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.

Westland: Served in many different ways

If they served tramping trips in restaurants, then this trip might have been called the Westland tasting menu. The group convened in Hokitika on boxing day. Some had had an entrée in the Arthur’s Pass area, others dived straight into the main course. After more than a little debate about the best location for weather … Read more

Arthur’s Pass trip report – Christmas 2013

I’m not quite sure where to start. The idea to do the 3 passes at Christmas emerged, I think, from Ian’s head sometime in September. From there it spread, multiplied, mutated, entered the Cloud, and finally was brought down to earth again at 6.15pm at the Railway Station the Friday before Christmas, after an epic … Read more

Not your usual Tararua tramp

We were rushing to get out of town on Friday night and eat a fast dinner, because David Heffernan and Shay had planned to tackle the SK challenge – the North to South crossing of the Tararuas in under 48 hours. Since the Medium and Medium-Fit trips for the weekend only had one punter and … Read more

Kepler Challenge 2013

I decided to enter the Kepler Challenge after being inspired by Mal Law’s book, One Step Beyond, which had the message that ordinary people could achieve extraordinary things. So after reading this I was inspired to sign up for the Kepler Challenge which would be double the distance I had run in any race, and … Read more

Odds and Ends – Jan 2014

Relocation of DOC Kaitoke carpark The Department of Conservation is relocating the Kaitoke entrance to the Tararua Forest Park. The current carpark, at the end of Marchant Road will be removed and new facilities installed at a new site near the entrance to Camp Kaitoke. The new car park will be clearly marked on the … Read more

The Nature of Things – Dec 2013

Xmas will be here soon, although I’m slightly worried the reindeers will either drown or suffer terribly from heat exhaustion. Remember to leave some craft beer out for them, no dog…I mean Tararua biscuits! Please save your silly season stuff for the Xmas parties in town. Plan your outdoor adventures carefully and make considered decisions. … Read more

Track Talk – Dec 2013

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) Recently two of our club members were on a trip and had to set off their PLB. They had been tramping over some rough terrain and it continued to worsen until they realized that they could not continue upwards as they did not have the confidence and ability to scramble over … Read more

Over A Cuppa – Dec 2013

Christmas is fast approaching and our presentations for the year are drawing to a close. The last presentation is on December 11 – sit back and watch a DVD of the photos that were entered for the FMC photography competition. In between there will be mini quizzes, and there will be more than just chocolate … Read more

Membership Update – Dec 2013

Your 2014/2015 subscription invoice is being sent out at the moment, if you do not receive yours by mid-December, either by email or by post, please contact me to verify your contact details and I will resend the invoice to you. Please pay your subscription at your earliest convenience. Once again, we have included prompt … Read more