We set off bright and early from Wellington on Saturday morning in the club van, after some convenient door-to-door pickups by our glorious leader Bryan. We then enjoyed a windy, motion sickness-inducing drive over the Remutaka Hill to Featherston, where we enjoyed a wee pastry and a coffee at the Baker before setting off. Once … Read more
A crispy August morning, moon stunning in the sky. Saturday7am meet ups on platform 9 at Wellington Train Station. Dividing the gear up and getting ready to head off. Driving towards the rising of the sun across the bay, fog resting heavy on the road. Winding turns and beautiful views while crossing the Remutakas. A … Read more
Day 1 It was a still and overcast morning when we arrived at the Putangirua Pinnacles car park at 9.30am. We had the option of walking up the river or heading up the track to a high view point. There were ominous red flood warning signs and significant signs of flooding where trees had been … Read more
We had an extraordinary number of sign-ups for the Aorangi Crossing trip, originally graded Medium, which was very encouraging to see. We were keen to accommodate as many trampers as possible, as the club had signed up to support the Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) ‘Love our Huts’ campaign (unbeknown to those who had signed up). … Read more
Friday: We met at 4 pm at Wellington Train Station in the carpark by platform 9. After a 2 1/2 hr drive we arrived at Aorangi crossing carpark, Cape Palliser road. It took an easy-paced 1 hr 10 min hike along Mangatoetoe Stream to reach Mangatoetoe Hut -just as the light started to fade. This … Read more
Putangirua Pinnacles track open or closed? – it was open in 1948 The Putangirua Pinnacles – the story of a WTMC trip to the Putangirua Pinnacles in 1948 with added photos taken in 2024. Revised 3 June 2025 The track to the Putangirua Pinnacles is now open, however, there is still an alert for the … Read more
– “Not all fun is created equal: – Type 1 fun is enjoyable while it’s happening. Also known as, simply, fun. – Type 2 fun is miserable while it’s happening, but fun in retrospect. – Type 3 fun is not fun at all. Not even in retrospect.” – After the trip was canceled once, and … Read more
After three dead cows along the river, lots of river walking and a gust or two we made it to Mangatoetoe hut, about an hour in from the van. The night before, we’d driven to the campsite with the Easy group (in the other van), all stopping at Lake Ferry Hotel Restaurant for dinner. We … Read more
When the Aorangi Crossing has been on the schedule in the past it has attracted a handful of signups. This time however, there were two handfuls – in fact a round baker’s dozen of keen beans signed up. The reason for this, I believe, is simple – people love a challenge. The last club trip … Read more
The team assembled at Platform 9 ready for our drive over to the Pinnacles campsite. As this was my first tramp with the club I was a little confused by the selection of meeting place as I was under the impression we were driving and not catching a train. I thought it could have been … Read more