Trip intentions

Come and enjoy some champagne on the famous Aorangi Crossing! This is a medium level 3 day trip in the Aorangi forest park. They are the final 4 huts I need to get all the huts in the Aorangis (hence champagne), and you'll bag two thirds of them!

We'll visit 4 huts, see some amazing rock formations at the Pinnacles, and cross many rivers!

Due to hut space I can only take 6 people (could have more if tenting). I need help with drivers, 2 cars are needed as the track is one way and the ends are five hours walk apart (alternatively we can hitchhike or walk).

Let me know if you have questions :)

Plan:

Day 1: Drive from uni to Rd end (2hr), walk to Kawakawa hut via Mangatoetoe hut (4-5hr, 10.7km)

Day 2: Walk from Kawakawa to Washpool hut via Pararaki hut (4.5-6.5hr, 9.2km)

Day 3: Walk from Washpool hut to Pinnacles campsite (4-5hr, 10km), drive 20min to other road end to pick up car, drive 2hr 20min back to Welly

Costs (about $40-50 total):

- Petrol will be about $20-30 pp

- Huts: 2x blue hut tickets ($10 each from outdoor stores), OR annual DOC hut pass, OR fare evasion ;)

- Maybe a shared dinner?

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wairarapa/places/aorangi-forest-park/things-to-do/aorangi-crossing/

Northern Crossing is a track I've always wanted to complete, but I hadn't gotten the opportunity until now. The Northern crossing is an unmarked track linking Ōhau and Waingawa rivers/catchments. The track is quite difficult and will take 3 days if we push it; however, it could end up being 4 days.

Please bring 4 days of food! Also, chance of snow, so bring warm gear!

Plan for 3 days: Day 1: Depart from Wellington at 8 AM Saturday 16th August, start the track on the Ōhau side, head up Te Araroa trail and along Waiopehu track until Waiopehu hut. Then head to Te Matawai hut and stay the night there.  Day 2: Depart Te Matawai hut. Walk along Dora track until Pukematawai (From then on, Track markers disappear). From there, head to Tarn Ridge Hut and stay the night at Tarn Ridge. Day 3: Leave Tarn ridge hut, head up Mitre Peak, then down past Mitre Flats hut, and be picked up at Waingawa. 

Plan for 4 days: Day 1: Depart from Wellington at 8 AM Saturday 16th August, start the track on the Ōhau side, head up Te Araroa trail and along Waiopehu track until Waiopehu hut, stay the night there. Day 2: Walk along the track until Pukematawai, then to Arete hut, stay the night there. Day 3: Leave Arete along Tarn Ridge past Tarn Ridge hut up Mitre Peak, watch the sunset there or something! Then head down Mitre to Mitre flats hut, stay the night there. Day 4: Walk out along Barra track to be picked up at Waingawa. 

Trip is full at this moment, if you wish to come along you need to be able to find a driver to pick you up and drop you off.

Map of route we will take other colours are evactuation routes incase shit hits the fan! (It won't)

Hello! 

We staying overnight on Friday at Atiwhakatu Hut, in the Tararua ranges. 

This is a easy 2hour walk along a river, which will be done in the dark.... !! whooo head torches needed. 

Depending on the weather the following day we can go over to Mount Holdsworth, or back out the same way - this will be a group decision we make on Saturday morning. 

It is a 1.45 min drive from Wellington, and we will be leaving from Hunter car park at 3:15 pm on Friday afternoon.

We will be back late evening (7pm or so) Saturday. 

This trip is open to anyone who identifies as a Woman, or as gender diverse. 

Ths cost is $25. This is covering the hut ticket (as this is a serviced hut), fuel, group pasta, plus a few treats :) 

BRING

- sutiable walking clothes and shoes (trail runners ok) 

- warm gear: it is very cold at the moment (wool, polyprops - no cotton plz) 

- head torch

- sleeping bag 

- lunch and snacks for one day 

- an item that you would like to put in Pasta! (for a shared pasta Friday night dinner), this could be veggies, dried meat, a cheese, sause etc. 

this trip is first in first serves -  the hut has limited number of spaces so if you sign up first, you are more likely to be able to come! 

Preference will also be given to those who have a car which they can take (drivers are reinbursed for fuel)  

Every year we like to head up Mt Ruapehu & learn a bit about alpine hiking. We learn how to use an ice axe, crampons & some info about safety in winter conditions.

We stay at the TTC Lodge on the mountain, which is one of the most incredible places to watch the sunrise & sunset.

What happens on Snowcraft?

On Friday evening we will meet at the gear shed from 4pm to sus ourselves out, then start driving north by 4:30pm. Bulls is about halfway & has a bangin' curry spot so maybe pop in for dinner on the way, or elsewhere (up to your driver really). We should get to Ruapehu before midnight, then we have to walk about 20min from the carpark to the lodge. 

Saturday morning we will rise at a reasonable hour, have breakfast, and sort the day's gameplan. We will split into groups, and spend the day on the mountain learning snow skills, & checking out some cool scenery. Then we'll head back down to the lodge for a mean feed & a bit of socialising. 

Sunday morning we have to tidy up the lodge but otherwise we can decide what we want to do. There's potential for more snow stuff, or maybe a trip to the hotpools or other locations on the way home. 
 

What do I need for snowcraft?

A comprehensive list will be sent out to those attending, but here's a rough outline of the kind of gear you need:

• Waterproof jacket, pants & gloves
• Boots that are compatible with crampons - this is very important! Bring your boots to a meeting if you're not sure. 
• Sleeping bag
• Warm clothes - thermals, fleece etc
• Headtorch
• Snow goggles or decent sunglasses

VUWTC will supply helmets, ice axes, and crampons.

What will it cost me?

The cost of the trip is $130. This includes:

• The fees for staying 2 night in the TTC lodge
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner/dessert
• Your share of petrol (it's a long drive!)

The trip fee for leaders will be subsidised to $90 each. 

We need 6 drivers - drivers will be reimbursed $254, which is in line with IRD's kilometre rates. 

How do I sign up?

Sign up using the sign up form below. Sign ups will open on the 1st of July and close on the 9th July.

Due to the popularity of this trip it will not be first in first served - priority will be given to members that are currently active in the club (coming to meetings/going on trips) & wanting to go on Midwinter trips in the uni break (16-31 August).

We are allowed 31 people in the lodge so that will be the trip capacity. There will be a snowcraft 2 on 12-14 September for anyone who misses out. 

Hillary Outdoors Avalanche Skills Course 1 (ASC1): Thursday 31st July - Friday 1st August

We have arranged a private avalanche skills (ASC1) course through Hillary Outdoors, which we are subsidising 8 club members to attend. 

This course includes an evening theory session (5:30pm-9:00pm on Thursday the 31st of July) and a field day at Whakapapa (8:30am–4:30pm on Friday the 1st of August). You would then join the rest of the snowcraft participants at the TTC lodge on Friday night, and participate in/lead the VUWTC snowcraft on the 2nd and 3rd August. 

The cost for those that go on this course is $190. This includes the avalanche course fee and the snowcraft fee. 

To recognise the large amount of money that VUWTC is putting into subsidising this course, participants will be expected to attend/lead on snowcraft 1, attend/lead a midwinter tramp (in the uni break 16-31 Aug) and lead on snowcraft 2 (12-14 September). Participants will be chosen based on their availability for these events, general commitment to the club, likelihood that they will give back to the club in the coming years. 

We need 2 drivers - drivers will be reimbursed $254, which is in line with IRD's kilometre rates. 

More information about the course:

This 1.5 day course introduces participants to essential avalanche safety skills needed for travelling in snow-covered alpine terrain. It is designed for individuals who would like to spend time travelling in an alpine environment, or outside of ski area boundaries, but have little or no experience with the avalanche phenomenon.

The course covers an introduction to:

• Trip planning and preparation
• Defining the avalanche phenomenon
• Understanding the NZ Avalanche Advisory
• Weather, terrain, snowpack and how these relate to avalanche conditions
• Travel: Evidence based decision-making about route selection and safe travel techniques
• Human factors and decision-making tools
• Avalanche rescue

Course prerequisites – participants must:

• Be aged 18+ years
• Have solid snow movement skills and fitness level appropriate to travel safely for eight hours in alpine terrain and conditions
• Be physically capable of walking, skiing, or snowboarding in a variety of snow conditions on moderate-angled terrain

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Organiser: Felicity Wills (email)

Welcome to Wednesday Climbing Nights!

We bounce between Hangdog Adventures in Lower Hutt and Faultline Climbing on Willis St!

There are grades for everyone: people who prefer to test out the basic climbs to those who love a good challenge, so come along! No matter how much climbing experience you've had, you are welcome.

This week: Hangdog- plz bring ur cars/ $ for your driver

Schedule:

• Sign up! ( So I have time to sort out transport).

This week, we will drive to Hangdog from the University to the climbing gym. 

• We will meet at the Hunter Carpark (in the Same area as the Club Gear shed) around 5:45 pm (no later than 5:50 pm, please). We will leave at  6 pm ON THE DOT.
• Travel to the Climbing Gym by car (FIRST IN, FIRST SERVED): Those who don't get a car seat will take a bus or, if the train systems work, a train. 
• CLIMB! Return to the university carpark after 9 pm/closing (unless discussed with your driver.)
• (We may have an earlier group head leaving at 4.30 but only if numbers are really high)

IMPORTANT 

If you find out or decide you cannot make it and have a seat in a car, please withdraw from the event OR let me know BEFORE 4 pm on Wednesday. x

Entry costs $15 + $3 for gear 

This is not paid for through the club—there is no piking fee if you pull out. Let me know if you cannot make it on the night !!!

To get the VUWTC entry price, you have to be with the group or let me know if you are arriving late. Our discounted price is only from 6 pm onwards on Wednesdays