We're meeting up with the tramping clubs from AUT, Waikato Uni, and Massey in the central north island!!!

Driving up after work on Friday, and back home Sunday night.

Accomodation is booked at the Tongariro Junction Holiday Park - there are cabins or tents to choose from, plus we have the use of a big central hall to hang out in!

During the days there will be options for different trips around the area for all preferences - from hot pools and hikes to sightseeing and looking at cool rocks! And in the evenings we have lots of fun planned - games, a quiz, and of course ending the night at the pub if you so choose.

It will be reasonably spenny - costs will be calculated after the trip but be prepared to pay $50-75 for petrol, $40-80 on accomodation (depending on tenting or cabin), plus money for meals and any paid activities you want to do.

Limited to 15 spots - sign up quick!

(DON'T NEED SNOWCRAFT EXPERIENCE)

Come along to a medium overnighter to Waiopehu Hut in the Tararuas! This trip is decent for anyone keen for a fun night up on the bushline. It is a 4-hour walk from Poads Road road-end, with the first kilometre of the track being across private farmland before the park boundary is reached. Most of the track is uphill and steep since the hut sits on a bushline at an elevation of 900m. The road end is a 1-hour and 10-minute drive from Kelburn Campus. The hut contains 18 bunk beds, but I'll keep the maximum number of people allowed at 16. 

Make sure to bring extra layers (like thermals) and a good pair of boots! The track can be quite muddy, and it can be cold at this time of year. Also, FYI, there is no fireplace at Waiopehu Hut, but it is a modern hut built in the early 2000s that is well insulated. You can retain body heat quite well if many people are staying there.

• Each person radiates body heat, and in a sealed, insulated hut like Waiopehu Hut that warmth lingers. The air temperature will also rise faster and stay stable for longer than in a less insulated hut with a fireplace. People moving around, closing doors, and staying active can also keep the hut cozy. You should still bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag.

Monday: Meet at Hunter Carpark at 10 am. Drive out to Poads Road road-end and start walking around 11:30-pm. Arrive at the hut sometime before dark and cook dinner.

Tuesday: Leave at approximately 10-am, walk back to the cars. Drive back to Welly for early afternoon.

It will cost around 10$ in fuel costs. You will need a blue standard ticket hut to stay the night which is 10$ (but isn't included in the trip cost), otherwise the Tararua rangers will harrass you for illegally sleeping in their hut. They can be brought at stores like Macpac in Central Wellington.

This Community Planting Day is kindly funded and supported by Thank You Payroll. Help us reforest the hills of Belmont Regional Park. By planting native trees and shrubs, we will restore the native ngahere/forests and create an ecological corridor for wildlife to travel between Wellington, Porirua, Kāpiti, and the Hutt Valley. This project aims to bring the community together to restore the hillsides of the Belmont Regional Park. We provide all the tools and training, and we can even provide transport to the site. Just bring your energy and lunch. We will provide you with a yummy morning tea. Come have some fun planting with us at a stunning site that overlooks the Porirua coastline.

Sign up on the ConservationVolunteers.co.nz website: https://volunteerportal.conservationvolunteers.co.nz/s/make-booking (If it's not available anymore it is due to the event being fully booked out)

Make sure to bring: snacks (optional), full refillable water bottle. There will be extra refreshments on site.

What to wear: comfortable footwear and something you don't mind getting dirty! (hiking shoes or work boots are great). Appropriate outdoor clothing (lightweight long sleeved clothing and trousers) to protect yourself from cuts and stratches and insect bites/stings. Please bring a rain jacket and hat. 

CVNZ will provide all the tools for the activities as well as gloves, hi-ves vests and sunblocks! 

CVNZ also offers transport to Belmont from (Email: wellington@cvnz.org.nz or ph: ‭021 057 1370‬):

• 8.30am pick up Truby King House
• 9am pick up Z station Vivian Street Te Aro
• 9.10am pick up Z station Johnsonville (136/140 Johnsonville Road)
• 9.20am pick up Z station Porirua East (Mungavin Ave)

You can also take public transport

• Take the Kapiti train from Wellington Train Station to Porirua
• Take the 220 to Warspite Avenue from Porirua Bus Station (https://www.metlink.org.nz/service/220/timetable)

Meet at 36B Waihora Crescent, Waitangirua. Parking on the street or in the Waihora Park car park.

❄️MIDWINTER - Tongariro Four Craters Tour

Days: Sat 23 Aug - Mon 25 Aug

Route plan: A day touring (or admiring from a distance) all four of the volcanic craters, via Hardman's Ridge.

Day 1 - Drive up from Welly to the Mangatepopo carpark, stopping in Ohakune for dinner and a browse of a good op-shop for cheap gear https://ethicalwaste.co.nz/. Walk 30 mins up to the Mangatepopo Hut. It's a serviced hut outside of Great Walk season.

Day 2 - Start at 7am and head up Hardman's Ridge, towards Mt Tongariro (Avoid the summit itself as it's taonga to Ngati Tuwharetoa) then up the North Crater, then back down towards the Central Crater for some of the best photo spots. Check out the Red Crater, then return to Mangatepopo Hut along whichever route is most suitable (keeping in mind avalanche and snowpack hazard assessments)

Day 3 -  Free day. Could relax in the hut, or head back up to Hardman's Ridge to play around in the snow. At some point we'll head to the Tokaanu hot pools, then drive back down to Welly.

Difficulty: Medium. Fairly long day, decent level of fitness needed. Foundational snow experience (crampons, axes, traversal, etc.) strongly recommended but not required. The Alpine area and upper reaches of Hardman's Ridge will have moderate snow cover. Intended to be an easier trip compared to the other big mishes. Weather and avalanche risk dependent, of course.

Max People: Probs like 3 cars (12 people-ish) max, as long as we have some others with mountaineering experience. Need drivers since I'm vehicularly challenged and don't have a car :( Mangatepopo Hut sleeps 20 (24 on the floors of the main room) so we'll carry some tents in the car just in case, it's a quick walk back to the roadend if the hut is full.

Gear: Overnight tramping gear, plus snow gear - sunglasses, waterproof coat and pants and gloves, stiff three quarter shank boots or better. Lots of warm layers. Crampons, Ice Axes, and Helmets can be borrowed from the club, possibly gaiters. Bring your own breakfasts and lunches, dinner will be shared.

Medium Hard trip around mt Ruapehu sometime in the second week of the holidays (25th - 31st). Looking at 4 days, or 5 if we decide to extend and do the northen crossing as well.

Very weather dependent, so look at booking at least a week off work to be able to pick the best weather window! 

Max's car only has 2-3 spots; this trip will not be first-come, first-served, but instead, more active members with previous tramping experience will likely be prioritised, unless we can get more cars! Please sign up if you're keen and have a car!

All the huts are first-come-first serve, so bring an airmat in case we need to stay on the floor or outside. We'll have a fly & groundsheet incase we do need to camp outside. 

It will probably be VERY cold, so do bring polypros/merinos (I suggest at least one set to walk in & one set to sleep in, so you don't sleep in damp thermals), & some other warm layers to pop on top. You probably want proper waterproof boots with wool socks & gaiters, not just trail runners, otherwise your feet will get very cold.

Reach out to Max if you have any questions.

Route

Day 1 15.5km

Head up morning of first day (28th?), walk across past tama lakes to Waihohonu Hut

Day 2 13.2km

Walk to Rangipo Hut

Day 3 23.8km (includes uphill road walking)

The big day: Walk to Mangaturuturu Hut

Day 4 18.4km (includes downhill road walking)

Walk out to Iwikau village, then down Bruce road to Whakapapa village

Trip up to a Maungaweka (the tallest peak in the Ruahines). The loose plan is to leave on the 26th (or 25th and sleep in the car park) -> pourangaki -> mangaweka -> kellyknight -> out on the 28th.

We will meet at the old coach road trailhead at 10am and head towards the Makara road end in Karori. It is a 13.4km track and we can take it as a chill/ social walking pace with lots of stops for photos and snacks. 

Bring lunch, snacks, water, good walking shoes and warm layers. 

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 3:45 pm on Friday afternoon.

You will be back on Saturday arvo, evening sometime. 

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 

- Toilet paper/soup/handsanny

- 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. 

- something to put on porridge in the morning (brown sugar, nut butter, fruit 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)  

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: Faultline 

Schedule:

• Sign up! (Even if you are meeting us down there)

• Please meet at the Hunter Carpark at 5:45 p.m. We will head down on the dot (6 p.m.).
• Travel to the Climbing Gym by foot. 
• CLIMB!
• You can leave whenever you like (We usually finish up around 8:30 p.m), return to your flats and halls by bus or walk from the gym.

Entry costs $15 + $3 for shoes 

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, just let the front desk know you are with VUWTC. Our discounted price is only from 6 pm onwards on Wednesdays

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/

Wanting to meet some like-minded trail runners? Or wanting to get out on the trails more?

*this week's run will be a chill plod as Beth and Brooke are both in the pain cave with some niggly injuries*

We'll meet at 4:45 in the big carpark by Te Puni, before heading out for a 7-10km hilly trail run before the meeting. We leave at 4:45 due to time constraints before the meeting, so make sure you're on time if you're keen to come along! Plod theory dictates that we run at a conversational pace, so we'll wind our way up towards the windmill for as long as time allows, then turn back to uni. Some weeks we may start earlier to get more distance in, check the time of this event carefully!

What you need to bring:

• Head Torch
• Trail Runners (shoes with more grip then your standard sports shoes, it's slippery/muddy out there and rolled ankles are a big thumbs down)
• Some running know-how: you should be able to comfortably run at least 5km with elevation at a conversational pace. We're not looking to set any PBs but if you're just getting into running these adventures may be a bit too much! If you're unsure, contact us to chat x 

ps - map for where to meet!