TAUMARUNUI TRAMPING CLUB 'CAME ALIVE' 15 YEARS AGO

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 9 May 1989, Page 1 (Supplement)

TAUMARUNUI TRAMPING CLUB 'CAME ALIVE' 15 YEARS AGO

The Tramping Club was formed during the "Come Ahve" campaign in 1975. Stuart Shaw was the first President, followed by Tim Broad, Ian Dougherty, Stuart Hudson, Warner Lamb, Andrew Withers, Peter Panton and now Rob Mclntosh. Our membership has varied between fifty to one hundred. The subscriptions are within everyones budget:- $15.00 Family, $10.00 Adults and $5.00 Students. It is a cheap club to join and there are no further obligations. For short day trips a small pack, a parka and a pair of sand shoes are the basic requirements. For longer trips heavy soled boots are recommended; For overnight tramps, a sleeping bag and camping equipment would be an additional purchase. The club has a supply Of gear than can be loaned out to members at no charge. These include billies, tent flies, ropes, cooking utensils, maps, compass, first aid kit, thermette etc. Why do we go tramping? It is the love of the outdoors and nature - to be with people with a commmon interest - for some it is a way of keeping fit getting away from work and civilisation. For some it is the challenge to walk and see places and to use their bushcraft skills to get from one point to another. There is always the great feeling of achievement to successfully overcome a challenge. Anyone of any fitness male or female can join, and members ages range from pre schoolers to pensioners. We hold a club night the first Tuesday of every month. The venue is advertised in the newsletter and over IZU, the radio station on King Country topics. We usually have a guest speaker who has done a recent trip that is of interest to everyone. Most members find themselves other interests that are associated with tramping. We have photographers, rock hounds,. experts of bird life, trees, plants, geogrpahy, history and of course the stirrers. It is having these

people on the trips that make the tramps so enjoyable. Taumarunui has one of the most varied tramping areas in N.Z. These areas of bush and hill country with streams and rivers are only a few minutes away. Where city tramping clubs have to organise expensive weekend trips, we can do the same trips from Taumarunui in one day. Members are taught to respect the bush and wildlife. They are taught to respect other peoples property and to make sure permission is obtained before going onto any land. Leaders of tramps are responsible for the safety of their party and the club rules are very strict. Safety is taught to members as well as bushcraft, which includes map and compass work. We post out a newsletter to each member once a month. Members can pick and choose the listed tramps according to their interests and fitness. There are no obligations for any members to do any tramps. We attempt to hold one tramp per week. Members wanting to go on trips are asked to ring the leader at least two days before the tramp. No alcohol is permitted on trips. The club has the use of a hut in the Mangakahu Valley which was an old mill house when the Nuffield Sawmill was in operation. Where do we tramp? We have done most of the mountain walks in the Tongariro National Park. Hikurangi is an annual favourite. Over towards Lake Taupo, Mt. Pihanga, Tihia and Lake Rotopounamu. Also Mangakahu Valley, Tuhua, Motere, Titirauounga and Pureora. The old tram tracks around Ongarue, the Waitaanga tram track over to the old Tatu coal mine. Tawata to Whakahoro - Pirongia. Our longer weekend trips have included:Mayor Island, Mt. Tarawera, Blue Lake near Rotorua, two South Island trips, from Waihaha near Lake Taupo over the Hauhangaroa Range to Mangakahu Valley. The walk from Whakahoro to the Mangapura landing.

Local tramps, some of which have been evening walks during the week; - Rangaroa Ridge, Sunshine Scenic Reserve, Kururau Hill, Hospital Hill, Ohura Falls, Te ' Maire Bush Reserve, Hikumutu, Tunnel Hill, Owhango Lagoon. There are still many tramps to be done and areas to explore. We always have one or two summer tramps followed by a barbeque tea and social get together each year. Other activities include:- abseiling, caving, potluck dinners, pine pulling weekends, (on Ruapheu), Mountain lodge weekends, local track maintenance, canoeing, rafting. It is your choice - join the Club.