Arete Hut

Evening picnic at Carkeek

Date: 7-10 March.
Trip type: Tramp (MF).
Location: Tararua Forest Park.
Author: Anne.
Trampers: Jamie, Lynsey, Sarah H, Anne (leader).

A deep longing.Carkeek! Carkeek! Oh, Carkeek!We’ll be with you soon. Those who tramped with me over the last couple of years will know this trip to Carkeek hut had been a long time coming.  My interest in the most remote hut in the Tararuas started turning into an obsession in 2023 on a new years … Read more

Four Seasons in the Tararuas

Date: 12-14 March 2010.
Trip type: Fit Tramp.
Location: Tararuas (Putara road end).
Author: Jenny Cossey.
Trampers: Jenny Cossey, Paul Christoffel.

As I passed Wellington airport with the orange needle horizontal on Cobham Drive, and the radio informing me that wind gusts of up to 140km/h were being recorded, I was beginning to wonder why I was heading into the hills. The horizontal hailstorms announced that summer had ended and autumn had begun. Buses were crashing … Read more

Northern Crossing of the Tararuas

Date: 23-26 October 2009 (Labour weekend).
Trip type: Medium Tramp.
Location: Tararuas.
Author: Paul Christoffel (Photos: Mika Verheul and Vlad Dvennik).
Trampers: Paul Christoffel, Hans Wiskerke, Mika Verheul, Dirk Naish, Robert Bettis, Bernard Smithyman, and Vlad Dvennik.

I volunteered to lead this medium trip after Michael Lightbourne pulled out due to unfamiliarity with the route. On the trip list were six club members, plus Vlad. Vlad had never tramped in New Zealand, although assured me he had hiked in the Ukraine. Best let him know what he’s in for, I thought. You … Read more