2021
5, 12, 19 January
Photo: Kobus Boshoff
Clubrooms closed
26 January Summer Barber-cue
5.30 - 9.00 pm. BBQ at Peter Barber’s and Mary Kane's home. Please bring your own meat for the barbecue, and food and drink to share.
😊
02 February Mud, mud, glorious mud in the Rwenzori Mountains (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Jonty Crane hiked in gumboots through endless mud among diverse landscapes and exotic flora in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, and summited 5,109m Mt Stanley, Africa’s third-highest peak.
09 February Tour guiding In Antarctica (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
David Barnes worked as a tour guide on cruises to Antarctica and gave lectures to tour parties aboard ship on Antarctica’s rich history.
16 February Cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats (Part Two of Two) (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Mike and Zita Wespel-Rose chose a long and slow, but quiet and beautiful route for their 25-day bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats(approve sites).
23 February A South Island tramping trip with a difference (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Diana Barnes went on an organised walking trip in Te Waipounamu, doing a total of 26 walks and staying in comparatively luxurious accommodation overnight (no camping or tramping huts).
02 March Here’s the buzz: where would bees be without pheromones? (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
By making possible communication among all the honey bee castes - queens, workers and drones - pheromones play a pivotal role in organising the social structure of hives, enabling bees to live together cooperatively and successfully in large, well-organised colonies. Elodie Urlacher explains.
09 March The Great Kererū Count (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
The Great Kererū Count, a citizen science project, collects information on the numbers and distribution of kererū and aims to raise awareness of this charismatic bird. Stephen Hartley of V.U.W.’s Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology gives an overview of results and the strengths and challenges of citizen science.
16 March Island Bay to CBD predator eradication project (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Having almost completed eradication on the Miramar Peninsula, Predator Free Wellington is getting ready to begin the next phase of its project: Island Bay to CBD. Residents of this area are being asked to give PFW permission to have a trap/bait station in their backyard. Our guest presenter this evening is Community Ranger Pattern Reid of the GWRC.
23 March An emergency on the Dundas Circuit (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Peter Barber and Mary Kane, with Lois Buckrell and Tim Stone, were on a club trip around the Dundas Circuit when a mishap occurred. How did party members respond to the incident, and what lessons were learned from the experience?
30 March The Remutaka Kiwi Project (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Susan Ellis and Stephen Marsland, Remutaka Conservation Trust, discuss the spread and growth in numbers of North Island brown kiwi throughout the Remutaka Range, and the use of new acoustic methods to track Remutaka kiwi to their incubation burrows and monitor kiwi breeding outcomes.
06 April West of Mesopotamia Station (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
The President, Simon Davis, and a hut bagger take on the mighty Havelock River in search of Kā Tiritiri-o-te-Moana
13 April Hiking in the Pyrenees and the Czech Republic (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Pat Duignan and Sally Munro hiked across the Pyrenees, trekking along the Ordesa Canyon, and did some walks in the Czech Republic's borderland with Austria.
20 April Epic views, rock churches and runaway donkeys in Ethiopia (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Jonty Crane visited rock churches, historic castles, and the Simian Mountains in Ethiopia, and encountered runaway donkeys, fake guides, families of baboons, pack-attacking mice, epic views, rabid dogs, death, and a birth!
27 April Fair Weather Hitchhiker (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Well-known New Zealand writer and former TTC member Julia Millen has written a new memoir of her travels and climbing and tramping adventures in the 1960s and 1970s.
A few copies of her book, Fair Weather Hitchhiker, will be available to purchase for $30.
04 May The Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Les Molloy led a trek around Nanga Parbat (8,126m), the world’s ninth highest mountain. Les has journeyed extensively throughout the Karakoram, a region with a dangerously unstable landscape and a history of bitter political and military conflict.
11 May Club meet at Arthur’s Pass (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Photo: Simon
Photo: Peggy
Thirty-eight people took part in the club meet at Arthur’s Pass held over two weeks in March.
With accommodation spread over three lodges, and a total of eleven overnight trips, the logistics were somewhat complex, but the weather was close to perfect, and everyone had a great time.
18 May Trail biking in Western Australia and cycling across the North Island (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Jude Willis cycled 1,000km from Perth to Albany along the Munda Biddi Trail, the world’s longest continuous off-road bike trail, and then by road from East Cape to Cape Egmont to raise awareness and money for Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand.
25 May Snow sports evening (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Come along at the earlier time of 7.00 p.m. for a glass of gluhwein, and find out how the club can help you to enjoy some great adventures in the snow this winter. There is a $4 entry charge.
01 June Enhancing night skies in the Wairarapa (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
The Wairarapa Dark Sky Association is leading the charge to get part of the Wairarapa certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
The goal is to protect, preserve and celebrate the beauty of dark skies across the region by limiting light pollution.
08 June Aotea Great Barrier Island - a fascinating place to visit (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Bill Gebbie and Geoff Marshall recently explored Aotea Great Barrier Island with a group of 25 Wellington walkers. They found Great Barrier a fascinating place to visit, with many great walks/tramps and plenty to see and experience.
15 June Quiz evening (Clubrooms only meeting)
Get your team together or join one on the night - it's Quiz Time! Come along and enjoy a fun evening of fiendish questions and amazing prizes, accompanied by drinks, nibbles and good company!
22 June Ranging around the Kaimanawas, Kawekas and Ruahines (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Sandra Beckett and Kate Martin headed to the tops of the Kaimanawa, Kaweka, and Ruahine ranges and did an unplanned seven-hour bushbash during a 17-day bushwalk through the Forest Parks.
29 June Woefully weedy Wellington (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Weeds are everywhere in Wellington, threatening the city’s native biodiversity across public parks, reserves, and green spaces. Illona Keenan outlines the Council’s approach to weed-busting, focusing on sites of high conservation value in native plant restoration areas and forest, scrub and coastal sand dune habitats.
06 July Coordinating search and rescue missions (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
John Ashby, senior search and rescue officer at Maritime New Zealand's Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) explains what happens when a distress beacon is activated, and shares some stories of dramatic land rescues in the Tararua Range and elsewhere.
RCCNZ also coordinates major maritime and aviation search and rescue missions across New Zealand’s huge 30,000 square km search and rescue region, which extends from the mid-Tasman Sea to halfway to Chile, and from the South Pole almost to the Equator.
13 July Trips in the Arthur’s Pass and Kahurangi National Parks (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Tricia French crossed four passes and a saddle in Arthur’s Pass National Park and did a challenging tramp in Kahurangi National Park.
20 July Travels in Iran (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Jenny and Gavin Watson loved their experiences of Iran’s culture, religions, and daily way of life during their travels in one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Hear them talk about the morality police, the Zoroastrian towers of silence, the fabulous Azadi Tower and much more.
27 July A dentist’s life on Tristan da Cunha (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Aileen Logie provided essential dental services to the small community living in the remotest inhabited archipelago in the world.
03 August A visit to Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Peter Smith and Trish Gardiner-Smith joined a group of twenty from the Hutt Valley Tramping Club for a six-day trip to Chatham Island and Pitt Island, led by geologist Hamish Campbell.
10 August The 100 Peaks Challenge (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
In 1991, during its centennial celebrations, the New Zealand Alpine Club put out a challenge to mountaineers to climb 100 designated peaks in New Zealand. On February 21, 2021, when Don French stepped upon the summit of Mt Unicorn [2560 metres] on the Strauchon Glacier, he completed his thirty-year mission to climb all 100 peaks. He was the first to do so.
17 August A traverse of the Kawekas and Kaimanawas (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Janette Roberts did a trip from Makahu Saddle in the colourful heartland of Kaweka Forest Park to Clements Mill Road. Another great adventure.
24 August Annual General Meeting (Online only)
Take this annual opportunity to have your say about the running of our club.
The club’s annual report and accounts are on the AGM page.
31 August Chief Tamatea's grief (Online meeting)
Join indefatigably curious Alan Knowles on a 54-year quest to make a world record ascent; play tennis at Wimbledon; stay in a chandeliered, splendiferous hut; and have an encounter with wild pigs.
New/Prospective Members’ Evening (postponed)
07 September Khumbu: Pathways to Kinship (Online meeting)
Peter Laurenson’s recently-launched book Khumbu: Pathways to Kinship encompasses seven trekking journeys in Nepal, spanning 32 years. Peter recounts a journey to kinship between a Kiwi family and a Sherpa family, a journey shared by a father and each of his three sons, a journey through tourism expansion, emergence of guiding on Everest, economic and technological development and environmental, cultural, and political change.
The book is available from Bateman Books. A 20% discount is available to our members by quoting FMC01 at the online checkout. Delivery is free within New Zealand and has been taking just 24 hours door to door.
14 September Two national parks, ten passes (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Andy Carruthers went on two backcountry adventures in the Nelson Lakes and Mount Aspiring National Parks. For a preview see Epic Adventures https://youtu.be/pmp9g8E1trc and https://youtu.be/7BNj1xppKoM
21 September A trip through the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
In September 2018, Jonty Crane travelled to remote northern Pakistan on an epic road trip through the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges. Usually accompanied by armed escorts, he explored incredible scenery, visited ancient Buddhist sites, hiked close to the border with Afghanistan, went glacier walking and stayed with the unique Kalash community.
(Please note that Jonty Crane's presentation replaces a previously-scheduled presentation by Maddy Whittaker and Conor Vaessen on a traverse of the Southern Alps).
28 September New cave exploration in Golden Bay (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Golden Bay resident and TTC member Phil Castle is part of a small team discovering and exploring new caves in Golden Bay.
05 October From Matebian to Mundo Perdido: peak experiences in Timor-Leste (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
While working in Timor-Leste, Jo Newman came up with the goal of reaching the top of its four highest mountains. Each expedition was a unique experience.
12 October 2021 photo competition (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
See the best work of the club’s photographers and pick up tips on how to capture and edit those special shots. The judges are James Gilberd (presenter) and Geoff Marshall.
19 October Ashburton Lakes/Hakatere Conservation Park (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Alan Knowles looks at the magnificent lake and mountain scenery of the ‘hidden’ backcountry behind Mt Somers, its array of landscapes and recreational activities, and threats to its ecology and conservation values.
Discover Hakatere/Ashburton Lakes
26 October The moving story of Waerenga Hut (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
In 2008, three years after a massive flood had undermined its foundations, Waerenga Hut was moved to a safer location and restored. Barry Durrant shares his memories.
02 November Bhutan’s spectacular Snowman Trek (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Jonty Crane spent 28 days walking 350km through some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in the Himalaya.
09 November Featuring fabulous fjords of Fiordland (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Tish Glasson went on a cruise to revisit Dusky Sound, Chalky Inlet and Preservation Inlet. It was an opportunity to see how others get to experience the historic reaches of the most remote part of Te Waipounamu.
16 November Canyoning is not a caper (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Megan Sety has learnt firsthand that canyoning is challenging, requiring specialised skills, expertise, clothing and equipment not used for climbing and tramping. You simply cannot wing it on number 8 wire and hope to get by.
Tramping cookbook.
Megan Sety and Illona Keenan have edited a new version of The Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club Recipe Book.
The book is printed on glossy paper with colour photos.
There are 96 recipes - mains, desserts, meals for dehydrating, breakfasts, snacks and Tararua biscuits - and vegetarian and vegan suggestions as well.
We are hoping to have it available at Megan's presentation. $30 cash or direct debit. Details available on the night. Or to order online contact WT&MC Vice President -> mailto:vicepresident [snail] wtmc [period] org [period] nz. $5 p & p.
23 November Exploring China’s Mysterious Yellow River (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Les Molloy journeys down China's Yellow River (Huang He), outlines its history and takes a look at the mystique surrounding the notorious Amne Machin mountain hoax.
Looked upon over millennia as both ‘mother’ and ‘destroyer’ (hence also named 'China’s Sorrow’), Huang He is a great and mysterious river, rarely visited by tourists in its remote upper reaches.
30 November Across the Pass (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Shaun Barnett’s latest book is an anthology of writing about New Zealand tramping, selected from a rich body of literature produced by New Zealand trampers, mountaineers, writers, poets and journalists.
Listen to Shaun talking about his book on RNZ's Nine to Noon
He’ll also have some books for sale at the TTC-discounted price of $40 (RRP $45).
07 December Rescuing New Zealand’s flora from habitat loss (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
Genetics can help to inform restoration and conservation of plant species significantly affected by habitat loss. Colan Balkwill's PhD research is focused on the genetics of maire tawake / swamp maire, a wetland tree species that has lost over 98 percent of its habitat in the Wellington region.
See July Tramper pp.9-10
14 December Christmas finale (Clubrooms and Online meeting)
An evening of festive fun, with socialising, drinks and Christmas cake from 7.00 p.m., followed by some merry musical entertainment: solo items, tramping songs and Christmas carols, accompanied by a small band. You are welcome to bring a small Christmas gift for a child in need.
Hāere kaha i ngā puke.
21 December Ngā mihi o te wā
Clubrooms closed
28 December Ngā mihi o te tau hou
Clubrooms closed