Check out the latest news and trips reports below or view the archives using the menu on the left. If you want to know more about the newsletter including submitting stories, see Newsletter>Publication Details. To learn more about the club, check the top menu. Some links will take you to the old website, but content will eventually move to this site.
Highlights– The breathtaking summit of Mt Hikurangi and its cultural significance– Winter Solstice fire ritual – letting go and inviting in– Sunrise at Hikurangi Hut – with views that lingered, then 360-degree views of the East Cape and Raukūmara Ranges from the top of the Maunga– Whāngārā Beach, bach, and blissful atmosphere– Hot soak at … Read more
Although relatively close to Wellington, a WTMC trip to the Queen Charlotte Track involves quite a bit of logistical organisation. It involves bookings the ferry, accommodation in Picton, and water taxis to and from the track. WTMC ran two concurrent QCT trips on the Matariki long weekend, which allowed us to incorporate the club van … Read more
Kia ora WTMC members, We wanted to share an update on a recent PLB activation, where all participants returned safely, but which has resulted in some valuable feedback and lessons for the club. Over Easter weekend 2025, one of our trips in the St James Conservation Area activated a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) due to … Read more
Kia ora, We are now into the second half of the year, with the lodge’s winter bookings and new trip schedule in full swing. I hope you have found some time to get out into the hills recently, and if not, let the club help you! This month read on to find out about: As … Read more
After a wet and rather dreary couple of weeks, our group of 7 Easy Medium (EM) walkers were very happy to see the sun coming out as we drove out of Wellington Train Station with a Medium Fit (MF) group from the club at 8am on Saturday morning. Day 1 – Saturday We dropped the … Read more
The plan for this weekend was concocted because we were unable to access Ruahine Forest Park from Mangakukeke Road end. Anne de Ferron suggested an inspired alternative: a traverse via the newly relocated Leon Kinvig Hut. This idea would allow enable two Medium Fit (MF) club groups to do a key swap and enjoy excellent … Read more
Mt Tongariro – a day walk from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge A loop day hike via the South Ridge to the summit of Mt Tongariro from the WTMC Lodge in the Tongariro National Park including a map of the route. Having done a fair bit of exploring around Tongariro National Park using the WTMC lodge … Read more
Friday We set off to do this 3-4 day Great Walk in 3 days from Wellington train station promptly at 12:30pm. On the way to Waikaremoana Holiday park we stopped in Napier for a delicious dinner of pizzas, Pad Thai and kebabs. We arrived at the holiday park at around 10pm. We stayed there in … Read more
I was originally inspired to start bagging plane wrecks in the Tararuas at a club talk back in 2021, so I am happy to report that four years later I have now ticked off two plane wrecks. The first was near Mick, on the western side of the range, so it is appropriate that this … Read more
Our group of 8 kicked things off as usual by departing Wellington Train Station at 5pm on Friday – piling into the van with 3 Medium-Fit (MF) trampers. Day 1 After a 3 hour drive, we were up past Feilding and winding around the back-roads heading towards Petersons Road end. One of the crew had … Read more