Meeting Report – April 2026

Sunday, April 26th, 2026

NOTMC Meeting 13-4-26

Colin chaired our meeting tonight.

Completed trips;

Jollie Hut: Tramp from the end of Lake Pukaki following the Jollie River up to Green Point Hut. A good area for hunters and trampers.

Big Ben: 9 people walked from the end of Domet Rd west across a farm then followed a zigzag track to the to. Nice weather and lovely views

Cameron Hut: 6 people walked up Cameron creek in the Arrowsmith range to a climbers hut It was over rocky terrain. The glacier at the head of the creek has shrunk a lot and this made walking harder. Keas were seen in the area.

Wednesday Walkers: gave their report.

Up and Coming trips;

North Temple: Walk up the circ and tent for the night

Dunedin Weekend: Explore the Lammermoors.

Cambell Hills: Walk the hills near Waiarunga.

Spurs Hut: Lake Heron area. Small hut, tents probably required.

Travel costs: John has adjusted travel costs in line with the fuel price rise. Now 42c a Km or $50 per hr 4WD

A reminder was given of our AGM next month.

Speakers’ tonight were Julian and Lynette Hardy. In October 2025 Julian Lynette and their son trekked to Everest Base Camp, “Intrepid Travel” organised the group of 14 people. 1 leading guide and 7 other guides and porters. They started at Katmandu and flew to Lukla (2660m above sea level) landing on a very short runway, after a short stop on to Phakaling (2860m above sea level) where they stayed in a teahouse overnight. Trekking started the next day, 8.6km to Namche. The Hillary Bridge was an interesting feature. A rest day to acclimatize in Namche Bazaar was in order. Namche is in the Sagarmatha National Park (3443m). Phortse (3810m) a 14 km walk and the next stop, they were starting to feel the altitude now. They stayed the night here then on to Dingboche (4410m) and stayed to acclimatize here. Lobuche (4910) 10km away was the next stop. They were now really feeling the altitude and cold despite the good weather, only 6 km to base camp from here. On to Gorakshep with quite a lot of snow around for a quick stop then continued on to base camp (5364). No tent city as it was autumn, everyone posed on ‘The Rock’. It took 8 days to reach base camp and only 4 days to return. They carried out some rubbish with them. Their trip ended back in Katmandu for a few relaxing days.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm followed by a cup of tea.

Meeting Report – March 2026

Saturday, March 21st, 2026

Meeting Report – March 2026

Geoff chaired the meeting.

Completed Trips

Twilight Walk Fifteen people, including eight newcomers, took part. The group walked up Buckleys Hill, around the reservoir, and returned. A good evening was had by all.

Kakanui Bike Ride Noel led this popular ride south around the Kakanui and Herbert area.

Up and Coming Trips

Big Ben A steady climb from the end of Domet Road, returning via a different route.

Cameron Hut In the Arrowsmith Range, starting from Lake Heron.

Snowy Creek Gorge Cross the Ahuriri River at the start, then head towards the gorge. This trip has been attempted several times previously.

Wednesday Walkers A report was given.

At this meeting we presented Life Membership certificates to several valued and long‑serving members. They shared stories of past trips and experiences with the club. Jane brought photos from earlier years, prompting many memories. Certificates were presented to Morris and Phyllis Grey, Jane Naish, Bill Bews, Ross Milmine, and Stuart and Betty Jenkins.

The presentations were followed by a pot‑luck supper. The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.

February 2026 Meeting Report

Sunday, February 15th, 2026

Meeting Report – February 2026

Colin chaired the meeting.

Trips Past

Ahuriri–Dingle
Four people travelled from the Ahuriri Valley over to Top Hut in the Dingle Valley. A large party was also expected, so tents were required. Members were treated to a fireworks display during the evening.

Herbert Forest Working Bee
A disappointing turnout. Hoods Creek Track has significant wind damage. Some boardwalk was installed across a muddy section.

Christmas Party – Waianakarua Reserve
A hot, pleasant day and a good catch‑up for members, Wednesday Walkers, and Wanderers.

Cass–Lagoon Saddle
Two groups completed this tramp: one of two people and one of four. They met at Hamilton Hut. Weather was good and all enjoyed the trip.

Mt Alexander (changed to Mt Kyeburn)
Due to bad weather, the planned Mt Alexander trip was replaced with Mt Kyeburn. Walkers visited the waterfall, then continued to the top and returned via a 4WD track.

Freehold Creek
Six people walked up this valley near Lake Ōhau. Good weather and lovely beech forest.

Sugarloaf Pass / Rockburn
Three people completed this tramp, which starts from the Routeburn. The Rockburn section was very steep and rough. They also had one day of rain. A solid workout over difficult terrain.

Up and Coming Trips

Twilight Walk
Open to the public. Walk from the North End up Buckleys Hill to the reservoir and return.

Green Point Hut – Jollie Valley
Stay in a musterers’ hut after walking up the Jollie River valley.

Bike Ride
Kakanui and surrounding areas.

Wednesday Walkers
A report was given.

Next club night we will welcome new life members, followed by a pot‑luck supper.

A sub‑committee has been formed to organise celebrations for the club’s 50th anniversary. Ideas are invited.

Robbie demonstrated a device for transferring gas from one cylinder to another.

Trip planning followed, then a cup of tea. The meeting closed at 8.40 pm.

November 2025 Meeting Report

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Meeting Report

Geoff chaired the meeting.

Up and Coming Trips

Top Dingle Hut
From Ahuriri Base Hut.

Tabletop
From the Waianakarua area.

Cass–Lagoon Saddle

Christmas BBQ
Glen Coe Reserve.

Trip Reports

Mt St Cuthbert
Five people enjoyed good views from the summit. It was windy but fine.

Twilight Walk
Ten people met and walked along the Skyline Walkway, then down Orwell Street to the foreshore. They returned towards town along the beach. It was a calm, pleasant evening.

Snake Gully and North Peak
A lot of gorse on this walk, but the group had good weather in the Trotters Gorge area.

Windy and snowy weather affected several planned trips this month.

Wednesday Walkers
A report was given.

Guest Speaker

David Woods spoke about his experiences in South America.

He first travelled to Venezuela in 2006. In 2010 he went climbing in Bolivia. La Paz, the capital, is about 4,000 ft above sea level, and he visited there to acclimatise before heading to Cococahann. His group climbed a peak in the Condori Range, crossing a large glacier before beginning the ascent. They had a local guide, and the climb involved a steep 55‑degree slope. David shared excellent photos of the route.

He then travelled to Ecuador. The capital, Quito, sits among mountains in the foothills of the Andes. The peak they planned to climb has been affected by climate change, with melting ice exposing rocky, difficult terrain. Kotopaxi is a volcano in the region, standing 5,900 m high.

David also spoke about the Patagonia Ice Cap, around 3,000 m in elevation and 7 km across. It lies in the Fitzroy Range and must be crossed in one push due to slushy, hazardous conditions.

He had remarkable photos and memorable stories from all these adventures.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm, followed by a cup of tea.

October 2025 Meeting Report

Saturday, September 20th, 2025

Meeting Report

Colin hosted the meeting.

Trip Reports

Little Mount Peel
Five people completed this walk on a very cold day. There was plenty of snow, but the track has been improved. Excellent views from the 1,300 m summit.

Little Domet Saddle
Seven people climbed this peak, following Lone Creek for much of the way and passing “The Lodge” en route to the top. Conditions were very windy at the summit.

Silverpeaks
Three people completed this overnight trip, staying in the ABC Cave along with two others who arrived. It was very cosy. They climbed the Devil’s Staircase, continued on to Silverpeaks, and walked out the next day.

Wednesday Walkers
A report was given.

Up and Coming Trips

Mt St Cuthbert
A climb near Cattle Creek. A long day but good views.

Kaikōura Range – Mt Fyffe and Kowhai Saddle

Mt Sutton and Lake Dumbell
Via the ski field road near Ōhau.

Twilight Walk
Visitors welcome. Walk along the beach to Orwell Street, then over the Skyline Walkway.

South Peak via Snake Gully
Walk in the Trotters Gorge area, known for interesting rock formations.

Trip planning for the summer season followed.

The end‑of‑year BBQ will be held at Glen Coe Reserve on Sunday 7 December. A tentative date for awards is March 2026.

The meeting closed at 8.40 pm, followed by a cup of tea.