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Boo Boo Hut – the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range bear hunt

Boo Boo Hut door

Boo Boo Hut the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range bear hunt A 9 day hiking loop trip through the spectacular mountain scenery in the Toaroha and Diedrichs Range area of the West Coast of South Island. #BearHunt Clue: A sleepover at the home of Yogi Bear’s friend. Back in April 2020 during lockdown, some naughty teddy … Read more

Kākāpō Peak – with no unicorns or doughnuts left behind

Unicorns on Kākāpō Peak in Kahurangi National Park

Kākāpō Peak – with no unicorns or doughnuts left behind A 4 day hiking trip up the Cobb Valley and climbing Kākāpō Peak in Kahurangi National Park ‘Where are the Kākāpō? Where are the kea?’ Suddenly I am surrounded by a blessing of five unicorns sitting next to me on the summit of Kākāpō Peak. Well … Read more

Roaring Stag Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Nei te mihi maioha ki ngā kaitiaki o Tararua maunga. Arā, ko Rangitāne o Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, ko Muaūpoko, ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira, ko ngā iwi o taua wāhi katoa hoki. Tēnā koutou katoa. A warm thanks to the guardians of the Tararua range. Namely, Rangitāne o Tāmaki nui-ā-Rua, Ngāti Kahungunu … Read more

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – what goes on when you’re not watching 😆

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge Working Party June 2023

WTMC Ruapehu Lodge – what goes on when you’re not watching 😆 A report on the WTMC Lodge at Mt Ruapehu working party June 2024 that attended to the outstanding maintenance issues before opening for the 2024 ski season.

Is Sayer Hut the oldest hut in the Tararua Range?

Photograph of Sayer Hut taken at night with the interior lit by candlelight

Is Sayer Hut the oldest hut in the Tararua Range? Sayer Hut at Totara Flats in the Tararua Range is the oldest hut in the Tararua Forest Park and it has an interesting history. Yes, Sayer Hut is the oldest tramping hut in the Tararua Range and has a fascinating story to tell. In 1878 … Read more

Waiopehu Hut – Tararua Forest Park

We met on Saturday morning at 9am at Wellington Train Station – thanks to Debbie who was our driver for the trip. It was a small group – just the four of us (myself, Tony, Debbie & Jamie). It was Jamie’s first hike with the tramping club. When we arrived at the start of the … Read more

Ruahine Corner – Ruahine Forest Park

As the sun rose over Wellington on ANZAC Day morning, four trampers hurtled through Transmission Gully, bound for Mangleton Road and Ruahine Forest Park. Google was telling us that the difference in travel time between the SH1 or SH2 from Wellington and Woodville was negligible. The closure of Kereru Road, near Kereru itself, due to … Read more

Te Matawai Hut – Tararua Forest Park

Summary:• Mud, mud and more mud!!!• Approximately 40 km over 2 days, including a side trip towards Pukematawai on the Tararua main range to get some views!• Te Matawai Hut is an 18 bunk non-bookable hut in the north part of Tararua Forest Park. Saturday 25 May 2024: 17.9 km As there were just two … Read more

Awatere Hut – Ruahine Forest Park

On Friday evening, eight of us met at the traditional WTMC meet up point at Platform 9 at Wellington Train Station for a weekend getaway to Ruahine Forest Park, located in the Hawke’s Bay. We were joined by three other members in the club van, who were attempting a medium trip. Several of the group … Read more

Totara Flats – a brief history

Camping among the totara trees with a cheery campfire at Totara Flats Tararua Range

Totara Flats – a brief history Totara Flats are a delight – but the story behind their formation is one of destructive geological movements along the Wellington earthquake fault-line. One of the nicest places in the Tararua Forest Park for an easy tramp is Totara Flats. There are a number of good tracks to take … Read more