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.

Waihōhonu Hut – Tongariro National Park

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Date: 3-5 March 2023.
Trip type: Tramp (EM).
Location: Tongariro National Park.
Author: Jane L.
Trampers: Jane L / David B (co-trip leaders), Rory, Elizabeth, Jo, Caeden, Antonia.

Most of our group met at Wellington railway station at 4.30pm on Friday, apart from Jo, Caeden, and Antonia who travelled separately. We shared the van with the Medium-Fit group. We met up with Jo and the others at Bulls and then at the top of Bruce Road at Whakapapa ski field, where we went … Read more

Pizzas and Powell Hut – Tararua Forest Park

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Date: 17-19 February.
Trip type: Glamp (EM).
Location: Powell Hut, Mount Holdsworth - Tararua Forest Park..
Author: Paddy.
Trampers: David (leader), Paddy, Nate, Gina..

The first stop on this trip was the mysterious Mount Holdsworth Pizza restaurant. This joint – a Canadian Rockies style log building located close to the Mount Holdsworth camping area – is only open on Friday nights during summer. It’s a full-blown pizza restaurant however, serving delicious pizzas to an enthusiastic clientele. I can recommend … Read more

Lockett Range Loop – Kahurangi National Park

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Date: 21-23 January 2023.
Trip type: Tramp(M).
Location: Lockett Range - Kahurangi National Park.
Author: Cate.
Trampers: Daniel (leader), Megan, Cate, Milly, Ashleigh, Cindy, Amy-Louise, Maj-Britt.

Day 1 Cobb Hut to Fenella Hut (with a side trip from Fenella Hut back to Lake Cobb)Total time: 6 hours, 20 minutesTotal moving time: 4 hours, 45 minutesDistance: 18.9km After packing up at the Motueka Top Ten after four hours of sleep we all jumped in the van and drove the two and a … Read more

Aborted Southern Crossing; Alpha Hut via Marchant Ridge. Return to Kaitoke via Omega Track and Tutuwai Hut

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Date: 11-12 February 2023.
Trip type: Tramp (M).
Location: Alpha Hut, Marchant Ridge, Tutuwai Hut - Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Daniel.
Trampers: Natasha (leader), Amy, Eoin, Daniel.

I have been keen to complete the Southern Crossing after visiting Kime Hut in the snow last year. We had two groups completing the Southern Crossing; one from Otaki Forks to Kaitoke starting Friday afternoon, the other from Kaitoke to Otaki Forks starting first thing Saturday morning. I liked the concept of an early start … Read more

Angelus Hut – Nelson Lakes National Park

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Date: 17-19 February 2023.
Trip type: Tramp(EM).
Location: Nelson Lakes National Park.
Author: Debbie M.
Trampers: Sam D (leader), Debbie M, Monique B, Noel A, Jane L, Sam W.

photo of 6 WTMC trampers at DOC forest park entrance sign at Nelson Lakes

We arrived at 2.30pm at Wellington Railway Station, for a 2.45pm get away. We had a quick gear check and food item sound-off to make sure we had all brought our ingredients for a shared meal on Saturday Night.Mon kindly picked up the club van, and then us, and off we went to catch the … Read more

Shingle Slip Knob (plane wreck) – Tararua Forest Park

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Date: 17-19th February 2023.
Trip type: Glamp(M).
Location: Shingle Slip Knob - Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Emily S.
Trampers: Anne DF (Leader), Emily S, Michael L, Anna S.

Friday This trip was all about the pizza. The plane wreck as well, but mostly the pizza. The pizza can be found at the secret Mill Bakery, just near Holdsworth Road End on Friday nights. We’d pre-ordered bases and had a table for 7pm. The traffic up the Hutt Valley on SH2 was crawling even … Read more

Tauwharenīkau River – Tararua Forest Park

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Date: 12 February 2023.
Trip type: Train/ Bike/ Tube (M).
Location: Tauwharenīkau River - Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Paul M.
Trampers: Harry (leader), Hayden, Mark and Paul.

Trains, Tubes, Bikes and Boots ‘The 9.55 am train to Masterton has been delayed’ boomed the loudspeaker at Wellington Railway Station. Harry was unfazed. ‘This always happens to me’ he sighed. With a tight timeframe, we planned to train to Woodside, cycle to Bucks Road, tramp to the Tauwharenīkau River, tube the gorge and then … Read more

President’s Column – February 2023

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Welcome to the first President Column for 2023.  I hope your year has got off to a good start.  The Club has got off to a busy and active start for the year.  Trips have been taking place regularly with some excellent and popular trips to the South Island, Taranaki and the Tararua range.  Most … Read more

Rangitikei River Packrafting 

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Date: 2-4 December 2022.
Trip type: Packraft Grade 2.
Location: Rangitikei River (Omatane to Mangarere).
Author: Aimee P.
Trampers: Paddlers: Aimee, AJ, Tony, Jenny, Jon, James, Emily and Anne.

A club packraft trip down the grade 1 and 2 sections of the Rangitikei River. Perfect conditions. 51 cumecs on Saturday, 40 on Sunday. Sunny and no wind!

Mount Reeves – Tararua Forest Park

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Date: 29 January 2023.
Trip type: Day(M).
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Megan M.
Trampers: Megan M (leader) Tereza, Jack and Daniel .

Due to poor weather, the plan for this trip ended up changing quite a bit. Originally, this was meant to be a Howletts Hut overnight trip in the Ruahine Ranges, but due to this walk having a decent portion of ridge travel and river crossings, we decided to do a loop walk a little closer … Read more