About the club

We are trampers at all levels of fitness and enjoy day tramps as well as multi-day tramps. We are lucky to have the hills and mountains on our doorstep for a good variety of adventures in the back country. We head out in summer, and winter when boots are strapped to snow shoes.

Weekend trips range from easy walks and tramps using the Department of Conservation and other NZ huts to packing your tent and tramping to other not so accessible areas in Otago, Southland, Westland and South Canterbury. Trips are sometimes arranged further afield to take advantage of long weekends. The trip calendar has most weekends with either a 2 day or 1 day trip.

The club meets bi-monthly. For details read the menu Contact. Any club business is briefly dealt, and a speaker presents. At the conclusion of the meeting there is tea and talk.

The club publishes a 6 month trip list calendar. Then, each month the bulletin contains past trips write-ups, and the the coming month's trip calendar. See the menu above Bulletins & Trips .

Trip attendee responsibilities (all trampers)

Travel costs

Based on the number of km travelled, number of members going, and number of cars needed.

The charge is ($0.5 x total km) x (number of cars) which is then divided by the number of members going (including drivers). For example, a 100km - return trip - with 8 members would require two cars = $100 The per km charge is dependent on the cost of fuel. This is an estimate and the trip leader has discretion on total cost and allocation of people to cars - leader will advise members of costs.

Trip Conduct

Sign up for a trip at a club meeting, or by contacting the trip leader before the closing date (Tuesday before the trip). Details are in the bulletin for each trip.

If you pull out of a trip after the closing date you may be liable for costs incurred on your behalf so it's best to contact the leader as soon as possible.

Firearms prohibited. Dogs by negotiation with the trip leader

Respect the property and privacy of land owners.

Smooth running trips have everyone co-operating with the leader and does their share of chores without being asked.

Suggested Gear List

Check with the trip leader if you are unsure of the gear needed on a particular trip.

Day trips:

Lunch, mug, boots, parka, over-trousers, woolen hat, wool or polar fleece shirt or jersey, wool or polypro long johns, shorts or long trousers, sunhat.

Weekend trips:

Day trip gear, boots or suitable tramping footwear, Parka, sun/woolen hat over-trousers, balaclava, woolen mittens, shorts, wool or polar fleece shirt (& spare) and jersey, wool or polypro long johns, long wool or polar fleece trousers, 3 pairs of socks, underwear, toilet gear, plate, mug, cutlery, sleeping bag and cover, groundsheet or “karrimat”, torch, matches, candle, compass, personal first aid kit, insect repellent, pack, sunglasses, sun-block, snow gaiters, cooker, ice-axe and crampons if indicated by the leader.

Spare clothes in vehicle for change at end of trip.

Trip leader responsibilities

Other club members are always willing to help.

PLB (personal locator beacon)

Pack the club's beacon, and arrange collection via the email at Contact. Or carry another beacon.

Pointers about PLB use.

Try to go to a clearing, then don’t move about.
Put a bright colour out to alert the helicopter or shine a torch light in the dark.
Leave the PLB turned on until rescued.
Secure all gear and loose clothing.

Before You Start

Know your party – you must be aware of

Individuals experience, knowledge and ability eg: scared of heights, can they swim?
Each person’s present fitness level.
Any Medical problems, and the treatment required or medication carried: this can include any recent illness eg: flu
Any psychological or emotional problems, which may affect a person’s performance, eg: fear of heights, reaction to stress.
The sort of trip party members want or expect to go on.

Plan the Route

Obtain maps and check guides for additional information. Talk to others who have done the trip recently. Think about the type of terrain and estimate how long each section will take. Select campsites or huts for overnight stops. If your route involves river crossings, decide what you will do if rain makes any of them uncross able. Check out the route personally beforehand if leading an inexperienced party.

Obtain permissions

Have individuals purchase tickets or back country passes for hut fees from DOC. Obtain permission for crossing private land and using any restricted huts. Remember to write a note of thanks to landowners after your trip for letting them through their land.

Organise equipment

Check that each member of the party knows what personal clothing and equipment is needed. Organise party gear and decide how it will be distributed amongst the party members. Take the Club Emergency Locator Beacon as well as a cell phone (if coverage). The Club has an Emergency Locator Beacon to be taken on all trips.

Organise food

Decide what system you will use for organising food, whether in groups or each to themselves. Usually on club trips people are responsible for their own breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks; leader will advise if different.

Arrange transport

Arrange transport in both directions using private, public or hired vehicles. Transport is a major expense so people may appreciate knowing in advance how much it will cost. Road end vandalism of parked vehicles is a possibility in some areas.

Leave intentions

Leave details of your trip with a responsible contact person.

Names and phone numbers of group members and leader.
Planned route and possible alternatives.
Expected time of return.

Check weather forecast, changing plans at the last minute is OK.

Check fire restrictions, from the local paper or phone DOC.

Check if the “Roar” may be on in the area, and deerstalkers around. (Wise to wait another month to go)

Check in with DOC if the conservation area you are going in has a Visitor Centre. Find out what other large groups are already using huts, damaged bridges of washouts, huts burnt down, tracks no longer maintained. Inform the Visitor Centre of your intended movements.

Check that everyone is healthy. It is hard to leave a keen person behind, but any ill health may create more serious problems later.

While on the trip

Keep the party together

If a party becomes spread out, a person who gets separated may not be missed for sometime. Even if there are experienced people at both front and back, people from the middle can go astray if they can’t see the person immediately in front of them. Regroup when parts of the route are unclear or difficult egg: a fork in the track, poor visibility, river crossing.

Encourage observation

Pass the map around regularly so all members are aware of their position as the trip progresses.

Watch the weather

Swift and dramatic changes can occur in the hills at any time. Be aware of signs that the weather is changing. If the weather deteriorates you will have to decide what the party should do – push on, go back, camp nearby or use an escape route.

Watch your group

Keep a discreet but close eye on each member of the group for signs of overtiredness or distress. Involve the group in what is happening, inform them, or have them contribute to the day/trip.

When using huts or sharing campsites with other groups, have respect for the others, share space and keep noise down. Make sure intentions are written in hut books (even when passing a hut for SAR reasons) and the hut is clean before leaving and firewood replenished. Cary out all rubbish.

If something goes wrong

Do anything, which must be done urgently. Get people out of danger and have injuries treated.
Stop, think and plan.
Look after other members of the group.
Discuss the situation with the group.
Arrange for assistance if necessary.

Club gear

Available for members. Free. First aid kit, large billies, tent flys, maps, PLB (personal locator beacon), ice axes, dehydrator, and other gear. Contact Peter De La Mare, via the email on this page, Contact .

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