About the CTC

Welcome to the CTC!

We are always welcoming new members who share our common love of the mountains and enjoy exploring Aotearoa's spectacular scenery. 

Prospective members

We want to make sure the CTC is a good fit for you, so you might want to start by reading more about the CTC or coming along to a club meeting where you can talk to our members. 

Get in touch with John Kerkhofs (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), the CTC new members rep, who will sign you up as a prospective member. It costs nothing to be a prospective member and you will get up to two monthly issues of The Christchurch Tramper, the club newsletter. 

The Membership Process

We want to tramp with you! To become a member you need to tramp with us for three or more days, on at least two different club trips. You could do three day trips, a day trip and a weekend trip, or two weekend trips. This gives you the opportunity to decide whether or not you enjoy our tramping style. Upcoming trips are listed in the newsletter and on the website. To sign up for a trip, contact John to get the trip leader's contact details then get in touch with them.

When you tramp with us, make sure you have an application form (which can be downloaded here, or found at a fortnightly social meeting) which the trip leaders can sign for you. 

Becoming a member

So you have completed your qualifying tramps and are enjoying the club. What next?

1. Send in your completed form. You can send this to the new members rep, to the club or to any committee member.
2. Pay your subscription fee. This can be paid by cash or internet banking
   • For cash payments, include cash with your physical form.
   • For internet banking, put a note on the application form and pay when your application is approved. The club's account number is 38-9017-0279838-00 (KiwiBank/Christchurch Tramping Club). Include your name and the word "subs" in the particulars/code/reference fields
3. Your membership will be considered at the committee meeting after receipt of the application. John will be in touch with your application outcome. 

We can't wait for you to join us. 

Annual subscription rates are:

Non-members are charged $5 per day for coming on club trips in addition to the trip's transport costs.

Individual members and couples are automatically members of the FMC, which entitles you to FMC publications (such as the newsletter) and FMC member discounts.

Note that subscriptions are due on 1st May each year; a late payment fee of $10 will be charged from 1st July. If paying by internet banking, the account number is 38-9017-0279838-00 (Kiwibank/Christchurch Tramping Club). Include your name, login-name and the word "subs" in the particulars/code/reference fields.

Resignations or other changes to membership status should be notified to the treasurer via the Contacts Page.

The Christchurch Tramping Club’s Youth Programme aims to introduce high-school students over 15 years of age to tramping. The club has partnered with Hagley College to offer this opportunity. Experienced club members will lead easy tramps to bookable huts for up to eight students with an adult to student ratio of one to four. The programme is entirely volunteer-led and has the goal of providing students with an enjoyable introduction to the outdoors. The programme is free of charge as we have a grant from the Rata Foundation. We also have specialised clothing (e.g. waterproof coats) and equipment (e.g. packs and sleeping bags) to loan to students at no cost.

If this programme is of interest to students from partnering schools, please email Liz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

To make a payment to CTC, the preferred method is via internet banking. Our account details are as follows:

Bank: KiwiBank
Account Name: Christchurch Tramping Club
Account Number: 38-9017-0279838-00

For any questions regarding payments or other financial matters, please contact the Treasurer using the details on the Contacts page.

What CTC trip grades mean. Essential reading for newcomers.

Some information on what tramping gear you should take with you on club trips.

About the CTC club hut at Arthur's Pass village.

The CTC runs club meetings every second Wednesday for all members and prospective members. 

A short history of the CTC by Dave Henson. 

A brief note about the instruction courses that the club runs periodically.

Looking after the environment.

How the CTC conducts its trips.

Members/family/partners or nominated persons concerned about a trip being overdue should firstly discuss this with a Club Officer when they feel that the trip is delayed. Refer to the list of Club Officers on the back of the newsletter, or the list below.

Club Officers can obtain trip lists containing the names and addresses of the party members with their vehicle registration details etc. This will greatly assist Police Search and Rescue. The Club Officer can then contact the Police directly. Concerned people should keep trying different numbers until they actually contact a Club Officer (DO NOT LEAVE MESSAGES).

We recommend you start with:

• Bryce Williamson (Club Captain): 021 0232 2310

• Barney Stephenson (President): 027 358 3281

• Jonathan Carr (Emergency Contact): 022 034 4608

• Mark Nicholls (Secretary): 027 561 8463

• John Kerkhofs (New Members Rep): 021 242 9253

• Nick Edwards (IT Officer): 027 365 6751

• Ian Dunn (Access Officer): 021 214 1907

Then try any other club officer – if no contact can be made then the Police. Club officer phone numbers can be found on the Contact Us page and on the back of the newsletter.

Members (particularly Trip Leaders) please discuss this arrangement with your loved ones so they are aware of this procedure.