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
Eight of us signed up for a day of navigation training, to learn some navigation basics pitched at those with no previous knowledge. Sara forwarded the group links to two videos and a written exercise so they could complete some theory ahead of the trip. Our day began with learning some theory and going over … Read more
The navigation training started with learning some theory at a cafe in Eastbourne. We stocked up on breakfast and coffee while learning about map features, coordinates, how to use a compass and the basics of taking a bearing. We then headed up into the Northern Forest section of East Harbour Regional Park (See: https://www.wellingtonnz.com/visit/trails/east-harbour-regional-park). On … Read more
I wanted to lead this trip because there was a big empty space on the Tararua Forest Park map on my dining room wall, where I haven’t yet stepped foot. It was going to be a navigation challenge with few marked tracks in the area. Four keen beans signed up. I like to reflect on … Read more
Friday (Road end to Powell Hut – 2h 45min) As we hopped into the van with the EM group on Friday, the vision for the trip was clear: there would be pizzas. How we would justify it as a club trip and what the tramping would actually involve was not as clear, however… The trip … Read more
Blue Range Hut is the perfect spot for newbie trampers to test their fitness and learn some navigation skills. Who knew that tramping-fit is totally different to walking-fit? Or that ending up slightly off track from your planned route, does not mean you are lost? Or that lightly salted mango and biscuits are considered gourmet? … Read more
The plan: a two day traverse via an interesting looking spur from Bannister to the Ruamahanga. 4.30am Saturday – the cell phone buzzes. Mike has dragged himself out of bed and is heading my way. It’s pleasant to have company for the trip to Poads Road and good to be walking by 7am under lights. … Read more
If you go off track in the Tararuas, beware of the enchanting goblin forests. The morning started with my favourite way to start a tramp, taking photos of amazing mushrooms before crossing a nice swing bridge. About an hour in we met a couple of veteran club members coming out of the bush to get … Read more
After my previous adventures up the “Mick”, you would have thought I could safely leave this area of the Tararua alone. Not so. Apparently I love getting lost in this Bermuda Triangle of bush. However, I am not on my own in this. Every now and then on the eastern slopes of the Mick, you … Read more
North Mangahao Bivvy’s claim to fame is being the most northern official hut in Tararua Forest Park. As a part-time hut bagger, I needed to tick this one off the list. However, rather than coming from the eastern side which requires permission to cross private land, I decided to challenge myself navigationally (and in other … Read more