Search results by user ID 2669

Re: Reproofing GoreTex

Kate Williman — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:03:22 GMT

I've also heard (and it makes sense to me) that spin drying is not a good idea as it forces water through the membrane at high pressure. Drip dry only.

Not practising self arrests in your good jacket probably also helps.

Awesome summit luncheon this weekend!

Kate Williman — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:38:32 GMT

Calling all supervillains, femme fatales and secret agents... and samurai??

This weekend is the summit luncheon on Mt Ruapehu, when the forces of MUAC from Massey, AUTC from Auckland, and the glorious VUWTC combine for an extreme weekend of mountaineering and gourmet food.

We all stay at MUAC's toasty-warm hut on the road to Turoa. Meals are shared (TBC whether we do breakfast, lunch or dinner) and on Saturday we hike up to the summit. In theme costume. For gourmet luncheoning. (last year there was champagne.)

Obviously snow travel skills are important for this trip, but if you haven't had any experience and are still keen to come along, then just talk to one of your friendly committee members such as Kieran, Tom or Craig.

Adam will be taking signups for the trip at the meeting tonight, but here (roughly) are the details:

Cost - petrol + MUAC hut + 1xbreakfast/lunch/dinner: ~$70.

Theme - James Bond (or Japanese, Shakespeare or Michael Jackson - you choose...)

Weather forecast - OK so far... but SNOW for the rest of the week so be prepared!!

If you have any questions, post to this site and we'll try to answer them.

Kate.

No skiweek this year :(

Kate Williman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:16:41 GMT

Hi all

Many folks will be aware of this already, but work has sent me up to Auckland until the end of October, so I will be unable to run the skiweek that I was planning this year. I'm really sorry for not posting this update on the website earlier. Rest assured that I am already planning a trip for next year!

Kate

AIC 2 this weekend!

Kate Williman — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:27:00 GMT

Keen to learn how to have fun in the snow? Sad that snowcaving was cancelled? This weekend we have a trip especially for you! It is the second Alpine Instruction Course weekend and we expect it to be more fun than you can shake an iceaxe (snowstake, icehammer, shovel etc) at. Check out the details that Tom has posted on the forum under Club Trips and get your name down on the signup form. Then sit back and make a small offering to the mountain spirits for good weather...

The complete guide to Midwinter Christmas this weekend

Kate Williman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:30:34 GMT

The complete guide to Midwinter Christmas this weekend

We missed some important details of the trip this weekend. Here's everything you need to know!

1. Who's organising this weekend? Kate Williman (kate.williman@gmail.com) and Bryan O'Leary (bryan.oleary@gmail.com).

2. How much is it to come this weekend? $25 to us for transport, plus a DoC hut ticket, plus $? shared cost of food.

3. How do I pay the club? The most convenient option is to pay via online banking to VUWTC, 06-0606-0120103-00, and include your name and Xmas as the deposit reference. IMPORTANT - if you make your payment this way, email us (addresses above) to let us know. Alternatively, you can bring along $25 on Saturday - look for the person with the cash deposit box!

4. What's a DoC hut ticket and how do I get one? There is a charge to stay in DoC huts - see http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-hut-information/fees-and-bookings/ for more details. Rangiwahia hut is a serviced hut, which means it's $15 to stay. Alternatively, you can get a backcountry hut pass (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-hut-information/fees-and-bookings/hut-passes/). This is recommended if you intend to go to more than 6 (non-Great Walk) huts over the next year. VUWTC has a limited number of FMC cards that give you a 30% discount on the price of one year's subscription, bringing it to $90. Email us (address at top of page), for more details. Currently, we get club members to take responsibility for their own hut tickets. You can pick hut tickets up at these places:

5. How does this weekend work? This week, we will sort you into food/transport groups and assign you a leader. (IMPORTANT - email us using the address at the top if you have any special food requirements, e.g. vegetarian). We will then send out a meeting on Friday telling you whose group you are in. Meet at Hunter Carpark at 9:30am on Saturday (IMPORTANT - this is an earlier time than previously advertised!). Check out "Where are we? (Meetings, Hunter Carpark) under the Quick Links list on this page. Drive to the Ruahines (3 hours) and walk to Rangiwahia hut (2 - 3 hours). Play in the snow (if available), stay the night, and walk out on Sunday. Should be back at a respectable time on Sunday evening.

6. What should I bring for this trip? You need to supply your own snackfood, breakfast, and lunch for Sunday. Your leader might also ask you to bring something for Saturday night (or they might sort the food themselves and get you to pay something. Check out the Gear to Take link under the Quick Links list on this page for a complete list of gear you need to bring. There might be some snow up around the hut, so boots are definitely recommended! Also make sure that you have a pack liner - again, email us for more details. Some sort of warming alcoholic beverage is recommended. SECRET SANTA - bring something small for Santa's sack!

The complete guide to Midwinter Christmas this weekend

Kate Williman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:14:00 GMT

For all the details on Mid Winter Christmas see here

Midwinter Christmas 24 - 25 July!

Kate Williman — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:23:35 GMT

Has everyone been good boys and girls??

If you have, or even (especially) if you've been naughty, you should celebrate by coming on MIDWINTER CHRISTMAS next weekend. You will be rewarded by midwinter christmas feasting, hot mulled wine, and fun playing in the snow.

So sign up by following this link here: http://vuwtc.org.nz/cs/content/TripSignUp.aspx then sit back and wait for the fun to begin.

Departure: Saturday morning, 24 July
Return: Sunday evening, 25 July
Destination: Rangiwahia Hut
Fitness grading: Easy
Contact: Kate.Williman@gmail.com (ph 021 156 9247) or Bryan.Oleary@gmail.com

Reindeer not included.

Holy crap!! There's a NEVER-USED Macpac 70L Glissade running at $50 on Trademe!

Kate Williman — Tue, 25 May 2010 06:06:28 GMT

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping-outdoors/Packs/Tramping-packs/auction-292241110.htm

(...though the reserve hasn't been met yet.)

Anyone looking at buying a new pack... these are highly recommended.

Am very attached to my Esprit or else I would have grabbed it!

From Jakarta HQ

Kate.

Re: Brewing Society

Kate Williman — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:34:35 GMT

would definately be keen. have made one pretty good batch already.

Sarah

Mountain bike madness in Rotorua this easter

Kate Williman — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:44:02 GMT

Feel like unleashing your mountain biker? This trip is for you!

Rotorua provides the best mountain biking in New Zealand - from the National Downhill to trails that make you feel good even if you're just starting out.

We'll be travelling up there on Friday morning, returning Monday night, and most likely staying at a campground. This trip is likely to be moderately pricey - quite a bit of petrol, and at least $15 per night for camping, plus food. Costs will be finalised later in the week. Bike hire is available places like this:

http://www.planetbike.co.nz/frame.html

...but you might want to check out whether they're open for Easter, and whether they hire on Sundays.

We'll probably be dividing people into a "beginner" and "intermediate" group. These groups might be doing their own thing for a lot of the time, but we'll meet up for dinner and perhaps some lunches too...

If you're interested, give me an email kate.williman@gmail.com and I'll flick you a copy of the signup form.