For some reason Fiordland trips play on my mind more than other big trips, something about the legend of the place I suppose.  Anyway, the last thing I wanted at 7am on a Monday morning on the boat across Manapōuri to West Arm was a wind-up Canadian toy bouncing around screeching in my ear.   “You guys off to hike the Dusky that is so ...

Yes, all the passes will still have a lot of snow on them and you will need an ice axe and crampons (and know how to use them) to go over them.  Greenstone-Caples would be a very good trip to do. You could also walk up the Wilkin valley and spent 3 days exploring in that area (although you should seek advice from DoC about the avalanche ...

that would have provided a reasonable warm-up for the Tararua hut bagging she has been undertaking recently

Arthurs Pass:  Up the Waimak to Waimak Falls over Waimak Col and down Rolleston (need ice axe and crampons) Up the Edwards over Tarn Col and Worsley Pass and down the Hawdon AP - Lewis Pass Up the Taramakau, over Harper Pass and out to Lewis Pass via Hope river etc Lewis Pass: Up to Lewis Pass tops from Lewis Pass, along to Bras Moneky ...

Hi Jess, I wouldn't get hung up on some nominal temperature that the manufacturer claims! The key thing for camping in the snow comfortably is the amount of insultation you have underneath.  So in summer conditions I am comfortable camping in the snow in what is basically just a nylon bag (it was a 150gm of down summer sleeping bag but is ...

Hi all, DoC have put a discussion document out on a proposal to put a track down Oriwa Ridge in the Western Tararuas and are askinf for public submissions.  The club previously opposed this in an informal consultation and I would like the committee to consider making a formal submission. I would also encourage anyone else oppsoed to make a ...

ha ha nice! that was a fun weekend - the mattresses at Arete Forks were just so comfortable......  pulling out two identical fuel bottles at lunch was a little embarrasing though........

  I'll bring some tickets along tomorrow night and sell them.  Bring $12 and your NZAC card or $15.  This will be mother-flippin awesome!!

Dear Bruce, What colour snow to eat depends on your taste.   White snows: Fluffy and white - Cool and refreshing with no taste except for oaky peaches I reccommend Ruapehu Estates ''June 09'' very drinkable today.  Dirty white - a gritty drop with moraine dust undertones and blackberries.  Garden of Eden ...

Hi all,   Saturday 20 June is the Federated Mountain Clus AGM.  You are all members (if you are members of VUWTC), so you should come along as delegates of the VUWTC and participate.   Conservation  Minister Tim Groser will be speaking.  If you would like to attend as a delegate of the VUWTC then let me know with a ...