• 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

      December 

       

      Wednesday 2nd December

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

      Guest speaker: Tony Gazley Hollyford Pike circuit, Fiordland. 6 day tramping and pack rafting.

      10 min training: What’s in a summer pack?

       

      Sunday 6th December

      Norbett Creek Circuit at the end of Kaitoke Waterworks Road. Loop around the well-marked track (a bit steep in places).

      Leader: TBC

      Grade: Easy/Easy+

      Cost $10

       

      Saturday10th - Sunday 13th December

      Atiwhakatu – Carkeek – Poads Road Atiwhakatu, Jumbo Hut (Friday night), Angle Knob, McGregor, Dorset Creek, Park Forks, Carkeek Hut (Saturday night), Lancaster, Arete, Te Matawhai, Poads Road.

      Leader: Paul Furkert. 06 379 5355.

      Grade Fit.

      Costs TBC

       

      Sunday 20th December

      Blue Range Hut (Slow Trip) From Kiriwhakapapa road end, along the valley and up the hill to visit our club hut. Top up the rat bait. Leader: Nigel Boniface. 06 378 6556

      Grade: Easy+

      Cost $8

       

      Sunday 27th December

      Blue Range Hut Wear off the Christmas dinner! From Kiriwhakapapa road end, along the valley and up the hill to visit our club hut. Leader: Jason Christensen. 06 377 7360

      Grade Easy+

      Cost $8

       

      Summer Trip Schedule

      January 2021

       

      Saturday 16th – Sunday 17th January 

      Haurangi Hut Orongorongo Valley near Wainuiomata. Sat/Sun overnight trip. Sole occupancy serviced DOC hut for 10 people. [ cooking facilities, crockery provided ] Choice of tracks to get there and options to explore when at the hut.

      Leader Margaret McLauchlan. Ph 06 377 1981

      Grade Easy

      Cost $10 pp for the hut plus

       

      Saturday 23, Sunday 24, or Monday 25 January

      Wellington Anniversary Baldy /Jumbo loop via the Broken Axe Pinnacles From Holdsworth carpark, up to Jumbo tarns for the night then out via Broken Axe, Baldy and the Atiwhakatu valley. Choose best weather for a 2 day trip.

      Leader: Sandra Burles. 021 061 7054

      Grade Average

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st January 

      Moonlight Crossing of Mount Tongariro Travel across the massive Central North Island mountain under moonlight. Trip coincides with full moon. Contact Paul ASAP for planning.

      Leader: Paul Furkert. Ph. 06 379 5355.

      Grade Fit.

      Costs TBC

       

      Saturday 30th January

      Naenae Track Joint trip with SWTC. Help carry 16 warratah standards with track markers along the track. Require 8 people minimum. Couple of hours track maintenance then head off for a bit more walking.

      Leader: John Rhodes 06 304 9095.

      Grade Easy +

      Cost $8 - 10

       

      February

       

      Wednesday 3rd February

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

      Guest speakers: Club members Tramping and Biking holiday pics. Bring a USB to share your photos.

      10 Min training: How to lead Trips.

       

      Saturday 6 th to Monday 8 th February

      Ruahine for Waitangi long weekend Into the Ruahines for a medium fit trip. Details and direction of travel TBC.

      Leaders. Ange 06 377 1505 and Julie 06 370 2102

      Grade Average / Fit.

      Cost Huts + transport.

       

      Monday 8 th February

      Waitangi Day Farm excursion into the Tararua foothills. Check out some stunning farmland and venture into the edge of the Tararua Forest Park. Joint trip with SWTC

      Leader: Kate Pitney 06 379 8429 G

      rade Easy +

      Cost $5

       

      Sunday 14th February

      Atiwhakatu Hut Stretch the legs along the Atiwhakatu track following the river, across the many side creek bridges to the hut. Leader: Denise Stagg. 021 1161424

      Grade Easy

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st February

      Mitre Flats / Mitre Peak loop Head into Mitre Flats hut on the Friday night, up the hill to Mitre Peak Saturday morning, north west to Brockett and Girdlestone, South to Mid King and back to Mitre Flats hut.

      Leader TBC

      Grade Fit.

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 27 or Sunday 28th February

      Day trip Best weather day. More info closer to the time. Joint trip with SWTC

      Leader: Gerald Leather 021 239 1946

      Grade Average - fit. Cost $8

       

      Sunday 28th February

      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

       

      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

       

       

       

    • 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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