Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club
Enjoying the great outdoors since 1947
Emily and I took an impromptu trip up to Tongariro, excited by the promise of clear sunny skies and Emily a chance to get moving again after a bout of illness. We decided Mangatepopo would be a good Friday destination, followed by a climb over Tongariro via Hardman’s Ridge, a full moon camp in the … Read more
It was the weekend before last, a double bluebird day, a rarity. As a recent ‘snowcrafter’ I found myself visiting the Tongariro Alpine Crossing to get in some practice. However, my eyes were constantly drawn to beauty. Stood there, timeless, always in my peripherals, Mt Ngauruhoe. It was then I knew I had to return, … Read more
Not so long ago many mountain gods lived happily together on the central plateau of the North Island. All the warrior mountains longed after Pihanga, the lovely bush cloaked maiden volcano— but particularly Tongariro and Taranaki. Eventually they fought ferociously, the sky darkened, there was thunder and lightning, and lava spumed from their summits. Tongariro … Read more
Journey prep at the station after work on Friday involved us fitting five bikes, eight people and eight packs into and onto the van. The jigsaw came together well with people generally strapped in seats and bikes generally strapped to the bike rack so we had a comfortable if slow journey up to the lodge … 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
Dan’s Red Crater group pretty much got to do what they set out to do, but didn’t exactly get to see what they set out to see. We left Wellington early Friday evening under an even mix of blue sky and high cloud. By the time we reached Kapiti, there was no cloud, the blue seemed bluer … Read more
Come to Open Lodge this Christmas/New Years! We’ve been talking here and there about Open Lodge so now’s the time to give you all the details. 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 … Read more
After a bit of a shaky start – I was up there the weekend of the tragic rainstorm about 6 weeks ago! The snow season is going gangbusters with a 2m+ base, and lodge bookings are going gangbusters as well. Weekends are steadily filling up about 3-4 weeks out, and unfortunately we’re needing to turn … Read more
Raymond Morgan has run the first two transport/food/accommodation trips to our Ruapehu Lodge this season, and I was lucky enough to get onto both trips. While a lot of us got in some great skiing and boarding, Ray took us on some amazing adventures as well. I’m hooked! 18-20 July – Ruapehu Looking back at Ruapehu … Read more
Camping high in vicinity of the Emerald Lakes with a possible Ngauruhoe summit was the plan; a windblasted dash past Red Crater and a good proportion of the Tongariro Northern Circuit was the reality – a great post-snowcraft introduction to alpine trips for me! Chitchat over fish and chips in Bulls produced several alternatives to … Read more