Kia ora, I hope you’ve had a good month and are looking forward to making the most of daylight savings. That means there is just under a month until the lodge exits “winter mode” (with food provided as part of your booking) – you can book here.
A big thank you to Andrew for dealing with urgent President and Secretary enquiries for five weeks while Megan and I were in Asia.
This month, read on to learn about:
- a recap of recent club trips
- how to spend 34 days in the bush, and much more!
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback. Please feel free to email me at president@wtmc.org.nz.
Ngā mihi
Daniel Madley
President
Recent club trips
We’ve had a great range of trips out in the hills in the past month. Anne led an alpine week trip in Canterbury, with walks into, among other places, Mt Somers, Mt Hutt and Faust. There may have even been champagne and hot pools.
James headed to Mt Richmond Forest Park to explore Mid and Lower Goulter Huts, returning via Lake Chalice Hut. The group did some track clearing to earn their dessert each night. Bad weather meant the original trip to 1000 Acres Plateau couldn’t go ahead, but there is a lot of interest in that trip so expect to see it added back on the trip schedule!
Anna succeeded at getting a group to Triangle Hut in the Ruahines (this hut has almost reached cursed status given the number of cancelled trips over the years). This trip was still very much an adventure, with deep snow and a snowstorm on the tops helping forge a great group camaraderie. Toasted marshmallows probably helped too!
Closer to home Sam led a group of 15 into Mangahao Flats Hut, Ellis led a group into Totara Flats Hut, and Bryan and Ethan led groups into Roaring Stag and Cattle Ridge Huts. Last but not least, Tony took a group into our very own Paua Hut.
Spending over a month in the bush
Regan spent 34 days tramping in remote bush around Arthurs Pass earlier this year, and told us all about it so that we don’t have to. It was interesting learning about how he approached the logistics with careful planning, research and food drops. Taking a fall early on the trip definitely demonstrated his resilience, and he modified his plan when necessary – always a good reminder to have. I enjoyed hearing about the different gear he used, and how in future a more practical (and safer) trip could be doing multi-day trips from a base hut that is a few hours from a road-end. Thank you Regan for sharing your adventures with us!
Mountain Film Festival
We had another successful collaboration with VUWTC to host the Mountain Film Festival for another year. Thank you also to everyone who came along and a special thanks to those who volunteered to make it happen. I was able to make it along on the Thursday night and definitely felt inspired by the crazy adventures being showcased.
Club journal for 2025
We’re now accepting submissions for the 2025(ish) edition of the WTMC journal.
The 2025 journal will focus on trips and adventures from Summer 2024 to December 2025. Given the last edition was in 2018, we will consider submissions outside this range for exciting or unusual trips. Inclusion of any article will be at the Journal Editor’s discretion and minor edits may be made.
You can find more information here and submissions can be emailed to journal@wtmc.org.nz.
Coming up soon!
- We’ll be publishing the summer trip schedule in mid-October. Keep an eye on the club’s social media pages for when it drops – we’ve got some exciting trips planned, including to the Seaward Kaikouras, Whirinaki Conservation Park, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Kaweka and Kaimanawa Forest Parks, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks and a selection of local tramps. We also have trips to our Ruapehu Lodge and Paua Hut. Many thanks to James and Sara for their work pulling the new schedule together every few months.
- While the weather will hopefully be more settled over summer, there is never a bad time to learn more about weather forecasting, trip planning and how to keep you and your group safe. Join us for a Weather 101 webinar on Tuesday 14 October (7-8.30pm) to learn more – you can sign up here.
- On the subject of training, there is a great opportunity to work with Chief Guide Sara to shape the club’s training and development plans, that benefit so many in the club through learning and subsidized courses, and really supports our ability to lead safe trips. Please contact chiefguide@wtmc.org.nz if you are interested in supporting this work.
- The Hutkeepers movie is coming to Penthouse Cinema on Wednesday 29 October at 7pm. Proceeds will go to the Backcountry Trust to support projects in the Tararua. Buy your tickets here.
- We’re working with NZAC Wellington and VUWTC to hold a gear sale in November – keep an eye out for more details soon!
Reminders and other happenings
- One of the key lessons coming out of a recent PLB review was the importance of updating your beacons.org.nz profile to mention WTMC. This is really important if a personal PLB is activated on a club trip, and means RCCNZ is prompted to get in touch with the club.
- Please collect your FMC discount card and quarterly Backcountry magazine from 6.30-7pm each Wednesday at the club rooms (4 Moncrieff Street, Mt Victoria).
- Ski Trading Post in Levin is offering WTMC club members a 50% discount on gear until the end of November – just mention the club in store to get the discount, or email them to get a code before buying online.
- A new private track for walkers, cyclists and horse riders has opened in the Wairarapa – find out more information about The Last Resort walk here.
- Finally, I want to acknowledge our Lodge Convenor Miles, who is changing roles in his church community. I had the pleasure of going along to his last sermon on the weekend, and was struck by how his church and WTMC have been key communities for Miles over many decades. We’re incredibly fortunate to have Miles support the club in a tough role with such dedication and integrity. It was also great to see Miles’ love of tramping on full display.