Booking A Trip
Deadline
Saturday and weekend overnight trips; please book by Wednesday.Sunday trips; please book by Thursday.
Enjoy your trip.
Programme
For guidelines in how to add a trip into the programme - click here.
[Note: Use Trip list for overview of trips, and to add trips.]
26 February
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Andrea Cockerton
Phone: 539 3758 (w)
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
$2
Debbie Hogan Email: debbiehogan011@gmail.com
Phone: 553 0427
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
Topo50 Map: BQ28
Wakamarina Track
Easy
$15
Graeme Ferrier Email: ferrierg1@gmail.com
Phone: 539 4094
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
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
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
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
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.
8 March
Topo50 Map: BQ26
Cable Bay Adventure Park
Grade TBD
Rod Lewis Email: roketrod@mac.com
Phone: 539 1004
In the Cable Bay Adventure Park we climb a newly cleared walking track. The route is steep at places, but not very long. NOTE: DATE CHANGE
Along the way to Blue Hill we will cross the various park activities. Near the peak we will have lovely views out to the sea and surrounding areas.
For those who want to ride the Sky wire, it can be arranged when we get back to the start, where we can also finish with refreshments at the on-site cafe.
11 March
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Graeme Ferrier Email: ferrierg1@gmail.com
Phone: 539 4094
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
Second Wednesday: Tantagee / Centre of NZ area (Graeme or Kath) – meet at Botanic Park.
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.
14 - 15 March
N25 / Topo50 Map: BN25
Abel Tasman National Park
Medium (Scale: 2.8)
$24
Patrick Holland Email: p.t.holland@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 539 1340
The less visited Northern Coast for an easy tramp with idyllic overnight camp. NOTE: DATE CHANGE
From Wainui Bay we head to Whariwharangi for lunch at the hut or on the beautiful beach. Then on to Mutton Cove where we will drop packs for a side trip to Separation Point and then back to set up camp. On Sunday we head to Anapai Bay on the coastal track and then to the track junction for Totaranui. Up over Gibbs Hill (405m) on the main track and back down to Wainui Bay. Perhaps a side trip to Wainui Falls or to Taipo Point if there is time.
This is part of the ATNP GW so campites must be booked at $15 a site.
18 March
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Debbie Hogan Email: debbiehogan011@gmail.com
Phone: 553 0427
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
Third Wednesday: Grampians (Debbie) – meet at Market Road carpark, Kahikatea track.
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.
20 - 22 March
Topo50 Maps: BP23-24
Lockett Range traverse
Hard (Scale: 4.2)
$27
Peter Waworis Email: peter@sirowaw.net.nz
Phone: 021 798 106
Joint Club Trip with Wiamea Tramping Club, WTC also has an easy trip to Fenella Hut on Sat/Sun.
Drive to Sylvester carpark on Friday afternoon and hike upto Sylvester Hut (1.5 hours). Get an early start on Saturday and hike across the tops of the Lockett Range to Fenella Hut (10+ hours). Sunday walk out to Trilobite with the easier group (4 hours) and get drivers dropped back to the cars. Tent/Emergency shelter must be carried. $15 hut ticket each hut. Please consider your fitness level for this trip!! Saturday will be a long day on undulating tops with only short breaks.
25 March
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Andrea Cockerton
Phone: 539 3758 (w)
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
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.
27 - 29 March
Mt Owen
Fit (Scale: 3.5)
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
Friday: From Courthouse Flat follow the track to Granity Pass Hut (approx 6 hours).
Saturday: Day trip to the summit of Mt Owen (weather permitting), approx 7 hours.
Sunday: Return down the track to Courthouse Flat. There are 2 parallel tracks for the last couple of kms, so we can do one on the way up and one on the way down.
Depending on the size of our group, some may need to take tents. It's a 12 bunk hut, and there may also be others staying.
1 April
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
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.
5 April
Topo50 Map BP24
Hoary Head
Hard (Scale: 4.2)
$NR
Barry James Email: bbarryjames@gmail.com
Phone: 546 6153
Sunday
Drive to near the top of Mt Campbell (1330m), walk over the summit then pick up the ridge to Hoary Head. The ridge is open at first then enters the bush and goes over a couple of high points before climbing to the broad summit of Hoary Head (1473m). Return the same way. Approx 18km with up to 1300m of climbing on little or no track. High clearance 4WDs required to access Mt Campbell.
Can also be arranged as an over night trip.
6 April
Club night
Grade TBD
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
Martin Grinstead from the Nelson Speleological Club will talk to us about his caving adventures.
8 April
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Graeme Ferrier Email: ferrierg1@gmail.com
Phone: 539 4094
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
Second Wednesday: Tantagee / Centre of NZ area (Graeme or Kath) – meet at Botanic Park.
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.
10 - 13 April
Matiri Range
Fit
Mike Drake Email: mike@mikedrake.nz
Phone: 522 4458
(522 4458 is the preferred contact number)
Easter Weekend
Day 1: Matiri Valley road end to Larrikin Creek Hut.
Day 2: Climb The Haystack from the saddle with The Needle, then onto the Matiri Range. Travel north following the Matiri Range, at some point find a suitable drop-off point to gain the Matiri Valley Track (MVT). Follow the MVT to Hurricane Hut.
Day 3: Retrace MVT and continue on to McConchies Hut.
Day 4: Back to roadend via Lake Matiri.
Note: The drop-off from the Matiri Range did involve hanging onto vegetation and climbing down. We will endeavour to find the 'easiest' route down. After the initial drop-off the going gets easier.
Variation
Depending on the group makeup there maybe an option to have another group heading south (to do a vehicle swap). So rather than retrace the MVT, continue along the Matiri Range to Wangapeka Saddle and Stone Hut.
Through trip was done in 2008.
See http://live.nelsontrampingclub.club/node/20
Trip report: 2-6 February 2008 Thousand Acre Plateau – Wangapeka Organiser: Bob Janssen.
Tents
Tents will need to be carried.
15 April
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Debbie Hogan Email: debbiehogan011@gmail.com
Phone: 553 0427
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
Third Wednesday: Grampians (Debbie) – meet at Market Road carpark, Kahikatea track.
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.
18 - 19 April
Navigation Training
Easy
$NR
Richard Walker Email: purecabf@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 544 0348
Navigation Training - St. Arnard
Details to come...
22 April
Summer Hill Series
Easy
Andrea Cockerton
Phone: 539 3758 (w)
Summer Hill series
Midweek walks – Wednesday 5.30pm for up to 2 hours.
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.
25 - 27 April
Luna Tops or Lewis tops
Grade TBD
Andrea Cockerton
Phone: 539 3758 (w)
Trip can be done either which way depending on weather.
Saturday Day One.
Up Gibbs track to Kiwi Saddle Hut, side trip up Mt Patriach,
Sunday Day Two
Stone Hut via the Luna Tops
Monday Anzac day observed
Stone Hut out via Wangapeka track.
Good fitness be bit of a workout.
Option with good weather is circuit round Monkey Biv, Lewis Tops
2 - 3 May
Old Topo: M26, M27 / Topo 50: BP23, BP24
Lake Camp, Cobb Valley
Medium (Scale: 2.9)
$NR
Ian Morris Email: ian.morris.nz@gmail.com
Phone: 546 4785
Saturday: Park at Trilobite & head up Cobb valley. Turn left at Tent Camp & climb up off-track to camp at Lake Camp.
Sunday: Climb another 250 metres SE to gain point 1512 and descend the spur by Chaffey Stream.
10 May
Topo50 BP25
Holyoake Clearing
Medium (Scale: 2.9)
$NR
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
A short walk on the Abel Tasman coastal track then take a left turn on to the Inland track, a fairly steep climb up to Holyoake Clearing taking approx 2 to 2 1/2 hours with stops to catch breath and enjoy the views. A decent lunch stop at the shelter before returning via an alternate track which takes us back down to the coastal track but further north. Return to Marahau via coastal track. Approx 6 to 7 hours round trip.
16 - 17 May
Navigation Training
Easy
$NR
Richard Walker Email: purecabf@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 544 0348
Navigation Training - St. Arnard - Contingency date if weather poor in April.
Details to come...
23 - 24 May
Golden Bay weekend
Easy
Kate Krawczyk Email: NTC.President@yahoo.com
Phone: 5476463
Let's enjoy our beautiful Golden Bay region. Can drive over on Friday night, hire a batch or camp?? Daywalks around the area.
Day tramp suggestions are: Rawhiti Cave, Wharariki/Farewell (crossover?), ATNP North end, Pupu Valley Walkway and Springs, Druggans Dam, Rameka Track (could do on way to/from Nelson, walk or bike), Kaituna Track, Milnthorpe, your ideas...
30 May - 1 June
Topo50 Map: BQ22
Heaphy Hut - Oparara Arch
Easy
Madeleine Rohrer Email: madeleine.rohrer@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 027 322 1507
Queen's Birthday weekend
Heaphy Hut along the coast, over night then return. Camp at cars at start of trip then explore Oparara arches before returning home.
30 May - 1 June
Lake Christabel
Medium
$NR
Kath Ballantine Email: kath.ballantine@gmail.com
Phone: 027 931 5689
Queen's Birthday weekend
Lake Christabel / Robinson River Circuit. This is a 3 night 4 day circuit along the Robinson river over a saddle to Lake Cristabel and out to start in Victoria Forest park. Access is via Palmer road from Springs Junction. The first 2 days are along a rough track beside the river with just a small climb from 340 M to 500M at Mid Robinson Hut. The 2nd day along the river to Top Robinson Hut 700M.
Day 3 we leave the river, ascend via a poled route to Robinson Saddle at 1300M before descending to Lake Cristabel Hut 700M. The last day we walk along the edge of Lake Cristabel and then down teh Blue Grey river back to Palmer Road approx 7KM from our cars. (if 2 cars we can do a car shuttle before we start the tramp).
6 June
Hackett Hut
Easy (Scale: 1.7)
Leah Parker Email: landkparkernz@gmail.com
Phone: 547 5683
From Aniseed Valley Road walk about 5km along an easy track beside Hacket Creek to reach Hacket Hut for morning tea. The track passes through the Dun Mountain mineral belt. We will head back the same way and make a side trip to Whispering Falls for lunch.
8 June
Club night
Grade TBD
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
Debbie Hogan will present on recent travels in China.
13 - 14 June
Topo50 Map BP24
Asbestos Cottage
Medium
$NR
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
Asbestos Cottage crossover
Details to follow.....
20 - 21 June
Robert Lodge
Easy
$NR
Debbie Hogan Email: debbiehogan011@gmail.com
Phone: 553 0427
Midwinter Solstice party @ Robert Lodge
Details to be confirmed ...
11 - 12 July
Topo 50 BS22
Kirwans Hut, Victoria Rge
Fit (Scale: 3.6)
$NR
Clare Quested Email: clare.quested@gmail.com
Phone:
From near Reefton:
Saturday: From Caplestown car park walking to Kirwans Hut (1280m) and maybe Kirwans Hill
Sunday: The same way out.
There is a steady 6 hr and 1080 m climb to Kirwans Hut near the bushline. An extra 50 min side trip leads to Kirwans Hill with views over the Victoria Range.
Kirwans Hut: 12b, 3 standard hut tickets or 1 serviced hut ticket or Backcountry Hut Pass,
3 August
Club night
Grade TBD
Michele Cunningham Email: michelec146@gmail.com
Phone: 021 537 421
AGM and photo competition.
12 - 13 September
SNOW SKILLS TRAINING
Medium
$NR
Debbie Hogan Email: debbiehogan011@gmail.com
Phone: 553 0427
Following on the success of the Snow skills training trip in 2019, we will repeat it again this year. This will be a combined training trip with other local tramping clubs.
Walk in to Robert Lodge early Saturday via Pinchgut, and stay the night. Kerosene heating and gas cooking are provided in the lodge, but no showers. No candles are to be lit, but bring your head torch. Toilets are flushed by bucket. Self catered, but some may wish to pool their food for Saturday evening. Open to ideas on this. The fee for Robert Lodge is $20, additional to the transport charge. Maximum capacity of Robert Lodge is 30. If the weather forecast is dire, the trip will be postponed.
Learn French technique! Also German and American. The object of the training is to;
- hone existing snow skills or develop them if you are new to snow travel using gear
- practice movement on different types and gradients of snow slopes
- gain confidence in what is comfortably doable, and avoiding what is not.
- practice self arresting technique in varying conditions.
- snow travel using walking poles will also be covered.
- recognition and avoidance of avalanche risk.
- snow shelter theory.
- plan a snow trip.
- escape routes.
We will endeavour to find experienced mountaineers, to ensure a good ratio of instructors, and a good range of ideas and techniques.
Ice axes and crampons required. CHRIS LOUTH has some avaliable.
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