Now that things are almost back to normal (at Level 1), there’s a lot more happening with the club and more planned.
Club nights are running again. Come along Weds nights: 7-7.30pm (TTC Hall, 4 Moncrieff St) for a cup of tea and a chat. At 7.30pm there’s a presentation bound to get you inspired for more trips, followed by a drink at the nearby Hop Garden to learn and talk more adventures. We’ve already had two interesting, and inspiring presentations (thanks Tony Stephens and David Barnes). Don’t miss next week’s talk on Mountaineering in the Dolomites (my boots are itching already!). Event details are on the WTMC website here: https://wtmc.org.nz/events/
The club also has a new laptop (thanks Juan and Graeme!) so the presenters’ amazing photos will look even clearer and more enticing. So will your entries in the photo competition: https://wtmc.org.nz/uncategorized/photo-comp/. Entries close 17 August 2020.
The club’s new Cookbook has a range of tempting and nutritional recipes for all trampers, their friends and family. A massive thanks to Megan Sety, Illona Keenan and Tony Gazley for all their work in compiling, editing and more! Beautifully presented and with each recipe also having different portion sizes and dietary options, it’s a bargain at $40. As a bonus you’re helping secure the club’s future with all funds going to the WTMC Scholarship fund. Buy your copy (and one for a friend) at Bivouac (cash) or at the club night (cash or bank transfer: email me to arrange). For a preview, see: https://wtmc.org.nz/uncategorized/wtmc-recipe-book-2020/.
The new trip schedule to spring will be available from 8 July. There’s a range of overnight trips ranging from easy walks to and from Paua hut, walks in Lewis Pass, and other E and EM trips through to some more challenging M and MF and ALP2 trips locally, at the club’s Lodge in Ruapehu and down South. Keep an eye on the website (https://wtmc.org.nz/trips/). Some trips are already online, with more added as trip leaders volunteer to lead new trips (email if interested or with trip ideas).
Ruapehu Lodge is open for bookings (https://wtmc.org.nz/lodge/). Many thanks to the Lodge Sub-Committee and Lodge volunteers! During Lockdown and since there’s been an enormous amount of background work in managing the Lodge administration and bookings, maintenance, stocking food, and a lot more to open the Lodge at this time.
Your Committee is currently setting up an environmental sub-committee to look at how trips and the club in general can be more environmentally responsible and sustainable. If you’re interested or have any suggestions, email .
As I mentioned last month, the club relies on a mass of volunteers (thanks to each of you!). If you’re interested in helping out, here’s a list of some ways to help out and who to contact: https://wtmc.org.nz/contact/guidelines/. If there’s other skills the club can use or other ways you want to help out, please email me.
In terms of tramping and the mountains, I’ve been fortunate enough to lead a few urban tramps and recently went on our Assistant Chief Guide’s (Maarten’s) day trip to South Saddle via Goats Creek and Matthews Stream. We had a wonderful mix of experienced members and people new to the club. Highlights included great fun on the scree and the views from the Saddle.
Hopefully you’ve also got a chance to get your tramping boots on again (and/or your mountaineering boots broken in ready to go).
Stay connected and see you on a tramp, up a mountain or at a club night soon,
Maj-Britt
