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Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC A sherpa assisted summer Taranaki Maunga climb to Syme Hut then up the southern slopes towards the summit turns dramatic when a rescue helicopter arrives to lift three unknown stranded climbers leaving the party to retreat in difficult conditions. Read this true Kiwi mountaineering adventure of … Read more

Pack floating down the Waiohine Gorge – Tararua Forest Park

After 6 months of casual day trips and regular wine and cheese tasting overseas, I wondered what the best way would be to get back into tramping in NZ…  and the answer appeared on the trip schedule listed as a Emily’s MF trip “Waiohine Pack Float via Jacs Biv”: good company, some tops travel, another … Read more

Jumbo Hut and Pizza – Tararua Forest Park

We gathered at the train station on Friday afternoon and piled into the van, greeted by Sophie who was co-leading the medium group with her human, Sara. She was clearly ready to have the best weekend ever and spent most of the trip up touring the van for pats. We stopped for dinner at the … Read more

Mid-Waiohine Hut and Pizza – Tararua Forest Park

Date: 28 Feb – 2 Mar 2025Trip type: MediumLocation: Tararua Forest ParkAuthor: Georgia Trampers: Sara (leader), Georgia, Tawera, Brianna, Chrys, Callum (and Sophie) Friday – 28 Feb Five of us and Sara’s lovely dog (Sophie) met at the Wellington Station and drove up to the Wairarapa with the EM group. We met up with Brianna … Read more

Paekākāriki Escarpment Track – a hiker’s point of view of the “Stairway to Heaven”.

Pukerua to Paekakariki Escarpment Track at sunset featured image

Paekākāriki Escarpment Track – a hiker’s point of view of the “Stairway to Heaven”. The hiker’s point of view of a 9.5km hike along the Escarpment Track from Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki taking in wonderful coastal views and a golden sunset. The Escarpment Track is a spectacular 10km trail that runs between Pukerua Bay and … Read more

Gunsight Pass – a nice daywalk from the North to the South Temple, Ruataniwha

Gunsight Pass featured image

Gunsight Pass – a nice daywalk from the North to the South Temple, Ruataniwha Conservation Park A day loop hike over Gunsight Pass from the North Temple to the South Temple starting and ending at the DOC Temple Campsite. Matt and I had been thinking about Gunsight Pass for over a year after our trip … Read more

Brass Monkeys, a Devil’s Den and Lucretia – all from Lewis Pass

Brass Monkeys, a Devil’s Den and Lucretia – all from Lewis Pass A 7 day hiking loop trip through scenery in the Lewis Pass mountains Old mouldy monkeys were out and new monkeys were in! I was on a week’s solo tramp in Lewis Pass and I had been dropped off by the East by … Read more

Te Puia Hot Springs – Kaweka Forest Park

Ten of us (4 M and 6 EM trampers) met at 1pm on Waitangi Day (a Thursday) for the drive to Kaweka Forest Park.  After stopping for leg stretches in Shannon and Woodville, and a meal in Hastings. We arrived just before dark at the road end campsite and pitched our tents for the night. … Read more

Developing WTMC’s capability to lead trips – Intermediate Bushcraft Course

As part of the club’s efforts to develop new and emerging trip leaders, the club ran an Intermediate Bushcraft Course over the weekend of 31 Jan – 2 Feb 2025. We were extremely grateful for the financial support offered in the form of a Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) training grant. Dominic and Dave from the … Read more

Lake Angelus – Nelson Lakes National Park

At lunchtime on Friday 3rd January, our group of 7 EM trampers along with the MF group, met at the Wellington train station bound for Nelson Lakes National Park. We had a smooth sailing across the Cook Strait before bad weather hit Wellington! However, we didn’t escape the rain in Picton. As the rain pelted … Read more