Tramping the crossing by moonlight
Tongariro Alpine Crossing enthusiast Esther Williams has completed many crossings and decided it would be fun to do it without the crowds and with a full moon. She subsequently ran a successful moonlight crossing in April and plans another in November.
This is not a trip to be taken lightly. In April the group began in short-sleeved tops but up high the wind rose and it became very cold. Cloud covered the moon but the light was sufficient to see the surroundings without torches. It was back to short sleeves when the group descended to the mild temperate forest.
The Wanganui Tramping Club group left the Mangatepopo car park at 5.30pm and reached the Ketetahi car park at 2am. They didn’t have the crossing to themselves, meeting runners and a lurking possum by the track. Doing their bit for conservation, they picked up three bags of day tripper rubbish.
Another feature of the club’s programme for November will be two multi-day trips, one exploring the Hunua Ranges and day walks in the Thames area and the other walking the Waikaremoana Track.
The club’s full programme for November is:
Sat-Sun 3-4, Kaweka Forest Park, leader Michelle
Sat or Sun 10 or 11, Marton farm walk, leader Roger
Sat 17, Otangane Loop, leader Margret
Sun-Sun 18-25 Miranda/ Thames Estuary, leader Jacky
Sat or Sun 24 or 25, Tongariro Alpine night crossing, leader Esther
Mon-Thurs 26-29, Waikaremoana Track, leader Tracey
Make all enquiries about trips to Barbara phone 348 9149 or Dorothy phone 345 7039.
The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with a longer walks on November 8 and 22 and shorter ones for the TT2 group on November 1, 15 and 29. The Wednesday contact is Margret, phone 344 3899, and the Thursday contact is Val, phone 345 0456.
To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For further information contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.wanganuitrampingclub.net
The next meeting at the Deerstalkers’ Hall, Peat St, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 7 will feature an illustrated talk by Malcolm Leary on mountaineering between the Darran Mountains and Minarets in the South Island.