Welcome - Nelson Tramping Archived Website
The Hut Keepers
Upcoming Events
[See Programme for more details.]
26 February
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
KINGLANDS FOREST IS OPEN AGAIN.
Come and Join Andrea in our local forest again.
Fourth Wednesday: Kingsland forest (Andrea) – meet at Entrance to Jimmy Lee creek, off Hill Street.
No need to sign up, just turn up at the designated meeting place by 5:30pm with suitable clothing and footwear, and a headlamp just in case. Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates and cancellations.
29 February
Training: River crossings
Easy
After a little bit of RAIN, the reserve closures have been lifted. Peter Waroris & Debbie are therefore running the River crossing Training this Saturday before it gets too cold.
Meet at Richmond at 12.30pm to car pool.
Our training will be carried out at the confluence of the Lee and Wairoa rivers and as the rivers are running low at the moment the conditions are fairly benign. We will be looking at practicing the following:
- Introduction and site selection - The WHEN & WHY.
- The HOW - Using the Mutual Support Method to cross the river (with packs and using the clothing grasp), also the Solo method of crossing.
- Turning back or retreating (including backing out of the river or completing a Caterpillar Turn)
- Pack Float.
We will have a few adult sized life jackets available for those of you who require the extra reassurance they provide. You can sit out anything that makes your feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Please ensure you bring the following:
- We will end up standing around for a while whilst you are wet so either wear or bring a set of polypro/wool top and leggings so you don't get too cold (or a wet suit top if you know you get very cold).
- Pack Floating is optional but its still important to ensure that your pack acts as a floatation device. A 40-60lt pack is ideal for training purposes, a small day/weekend pack ISN'T. Use several large, new rubbish bags, a new pack liner or large dry bag/s to keep the contents of your pack dry and give you the buoyancy required to pack float.
- Bring a Leki pole if you use one for practicing the Solo crossing method.
- Bring a towel and a change of clothes.
- Chocolate or other snack to keep the energy up.
Please view and read the contents of the following links on our new website prior to Saturday afternoon so you are familiar with the river feature terminology and techniques we will be using.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the training. If you have experience in river crossings, we would appreciate your help.
1 March
Wakamarina Track
Easy
The Wakamarina Track is an old goldminer's trail. It crosses the Richmond Range from the Wairau Valley to the Wakamarina Valley. In the mid 1860's around 2800 miners tried their luck in the valley. The plan is to tramp from the Butcher's Flat car park (about 15km inland from Canvastown off SH6) to Devils Creek Hut (2hrs) and possibly lunch. On the return there is a 2 hour side loop track (Doom Loop) that follows an old water race that fed water to a quartz crushing battery down the valley. History buffs can get more information online from DOC. Depending on the weather and time, there is the possibility of a swim at Pelorus Bridge (or coffeee) which is less than 10 minutes away.
Depart Trafalgar Steps at 8.30am
2 March
Pub night
Grade TBD
Sprig and Fern Hardy Street
Come along from 7pm for a drink and perhaps a bite to eat, and an informal catch up with fellow clubbies.
4 March
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
First Wednesday: Scout Track (Michele or Kate) – meet at the end of Marsden Road.
No need to sign up, just turn up at the designated meeting place by 5:30pm with suitable clothing and footwear, and a headlamp just in case. Keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates and cancellations.
