Tongariro Winter Summit 2016

A full trip of 22 was unfortunately reduced to 13 when atrocious weather forced us to go for our reserve weekend of 23-25 Sept. Well done to all of those that re-organised travel plans to make it! With increasing showers forecast as the Saturday progressed, we started early from Mangetepopo car park at 7.30am and headed into a warm yet slightly overcast and drizzly valley toward Soda Springs and the infamous loo stop. The weather seemed to lift a little and clothing layers were removed as we warmed up walking up Devil’s Staircase. But you guessed it, those layers were […]

Trip Report – Taranaki Snow Cave Weekend 2016

Adventures were had and memories made during our Taranaki snow cave weekend on 27-28 August! With 13 of us in total, 6 went high into Hongis to build their cave whilst the other 7 stayed low in Hongis to build three small 2-3 person caves. The snow cave digging/construction was tougher than we thought. Yet after an afternoon of sweaty perseverance, much shovelling of snow and laughter in cold windy weather, our caves looked great with tunnel entrances, kitchenette areas for dinner, platforms for sleeping and beautifully smoothed walls to stop any drips. Once dinner was cooked, everyone settled into […]

Taranaki Weekend Day Hikes September & October 2016

These Saturday or Sunday day hikes are aimed to provide regular opportunities to improve your snow craft skills and meet other club members. The hikes are adhoc and will be announced approx mid-week via our facebook page and via email to club members, pending weather and Trip Leader availability. Apologies that July day hikes didn’t happen folks – I’m hoping to ramp it up a bit for August. A bit like ‘pot luck’ weekend hikes  – watch this space! When: A couple of Saturdays or Sundays per month Where: Taranaki Trip Leaders: various Level of Difficulty: Beginner / Intermediate Proposed Accommodation: […]

Tongariro Summit Weekend 2016

Following on from the success of our Mt Ngauruhoe winter summit last year, this time we will be aiming to summit Mt Tongariro! When: 16 – 18 September (reserve weekend 23 – 25 September) Where: Tongariro National Park Trip Leader: Scott Chamberlain Level of Difficulty: Beginner / Intermediate Proposed Accommodation: tbc, National Park Basic itinerary: (See Facebook for updates…) Fri – drive to National Park Sat – full day beginner-intermediate hike to Tongariro Summit from Mangatepopo car park & return Sun – free day to do ‘whatever’ pending energy levels etc – then drive home Options: Trip Leader & route for […]

Trip Report – Larapinta Trail, Australia

Larapinta Trail Robin and Bernice Southern The Great Walks of New Zealand include the Milford Track among many others. Google “Great Walks of Australia” and you will find the Larapinta Trail on the top of the list. About the only similarity are the words “Great Walks” In the second half of April 2016, Bernice and I completed the walk. Officially listed at 223km long, it seems by most accounts to be much longer than that. Indeed half of the trail that I GPS’d, I found longer. An Australian we spoke to that had GPS’d the trail twice found it 280 […]