Banner picture: Congratulations to long-standing member Geoff Donkin, presented with a life membership certificate for his contributions to the club by president Di Reid
Tramp Planning Meeting
This is scheduled for Monday 30 October, starting at 7pm at Alison Greer’s home. The meeting will pull together all suggestions from club members on where they would like to tramp in the first six months of 2024. Have your say, and send your suggestions to Alison at greer.fans@xtra.co.nz. Planning will cover Wednesday, Saturday and weekend tramps.
The editor has two suggestions: Top Gorge Hut in the Ruahine Forest Park and an overnight in Makaretu Hut, Ruahine Forest Park (from Moorcock Saddle, and Longview Hut). More suggestions from club members please.
Our 50th Anniversary
We have created a website page where all the information will be placed on events being planned for this celebration. It can be found under ‘History’.
Mt Ruapehu – 10-16 November 2023
This year, Doug Matheson (T/O) has booked the Havelock North ski club lodge. $25 per night per person. Stay for the weekend or the full week, the choice is yours. Further information will be issued in due course. A booking sheet has been created, just put your stay (dates) in the ‘Remarks’ column.
Uncontrolled dogs in the Kaimanawa Forest Park (posted on behalf of the Sika Foundation)
There have been several reports of two uncontrolled dogs in the Kaimanawa Forest Park. It’s believed they could be lost hunting dogs and pose a significant risk to wildlife as they can kill quickly and travel vast distances in a day. It is conceivable that they can travel to the eastern side, so Kaweka hunters and trampers should keep an eye out too.
One of the dogs is a black and white heading dog and the other a light sandy/tan terrier-built dog. Neither have collars. They have been sighted chasing deer and many dead deer have been reported. Sightings have been around the Cascade/Boyd/Upper Oamaru area, with most recently dead deer in the Kaipo. Within these catchments, the Sika Foundation maintains an extensive trapping network to protect vulnerable threatened species such as whio (blue duck).
The Department of Conservation, Helisika and Sika Foundation have been working closely to try to contain these dogs and currently have live capture traps out at the last known sighting, but they need your help. If you are out in the Kaimanawa or Kaweka areas and spot any dead deer, see dogs or hear dogs barking, please report it as soon as you can.
If you see the dogs, if possible please get:
- – GPS coordinates of location/photos
- – Details of the dogs including colour/sex
- – GPS coordinates/photos of any deceased deer
The contact details are turangi@doc.govt.nz or phone 027 483 1368.
Half a century of endurance challenges
Long stories, shortened…
Over the last 50 years, Kiwis have been attempting audacious journeys across New Zealand, some lasting many months. Most of these folk have written books on their travels and now Ray Salisbury of Nelson Tramping Club has condensed and retold their stories. Some may recall Ray’s last book, TABLELAND – the history behind Mt Arthur.
EPIC: Adventures Across Aotearoa features challenges such as Graeme Dingle and Jill Tremain attempting the first traverse of the Southern Alps in 1971, lasting 100 days and Paul Caffyn making the first kayak circumnavigation of Te Waipounamu in 1977, lasting 75 days.
This book is not intended to be an exhaustive history, but a selection of endurance epics that trace a variety of interesting routes around the country. The expeditions are spread out from Cape to Bluff, encompassing the North, South and Rakiura Stewart islands.
Illustrated with colour images and maps, this hard-cover anthology is aimed at the outdoor adventurer and the armchair variety. You can pre-order it on-line at: https://exislepublishing.com/product/epic/ It will also be available at bookstores from 15 November.
How about a real change of scenery?
Patrick Arrieula and his wife Robbie, who live in Australia, have contacted us about the walking tours that they run in south-west France. For the last 27 years, they’ve been showing hikers around the area where Patrick was born.
Patrick says: ‘All our tours, except for the Camino, are based in the one hotel for the nine days, avoiding packing and unpacking. Our local knowledge of the area gives us a plus when it comes to local culture, scenery and food. We would love to share this beautiful part of France with keen walkers who appreciate the local tastes and wines of the various regions. Our tour itineraries change with the seasons and the challenge of the walks changes from region to region!’
You can check out what Patrick and Robbie get up to here
And you might like to download their schedule for 2024
Wilding pine update
Volunteer Giles in action – there’s not many left this size now
Graham Leech reports:
This time out, on 18 August, we got 654 pines – including several larger ones which received the poison treatment. Our tally was lower than usual (we are taking this as a good sign – they are not so easy to find now and we are re-covering ground we had already been over).
Alan from DoC hadn’t been up with us for a while and he was impressed with the difference we are making. Thanks to all of you who have helped over the last year and a half.
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