Papakura o Taranaki |Pouākai Circuit – Egmont National Park

Drive to North Taranaki (Friday 28 March) On Friday, 14 adventurers met at Wellington Train station at 5pm, to drive to North Taranaki.  A few went in Sara’s car. The rest went in the club van, heroically driven by Bailey and Raj. There was a stopover in Bulls to enjoy dinner.  The group slept at … Read more

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki

Syme Hut and Mt Taranaki | A Sherpa-Assisted Summer Ascent – WTMC A sherpa assisted summer Taranaki Maunga climb to Syme Hut then up the southern slopes towards the summit turns dramatic when a rescue helicopter arrives to lift three unknown stranded climbers leaving the party to retreat in difficult conditions. Read this true Kiwi mountaineering adventure of … Read more

WTMC Talk: Mount Taranaki

photo of people on a WTMC trip on Mount Taranaki

WTMC member Peter Jones will talk about a WTMC trip to Mount Taranaki, including a sunset and sunrise from Syme hut, and respecting the tikanga of not standing on the highest summit. *WTMC social nights are open to WTMC Club members and the general public. You don’t need to book or RSVP, just turn up! … Read more

Ups and downs to Arete Forks Hut – Tararua Forest Park

After months of amping each other up about Carkeek Hut, the time was finally here. Carkeek or bust! In my bundle of excitement I composed a spotify playlist to capture the vital essence of Carkeek and to keep the momentum up. However, as the week wore on, I watched in horror as the weather radars … Read more

Around the Mountain Circuit – Egmont National Park

Timings Dawson falls to Waiaua Gorge Hut: 3 hours 50 minutes Waiaua Gorge Hut to Kahui Hut: 3 hours 15 minutes Kahui Hut to Holly Hut: 3 hours 40 minutes Holly Hut to Dawson Falls: 5 hours Day one We spent Friday night at Konini Lodge, by Dawson Falls. MetService had been warning of “severe … Read more

Syme Hut and Taranaki Maunga

Syme Hut and Taranaki Maunga A A climb to the summit of Mt Taranaki in summer via the route from Syme Hut Friday 14 January – evening drive up and stay at Konini Lodge A weekend forecast for sunny clear skies and a cooling breeze got eight keen WTMC trampers very excited to scope out … Read more

Maketawa Hut

Having done the drive up to Taranaki on Friday night (as is traditional), we and the Easy-Medium group all stayed at Konini Lodge at Dawson Falls visitor centre. It’s a great facility with cooking equipment, hot showers, decent bunk rooms and the rest; although in my experience it’s always been cold – consider yourself warned. … Read more

Taranaki surfing

Taranaki surfing

I was so happy when I saw there was a surf trip on the WTMC’s online schedule. I love tramping, but how cool is it to get to do other activities with your tramping friends!As there was no leader yet, Werner and I signed up to lead the trip. The sheet already had Opunake as base … Read more

Pouakai Circuit

The classic shot of Mount Taranaki (near sunset)

This was my second time on the Pouakai Circuit. The last time I went, just over a year ago, the track was underwater and there was no mountain to be seen – the pictures in that trip report  say it all. While I absolutely enjoyed that trip, I was hoping for much better weather. This … Read more

Bike Packing the Forgotten World Highway

Bike Packing Forgotten World Highway

INTRODUCTION Over Easter weekend I took a trip through and around the Forgotten World Highway, between Taumarunui and New Plymouth. This area is surprisingly beautiful for how little I have heard about it before going, and still relatively quiet in terms of traffic. As you pass through, there are stunning views of the Ruapehu massif, … Read more