2015
6 January
Clubrooms closed
13 January Summer barbecue
7.30pm start at the clubrooms. Catch up with other members and talk about your Xmas/New Year adventures. Bring your own food and drink. Barbecue to cook on supplied.
20 January A jaunt around the Emerald Isle
In 2013, Diana Barnes took part in an FMC tramping and sightseeing trip(approve sites) in Ireland, visiting the cities of Dublin, Belfast and Galway, landed estates and prehistoric forts and burial sites, and experiencing the timeless, stunning landscapes of the Aran Islands(approve sites), the Dingle Peninsula(approve sites), and Killarney National Park(approve sites).
27 January New members’ information evening
An evening for prospective members to come along and hear presentations on the Club’s range of outdoor activities and instruction courses.
Find out how to join trips and what you need to take, and why the TTC is a great club to belong to! All welcome.
3 February The Manaslu Trek
Opened in 1992 and now becoming increasingly popular with trekkers, the 14-day Manaslu Trek(approve sites) around the world’s eighth highest peak (8,156m) is a great alternative to the Annapurna Circuit, with its teahouse accommodation, Buddhist monasteries, precarious bridges across raging rivers, and majestic mountain scenery.
In 2012, Wayne and Mary Perkins walked the Manaslu Circuit, with a side trip up the Tsum Valley(approve sites).
10 February London to Wellington on a bike
In April 2011, Adam Glover set off from London with a bicycle and a tent to return to New Zealand, a journey that would take two years to complete. In Central Asia and China he pedalled his way over snow-covered mountains, across deserts, and on roads where it was sometimes easier to push the bike than to cycle.
17 February Phil Dickson's Wellington
Phil Dickson(approve sites), a pillar of Wellington’s art community, is a keen walker, tramper and cyclist with a strong interest in local geography and history.
In Phil Dickson’s Wellington(approve sites) he writes about some of his favourite places around the Wellington region, from the city to the Hutt and the Tararua and Rimutaka ranges.
The book is illustrated with his watercolours, oil paintings and drawings.
Copies will be available for sale at the clubrooms for $45.
24 February Wills and Hunter: A bit of a mission
Peggy Munn describes a trip she led in the Wills and Hunter valleys in March 2014 as "a combination of flat bits, steep bits, very steep bits and oh my gosh steep bits, wet bits, gale-force windy bits, are we nearly there bits (no), and some rather long days".
3 March The birds of New Zealand: our wildlife heritage
Ian Armitage is a keen ornithologist who won the environment category of the 2014 Wellingtonian of the Year awards for his leadership of the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust(approve sites) in re-establishing a brown kiwi population in the forest park.
He is a Council member of Birds New Zealand (brand name of The Ornithological Society of New Zealand(approve sites)), which promotes the study of birds and their habitats, and fosters knowledge(approve sites) and enjoyment of birds as a precious part of our wildlife heritage.
10 March The Grand Tetons in summer and winter
When Sheena Hudson returned to Wellington in 2012 from some summer hiking in the Grand Teton National Park(approve sites) in Wyoming, Mary Inglis said to her, "Ah but you haven't seen it in winter!"
With such a challenge from her old friend, Sheena went back in the winter of 2013 and spent a week snowshoeing and dog sledding in this amazing place.
17 March DoC’s Conservation Partnerships: Working with others to achieve more
DoC works closely in partnership with iwi, business, local authorities, private landowners and community groups to better protect our wildlife and natural environment through conservation projects and initiatives such as the Takahe Rescue Programme. Reg Kemper is Director Conservation Partnerships for the Lower North Island, and Amy Brasch a Partnership Ranger.
24 March Along the Silk Road to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Continuing on from their travels in Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan, Peter Smith and Trish journey further along the Silk Road to Uzbekistan - the region's cradle of culture for over 2000 years with its ancient cities and awe inspiring mosques and madrasahs (Islamic educational institutions). Then on to Kyrgyzstan with its dramatic mountains and rolling summer pastures, and time to stay in yurts and wander in the hills.
31 March Climbing in the European Alps
In 2013 and 2014, Nina Sawicki spent two summers climbing in the European Alps, doing a full traverse of Mont Blanc and ascents of Le Dent Du Geant (the “Giant’s Tooth”) and other 4,000m peaks. The Dent Du Geant (4,013m) is a sharp rock pinnacle which sits at the western end of the Rochefort Ridge and has a 139 m step just before the summit.
7 April Twelve Months on the Great Green Sponge: Living, exploring and hunting rabbits on a sub-Antarctic island(approve sites)
In 2012 Cameron Walker and his wife Kelly spent 12 months living on Macquarie Island(approve sites), home to many migratory species including the endangered wandering albatross. They were part of a pest eradication project with the ultimate goal of eradicating rabbits, rats and mice. Living in the field in modified water tanks on a small island constantly battered by the furious fifties, dodging four tonne elephant bull seals and watching the Aurora Australis dance overhead were all part of a life changing adventure.
14 April Narrative of the landscape: The things you miss while racing to the next stop
Emeritus Professor Mike Crozier of Victoria University explains and illustrates what landform features (shapes, patterns, composition and texture) can tell us about the evolution and history of the landscape.
21 April Molesworth(approve sites): Stories from New Zealand’s Largest High-Country Station
Written by Harry Broad, with stunning and evocative photographs by Rob Suisted, Molesworth documents the dramatic landscapes and tells the remarkable stories of this vast, remote and iconiC South Island high-country station that "sits deep within the Kiwi pysche".
Copies of the book(approve sites), which won the prestigious Booksellers' Choice Award At the 2014 New Zealand Post Book Awards, will be available for sale on the night at a discounted price.
28 April Of kings and trolls and many other things …
In August/September 2014, Lesley Haines and Rick Wells joined a bunch of Skippy-eating Aussies for four weeks north of the Arctic Circle. Join them as they revisit the glaciers, saunas, berry fields, and spectacular auroras of Sweden's Kungsleden (King's Highway), and the craggy, wet and wild wonders of Norway's Lofoten archipelago.
5 May Stargazing with Haritina
Haritina Mogosanu is a starryteller who loves to share her fascination with stars and passion for astronomy, astrobiology and space. As a leading planetarium presenter and educator in astronomy, her quest is to inspire people to rediscover and connect with the stars.
12 May The Old Ghost Road in winter; the Waiokotore “Biv” in summer
The project to convert a long-forgotten gold miners' road into an 85km mountain biking and tramping trail from Lyell in the Upper Buller Gorge to the Mohikinui River is nearing completion. Jane Boydon tramped the Old Ghost Road in perfect weather last winter.
In January, Jane went on a trip along the Ohutu Ridge to Waiokotore Bivouac (“the Biv that isn't”), in the seldom-visited north-west corner of the Ruahines.
19 May Joan Wiffen, Dinosaur Lady
In 1975, during a dig in the Maungahouanga Valley in northern Hawkes Bay, self-taught fossil hunter Joan Wiffen(approve sites) made the first recorded discovery of a dinosaur bone in New Zealand, the tailbone of a theropod dinosaur. Joan(approve sites) went on to find bones from other species of dinosaur and achieved international recognition of her work. John Simes of the Department of Paleontology at GNS Science discusses her legacy.
26 May How to really enjoy winter
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 lodge on Mt Ruapehu is an excellent base for skiing, snow boarding, and climbing and our ski and alpine instruction programme is about to get underway.
Our Alpine Instruction Course is now fully booked, and there will be no formal backcountry ski instruction this year.
2 June
The Rees-Dart Track
The 4-5 day Rees-Dart tramping circuit in Mount Aspiring National Park features the Dart Glacier, glacier-fed rivers, and stunning mountain scenery, but the weather nearly stopped Lyn Taylor’s party in their tracks during their trip in December 2013/January 2014.
Ben Nevis and the Western Isles of Scotland
In July 2014, Mary Kane and Peter Barber, with their son Felix, climbed Ben Nevis and did some day trips on the Isles of Lewis, Harris, and Skye.
9 June Making maps the Geographx way
Geographx(approve sites) is recognised internationally for its award-winning maps and innovative approach to map design. Roger Smith discusses the relationship between map-makers and map-users, talks about his more significant mapping projects, and explains his company's innovative mapping techniques, with a focus on recreation and back-country maps.
16 June TTC Masterminds
Get a team together or join one on the night and pit your collective knowledge against other teams in this challenging quiz contest for the prestigious TTC Masterminds title.
23 June The Fox Glacier on skis
In September 2014, Dave Grainger, Rob Hawes and Daniel Rogerson explored the Fox Glacier on skis. With 40 square kilometres of ungroomed snow and no chairlifts, this is a ski field for big thinkers.
30 June Cycling in South-East Asia
Last year John Hill did a six week trip through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, visiting Angkor Wat, the Mekong Delta, Saigon, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Luang Prabang, and travelling through plenty of countryside in between.
7 July Personal Locator Beacons
You're off track, the way forward is blocked, the wind and rain are getting worse by the hour, and some members of your party are becoming hypothermic. It's time to get out the Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Last year Josh Tabor found himself in this situation in the Tararuas.
14 July Canals, gorges et montagnes – sans un âne
To celebrate la fête du 14-juillet, Paddy Gresham takes us along the historic Canal du Midi from Toulouse to Carcassonne, into the Gorge du Verdon in Haute Provence, and along the walking trails of the Cevennes mountain range in south-central France, made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes.
21 July The Club’s tramping song traditions
Michael Brown researched the Club's tramping song traditions for his PhD. With Peter Barber he will lead a rousing sing along of selections from the Club’s song book.
Cake and gluhwein will be served - there will be a $4 door charge to cover the cost.
28 July Tales about Wellington’s archaeology
Heritage consultant Mary O’Keefe looks at some of the infrastructure building projects she has worked on and what they tell us about the growth of the city and community of Wellington.
4 August Kime through time
Paul Maxim will again show the 16-minute film Kime Hut - Through the Ages and present a photographic history of the Hector Dogbox and the three Kime huts.
The film will be shown in tribute to Maurice Perry, who was very actively involved in hut building projects, and who died just one month after its first screening last November.
11 August Campervan touring in Europe
Having toured the UK and Europe in campervans over a period of six years, William and Daphne Dashfield are strong advocates of the advantages and joys of motor vanning.
18 August Feeding Fairy Prions on Mana Island(approve sites)
In January this year, Gillian Candler volunteered to feed Fairy Prion chicks on Mana Island(approve sites) for a week, as part of a seabird translocation project. Gillian writes articles for Wilderness and Forest and Bird magazines, and blogs and authors children’s books about nature.
Copies of Gillian’s books will be available for cash sales at $20 each.
25 August 96th Annual General Meeting
Come along and have a say in the running of your Club.
1 September A decade of mountain biking
Jenny Olsen shares some of her TTC mountain bike trips in New Zealand over the last decade, including several around the Central Plateau area.
8 September Coast to coast
Alan Graham and Liz Martin recently walked from the west coast to the east coast in England. (Note change of programme).
15 September Lake Nerine and Emily Pass
In March this year a party of eight led by Peggy Munn sallied forth to "tidy up some loose ends" from previous trips. Top priority was Lake Nerine, followed by Emily Pass and then maybe the Valley of the Trolls. The trip had "some interesting navigational moments".
22 September Counting Southern Buller’s albatrosses in the Snares
Seabird expert Richard Wells visited the windswept Snares Islands group in the subantarctic as a member of a “whole of islands” Southern Buller’s albatross census team. The Snares provide a home to a number of New Zealand’s endemic bird species.
29 September Cruising the Kermadecs
TVNZ reporter Renee Graham spent two weeks on HMNZS Wellington with scientists scouring the bottom of the sea floor for volcanoes. Along the way she visited remote Raoul Island(approve sites), the emergent part of an active submarine volcano which last erupted in 2006.
6 October Journey of Jory
While some people may see a jobless, barefoot hobo in a flax coat, I see a chance for survivalist craziness. Jory Akuhata, a diabetic, walked the 3,000km Te Araroa trail(approve sites), mostly barefooted, wearing rain capes he made from flax, hunting, fishing and gathering along the way, and rediscovering old skills from his Māori heritage. He once caught a rabbit by standing on it.
13 October Photo competition
Enjoy some great photographs taken by club members over the last year.
Photo: Peter Barber
Photo: P Whiteford
Photo: Alan Graham
Photo: Lynne Pomare
Photo: Sue Mahon
20 October Home in no hurry: UK to New Zealand by bike
A fondness for two-wheeled travel took Reuben Ferguson from England to New Zealand over 13 months in 2011‑2012. He will give a cyclist's perspective of the diverse landscapes and cultures of the Eurasian continent, conveying some sense of the unique ways in which a bike allows the traveller to explore the environment and interact with local people.
27 October Cycling in Samoa
Julia and Ken Fraser with Dianne and Warwick Hill recently did a cycling trip around Samoa, staying in beach fale, seeing village life, touring a plantation, experiencing and helping with umu preparation and snorkelling above the coral reefs. Come and hear who managed to cycle the whole way around Savai'i and see an underwater video of giant clams!
3 November Life and 50 year members’ night Trekking in Mongolia
Lured by tales of hiking with camels through the Bayan Gobi and across the steppes, Alison and Bill Stephenson joined a trekking tour in Mongolia in September. It wasn’t quite what they expected, but was fascinating nevertheless.
10 November A Scary Future
“The last time carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere were this high was three million years ago, and sea levels were 20 metres higher than today.” These are the words of Dr James Renwick, Professor of Physical Geography at Victoria University, a member of the World Climate Research Programme Joint Scientific Committee. Tonight, in the lead up to the critically important UN Paris Conference on Climate Change, he will outline the latest research on the sensitivity of the major ice sheets and deep ocean circulation and what this could mean for the future.
Photo Google images
17 November An adventure in remote China
In June this year, Carol Lough from the Kaumatua Tramping Club went on a 21-day tour in the mountains and valleys where Sichuan and Yunnan meet the Tibetan Plateau. The trip included four 2-3 day treks up to 3800m and mini-bus travel through dramatic mountain landscapes.
24 November
Great Barrier Island
Ten TTC members including Barbara Crump and Tricia Walbridge enjoyed wonderful weather, swimming and tramping on Great Barrier Island(approve sites) over Easter this year.
Magnificent Moss Pass
On their second visit to the Blue Lake in Nelson Lakes National Park(approve sites), Alan Graham and Liz Martin plucked up courage to attempt a crossing of Moss Pass into the D'Urville Valley.
1 December Bougainville – mountains, mangoes, magic and making do
Chris and Gerald Leather were VSA volunteers for 18 months in Bougainville. Daily living was basic in this remote part of the world, the mountains were spectacular, food was a challenge and electricity happened only occasionally. It was like ... a very long tramping trip!
8 December Christmas finale
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 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. Please note the earlier start time: 7.30pm.
Enjoy singing from our carol songsheet
15 December
Clubrooms closed
22 December Seasons greetings
Photo: Peter Barber
Clubrooms closed
29 December Happy New Year
Clubrooms closed