Non Club Trips or Activities

Dec 1st trip?

achim — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:10:20 GMT

Hi all!

I'm keen on getting out on Sunday, thinking of a Medium (maybe ME) trip to the southern Tararuas, something like going from Kaitoke to(wards) Tutuwai Hut and back on the other side of the river.

We would start at 9AM from CBD or so and come back at about 8PM.

Just get in touch with me!

http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz43554/Tutuwai-Hut/Wellington

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/wairarapa/wairarapa/smith-creek-tauherenikau-river/

Pancakes on Powell Hut on Sunday morning!

achim — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:05:35 GMT

(This would be the trip I'd love to run for this weekend... but I decided to stay in Wellington, after several weekends of tramping)

Loosely following Anita's instructions for planning a trip, I wrote up what is required:

We need you!

and a car, driver and some more participants!

This is a medium overnight trip to the eastern Tararuas, highly likely to have snow up there!
Powell Hut (see also Easy-Access huts DOC page)is pretty flash, has a good view, heating, gas stoves and toasters(if I remember correctly)!

(If you want to make it a medium easy trip, take more time on Saturday for walking to Jumbo Hut (is a bit smaller than Powell Hut, but has also gas stoves and heating) via Atiwhakatu Hut/Raingauge Spur, i.e. doing the loop the other way round. This is also ideal to have a second, independent group.)

The Holdsworth-Jumbo overnight trip (DOC page, map) goes as follows:

Friday:

get people and car sorted, grab gear from the gear shed (maybe also possible on Saturday: contact gear custodians)

gear required:

a billy
a frying pan for pan cakes, a wooden spoon! (not from the gear shed)
some ice axes (to be on the safe side)
map and compass
group first aid kit

Saturday:

Start on afternoon from Hunter Car Park, drive to Petone, buy food at Pak 'n Save, drive to Holdsworth Carpark

Walk in to Powell Hut, the track is easy to walk - except that it goes up roughly 900 m (will take about 3 hours), you might remember half of it from the Freshers trip. The last 200m might be a bit windy on Saturday evening, but the track is wide enough to be safe.

Have a dinner party!

Sunday:

Get up (!), have an epic breakfast - the pan cakes are optional, but highly recommended , (wait for the clouds lifting) and enjoy the view! Expect snow!

The track to Jumbo & Jumbo hut has poles on it, it is easy to follow. Take ice axes as walking aids - easy to use for non-AIC people...
(A short-cut is possible via the East Holdsworth track. If you want to do more, do a side trip to Angle Knob.) In Jumbo hut, have an afternoon tea or coffee and get down via Raingauge Spur.

From Atiwhakatu Hut a less than two hours, cruisy walkout brings you back to the car...
(back to Wellington, drop off people, return the car.)

Monday: sleep in

Tuesday: trip report, epic photo session on facebook and return the gear...

Costs: between 15 and 30 NZD:

Petrol: about 15 NZD pp
(a hired car: about 15NZD for 5 persons as required...)
One serviced hut fee: 15 NZD pp or hut pass (these expenses are normally ignored in the cost calculation.)
Food for dinner, breakfast, lunch, snacks

Full Moon Trip to South Coast

achim — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 01:18:22 GMT

Wednesday is full moon - let's have a night walk!

Start: Aro Fish Supply, 5PM (*) (**)
(please come earlier if you need some supplies.)

We will start uphill through the Polhill Reserve to the Brooklyn Wind Turbine and try to catch the last rays of the sunset up there!
Then we carry on south to the radome and WWII observation point, enjoying the star sky and moon. From there we drop down to the beach (the one or the other way) and walk to Owhiro Bay. Finally we end up in Island Bay (maybe 8 or 9PM) and catch a bus to the city centre.

Highly recommended: head torch and shoes with profile.

Some links:
http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz41961/Te%20Kopahou/Wellington
http://www.wellingtonnz.com/sights-activities/red-rocks-scientific-reserve

___________

(*) Wednesday, the twentyfirst of August twothousand-and-thirteen years after the imaginary birth year of someone important (at least for some people around here).

(**) Whaaaaat, you don't know Aro Fish Supply? ask google!

a Sunday tramp in the Tauherenikau Valley

achim — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 21:42:14 GMT

Hi there!

I'm keen on getting out on Sunday and the weather looks awesome...

On top of the pile of exploration trips and un-hiked tracks is Block XVI track, not too far away from the Kaitoke Roadend. At the bottom of this track is the sunny old site of Allaway-Dickson Hut (50s to 70s), I'd love to locate and have lunch time there!

Rough plan: meet at 9AM and get to Kaitoke (N of Upper Hutt), get there (2.5h) and back (depending on time/mood take another way back). Will be a medium easy to medium trip.

First Ascent of Himalayan Peak

Mike E — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:09:06 GMT

Tonight Geoffrey Lamarche a scientist for NIWA and also Jonas' dad, will be doing a presentation on his recent first ascent of a Himalayan Peak.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/features/8503523/Team-conquers-remote-Himalayan-peak

The talk is at - Tararua Tramping Clubrooms, 4 Moncrieff St, Mt Victoria. Starts at 8pm

Should be interesting, Let me know if ya keen.

Could get a beer at one of the many craft beer bars before hand

Michael

0277731396

a beautiful/demanding weekend on the tops: Manungahuka loop

achim — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:44:59 GMT

Hi there!

Can't imaging staying in Wellington with this forecast...

Maungahuka Loop is a bit like the big brother of the Holdsworth-Jumbo Circuit - which Manoel does from Friday to Saturday. The actual cover photo of the VUWTC facebook page gives you an impression what the landscape is like. (Track and tramp are by no means comparable to freshers...)

Plans look like this:
Leaving Wellington at 6PM, driving up to Otaki Forks (about 1.5 h drive).

Going either up to Field / Kime Hut (what ever we can do before Friday midnight).
On Saturday we go to Anderson Memorial or Nicholls Hut.
And on Sunday back to Otaki Fx.

OR the other way round:
going to Waitewaewai Hut (doing the loop in the other direction) on Friday
on Saturday to Aokaparangi Biv/Maungahuka Hut
and on Sunday to Otaki Fx.

We'll come back on Sunday evening.

The tramp will be a solid night walk (~3-4 h) and two 9h days with up to 1500m altitude.
You must be sure footed and not afraid of some height (20m).

Weather should be excellent, so I'm looking forward to walking under the stars to Kime Hut!

Costs: Petrol: fuel (about 15NZD), food, two hut tickets.

Cheers, Achim & Paul R.

Easter weekend.

ManoelM — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:09:40 GMT

Hello tamping people.

I've got ferry tickets to South Island leaving here on 28/mar (6.25PM) and coming back on the 1st/Apr (10.25PM).

We have no plans just yet but it's good to have tickets beforehand . Plan is to hire a car down there as it's cheaper than crossing one. General costs can vary a bit depending on number of people but I would say it would be around $50-$70 (to cover car and petrol) plus ferry tickets.

Three spaces left in the car. So please contact me if you're keen to come so we can sort a plan that suits everybody.

desorder at gmail dot com

021 169 2007

Cheers.

Wednesday evening ‘day trip’ climbing

craig — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:17:26 GMT

If anyone in interested in getting out and about tonight, I am going to head up Kaukau (the hill with the big mast on it when you look north) and go do some climbing at punk rock. If you are keen to learn a bit about climbing or just come along for the walk all are welcome

We will probably be meeting up in Khandallah sometime around 5ish. I will come back to people with some details on transport etc.

If you are keen – give me a text

Craig

0210400989

Canyoning introduction trip – Thursday night

craig — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:16:48 GMT

So there has been a bit of canyoning going on this summer and many of you are interested in this strange damp sport.

This Thursday night I will be running a beginners canyoning trip. It is a combination of bush bashing, scrambling / down climbing, wading through water and an abseil. It will take approximately 3 – 4 hours. This trip is open to experienced trampers only and we do have limited equipment (harnesses etc). A wetsuit is good to have but polypro and a dry change would be ok.

If you are interested let me know.

Craig

0210400989

Kapakapanui - Day Trip on Saturday?

achim — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:28:00 GMT

Hi all!

I'll be going to Kapakapanui (about 60km from Wellington) on Saturday, leaving 10AM.
The plan is to run the Kapakapanui loop (yes, run, this hill is a nice little cardio-trainer). So, we might do the loop in a bit under 4 hours.

Have a look at the map (link here) or DOC website (link here) and let me know if you are interested.

Achim

The number one canyon

craig — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:16:58 GMT

A few of us are going to head out and do the number on canyon this weekend. Just based on the name it seems that this should be number one on your to do list!

It is up near Palmerston North and the plan would be to head up there on Saturday evening. For this trip you must have good experience in steep river travel and abseiling. A wetsuit would also be a very good idea.

Let me know if you are interested.

Canyoning - this week

craig — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:56:33 GMT

I am running an easy canyoning trip either tomorrow night or Thursday night

The Canyon is in the Hutt Valley near the Haywards Hill it is pretty straight forward and there probably is not a lot of water in it at the moment but you will need to have warm clothes and preferably a wetsuit, dry bags and a head torch. There will be abseiling involved so you will need to know how to do that.

If you are interested in coming along, please let me know

Craig

0210400989

Northern Crossing next weekend!

KerynD — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:32:19 GMT

Mae, me and co are attempting a Northern Crossing next weekend for Wellington Anniversary, and we'd really love another party to cross the other way to key swop and schmack talk... Is there anyone who would like to get a group together to try it? We're leaving on Friday night we think, and walking West to East, so the other party would be starting somewhere near Masterton and coming over that way... Lovely views on Mitre... good way to celebrate Wellington!

from Keryn!

keryn.d@gmail.com

Kahurangi Ranges over New Year

achim — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:57:14 GMT

Hi!

I'm keen on going to the Kahurangis (i.e the mountain range NW of the south island with the Heaphy Track).

I'll start at the 28th from Wellington, taking a ferry in the evening and try to hitch-hike to the start. I guess, I will make a stop at Paynes Ford 4km south of Takaka (see Craig's post).

My plans are not fixed right now, preferably off the great walks, e.g Douglas Range, Arthur Range, Leslie-Karamea-Track ... I'll bring a guide book and a map to the meeting in the Welsh Dragon next Tuesday.

Xmas in the Tararuas

achim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:49:59 GMT

I will be hut wardening at Powell Hut (DOC, map) in the Tararua Ranges for the Christmas week (21st to 28th of December). I guess, I will do one or the other odd tramp from during the week.

Powell Hut is on the Holdsworth-Jumbo-Circuit (which is good for a weekend or one day). Visitors welcome!

Don't be confused with the booking system... booking is not mandatory, but booked people have a mattress reserved (as far as I understand - and Powell hut is big and still a backcountry hut!).

Andrew will do a Tararua adventure at the 26th to ... ?! Will add a link, when I know more.

South Island New Year with VUWTC

achim — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:29:45 GMT

Hi there!

I'm keen on spending some time in the Kahurangi-Ranges, which are quite close to Wellington - just over the Cook Strait (if things were so easy...). As I'll be busy in the Tararuas (see there) I'll be heading over at the 28th (night) and hitch hike in to Paynes Ford (4km south of Takaka).

Once I got my backpack full of food I'll be heading off to the Douglas Range/Cobb Valley area, aiming for a 5day tramp starting at the 30th of December. Depending on the group I want to do something on the level of the (well known) Tavers-Sabine-Circuit + more demanding side trips/alternatives. We will sort that out on the 29th in Paynes Ford.

Pia and Craig are going to Paynes Ford from Wellington on the 26th(-ish), so I f you want get a lift, get in contact with them (see post).
Dom, Ivan and Paul S are down at Nelson Lakes doing the Travers-Sabine-Circuit, they are likely to come over.

Cheers, Achim

(Other activities:
South Island: once we are done with the Kahurangis, some might head further south, some people head down to Castle Hill straight away...
North Island: There will be some Tararua-tramping with Andrew between Xmas and New Year and a trip to boundary stream close to Napier with Christian M. - watch out for posts.)

day tramp on Sunday (Dec 9th)

achim — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:07:35 GMT

I'm keen on going to Mt Hector on Sunday. Who would like to join?

It is a 4 to 5h walk (one way) from Otaki Forks going up for about 1400m. The views will be rewarding (if the weather reports hold their promises) and we can have a look to the progress of the works on new Kime hut.

Tramping holidays

PaulS — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:59:34 GMT

Hey everyone, I'm planning to leave on the 19th for tramping on the southisland. I'm planning to start with the abel tasman track and probably the inland track back to make a loop. Then possibly tramping around Nelson lakes. If you have time and are keen to join me, let me know! :-) My phone: o22o9o6825.

Tarauas: Otaki Forks - Maungahuka via Field, back via Waitewaewae

Andrew — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:54:36 GMT

Planning a trip for the 7th to the 9th, pretty much spelled it out above. Get in toch if you're interested, lots of alcohol etc to celebrate the end of semester.

Sayer Hut this weekend!

achim — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:14:17 GMT

Hi there!

The weather is pretty much undecided, so I thought of something "valley, 1/2 standard, 1/2 off the beaten track":

Let's go to Sayer Hut (DOC page, NZ topomap and a nice description here).

Here is a no car-version of the over-night tramp:

Saturday: We catch the Wairarapa service (9:55 AM from Wellington Station) to Woodside, walk north from there, ford the Waiohine river or go via Coal Stream track and pick up the traditional freshers walk to Totara Flats. Finding the right spot, we get to Sayer Hut by crossing the Waiohine river again.

Sunday: We walk out to Mangaterere Road and see that we get to the Matarawa train station not too late, not too early (5:11PM train to Wellington).

Fitness Rating: medium, we might do more or less off-track-stuff, depending on the group.

With a car available, we do something similar. :-)

Contact: Achim <dot> Gaedke <at> gmail <dot> com or o2Io4994o2

Wanaka - Routeburn - Kepler - Stewart Island

achim — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:17:57 GMT

Hi all!

Some people from the club will be on the South Island in November. If you are keen, join us :-)

Wanaka Hinterland: I (Achim) will go from Wanaka to the Queenstown area starting on Nov 5th. Possible routes: Cascade Saddle Track/Dart River or Motatapu Track - depending on the conditions. Alpine/backcountry experience required.

Routeburn track: (great walk) starting on Nov 10th:
Rebecca, Achim

Kepler track: (great walk) starting on Nov 14th:
Rebecca, Achim

Stewart Island - Northwest circuit starting on 18th of November:
Christian, Achim

As all these tramps are 'non-club' trips, you'll need to organize yourself to the track. Just get in contact with us.

Northern Rimutakas Overnight Trip

achim — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 19:20:59 GMT

Hi there!

Replacing the Maungahuka Loop with something else: We will go a bit river/bush bashing.. to Orongorongo, Waiorangomai Hut (DOC), the waterfall, saddle and along the Orongorongo river... back.

Start Saturday Morning at 8:00 AM at Hunter Car Park or later at the train station.
By altitude and timing it could be rated as a medium trip, a fair bit of bush bashing is on our way, so it won't be the easiest trip.

Interested? Pleas contact me at Achim <dot> Gaedke <at> gmail <dot> com or o21o4994o2

Day tripping

craig — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 00:02:53 GMT

The weather is looking pretty good this weekend, is anyone keen for some sort of day trip somewhere? Probally something like the southern Tararuas or Rimutakas

If you are give me a text

0210400989

Craig

Tongariro National Park this weekend...

achim — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 01:01:20 GMT

Hey!

It looks like I'll meet up with a friend in national park and walk the Northern Circuit - or what is remaining. As it is still off-season, the huts are reasonably priced (i.e. included in the hut pass). Keen to join? The more the merrier!

I'll have 3 seats free, will leave Friday afternoon, back Monday noon (morning-ish). - as usual depends on the weather.

Cheers, Achim

Kapakapanui Loop or similar on Sunday?

achim — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:00:16 GMT

Hi there!

Still gazing at the wonderful colour blobs on metvuw.com for the weekend forecasts...
Is anyone in for a half day walk over Kapakapanui (1100m) on Sunday morning/noon?

I'd start at 9AM with a coffee at the train station and a train ride to Waikanae, cycle over to the track start (30min)... jump up the mountain, hoping for snow and a view, and get back past the hut to another coffee and scone in Reikorangi on the way back.

Maybe we are back at 3PM...

Cheers, Achim