopehu Hut – Tararua Forest Park

We met on Saturday morning at 9am at Wellington Train Station – thanks to Debbie who was our driver for the trip. It was a small group – just the four of us (myself, Tony, Debbie & Jamie). It was Jamie’s first hike with the tramping club. When we arrived at the start of the … Read more

Ruahine Corner – Ruahine Forest Park

As the sun rose over Wellington on ANZAC Day morning, four trampers hurtled through Transmission Gully, bound for Mangleton Road and Ruahine Forest Park. Google was telling us that the difference in travel time between the SH1 or SH2 from Wellington and Woodville was negligible. The closure of Kereru Road, near Kereru itself, due to … Read more

Te Matawai Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Summary:• Mud, mud and more mud!!!• Approximately 40 km over 2 days, including a side trip towards Pukematawai on the Tararua main range to get some views!• Te Matawai Hut is an 18 bunk non-bookable hut in the north part of Tararua Forest Park. Saturday 25 May 2024: 17.9 km As there were just two … Read more