Newsletter June 2009
Some features of interest...
Welcome to new members:
David Wratt, Sara Vickerman and Raymond Salisbury.
UPCOMING CLUBNIGHT: Monday 3 August 2009
Annual General Meeting. (Put it in your diary!)
Nelson Intermediate School, Tipahi Street, 7.30 pm, gold coin admission. Pat Holland Ph 539 1340
Annual General Meeting
A Notice of AGM will be provided in July; however, we now request nominations for committee. Nominations are to be made in writing (using the form at the end of this newsletter) and be signed by the nominator, seconder, and nominee. Nominations must be received by Wednesday July 8 2009.
If you want to discuss a possible nomination please contact Mark
Stevens Ph 545 7564. Details of people nominated will be provided in
the Notice of AGM.
For your information, our Constitution
(Clause 15) requires the committee to consist of not less than eight
and not more than ten members, being a President, Vice-President,
Correspondence Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Treasurer, Programme
Co-ordinator, plus ordinary members.
The current committee consists of ten members: seven of whom have confirmed they are willing to be nominated again, and three will be standing down, details as follows:-
Available for nomination:
President Mark Stevens
Vice President Laurie Halkett
Treasurer
Gillian Arbuthnott
Correspondence Secretary Pat Holland
Minutes Secretary Jo Kay
Member
Dion Pont
Member
Bob Janssen
Programme Co-ordinator Ruth Hesselyn, Newsletter Editor Hec Arbuthnott, and Mike Drake are not available for nomination.
If you are interested in being nominated for a committee position
complete your part of the form, take it to two other members to
complete the 'person nominating' and 'seconded by' parts, send it in,
or hand to a current committee member.
PLUS An opportunity to travel with Uta
Trekking
the High Circuit around Manaslu. Uta Purcell will take us with her on
her three week trek that opens your eyes to the sometimes raw life of
Nepali and Tibetan culture; from the rice paddies of the Hindu middle
hills to awesome mountains, gorges, Buddhist monasteries, yak pastures,
and a high pass crossing. The area was restricted until the early 90s.
Today it is experienced by still few trekkers, going expedition style.
And also “1080 and Conservation”
DoC
personnel Martin Rodd (Motueka Area Manager) and Mike Hawkes (Technical
Support - Pest Management) have agreed to make a short presentation on
the demonstrated conservation benefits of 1080 drops, and the measures
that DoC takes to monitor and limit mortality of native birds. These
are issues of direct concern to Club members, for example the possible
effects of 1080 baits on Kea.
Annual Subscription
Confirmation of annual subscriptions fixed by Committee for the year 2009/10.
Subscription: Adult - $28.00 Couple - $45.00. These all include FMC Affiliation levy of $10.00 per person.
NB. Subscriptions can be paid online to: Nelson Tramping Club Inc. at Westpac Nelson,
Account 03 0703 0028827 00. If using this option you must identify yourself by name.
Club Night 8 June 2009
Annapurna Circuit, Nepal. Twenty one club members and ten guests thoroughly enjoyed Pat Holland’s adventures on this classic 21 day trek in the Himalaya, covering 220 kms, with 6.6kms uphill. The downhill taking an equal toll on the body! Organised by the Nepalese company "3 Sisters Adventures" with Nepalese women guides and women porters (men for Pat and the other male). The diversity of scenery, buildings, people and conditions made for a wonderful talk. Thank you, Pat.
The Special General Meeting
At a Special General Meeting convened by President Mark the
following amendment to our Constitution was moved by President Mark,
seconded by Secretary Pat and passed by acclamation of those members
present.
Winding up Clause 41:
"...but shall be given or transferred to some other charitable Club, association or body having purposes similar to the purposes of the Club."
NOTICES
The 2010 New Zealand Alpine and Antarctic Calendars
Hedgehog
House and The Caxton Press have produced calendars with some stunning
images of wilderness landscapes, natural history and recreational
activities such as tramping, climbing and skiing. Prices are:
• $19.00 each: individually
• $17.10 each: orders of 5-29 calendars
• $16.15 each: orders for 30 or more
• NB Bulk orders apply to orders sent to the same address within New Zealand!
Order
forms can be obtained from Pat Holland Ph 539 1340 for individual
orders or the Club could submit a bulk order if sufficient requests are
made. Cut off date for ordering through the Club is 16 July 2009.
Havelock Infocentre is promoting activities in their area Go to www.havelockinfocentre.co.nz for more details on accommodation, tracks, huts etc.
Boyle River Outdoor Education Centre www.boyle.org.nz 03 315 7082. For trips to St James Walkway and other Lewis Pass tracks - offering base camp, shuttle services and safe parking.
Safety
Nelson branch of Mountain Safety Council are running an Outdoor First Aid on 19-20 September 2009.
Go
to http://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/courses/course_details.asp or
contact Administration Officer: Evelyn O'Neill.Tel: 547-2426. Email:
nelson@mountainsafety.org.nz
Extracts from FMC Newsletter May 2009
FMC’s Upgraded Website goes Live! Check out the Federation’s new look website on www.fmc.org.nz . The new website reflects the changes in web technology since the FMC’s first website was developed a few years ago. As the site develops clubs and members should find it much more relevant and up to date. We welcome recommendations on how to make the site more valuable and interesting. Please send your ideas to Phil Glasson at: secretary@fmc.org.nz
FMC Travel Club This was set up to
provide members with the opportunity to join a small group of
like-minded travellers and enjoy a tramping based holiday overseas.
Participating in a Travel Club trip also supports the Federated
Mountain Clubs. Everyone wins! The new look FMC website contains a
dedicated Travel Club page http://www.fmc.org.nz/travel-club with links
to the upcoming 2009 trips as well as a preliminary list of 2010 trips.
From the website, members can make inquiries about bookings, as well as
contacting John with new ideas for future itineraries or offers of help
with leading trips.
FMC Challenges Granting of WARO Heli-hunting Concessions
in Canterbury In March and again in May, the Federation wrote to the
Department of Conservation expressing serious concern about the
granting of concessions to Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) for
helicopter trophy hunting in the Canterbury high country. We
highlighted member dissatisfaction about the approval for increased
helicopter hunting activity and consequential degradation of
recreational amenity – particularly the value of natural silence - for
trampers, climbers and other users of conservation areas. For further
information, please consult the FMC website.
Mt Aspiring National Park Management Plan -
Federated Mountain Club’s Submission Executive members are making good
progress with the Federation’s response to the draft management plan
developed by DoC planning staff in Otago. DoC is providing information
on the plan via their website. The reference is:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/current/mt-aspirin...
Members and clubs with special interests, and issues that they want
addressed, should contact David Barnes; mcilroy.barnes@clear.net.nz.
Tenure Review Progress. Federated Mountain
Clubs is active on many submissions at present. It is developing
submissions on Emerald Hill, on the Rock and Pillar Range, and The
Branches lease in the Shotover catchment. A submission on the tenure
review for Glenfellan Station in the headwaters of the Nevis Valley is
also being finalized and the FMC executive is seeking improved access
for trampers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers in the Diggers Creek
area. Submissions on the Mt Aspiring Station in the Matukituki Valley
are also close to completion. The Federation is also developing
submissions on other properties under review. These include: Cambrian
Hills, Cluden, Deep Creek, Long Gully, and Mt Pisa. Members who have
issues that they believe FMC should consider in submissions should
contact: David Round; djround@xnet.co.nz , or Mike Floate;
mike.floate@xtra.co.nz . In addition, Mike Floate would also welcome
any offers of assistance from members who could accompany him on his
inspections of high country properties undergoing review.
Government Proposals to Change the Resource Management Act (RMA). Further to the item in our March Newsletter, the Executive continues to monitor proposals to reform the Resource Management Act and other environmental laws. The Environment Minister recently announced that one of the topics in the Government’s RMA reform Phase II is the relationship of the Conservation Act and the RMA. The Minister said: "An activity that occurs on conservation land can require resource consent from the local council under the RMA and also a concession from the Department of Conservation to operate under the Conservation Act. While the purposes of the legislation are distinct - some of the issues being considered are the same. There may be scope for single processing timeframes or memorandum of agreements where issues are dealt with in common." We will continue to monitor these developments and their potential to impact upon outdoor recreation. Editors: Rob Mitchell: rmitchl28@xtra.co.nz Dennis Page: dennis.page@bdg.co.nz
From DoC
All tracks in the Wangapeka and Karamea catchments as well as all the tracks on the northern side of Mt Owen that were damaged during the July/August storms last year with the exception of one last remaining small section on the Kiwi Saddle Track and Stone Creek/Mt Luna Route have been re-opened. The tracks in the lower sections of the Wangapeka, Lower Karamea, and lower Cowan’s Spur have been scrub cut.
The new Granity Pass, Crow and Venus 12 bunk huts are now in place while Salisbury Hut now has a fire to replace the gas heater and plenty of fuel for the Winter.
Kiwi Saddle and Thor Huts have been repaired and repainted (a big thank you to Nelson Building Society and West Coast Fish and Game who made the Thor Hut restoration and painting work possible). Kiwi Saddle Hut has also had a new water tank installed.
The Wangapeka Road and Graham Valley Road
have been metalled and graded (following the extensive wind throw
clearance of the Wangapeka Road). Graham Valley Road did become badly
corrugated in that long hot dry spell in late Summer but after the
first good rain the grader was able to smooth things out again.
It was a big year for the Abel Tasman Coast Track
with an upgrade completed between Torrent Bay and Halfway Pool and
significant investment in upgrading the sewage systems at Bark Bay and
Anchorage.
It has been a difficult and frustrating year for Mt Richmond Forest Park. The loss of access into the park
has resulted in us having to close the Bishops Cap access from the Lee
Valley and alpine route, plus the Starveall – Lee Valley access. The
landowners have had some unfortunate experiences with the public
accessing these forestry roads including having to drive front-end
loaders in to tow-start logging trucks which had to avoid campervans.
Access through Lucy Gully is still available but is permit only access,
given that it crosses Hancock’s private forestry blocks. We obtained
landowner consent to maintain the track and public access through the
Left Branch of the Wairoa but a significant slip then closed the road
as far back as the Ben Nevis turnoff. Landowner permission for access
to the Right Branch of the Wairoa has been permanently withdrawn with
the landowner expressing concern over risks to their forestry blocks.
We have investigated other options to access the hut and track with no
success. We cannot therefore maintain this track and will cease
maintenance on it and look at options for the Right Branch Wairoa Hut.
Options include relocation to replace Porters Hut or total removal.
Contractors did a fantastic job of cutting through the wall of
wind-thrown Contorta at Inwoods Lookout but we are yet to clear the two
sections of wind-throw on the descent off the Gordon’s Range towards
Hunters Hut. These wind-throw are passable but do add time to the trip.
There’s also storm damage trees down along the Ben Nevis route and Left
Branch Wairoa that we will get to. The Browning / Hacket Track network
was also cleared of wind-throw and scrub cut over summer.
Storm damage from the Hacket Hut to Starveall Hut
is so bad that we are considering re-routing around it by picking up
the old ridge route on the true left above Hacket Hut. This would mean
that the river section of the track would no longer be maintained but
would (on the flipside) provide all weather access to and from
Starveall Hut. Thanks to those who contacted us with their local
knowledge of these old routes.
Sharlands Creek
- we are currently discussing options for the management of the
Sharlands Tracks for both walking and biking with the Nelson Mountain
Bike Club, forestry owner and others. If you have any views on this
please just let us know.
Flora Hut – the
hut has proved to be very popular in the last few weeks since the snow
has arrived. We‘ve had to truck in several loads of firewood already
but we have not seen any of the firewood (this season) that people
promised to donate when we decided to retain the hut. We have built up
a reserve in our yard from the storm damage trees but I will be
disappointed if we need to start purchasing firewood for Flora Hut.
Please contact Mark Townsend or Matt Page at this office if you can
help.
We are approaching the Winter storm season again so if you
come across any storm damage when you’re out in the backcountry we’d
really appreciate hearing from you. We may not get to it straight away
but it will definitely get added on to our work schedule. Photos and
locations of the damage would be ideal.
Martin Rodd| Area Manager | Motueka Area Office
Department of Conservation | PO Box 97 | Motueka 7143 | Ph 03 528 1810| 027 2839692 mrodd@doc.govt.nz
Contributions from Club Members
From the Programme Co-ordinator Ruth Hesselyn
Just
a note to mention that this programme, July-August, will be my last.
After two years (and approximately 200 trips) I feel it’s time to step
down. My plea for a replacement initially went unanswered, but there
were some who said they would help. So, a great team consisting of
David Blunt, Jim Maxwell and Uta Purcell has evolved. Margot Syms has
agreed to keep up the good work of updating the database and transport
costs. This team has a great deal of tramping experience and a wide
range of skills, so I’m sure the forthcoming programmes will be bigger,
bolder and better than ever. Though of course, this depends on your
continued contribution, both in organising and participation. Many
thanks to all those people who either volunteered or had their arms
twisted, or in some cases nearly broken, and agreed to organise trips
over the past couple of years. It has certainly made my job easier and
led to a more varied programme.
Editor’s Comment
The past three years as Editor and committee member have allowed me
to be involved with an enthusiastic and interesting range of people,
who have shared their knowledge and experiences willingly. As a Club
with a long history, Nelson Tramping Club has survived because of the
traditional enjoyment of going out and being in the outdoors, while at
the same time having members who are prepared to adapt to change.
Committee members can set programmes, organise speakers and activities,
look for new ways to communicate with members, and the community, but
it takes you, the club members who actively participate in tramps or
club nights, to keep the Club healthy and vibrant.
Feedback
and comment to committee members, whether in confirmation of the way
things are, or in recommending some alternative, or new approach, is
always useful. So, if you like something, tell the committee, and if
you see an opportunity for change, then also tell the committee.
Contributions and comments to the Editor, Hec Arbuthnott by email footnotes@ihug.co.nz fax to 548 1710, mail to 10 Wiltshire Place, Stoke or hand in to Basecamp at 295 Trafalgar Street. NELSON.
REMINDER: Club members receive a 10% discount from Basecamp, Altitude and Rollo’s
