• Masterton Tramping Club

      Welcome to the Masterton Tramping Club website, we are a small, friendly and active club. We offer a wide variety of adventures throughout the year. These trips vary from easy, one day walks, to multi day camping trips in the south island.

    • Welcome

      We meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except January) at the Masterton Community Centre, 41 Perry Street. Meetings start at 7.30pm, and at most meetings we have a guest speaker or some form of training. Visitors and prospective members are encouraged to come along to meetings and join a trip.

       

      Some examples of past trips include:

      • Family day trip to Kapiti Island
      • Camping at top of Cone, Tararuas
      • Easy overnighter to Tutuwai Hut
      • Week long adventure past Dragon’s Teeth in Kahurangi National Park
      • Off-track adventure, Kiriwhakapapa area, Tararuas

       

      We organise a trip most weekends, either a local trip usually on a Sunday, or a longer overnight trip which may go beyond the immediate area of the Tararuas.

       

      Trip categories are:

      • Easy: 4-6 hours, possibly hills with plenty of rest stops. Suitable for beginners.
      • Easy+:  4-6 hours, probably some short hills.
      • Average: 5-8 hours, some hills, fewer rest stops. Suitable for people with reasonable fitness and some experience.
      • Fit: 6+ hours per day, lots of hills, may go off-track, stops for lunch and ‘smoko’. Suitable for experienced trampers with good fitness.

       

      We suggest the new members start with an Easy trip to assess their fitness.
      The Club has some equipment available for members to borrow.

    • Upcoming Trips

      If you're interested in joining us on any of our trips, please come along to our Club night and make contact with the trip leader.

      We usually offer a trip each weekend, either a day trip on a Sunday, or an overnight tramp. Day trips are a great way to gain fitness without having to carry a heavy pack. Each trip has an indicated grading, and approximate transport cost. All potential members are urged to start with an easy trip so as to judge their fitness, confidence and ability. If in doubt check with the trip leader.

      Spring Trip Schedule

       

      March

       

      Wednesday 3rd March

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa.

      Guest speaker: Mike and Laura Hopkins; Walls of Jerusalem, Tasmania.

      10 min training: High energy and delicious snacks to take walking

       

      Saturday 6 th March or Sunday 7th March

      Waiorongomai Hut and River walk Upstream in the riverbed (wet feet guaranteed) to the beginning of a cut bush track. In and out of the river, many crossings and occasional narrow track.

      Leader: Chris Leather 021 230 8591, Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981.

      Grade: Easy+ Cost $10

       

      Saturday13th or Sunday 14th March 

      Bike Ride Remutaka Trail or other, Mountain bike or road depending on interest.

      Leader: Chris Leather 021 230 8591

      Grade TBC

      Costs TBC

       

      Saturday 20th or Sunday 21st March

      Angle Knob From Holdsworth road end, along the Atiwhakatu valley and up the hill past Jumbo hut and Jumbo peak. Across the saddle to Angle Knob. Day trip.

      Leader: Sandra Burles. 021 061 7054

      Grade: Average Cost $8

       

      Saturday 27 – Sunday 28th March

      McGregor Biv Friday night to Jumbo hut/tarns and if the weather allows, over to McGregor via Angle Knob. Sleeps 2! Could be done as a day trip from the tarn / Jumbo Hut.

      Leader: Sandra Burles. 021 061 7054

      Grade: Ave.

      Cost $8

       

      APRIL

      7th April Wednesday

      Day trip to Mitre Flats Hut to install the map on the wall. Take the Barra track from The Pines.

      Leader: Jason Christensen Ph. 06 377 7360

      Grade Easy + Cost $8

       

      7th April

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa.

      Guest Speaker: The Fiordland Cruise – Nigel et al.

      10 Minute Training: Dehydrating tramping food.

       

      Sunday 11th April

      Tinui Anzac Cross walk Walk through native bush and exotic forestry to arrive at the Anzac memorial cross in just over 1 hour. Steep in places. No dogs.

      Leader TBC

      Easy Cost $10

       

      Sunday18th April

      Wellington Walks Skyline track or City to Sea walkway depending on the weather.

      Leader: Nigel Boniface. 06 378 6556

      Grade: Easy Cost $25 for train/bus (or free with Goldcard)

       

      Saturday 24th April

      Winzenberg Hill Track clearing trip with SWTC.

      Leader: John Rhodes. 06 304 9095 rhodesja@xtra.co.nz

      Grade Easy + (Saturday trip).

      Cost $8

       

      MAY

      Sunday 2nd May

      Pukaha Summit Climb this local landmark from the western side, up through patches of beech forest to get great views.

      Leader: Sandra Burles. 021 061 7054

      Grade: Easy Cost $8

       

      5th May

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa.

      Guest Speaker: Mélanie Barthe – walking in France.

      10 Minute Training: Adam Philps – foot care.

       

      Sunday 9th May

      Duathlon Marshalling Help out at a MTC fundraiser.

      Be a marshal on the duathlon track at Holdsworth road end, count runners and raise their spirits with a cheer.

      Leader: Graeme Lenihan 06 378 0599

      Grade Easy Cost $8

       

      Sunday16th May

      Mountain House Loop Anti-clockwise: Atiwhakatu track first then up river ridge track, lunch at Mountain House then back down to carpark via Gentle Annie Track.

      Leader Margaret McLaughan Grade Easy+.

      Cost $8

       

      Sunday 23rd May

      Mangatarere Valley - Waiohine Along the Mangatarere Valley and up to Waiohine peak . Good views over to the Main Range. Average fitness ( a 500m climb).

      Leader: Nigel Boniface Grade Average Cost $8

       

      Sunday 30th May

      Kaiparoro Trig Across the creek and up the bulldozed track through the pines into the bush. Follow the narrow track to the trig and clearing.

      Leader: TBC Grade Easy

      Cost $8

       

      JUNE

      2nd Club Night

      News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa.

      Guest Speaker: John Rhodes: The 1928 Tour de France in the Pyrenees & Alps.

      AGM 

       

      5th, 6th & 7th June

      Mitre Peak (Queens Birthday) Follow the Barra track alongside the Waingawa River to Mitre Flats hut. Climb the peak and back to the hut. Potentially start Friday after 5pm to reach MFH for a Saturday climb if the weather is good. 

      Leader: Sandra Burles 021 061 7054, 

      Grade: Ave Cost $8 

       

      Sunday13th June

      Kiriwhakapapa to Mikimiki return Multiple options here - out and back to the saddle / over to the stream / loop track at 'Kiri' or split the group and swap over mid way. 

      Leader Margaret McLauchlan. 

      Phone 06 377 1981 

      Grade: Easy. 

      Cost $8 

       

      Sunday 20th June

      Manawatu Gorge From the gorge carpark, explore the bush tracks and close up views of the wind turbines. If sufficient numbers we can swap in the middle. 

      Leader: TBC. 

      Grade: Easy Cost $8 

       

      Sunday 27th June

      Zealandia Visit this amazing fenced reserve in central Wellington. Lots of track options. Bring a packed lunch. 

      Leader: Denise Stagg 021 1161424 and Janet Hayes 06 3794030 

      Grade: Easy. Cost – petrol + entrance fee $22 Adult, $10 child 5 – 17. 

      Senior / student $19.50

       

       

       

       

    • Trip Reports

      Read about some of the trips we've been on recently

      Waikuku Weekend
      September 29, 2020
      A weekend at Waikuku in the Aorangi Forest Park Before we left home, we were sure it was going to be a short weekend away, the forecast for Sunday indicated a pack up and head home after breakfast day. Saturday morning 4 vehicles and 13 passengers converged on Martinborough, after refreshments we...
      Read more...
      Jumbo Hut Weekend
      August 29, 2020
      Some photos from the clubs Jumbo hut weekend 29th & 30th August
      Read more...
      Paekakariki Escarpment Walk
      August 24, 2020
      Six trampers signed up for this trip, which began with a 1 hour 40-minute drive from Masterton to Paekakariki, the beginning of the northern end of the escarpment walk. The first 100 metres takes us past the Paekakariki cafes (tempting but saved for later), on to a path that runs alongside SH1,...
      Read more...
      More Posts

    • Club History

      The Club was formed in 1957 with the amalgamation of the YMCA Tramping Club and the Masterton Outdoor and Social Club.
      At that time members were also participating in the construction of what was to be called Blue Range Hut, a joint exercise with the NZ Forest Service.
      The Club also inherited a hut at Mitre Flats, the second hut at that location.
      The Hut on the Atiwhakatu River was built during 1968.
      Today the Club still maintains Blue Range Hut, it being a non core hut, for DoC and the community. The Tararua Aorangi Rimutaka Huts committee helps with funding for this work.
      The third hut at Mitre Flats, and the second Atiwhakatu Hut are both core DoC Huts, although Club members still help with minor repairs and maintenance.

       

      Click here to view the MTC Constitution

    • Huts

      Blue Range Hut

      Grid Reference: E1812491, N5481135 (NZTM2000)

      Bunks: 4 Single
      Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
      The Hut was built during 1957 and 1958 by members of the newly formed Masterton Tramping Club, and staff from the NZ Forest Service. The Club organised a trip at fortnightly intervals for 18 months to carry the materials up, with regular races to see how many return trips could be made in one day, it is nearly a 700 metre climb.
      The Hut was opened by Mr. D.Blythe (NZFS) and Ted Esler, an early member of the Club, on Sunday 9th November 1958.
      More Info

      Atiwhakatu Hut

      Grid Reference: E1806817, N5472972 (NZTM2000)

      Bunks: 26 bunks in three separate rooms
      Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
      The first hut was built in 1968 as a joint venture between the Club and NZFS, and slept 8-10.
      When the hut was opened it was a three hour walk along the Atiwhakatu track, which had many climbs and descents, no wonder that the river was a popular option.
      Today, with the new(ish) track it is an easy 90 minute walk, and about 30 minutes for a fit mountain runner.
      The new hut, built by DoC, was opened in June 2009. It is a much larger 12 bunker of the latest design.
      Due to unprecedented demand DoC once again extended it, to its new 26 sleeping design in 2013. The club no longer maintains this hut.
      More Info

      Mitre Flats 3

      Grid Reference: E1808985, N5477084 (NZTM2000)

      Bunks: Two platform Bunks, sleeps 14
      Cost: 1 Serviced Hut Ticket
      After many years of consultation and fund-raising Mitre Flats 3 was constructed in 1988 by the Department of Conservation at a total cost of $29,000. With $4,000 being donated by Masterton Tramping Club, (including $400 from Masterton Licensing Trust, $275 from South Wairarapa Tramping Club and $25 from Kaumatua Tramping Club).
      The first hut was built in 1935 and the second hut was built in 1953
      More Info

    • Library

      Masterton Tramping Club has some books that we are happy to lend out. If interested please enquire by contacting us.

      Books available to lend

      Wairarapa. An Historical Excursion Bagnall, A.G. (1976)

      North Island, Weekend Tramps Barnett, S (2002)

      Plant Icons of New Zealand Church G. and Greenfield P. (2005)

      New Zealand Endangered Species. Birds, Bats, Reptiles, Freshwater Fishes, Snails and Insects. Cusa, N.W., Lockley M. (1980)

      Where to Find Birds of the Wairarapa Dennison T, Scadden, Watt B

      Some Better Known NZ Wild Flowers and Birds Department of Tourism and Publicity

      The Natural World of New Zealand. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of NZ's Natural Heritage Hutching G (1998)

      The Reed Handbook of Common New Zealand Birds Kinsky F.C., Robertson C.J.R. and Marshall J (1987)

      New Zealand Islands McGeorge P and McGeorge R (2004)

      New Zealand; Land of Birds Moon G. (2001)

      Spot X, Tramping New Zealand. Over 400 Tracks Moore, C. (2007)

      Wairarapa, A Place Apart. Nikolaison P. and Wall M. (2006)

      Ruahine Forest Park. A guide to Family Walks, Tramping Tracks and Routes Ombler, K (1993)

      202 Great Walks. The Best Day Walks in NZ Pickering M. (2003)

      The Four Corners of New Zealand Reed A.H. (1954)

      Wairarapa Walks Rhodes, J. and Cederman, A. (1989)

      Tararua Footprints. A Tramper's Guide to the Tararua Ranges Rodgers, M (1996)

      New Zealand Bird Portraits Soper M.F. (1963)

      New Zealand, Portrait of a Nation Stewart, G. (1985)

      From Mountains to Sea. The Story of Westland National Park Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (1990)

    • Get in contact

      Use the form to enquire about going tramping, joining the club or just to seek general information about tramping in the local ranges.

      41 Perry St, Masterton
      mastertontc@gmail.com
      Submit

    Masterton Tramping Club © 2020

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