Photo Gallery

Great progress on the chalet renovation. Those who have stayed there previously won't recognise it.

Pictures of tramps and trip in 2019

Had the BBQ fired up for the first time this season - home made hamburgers...

New RTSC signs to be erected on the Whakapapa Lodge

Following the AGM we had a BBQ and social night out on a barge on Lake Okareka - a fun night for all.

A great weekend at the Lodge with some of our original members to celebrate 60 years since the Lodge was built

New ovens and a complete makeover of the bedding was very welcome for the new season in 2015

Thanks to much hardwork by a group of members over many weekends over summer, we were able to complete the building project to add new bunks to our existing end bunkrooms.

It has been an epic summer/autumn getting the Lodge renovations finished, but we are nearly there. There has been a huge amount of work go on - thanks to everyone who has contributed - you have been amazing... We also got the pantry stocked and both the Lodge and the Chalets have had a spring clean! Bring on season 2013!

This job was never going to be easy, especially when the skies opened the night before. But as if by magic, the morning dawned clear, and the new carpet is in the Lodge ready to be laid this week. Awesome job team!! Thanks heaps from us all.

Work carried out by 17 members on 13-14 April

Grade 2 Trail - with a few gnarly bits along the way. Lovely ride along the Tongariro River with swing bridges at either end to make a loop. Good to get out on the bikes after some pretty wet weather over the weekend.

Great fun had by all for our last weekend of the season. The Trampers joined the Skiers for a weekend at the Lodge - great skiing and walking day on Saturday, great inside day Sunday (although some did venture out for a walk), and a farewell to the slopes on Monday...

The weather was very kind to us, with blue skies and little wind. Fifty one competitors made their way down the course on the Valley Traverse. In the evening we had a huge crowd for dinner (thanks Karlee and Belinda) and the Bledisloe Cup decider. Congratulations to Archie Tombleson, our new Club Champion.

We had a great time during the winter festival. After a few ales at the Brew Bar, around 40 of us headed over to the skating rink - some got the hang of it faster than others!!

We did a recce on Fisher's Track. It is a Grade 2, and a good beginner's track, but was made a bit more challenging by the slippery conditions. Not much of an uphill to get a spectacular downhill - and some beautiful scenery. Easy ride from the Chalets - but you need to organise a shuttle for the other end.

We had a good crowd through for the ski sale - a few got some amazing bargains. Thanks to everyone for supporting the club.

Once again, the weather was kind, and we achieved everything on the list. The pantry is cleaned out and restocked, the Custodian's room is almost done, the new curtains are up, phones rewired, and a whole heap more. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work this year.

We made great progress despite the weather on Sunday. Check out the changes to the Custodian's room to make a bit more space. The new paint looks great.

A much reduced Adventure Club braved the weather bomb - but didn't quite make it to Whakapapaiti Hut - AGAIN! Still, we had a great walk to the Taranaki Falls - the rain brought out all the waterfalls. We then headed back to the chalet for a warm night in and the inaugural game of the Adventure Club Scrabble Competition.. Maybe we'll get to Whakapapaiti next time! The snow on the mountain was amazing the next day. Alison, for Carla, Lucy, Heidi, Clark, Quinn and Tessa.

Six of us arrived at the Glenbarry Farm in Otunui in time for lunch. Tents were pitched by the woolshed, lunch eaten then we hit the hills. There was only one way to go - up (!) to the top of a ridge with great views of the King Country. There were plenty of thistles to avoid and goats running along the hillsides. We had afternoon tea on the top of a ridge and contemplated which ridge we were going to scramble back down to the campsite for a hot shower, a good feed then early to bed. Sunday dawned and we had breakfast before driving back towards the main road to walk the Te Maire Loop track. This was bush rather than farm land - a pleasant contrast to Saturday's walk. After lunch some went fossil hunting - the rest went back up to the skyline. Special thanks go to Glenda and Barry for allowing us onto their farm and to Winston for leading the trip.

What a hilarious day! Rafts of all shapes and sizes. The best raft and overall winner was a wonderful #8 wire construction from the Schweizers in Kaharoa. It is a good thing there were no rules - as the pedal-powered water wheel was probably bending them a bit!! Looking forward to next year...

Test Launch

A big group (we think about 50 but the kids wouldn't stay still long enough to be counted!!) gathered at Winston's place to celebrate Guy Fawkes. The energetic ones went for a walk - including a visit to the famous "Bum Tree" - followed by a BBQ and bonfire. Everyone brought fireworks to share, and the show seemed to go on for ever. Eventually the fire died down enough to toast marshmallows - how could you not... The Adventure Club camped out in the woolshed for the night and was treated to tea and toast the next morning. Thanks Winston for a fabulous night.

We had a fantastic end to the season. By the end of the weekend we had 21 people enjoying a beautiful blue sky day. Despite the patchy weather to start with, the kids got to dig and sleep in a snowcave, Maureen and Graham did some lovely walks, and we all got to enjoy the rugby on a very big screen (two sheets sewn together!!) Amazing that we made it out at all on Monday morning after celebrating the All Blacks' victory with members from the Puketoi Club!! Very sad to drive away on Monday afternoon - thanks to everyone for an unforgettable weekend.

A bunch of us enjoyed the first two semi-finals from the comfort of the Lodge lounge!! Checking out the technology for streaming in the semifinals and final over the next two weekends, we settled in for the games - managing to fit dinner in quickly inbetween! This time it was Nik's laptop as we were missing a crucial connection to use the projector. Never fear - it will be the big screen for the big game! Thanks Nik for the technology knowhow!

A small group donned our packs (and leaving the rugby behind) for a great walk into the Whirinaki. We were just settling into the Skips Hut (yes - almost taking the easy option after having to scramble over several slips!) when we were invaded by a miniature army (well so it seemed..) from the Lynmore Scout Group. Sharing Rogers Hut with the two hunters ahead of us was a much quieter option - which is what we did. Fascinated by their dog Jane, her little tent and her backpack, we spent a lovely evening feasting on a wonderful three course shared meal - all gluten free - and accompanied by mulled wine. The next day we made it back in time to watch the Irish play Russia from Judy and Ian's garden (thanks guys!!) I'm sure we spotted the leprechaun at the end of the rainbow...

We had a full house for the Primary School Ski Champs this year. Two teams from Lynmore School and one from Mokoia Intermediate competed. Everyone had a great time, with everyone completing clear runs. Making banners for each school was a great way to fill in a snowy cold day... Congratulations to all for giving it a go and we hope you all compete again next year.

Sarah and Kierin spent one week at the lodge from the 8-12th. On Wednesday 10th August they hiked to Te Heuheu Peak along the Tukino Peak and into the Plateau for lunch. They continued across the Plateau to climb Cathedral Rocks, down into the Whangaehu Glacier and up to the Crater Lake. The day was finished by tobogganing down the Whakapapa Glacier and back to the Lodge.

On a cold and very windy day, 40 of us gathered at the Top of the Knoll to race for the 2011 trophies. Great fun was had by all - even if we nearly got blown off the course before we even started!! Thanks Simon for the photos.

At -15C outside with a horrible gale blowing, cold or not, we were pleased to be sheltering inside when avalanches closed the access road. During a great day's skiing on 40cm of new powder, the wind had been gradually blowing the snow around the corner to dangerously load up slopes above the road. With a sleeping bag and emergency blankets - we were better off than most - and being on TV the next day made it a real adventure!! The staff were fantastic. Clark, Alison, Quinn, Tessa, Heidi and Elena.

How can you beat it? New season snow right down to the Lodge - beautiful clear skies - and a chance to stretch the legs at night..

After a ten day winter storm the skies cleared just in time for a trip in the Kaimais. Pete led a weekend trip from the Wairongamai track to stay at the Waitawheta Hut and then to walk out on the Lindeman Track. Bruce and Delia went over on Sunday to walk the Lindeman Track and to pick up the overnight trampers. The weather was perfect with clear skies, and calm conditions. The overnighters were rewarded with Winston's freshly baked blueberry muffins!

The weather is calming down a bit. The Waterfall express opened today, hopefully over the weekend more lifts will be opened up while the snow is still soft. It looks like there is a fair amount of snow up top.

We have had some more snow overnight and it seems there is more to come. 100km/h winds are forecast over the next couple of days but with the amount of snow and moisture at lower levels im sure that when the weather clears there is going to be some great skiing to be had on the upper mountain.

A few die-hards made it down to the mountain to open the Lodge for the season. Snow has been falling for a few days, and is forecast to continue. No chance of skiing, but still time to do a bit of self-arresting practice with the ice axes.

What a great place to have a winter getaway. Thirty of us enjoyed the hot pools - they were wonderful. Great place, great food, great company, great walks. Thanks Carla for organising it.

Exploring in and around National Park - dodging the rain!

Plenty of hard work, plenty of fun, and the Lodge is ready for the start of the season..

Six of us competed in the awesome T42 race - Clark did the 45km mountainbike race, Sue and Margaret did the 24km run/walk and Alison, Quinn and Tessa did the 6.5km run walk. The awful weather broke to a beautiful warm day. We had a slippery course with lots of mud, but the event was a huge success.

This trip was different, fun and challenging. The walk was timed to catch the low spring tide to walk across the mud flats from the end of Matahui Road to Matakana Island and back again...

If you've never done it - walk into the Whakarewarewa Forest from Selwyn Road - and the side of the track is lit up like the night sky - fabulous on a still and quiet night..

The weather was bad, but we still had fun, sailing on Lake Tarawera.

Fourteen kids and ten adults spent a weekend exploring Tongariro National Park. We had one night in the chalets and one sleeping under the stars - then spent the day biking, walking and swimming - awesome fun!

Tramping Club Trip at Anniversary Weekend

Some great outfits as everyone got into the dress-up spirit