For day trips, you should have strong and really comfortable footwear that has been worn-in, a small pack with lunch and nibbles, a water bottle or flask, a parka, over-trousers, gloves and woollen headwear, a torch and basic first aid equipment.
There should be at least one map and compass for each group. Before you start out, find out who has the map and compass.
Gear for weekend or longer trips will vary widely, depending on the location and the time of year. Trampers taking their first longer trip should consult with other experienced members and read up on MSC information as well as the club’s literature. View more detailed about kit requirements for shorter (day/weekend trips) and longer trips (multi-day/weekend).
On all trips, if the party splits, stay with the group that best suits your abilities – fast, medium or slow. If you are new to tramping, stay with the slower folks. You’ll soon be able to judge and set your own pace.
Advice for first timers
The basic rule is: be at your pick-up point by 6.45am. At the Thursday night meeting, make a note of your pick-up point, the driver and his or her phone number. You will be returned to your front door or the pick-up point, at the end of the adventure. If you can’t make it to the meeting, email us at trans@ction.co.nz, or call one of the people listed under Contacts.
If it’s your first tramp with the club, you’ll be briefed by the trip leader or club captain. If you are not sure of anything, please, please ASK! It’s much better to ask questions before we all set out than ask them when we are all well on our way. Remember that the team on your walk is only going as fast as the slowest member.
If for some reason you cannot join your planned trip, you should contact your driver or any contact number at the latest on the Friday evening for weekend expeditions, or on Monday night for mid-week tramps. Click on Contacts for details.
Make sure that you and someone else who isn’t going on the trip are aware of the following procedures:
- Leave a written record of where you are going and who you’ll be with. It’s useful to note when you left home and when you expect to be back.
- All club members on a delayed trip can rest assured that their next of kin or nominated person will be notified of any delay as soon as possible.
- Please tell your friends or relatives that they should not ring the club contact until a reasonable time has elapsed. Remember that most delays are caused by simple problems such as tyre punctures or unexpected weather. But when it truly looks serious, they must make the call.
- Put your contact’s number in the trip book at the Thursday night meeting before the trip.
Additionally:
- Have the correct petrol money available at the pick-up point.
- Don’t forget your change of clothes, plus some plastic bags for your dirty boots and wet clothing.
- Wednesday trampers: please confirm your attendance by the Monday morning prior to the tramp.
- Wednesday trips may offer options for varying fitness levels.
