• 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.

      Autumn Trip Schedule

       

      WELCOME TO THE ABRIDGED VERSION OF THE AUTUMN TRIP SCHEDULE.

       

      I have hopefully listed the careful considerations for Alert Level 2 below – so we can all stay safe while getting back into our tramping world. Further updates may become available. For the most up to date information,check www.covid19.govt.nz
      You can’t participate in any gatherings if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you need to be in isolation for any reason.

      - Participants to be prepared to take their own vehicles (can share a vehicle if you are in the same bubble). Carpooling will be over to the individual driver's so please respect any members decision not to travel with others not within their bubble.

      -You should keep your distance from groups of people you don’t know.

      - Contact tracing compulsory (trip leader to send a list to MTC Gmail)
      - Don’t come if you’re sick/unwell/have flu-like symptoms. Wash hands lots, take your own sanitiser
      - Toilets, huts are likely to be closed
      - Keep 2m apart, BYO own food and drink, don’t share
      - Don’t participate if at higher risk of Covid19 (underlying medical conditions / immunocompromised / over 70 / pregnant 3rd trimester

       

       

       

       

       

      MAY

       

      Sunday 17th May Cone Saddle / Waiohine River loop 
      A day loop using the Totara Flats track along the Waiohine river and back via the Cone Saddle /Cone Hut track.
      Leader: Julie Miller 06 370 2102 or 027 451 0323 Julie.Miller@gibsonsheat.com

      Grade: Easy +

          

       

      Sunday 24th May  Carter Reserve

      Take an easy walk around this lowland remnant of Kahikatea forest. Follow the loop track to explore the forest, wetland and grassy areas.

      Leader – TBC.

      Grade: Easy

       

      Monday 25th May Remutaka Incline

      From Cross Creek on the Featherston side to the summit tunnel and return the same way. BYO torch. Checkout the new Siberia bridge.

      Leader: Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981

      Grade: Easy

       

      Sunday 31st May Kiriwhakapapa road end to Saddle

      From the road end out and back to the saddle. Leader: Chris Leather chris.leathernz@gmail.com Grade: Easy

       

       

      JUNE

       

      Sunday 7th June Pinnacle Ridge High Point 

      Up and back trip to Pinnacle high point 877. The trip is 30 mins along the river, 60 mins uphill & 30 mins along the top to the view. Then return the same way.

      Leader: TBC.

      Grade: Easy +

       

      Sunday 14th June Fensham Reserve 

      Lots of options here - loop tracks, the lookout, check out the weta hotels, track upgrading and views. There may be a one-way directional system in place.

      Leader: TBC

      Grade: Easy

       

      Monday 15th June Mountain House Shelter  

      Head up the Gentle Annie track for a stop at Mountain House shelter then return to the Atiwhakatu Valley the same way or via the river ridge track. Leader: Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981

      Grade : Easy

       

      Sunday 21st June Blue Range Hut

      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 +

       

      Sunday 28th June Atiwhakatu Hut 

      Stretch the legs along the Atiwhakatu track following the river, across the many side creek bridges to the hut.

      Leader: TBC.

      Grade: Easy

       

       

    • Trip Reports

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

      Cone Circuit
      May 17, 2020
      Some photos from the first club in level two 17th May 2020. The trip was the cone circuit.
      Read more...
      Buttercups, Sunrise and Rurus
      March 21, 2020
      Here is a trip report from Chris Leather just before the lockdown It was the quaint and endearing name of Buttercup Hollow that made it sound a compelling destination. This also seemed to be more accessible than other interesting sounding places in the Ruahine Forest Park, such as Deadman’s Track...
      Read more...
      Kiriwhakapapa to Mikimiki
      March 16, 2020
      Kiriwhakapapa to Mikimiki – Monday 16 March 2020 Participants: Chris, Viv, Anita, Margaret, Christine & “Dodge” With all the covid-19 happenings it was so nice to get out in the bush for a break and some fresh air. The weather forecast was for possible showers in the afternoon but it was fine...
      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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