| Sat 25th January - Sun 26th January Roaring Stag Camping Easy-Medium Richard Lockett 06 323 0948 POSTPONED until further notice. This lovely summer trip in the eastern Tararuas starts from the Putara Roadend behind Eketahuna. After a couple of swing bridges there is a steep climb then a long gentle downhill to the hut and camping spots beside a big swimming hole downstream (optional stay in hut). Relax and enjoy. Return the same way or via the Ruapae Stream. Depart Milverton Park at 8.00am. |
| Sun 26th January Archey's Lookout Easy Nicola Wallace 021 209 0720 Part of the Te Araroa Trail. A nice walk past Makahika Outdoor Centre up the valley behind Levin. Across paddocks then into the bush with several small stream crossings then up to the lookout for views over Horowhenua. Depart 8.00am from Milverton Park. |
| Fri 31st January - Sun 2nd February Tenting at Tutuwai Medium Ernie Cook 0273031363 Starting on Friday this is a 3 day trip in the Tararuas. Tenting at Tutuwai flats in the Tauherenikau Valley. Day trip to cross Block 16 track up to Marchant Ridge off my to do list. Please contact Ernie no later that the Monday previous. |
| Fri 7th February - Wed 12th February Travers-Sabine Circuit Medium David Soong 021722358 Travers-Sabine Circuit over five nights including a side trip to Blue Lake. This 80km+ tramp is in the heart of the Nelson Lakes National Park. |
| Sun 9th February Beginner Tramp #1 Fern Walk Easy Verity Elder 021 260 1885 This loop walk moves through original podocarp forest, including giant lowland t?tara, mata? and kahikatea as old as 1000 years, and up to 68 species of fern (hence its name). An easy, close to home introduction to tramping, this trip includes a short, in-situ introduction to map reading and orientation. Depart Milverton Park 8.00am. |
| Sun 9th February - Waitangi Long Weekend TBA Trip leader wanted. Please phone Warren 06 356 1998. Updated details will be on our website. |
| Sat 15th February Beehive Creek Easy-Family Doug Strachan 06 353 6526 Our traditional family day trip for this time of year. Enjoy the Pohangina countryside and splashing down the small cool stream. |
| Sun 16th February Iron Gates Gorge Medium Warren Wheeler 06 356 1998 A classic river trip to enjoy the Oroua River. We first take the sidle track past Alice Nash Memorial Lodge and after a refreshing dip at the river we head off to zig zag back and forth downstream to Iron Gates Gorge. If keen we will take the short swim through the gorge before returning to the cars. Depart Milverton Park at 8.00am. |
| Fri 21st February - Sun 23rd February Mid King Biv & Beyond Medium Ernie Cook 027 303 1363 A seldom visited hut in the Tararuas on the bushline below the Three Kings. Depart Palmerston North at 7:00 a.m. Please contact Ernie by the Sunday evening previous. |
| Sun 23rd February Beginner Tramp #2 Atiwhakatu Hut Easy Verity Elder 021 260 1885 The track to Atiwhakatu Hut covers a wide range of track experience from boardwalks, to an assortment of bridges (including swing bridges), over undulating terrain up the Atiwhakatu valley. Return via the same track. Depart Milverton Park 7.30am. |
| Fri 28th February - Sun 2nd March Te Matawai-Mangahao Flats Medium Blair Petersen 027 600 4263 |
| Sat 1st March Sunrise Hut Medium Jo O'Halloran 0274 171 140 Postponed from 2 Feb this Saturday trip is to a popular track that is the “jewel in the crown” for the Hawkes Bay region. A well graded track climbs up through mixed beech forest to the hut on the bushline. A further 15 minutes takes us to Armstrong Saddle for views west to Ruapehu. Depart Milverton Park at 7.30am. |
| Fri 7th March - Sun 9th March Waikuku Lodge Aorangi Forest Park Easy-Medium Janet Wilson 0273418945 Has PNTMC ever visited this hut? A chance to visit one of our lesser-known huts in the Aorangi Range – east of Martinborough and around on the northern side of the more frequently visited Haurangi Range. The lodge sleeps 30, comes at a very reasonable cost (depending on numbers) and you can drive to it! From there you can do a day trip to Sutherland Hut – now who has been there? Sounds like there are great views and plenty to do/explore from the lodge. I have booked the sole occupancy lodge for 2 nights but happy if there is a group who just want to come for the Saturday/Sunday. Non-tramping partners welcome too as there will be plenty of room. |
| Sun 9th March Beginner Tramp #3 Rangiwahia Hut Easy Verity Elder 021 260 1885 The Rangiwahia Hut Track begins at 800m in the carpark and climbs to 1300m above sea level for, on a clear day, fantastic views of the wider Rangitikei area and Mount Ruapehu. We will aim for early lunch at Rangiwahia Hut with the option, for those keen, to continue onto the tops and the Whanahuia Range. Return via the same track. Depart Milverton Park 7.30am. |
| Sun 23rd March Beginner Tramp #4 Blue Range Hut Easy Verity Elder 021 260 1885 This is a typical backcountry tramping track in the Tararuas. Expect a rough and unformed track surface and an uphill climb with a fantastic reward. The very cute and happily situated Blue Range Hut looks out over the Waingawa River valley and peaks beyond. Depart Milverton Park 7.30am. |