President’s Column – September 2022

Welcome to the September President Column.  The Club continues to do well with a busy schedule of trips and other activities.  I was out on two Club trips over the last month – the Pizza Historic trip to the Holdsworth area and also on the Zelandia fence-line track.  The Pizza Historic trip started with pizza in Greytown and then a night in Holdsworth Lodge.  We had an amazing cooked breakfast on the Saturday and then a spectacular day in the Atiwhakatu valley, Mountain House area and then part way up to Powell Hut.  We were able to admire the snow clad Tararua range in the clear and still weather.  My other trip was an enjoyable walk around the Zelandia fence-line track.  I had never done this walk before so it was good to do this and to get some exercise, fresh air and good company.

Overall during August, 12 trips went ahead and we had 66 people participating.  We had a mixture of tramps, an alpine trip, day-walks, lodge based trips, family trips and an instructional course.

On the 24th of August we had the very successful Bake-Off competition at our Wednesday meeting.  There were lots of entries into the various categories with Georgia’s tan square being the overwhelming favourite and people’s choice winner.  I was pleased to see a good turn-out for the meeting and people getting into the spirit of the competition by bringing along food for the Bake-Off.  Thanks to Emily for organising this event and to the judges who got to sample the entries. 

Rory, Tony and David on the track to Powell Hut.  Photo : Jane.

Anne (Chief Guide) along with Tash and Jamie organised and ran the recent leadership session.  This course was to help give guidance to people considering (and already leading) Club trips.  This instruction is a vital part of our Club running safe, enjoyable and successful tramps and other outdoor activities.  I was very pleased to see that this course was well attended.   This bodes well for the future of the Club that we have people willing to lead trips and also be willing to learn new skills.

Mountain Film Festival

The Best of the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival is coming back to Wellington this year after Covid related disruption in recent years.  On Monday 26 September New Zealand outdoor films will be screened with the international films being screening on Thursday 29 September.  Previous film festivals have been very popular with the tickets selling out.  I’ve been inspired by the majestic vistas in the films and the incredible journeys that people do.  I really encourage you to buy some tickets.

The film festival is run in conjunction with the Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club with the films being screened at the Victoria University Memorial Theatre.  The proceeds from ticket sales go towards our Club’s scholarship fund which we use to invest in instructional training for Club members.  By buying tickets you are supporting the future development of the Club and get to watch amazing outdoor films.

Tickets are only $15 per screening for Club members.  Please see https://wtmc.org.nz/newsletter-editor/2022-best-of-the-new-zealand-mountain-film-festival-national-tour-coming-to-wellington/ for more information.

We are looking for some people to help out on the Monday and Thursday sessions.  Please send me an email if you can help with checking tickets or being an usher or just being around to help out as required.

75th Anniversary

Meredith, Jo and Gina continue with the plans for the Club’s 75th anniversary.  We are having a celebratory dinner at the Little India restaurant on Friday 4 November.  On Saturday 5th we will be going for an easy overnight tramp to Paua hut and then a BBQ on Sunday the 6th.  To register your interest please email .

Up Coming Trips

As per usual there is an interesting and varied programme of trips coming up.  We have tramps near and far along with further instructional courses (bushcraft plus navigational tramps) along with some mountaineering, mountain biking and sea-kayaking trips.  We are so lucky that we have such a varied programme and that we can cater to many outdoor interests.  This varied programme is vital to attracting and retaining people to our Club.

Up Coming Club Meetings

Megan continues to work hard to arrange interesting guest speakers for our Club nights.  For example, on the 21st of September, Mathew will be giving a talk about his 9 day solo tramp in the Arthurs Pass National Park.  I’ve done some excellent tramps in Arthurs Pass so will be interested to see Mathew’s presentation.

Final Comments

You can see that the Club is very active with an interesting and varied programme of outdoor and social activities.  There is a real sense of positivity around in the Club and I hope you will be able to participate in some of the upcoming activities so you can benefit from what the Club offers.

If you have any comments please get in touch with me : .

Leave a comment