Listed below are tramps and clubnights for July to early September, 2008. For further information please contact the trip organizer, or Programme Coordinator, Ruth Hesselyn, ph. 544 0870, ruthfrogsend@ts.co.nz.

Transport donation 10.4c per kilometre for this programme.

Saturday Postponed to Sunday if inclement. Could be Mt Arthur or Mt Robert depending on conditions, hence two transport figures. Just teaches the use of ice-axe and crampons, and how to fall down slopes. A fun day, and preparation for some moderate snow tramps later. Axes and crampons may be borrowed free from the club– first in gets them. Warm clothes, including gloves. Numbers may be limited. Members only. Book by Wednesday.

Head up Conners Creek via a reasonable track to the bushline, then climb tussock slopes (possibly snow covered) to an obvious low point on the ridge. A bit of a bush bash may be encountered on the descent to the valley floor, then onto Begley Hut, 8 bunks, 1 ticket. Approx. 920m over 10km

Sunday, travel downstream over grassy flats and through forest to the Begley confluence. From here it is mainly a gravel bash down the Rainbow Valley. Approx 13km Topo N30

Saturday From the Rainbow Ski field traverse part of the St Arnaud Range to Peanter Peak and practise elementary snow skills along the way. There may be the possibility of a few Marlborough trampers joining in. 10km return and 360m of climbing. Topo N29

David has managed to get permission to explore this prominent and unique island in Cable Bay, even though it is out of season. Great views can be obtained along the 6km circuit over farm and coastal tracks, 400m of climbing. This can be extended if members want. Combined with Waimea Club. Topo O27

Rescheduled due to bad weather last time. A challenging though short walk on the outskirts of Tapawera. This DoC maintained track winds its way uphill through native bush to an observation point, giving spectacular views over Tapawera and the mountains beyond.

Day 1: Climb Robert Ridge and traverse to Angelus Hut, a good trip for those new to the use of ice axe and crampons. (these can be borrowed from the club) 900m climb over 11.5km.

Day 2: Keen ones rise early and climb a further 575m over 3km to the summit of Mt Angelus before returning to the hut. The other members will by then have headed back, allowing time to practise recently learned skills.Topo M29, N29

Saturday From Brook Street climb to Fringe Hill, over Sunrise Ridge then down to the Maitai Dam. A short car shuttle is required on this one. Distance 14km with 800m of climbs. Topo O27

Either drive to Reefton Friday night and stay in ‘The Old Nurses Home’ ($23) or leave early.

Day 1: To Blackball and the start of the historic Croesus Track, which dates back to early gold-mining days. Follow the benched track to the new Ces Clark Hut, approximately 5 hours and if time permits, visit the odd mine en route.

Day 2: Explore the open tops of Croesus Knob for superb views down the coast to Mt Cook and across the Grey Valley. Return the same way. Topo K31

Join Ross for a wander along the Sandflats and part of the Boulder Bank. A good place to check out the bird life. Distance variable over flat tracks and the odd boulder or two. Topo O27

To be held at Speargrass Hut, if numbers large this will be changed to Lakehead Hut. 5km over a relatively flat track.

Celebrate mid winter (or thereabouts) by sharing your favourite tramping gourmet dish and refreshments with your tramping club mates. Bring something sparkly to wear. When you book in (preferably a week beforehand) let Jo know what you plan to bring so she can co-ordinate and make sure we have a relatively balanced feast. Topo M29, N29

There are more tracks on and near the Centre of New Zealand than most people realise. You will spend about 4 hours wandering up-down-round-and-about with Grahame, finally ending up mid-afternoon at the Café/Brewery in Founders Park. You will walk about 9km with 350m climbing, seeing a few things of interest.

Gather at the The Botanics toilets in Milton Street at 10am – no need to book in. Bring lunch, drink and coat of course. Good walking shoes will suffice. Topo O27

Day 1: The usual ‘gravel bash’ up the Rainbow River to Begley Creek, then via a pleasant bush track to camp at the junction of the west branch, or onto the hut (1 ticket) and have an earlier start. Approximately 13km with a 300m height gain. Topo M30, N30

Day 2: Travel through bush up the west branch to an upper basin, then climb snow slopes to a hanging valley and on to the summit.1150m over 4km, return via the same route.

Saturday Dust of your skis and have a social day either skimming or falling down the slopes. For information check out www.skirainbow.co.nz or give Ken a ring.

From the caretaker’s house above the Maitai Dam, follow the 4WD Maungatapu Road to the saddle, then past the radio mast to The Doubles. Return via the Zigzag Track to Teal Saddle, the road and back to the cars, or something similar.1000m of climbing over 15kms. Topo O27

Follow this old pack route from Caanan on the Takaka Hill through to the end of the bush section in Golden Bay, great views from here. Return the same way, to avoid a long car shuttle. If time and energy permit, a visit to Harwood’s Hole could be added. Topo N26

Day 1: A reasonably energetic day of 22km with a 750m climb at the end. Follow the Lakeside Track to Coldwater Hut then continue up the Travers Valley and past John Tait Hut, all on good and relatively level tracks. From here it’s a steady climb to Cupola Hut, perched at the bush-edge with impressive views.

Day 2: Climb 800m over 1.5km to the summit, ascent includes a steep gully. Early start, head torch, ice axe and crampons needed.

Day 3: A reverse of day one. Topo M30, N29, N30

36km of windy hills, vineyards and farms, mostly on sealed roads, though there is a 7km gravel section through Pig Valley.

Rendezvous point is at the Brightwater Pub. Transport for bikes and bodies can be arranged or if you want extra kilometres, cycle to the start.

An energetic day, climbing 1100m over 21km. From Brook Valley, follow the Dun Mountain Walkway to the site of the Fourth House. Drop through bush down a spur to the Roding River, follow up past a series of waterfalls to the foot of Windy Point then climb back to the Walkway and return to the Brook.Topo O27

Saturday Let’s be different. There are tracks round two sides of it, yet we hardly ever go to the top. It is next to Mt Arthur and just 45m lower, with a slight change of view. The route is straightforward; 7.5km each way, with a climb of 800m on the way up and minus 800m on the way down. Ice axe and crampons may be required. Topo M27

Turn off at Pelorus Bridge. From the road end, follow a well graded track above the Pelorus River, with plenty of views of emerald pools. A 200m climb over 8km each way. Topo O27

Contact ruthfrogsend@ts.co.nz with your suggestions.

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Trip classifications :

A composite Scale of Distance, Climb, Quality of track and Overnight pack measure trip difficulty. Snow skills and equipment required are an extra consideration and to further identify this added difficulty the word “snow’ will be included in the trip description). This Scale defines the category of each trip as follows:

• Easy - scale 1.0 to 1.9
• Moderate - scale 2.0 to 2.9
• Fit - scale 3.0 to 3.9
• Hard - scale 4.0 upwards.

Further information is given in the trip description, and when in doubt you should talk to the trip organiser.  

Personal Responsibility:

Those on club trips may look to the trip organisers for guidance and are expected to normally accept their directions but each person on the trip is responsible for their own decisions on the risks they are prepared to take and to be confident they have the fitness, level of skill and competence required to cope with those risks.

Booking-in for a tramp:

Give reasonable notice: phone by Thursday for Sunday trips or by Wednesday for Saturday and Weekend trips. No calls after 9pm please. If you book-in for a trip and are subsequently unable to go, always advise the trip organiser – otherwise the group waits needlessly. Organisers will not answer messages to ring back to a cellphone.

Club Tents :

The following tents are available for borrowing: -
•  Great Outdoors “Pioneer 2”, 2 person tent
•  Large tent, 4-6 people, fairly heavy – best for camping beside car

CAR DONATIONS

The amounts shown above are the donations to be made by each person. They are calculated using a formula based on AA’s Running Costs to fairly estimate the car cost for each trip. The trip organiser will collect these donations at the end of each trip with the total amount being divided evenly among the drivers (regardless of the number of passengers in each car).