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From the President – June 2023

Kia ora, This article provides a brief update on club activities, including: WTMC June recap: Committee, trips and lodge updates Coming up in July If you have any questions, comments or ideas please get in touch. Ngā mihi Anne de Ferron  WTMC June recap Morning clouds in the valley and overgrown sections of the track, … Read more

Mangahao Flats Hut – Tararua Forest Park

We set off on a beautiful fine day and parked at no 2 reservoir, located at the end of Mangahao Rd, near Shannon. Be prepared to take care on the drive there, as the road is very windy and gravelly—a 4WD isn’t necessary, but would definitely be the preferred option if available. The track starts … Read more

Tararua Magic – Tarn Ridge Hut on a calm winter weekend

Saturday By the time we pulled up at The Pines at 9am on Saturday morning, there was a stunning, but chilly, forecast for the following two days- with no wind. Yes, you read that correctly…no wind in the Tararuas! The Waingāwa Valley was clagged in, so we set off with not much faith in the … Read more

Mt Patriarch – Mt Richmond Forest Park

What a trip, what a weekend, what a day! We had a wonderfully smooth sail on the Interislander, and used the time to scour our maps and discuss where we would go! It’s a wonderful feeling to pour over topo maps and evaluate track options when possibilities abound!  So exciting! We had been informed by … Read more

Mitre Flats Hut & Mitre – Tararua Forest Park

Day 1 – It was a beautiful crisp start to the day as we departed Wellington Train Station at 8 am. We made our way to Carterton and then on to the Waingawa entrance of Tararua Forest Park. We started walking at 11.45 am and had a well-paced walk with plenty of breaks and snacks. … Read more

Roaring Stag Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Day one – The tramp started with a meet up at Wellington train station under a reasonably grey sky. The drive was long, so it was hard to pick what the weather was going to be like when we made it to the start point – but we ended up with rain. Steady slow rain. … Read more

Pig Flat Hut and the Remutaka Trig

My hopes to complete a circuit in the Kawekas over King’s Birthday weekend were compromised by the ongoing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. Without being able to confirm road access or track conditions, we were onto plan B: a delightful off-track adventure in a remote part of Whanganui National Park. However, with heavy rain in the … Read more

Tararua Peaks Circuit – Tararua Forest Park

Day 1: Shields Flat car park to Field Hut Weather: Humid and no windDOC travel time: 1-3 hrs from Otaki Forks plus 45mins from Shields Flat carparkElapsed Time: 3.38hrs, Time moving: 3.09hrs. Distance: 10.51km, Ascent: 744m, Descent: 158mThe trip was planned for a 4-day Anzac break so that a leisurely pace could be taken around … Read more

Joe Gibbs Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Route: Return trip from Kiwi Ranch Road carpark to Joe Gibbs HutWeather: Humid, no windDOC travel time: 8hrs Group time: 9hrs (with 3 stops). While others were at home no doubt preparing for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, a small group took to the hills on a hut bagging mission to find … Read more

Bouldering at Turakirae Head

On an unusually warm day in mid May, a chatty crew of six climbers and myself made our way out to Turakirae Head to session a few of the many boulders dotting the South Coast. Antonia was able to source four bouldering pads, which we divvied between us as we ambled the first half hour … Read more