INTRODUCTION Snowcraft 2018 is now complete, with 20 students participating in this introductory course to moving safely and efficiently in an alpine environment. While still following the familiar and established course format of theory sessions mixed with two weekends on the mountain, we progressed with the emphasis introduced last year on keeping the skills relevant … Read more
The final day for submitting photos for the summer lodge competition was 30 May. There were not a lot of entries but regardless there are some nice images of trips that can be done from the lodge, and some of the lodge itself. The winners and runners-up will be decided by popular vote. Have a … Read more
Summiting Ruapimple – Ruapehu’s baby brother An easy climb to the summit of Pukeonake the lowest named volcanic peak in Tongariro National Park Two van loads of happy WTMC trampers reached our lodge close to midnight. Everything was completely fogged in. Luckily the green lights up at XXC gave a good hint where to stop … Read more
As a city bloke through and through, who loves his cocktail bars and having a wealth of restaurants to dine at, I can’t quite put my finger on why I have a yearning to get exposed to the elements on a wind-ravaged hillside. Maybe getting out in the elements is my way of restoring balance … Read more
The weather is getting hotter and the music in the shops has changed to christmas carols – so it must be time for Open Lodge. What’s Open Lodge you ask? It means that you can drop in and stay at WTMC’s Ruapehu Lodge, no commitment or hassle, anytime from Christmas to early January. WTMC’s Ruapehu … Read more
The lodge subcommittee is keen to promote the lodge not only as accommodation for skiers and boarders but also as an attractive base for summer adventures – day walks, weekend tramps, rock climbing, summer skiing, MTBing, canyoning, sunny BBQs on the deck at the end of a day, and lots more. As part of this we are organising … Read more
As a brand-new member of WTMC, I was informed by the trip leader that the newest members have to write the trip reports. I think it’s a freshly made-up rule, but here it is anyway. The aim of the trip was to climb Girdlestone on Ruapehu. We never actually saw Girdlestone, nor did we even … Read more
What a great snow season that was! We finished it off with a sold out Labour weekend. Now it’s time to think about summer trips to enjoy barbecues on the deck and everything Tongariro National Park has to offer. Don’t forget the lodge in summer There are lots of great club trips scheduled for early … Read more
INTRODUCTION The purpose of running the trip as an Alp1 “PLUS” was to give experienced Alp1-level members a chance to try something with a bit more exposure, and maybe needing the occasional rope to make crossing certain features safer. This proved to be a very popular proposal, and despite this being a Fit trip I … Read more
I signed up to this trip with very unalturistic motives – I was enormously curious to see the “lodge” that everyone at the club keeps talking about. In my head I pictured one of the huts on the great walks – which most trampers consider the height of luxury – and have flush toilets, lights … Read more