February 2005    ‘Twas a hot February night in the Atiwhakatu as Eric, Pete and I headed towards Jumbo Hut.  We were sweating like greasy hogs, and didn’t envy Ben and all the others who were booked in for the Holdsworth-Jumbo race the next day.  The black-hole effect that seems to hang round the Tararuas on a Friday night ...

  Grassy Flats Hut in the Styx is a long way from Wellington so an early start is advised.    Boxing Day 5am: Three (Richard, Hannah, Benj) stand blinking in the inky dawn waiting for the boat.  Unfortunately there was due to be four of us so the waiting drags a bit…  at 5.30 we decide to ring Joe’s place, ...

Two trampers not heard from for 8 days in the rugged South Westland bush were spotted yesterday in the Fantail Cafe in Haast avoiding Sheryl's ''Crassints with chips''.  Questioned by DOC Haast as to their distressed appearance it appears they had not been near a telephone, email or cricket news for at least a week due to Telecom's abuse of ...

Would be nice to be able to bag some of these but choose your partners wisely......  Have walked within 5hrs of several huts this summer and not got there.  [Hannah says] The rest of us can say, how close have we got to huts and not bothered, I reckon about 50metres is my record.    

A few club members are pretty keen on the gentlemanlypersonly pursuit of rogaining.  Basically you run/walk around for 3,6,12 or 24 hrs collecting points then have a BBQ and go home.  Much fun.  Anyway, ex vuwtc-er (same way David Lange and Rob Muldoon are ex Prime Ministers) Mike Sheridan has put together a local rogaine ...

  Hi all, if you fancy yourself as a photographer DoC are holding a photo competition for images of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Photos can be of anything in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park... mountains, climbing, birds, people...whatever you like about the area.Great prizes to be won. Profile Calendars, producers of the Mackenzie Country ...

Our friends at Otago University have just released a compliation of OUTC tales from the last 45 years (Antics is their Heels).  It is a great read, and well worth it to anyone who likes tramping or student culture.  Heaps of drunken (mis)adventures as well as some rugged bottom of the south tramping and climbing. It is only $30 to FMC ...

Kia ora Outdoors NZ, Mountain Safety Council and the Ministry of Education are co-sponsoring Jed Williamson to speak on ''Accidents in Outdoor Pursuits - Their Causes and Cures.'' Please find attached the presentation details for you or anyone else you think might be interested in attending. Please send this out to your members (especially ...

Ben Clendon and I were treated to this view on a P-K a few years ago.  The cloud cleared off the tops, mist filled the Waiohine and Otaki and our torches went on on top of Aokaparangi after a long day from Herepai.

Jumbo (or anywhere on the Eastern range) is a great spot for watching the weather over the Wairarapa plain.