2014
7 January
Clubrooms closed
14 January Barbecue
Where have you been?
It's the TTC's annual summer barbecue!
Come along and astound your fellow members with tales of high (or low) adventure from the Christmas and New Year break.
Bring some food and something to drink and we'll supply the barbecue to cook on. At the clubrooms from 7.30pm.
21 January Four West MacDonnell(approve sites) Odysseys
To Peter Reimann, the ranges west of Alice Springs in Central Australia are endlessly tantalising, with unique geology, ecology and mountains to explore.
The Larapinta Trail(approve sites) with a side trip to Mt Giles in 2008, Mt Zeil in 2010, and the rim of Ormiston Pound in 2011 were just the beginning.
28 January New Members Evening
Bring along neighbours, colleagues, friends, and family who are interested in seeing what the TTC has to offer!
Come and meet new and prospective members and share with them why you love our club.
Find out how to join trips, what you need to take on trips, and all the things the TTC does: tramping, outdoor family activities, off track exploration, climbing and mountaineering, skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and cycling, kayaking, canoeing and tubing, a youth programme, bushcraft instruction, alpine instruction, skiing and snowboarding instruction, conservation, search and rescue, and social events.
4 February From Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk
Alan Graham and Liz Martin set out last year to hike Iceland's iconic Laugavegur Trail(approve sites). Strong winds, rain and sometimes blizzard conditions made this quite a challenging trip.
11 February Demystifying Syria
A younger Patrick Arnold travelled through Syria on a pilgrimage to castles, mosques and Roman ruins.
Patrick will share his experiences and explain some of the history and background to the current situation in this troubled and misunderstood country.
18 February Over the Alps and under the midnight sun
Last year Peter and Caroline Gates spent two months touring Europe, walking and cycling in the Alps and Pyrenees, and sea kayaking under the midnight sun in the Lofoton Islands.
25 February Michael Taylor bequest forum
Come along and share your views with other members and the General Committee on how the bequest Michael so generously gave to the Club can best be used.
4 March Pearls of Persia
Last year Alison Fleming spent three weeks touring Iran with a group of Kiwis, and discovered an ancient country of intelligent, friendly, picnic loving locals.
Kime Hut Opening Celebration
A celebratory cake will be cut at 7.45pm on Tuesday 11 March at the clubrooms to celebrate the new Kime Hut.
Maurice Perry will be present and others will also recall stories of Kime Huts 1 & 2.
- Please come and join us – everyone most welcome.
11 March Routeburn(approve sites) retrospective
We travel back in time with Tish Glasson over one of the world’s most famous tracks and hear about the introduction of guided tours in the 1970s by well-known Otago tramper and mountaineer Jim Gilkinson.
18 March A traverse of the Kaweka and Kaimanawa Ranges
When Pip Newton and Sandra Beckett took on a journey of 69 km across the Kaweka and Kaimanawa mountain ranges, they experienced long days, high winds, and tired bodies.
On the upside, there were stunning views of the wilderness.
25 March Colombia and the Galapagos: Culture, plants and wildlife
Experienced South American travellers Pete and Trish Smith got to visit Colombia and the Galapagos for the first time last year.
The highlights of their five-week trip were the colourful cultural sights and the outstanding fauna and flora they saw during their visits to national parks.
1 April TTC off-track in Bhutan
In April 2013, Janette Roberts and other club members explored some of the seldom-visited valleys and passes of Western Bhutan(approve sites), where they were welcomed by monks and yak-herders in their high summer camps.
8 April Pouakai Circuit(approve sites), Mt Taranaki
Over Labour weekend 2013, Muriel Christianson led six club members around the Pouakai circuit(approve sites), a great three-day tramp with a variety of terrain and well-maintained tracks.
The forecast for the weekend wasn't good but the party awoke on the Saturday morning to a stunning day.
and The Old Ghost Road(approve sites)
In the north-west corner of the South Island the 80km-long Old Ghost Road(approve sites) is connecting old miners' trails.
It traverses native forest, tussock and rocky tops, river flats, and valleys, and follows the beautiful Mokihinui river.
Cathy Wylie and Tom White were part of a TTC group who recently walked this route in the making, from Lyell to Seddonville.
15 April Cycling around the North Sea
A 5,340 km bike trip along the North Sea Cycle Route over 15 weeks from April to July 2013 took Matt and Francie Benge through coastal regions of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England.
Along the way they saw some stunning scenery, enjoyed a number of cultural attractions, and encountered some “warm and wonderful people”.
and Regional Public Transport Plan
Regional Councillor Paul Bruce will update us briefly on public transport issues for the Wellington region and how you can have your say.
22 April Biking and barging in Belgium and hiking in the Pyrenees
Last June Barbara Camfield and David Holland did a trip by bike and barge between Bruges and Amsterdam and a tramping trip into the Pyrenees, where they spotted two kiwis.
29 April The Bibbulmun Track
In 2008 Bruce and Kerry Popplewell, with Michael Bartlett and three locals, walked the Bibbulmun Track, a trail winding nearly 1000 km through the heart of the scenic south west of Western Australia. The journey began in Albany on the south coast and ended in Kalamunda in the hills outside Perth. (Note change of programme).
6 May Peak bagging in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Last December, Lorraine Johns did a ten-day climbing trip in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with Simon Bell, Patrick Arnold and Rob Hawes.
The TTC team traversed the Anzac Peaks before ascending Aoraki/Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route, then flying to the head of the Tasman Glacier to climb Hochstetter Dome, Walter, Green, and Elie De Beaumont.
Simon and Rob also climbed Vancouver, and Simon and Lorraine finished the trip with an ascent of The Footstool.
13 May Routeburn retrospective
We travel back in time with Tish Glasson over one of the world’s most famous tracks and hear about the introduction of guided tours in the 1970s by well-known Otago tramper and mountaineer Jim Gilkinson.
20 May Cambodia with VSA
In 2003 Jan Nye and Rob Joiner went to Cambodia with VSA and spent five years working with poor and disadvantaged people.
They will share their stories about the joys and heartbreak of living and working in a country where poverty strikes at the core.
27 May Winter activities night
Join the Club’s winter sports enthusiasts for a glass of gluhwein, then sit back and hear how the Club can help you to plan and enjoy some great adventures in the snow this winter. The Club’s Tararua Lodge on Mt Ruapehu is an excellent base for skiing, snow boarding and alpine climbing and our ski and alpine instruction programme is about to get underway. There will be a final opportunity to sign up for these courses.
- Please note the earlier start time of 7.30pm and $4 entry charge
3 June Ski swap/sale
An opportunity arranged by the Ski Committee to sell, swap or give away skis and other items from your winter activities equipment that you no longer need. Anything that is not snapped up must be taken home again!
- For more information, contact Vivienne Radcliffe on 233 1398
and Colorado skiing
In January and February Simon Davis and Jim Simmons spent three weeks in Colorado skiing ten resorts.
See the best Colorado has to offer.
10 June Simon's 50 peak experiences
Since 2009 Simon Bell has been working on the '100 peak list' of great mountains to climb in New Zealand. Earlier this year he reached the summit of his 50th peak. The three most challenging climbs Simon has encountered so far have been the Strauchon face of Dilemma, the south face of Douglas and the west face of Magellan.
17 June Manage your mind, manage your life
In response to stress caused by the increasing demands of life, our mind becomes cluttered with thoughts. We tend to dwell on mistakes or hurts of the past and feel anxious about what the future holds. Art of Living ambassador Sukhvinder Bindra will introduce some basic tools to manage these tendencies, using simple but powerful breathing techniques.
24 June Introducing Spike the Tuatara
Senior technician, field researcher and carer of tuatara at the Victoria University School of Biological Sciences, Sue Keall has developed innovative husbandry techniques in egg incubation and hatching and translocation of tuatara to new habitats. Accompanied by animal ambassador Spike the Tuatara, Sue will discuss conservation management issues and reveal some surprising biological features of New Zealand’s iconic reptile species.
1 July Protecting the West Coast Wetlands
Nine years ago, Kathy Gilbert flew into action when she saw a digger cutting an opening from the lagoon to the sea next to her newly purchased property south of Hokitika. As chair of the West Coast branch of Forest & Bird, she has since been involved in lengthy but eventually successful legal action to protect the West Coast’s nationally significant lowland wetlands against the threats of mining and expansion of dairying. Come and hear more about her journey!
8 July Tramping and global warming
Drawing upon the latest science from around the world, Wellington author and conservationist Jonathan Kennett explores how climate change will affect the ecosystems and landscapes that trampers love most - from coastal parks through native forests to our highest peaks. Join him for a thought provoking discussion on how global warming will change tramping - and how tramping can change the climate.
15 July TTC Masterminds
Get a team together or join one on the night and pit your collective knowledge of recent TTC events, tramping-related topics and trivia against other teams in this mighty quiz contest for the prestigious TTC Masterminds title and some paltry prizes!
22 July Exploring the U.S. Virgin Islands
Named by Christopher Columbus after the virgin followers of St Ursula, and purchased in gold coin from Denmark by the United States in 1917, the U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their white sand beaches, coral reefs, and rum distilleries. Sheena Hudson recently spent time exploring this fascinating group of islands in the Caribbean by foot, kayak and snorkel.
29 July Featuring stories of subantarctic islands
In March, three new marine reserves around Campbell, Bounty, and Antipodes Islands were opened by Conservation Minister Nick Smith. ONE News reporter Renée Graham voyaged south on board HMNZS Wellington to do some feature stories. She visited the world’s largest colony of southern royal albatrosses on Campbell Island and had a close encounter with territorial bull sea lions. A presentation not to be missed!
5 August Conservation and the environment: Political perspectives
With the General Election coming up in September, hear what candidates Eugenie Sage (Greens), Ruth Dyson (Labour), Paul Foster-Bell (National) and our own Hugh Barr (New Zealand First) have to say about conservation and environmental issues in New Zealand. Kevin Hackwell of Forest & Bird will chair the discussion.
12 August A leisurely tramping holiday
Earlier this year, Stu Hutson and his wife Nora went on what he describes as a “leisurely tramping holiday”. Over 13 days they did some easy to medium tramping trips on the Travers/Sabine circuit, and the Mt Arthur Tableland and Mt Owen Plateau in Kahurangi National Park. They got to walk among some of New Zealand’s loveliest terrain and see some spectacular sights.
19 August 95th Annual General Meeting
Come along and have a say in the running of your Club
Please note the following two notices of motion:
That the TTC membership subscriptions fees for the 2015/2016 be as follows – Show
| Senior | $58 |
| Partnered Senior | $75 |
| Members | $66 |
| Partnered Members | $84 |
| Associate | $42 |
| Youth | $37 |
That the Subscription Rule 13 (d) be changed from: Show
‘The first subscription for any person shall be complete payment for membership until the end of the Year ending in the next calendar year’.
To the following:
‘The subscription fee payable for a new member varies depending on the time of the year they are joining the Club:
| 1 Jan – 31 Mar | – half fee |
| 1 Apr – 31 May | – no fee |
| 1 Jun – 31 Dec | – full fee |
The entrance fee would still apply.’
26 August Bens, glens, bonnie banks and bluebells
Last year Diana Barnes took part in an FMC walking and tramping trip in Scotland. The itinerary included visits to the isles of Arran and Skye, the beautiful Glen Affric and the Cairngorms, and a traverse of the 96-mile West Highland Way, taking in Britain’s largest lake, Loch Lomond, walks along 18th century military roads, and the famed bluebells of Scotland.
2 September The occasional climber
After having his right hip replaced, Peter Laurenson climbed Aoraki Mount Cook in November 2012 to mark reaching fifty. Peter is a photographer who has won NZAC awards and author of the book Occasional Climber: A journey to Mount Clarity which explores parallels between climbing in the mountains and the reflections of a fifty year old grappling with life’s issues.
9 September TTC MasterChef
Do you get lots of compliments from appreciative members of your cooking group when you've cooked a delicious evening meal? Then maybe you have what it takes to become the 2014 TTC MasterChef. You can enter this culinary contest either on your own or with one or two others.
16 September Light therapy
Dave Grainger reports on climbs earlier this year of four classic South Island peaks, D'Archiac, Kehu, Travers, and Mackenzie. He contrasts the approaches taken for each climb and the climbing styles used, samples the stunning views on offer, and suggests some therapeutic benefits of trips such as these.
23 September Predator-free New Zealand
Predator Free New Zealand(approve sites) (PFNZ) aims to get people involved in a campaign to protect New Zealand’s threatened native species through improved pest management and control. Kevin Hackwell is a member of PFNZ’s Strategy Group.
30 September Coast to coast
In June 2012, John Hill and an old school friend walked across the north of England from the Irish Sea to the North Sea, passing through the Lake District, the Pennines and the North York Moors. They enjoyed the trip so much they did it again this year.
7 October Wellington’s urban ecology: Challenges and opportunities
Myfanwy Emeny manages biodiversity activities for the Wellington City Council. The close proximity to urban life of Wellington’s harbour, hills, wild coastline, and native flora and fauna presents both opportunities and unique challenges in balancing the needs of the city and its residents with the needs of the natural environment.
14 October Photo Competition 2014
Photo: James Gilbert-Milne
Photos entered should ideally reflect tramping or other TTC activities.
- ABOVE BUSHLINE
- BELOW BUSHLINE
- HISTORIC
- HUT OR CAMP LIFE
- NATIVE FLORA OR FAUNA (no people in these photos)
- OUTDOOR LANDSCAPES (no people in these photos)
21 October Travels in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
In May this year, Pete Smith and Trish began a trip from the beautiful city of Tbilisi in Georgia to Bishkek in Kyrgyztan. In the first part of their travels, through Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, they met friendly people, enjoyed delicious food and wine, camped in the desert and stayed in a caravanseri, and experienced bureaucratic delays and other challenges.
28 October
In the footsteps of West Coast gold miners.
Mining relics, snow, and magnificent views were highlights of two South Island tramps done by Pip Newton and Vicki Wogan in July. After warming up by climbing Mt Fyffe near Kaikoura, they spent three days on Kirwans Track near Reefton, following in the footsteps of early gold miners.
A perfect summer’s day high on a mountain
Lorraine Johns recalls a perfect summer's day spent high on Mount Harper, and a previous climb of Mount Murchison, the highest peak in Arthur's Pass National Park. Both peaks are typically climbed from Barker Hut and Lorraine speculates on the possibility of ticking off both summits in the same weekend.
4 November Life/50 year members’ night
After some rousing singing of old tramping songs led by Michael Brown and Peter Barber, the theme of nostalgia will continue with the first ever public showing of Paul Maxim’s new film Kime Hut – Through the Ages. The Club has a long and intimate association with this venerated alpine shelter, famous for its chilly interior yet heart-warming appearance when it looms out of a thick Tararua mist.
11 November Tramping: A New Zealand history
Shaun Barnett and Chris Maclean are co-authors of the first history of tramping in New Zealand. During the nineteenth century, Maori, explorers and surveyors laid the foundations for what became recreational tramping in the twentieth century. The development of clubs during the 1920s and 30s led to the establishment of a distinctive New Zealand tramping culture. More recently, trampers have been at the forefront of battles to establish and protect national parks and wilderness areas. Signed copies of their recently-published book,Tramping: A New Zealand history, will be available for sale.
18 November Tramping in East Greenland
Julia and Ken Fraser share their recent experiences of the icebergs, glaciers, fiords, lakes and Inuit culture of Greenland.
25 November From the Greek Islands to Anatolia
Paddy Gresham takes us on a walking tour of the Greek Islands, around the mosques of Istanbul and into the heartland of Anatolia, a part of the world where thousands of years of history and recent wars confront the traveller.
2 December Exploring the Kahurangi National Park
In January, Russell Cooke and ten other TTC members visited Kahurangi National Park, combining an exploration of the 1000 acre plateau with a walk along the length of the Matiri Range. Challenges faced by the party included getting up the side of the “Haystack” using a rope, and negotiating a razor-back section of the Matiri Range.
9 December Christmas Finale 7:30pm
It's that time of year again! Join us at the clubrooms to celebrate and reflect on the year's trips. There will be Christmas cake and drinks to enjoy, and carols with the Salvation Army(approve sites) to add to the Christmas cheer. You're welcome to bring a small gift to be given to a child in need.
$4 door charge. Note the earlier start time: 7.30pm.
16 December
Clubrooms closed
23 December Seasons greetings
Clubrooms closed
30 December Happy New Year
Clubrooms closed