Current trip calendar

Please note: unless otherwise stated, day trips depart at 8:00 am and weekend trips depart at 7:00 pm on Fridays from Shell Carlton Corner Service Station, 1 Papanui Road (next to Liquor Land and opposite Derby Street). If you aren't taking your car on the trip, park on one of the nearby side streets, otherwise it may be wheel clamped or towed. If you are taking your car please refuel at Shell Carlton, as they are kind enough to hold our trip lists. Every trip gives an indication of petrol costs per person. Please bring it in cash to help the leader divvy up at the end. Trip grades are explained here. 

To find out who is leading a particular trip, or if you have any other questions, comments or suggestions on trips, please contact day trip organiser Bernard Parawa (981 4931) or weekend trip organiser Jeff Hall (332 9251). If you have comments or suggestions for trips, please contact the appropriate trip organiser.

Please note: for trips marked early start potential participants should contact the trip leader first—this makes planning much easier.

Saturday December 2

  • Three Deans
  • Grade easy. Map M34. Approximate cost $15. List closes November 30. In behind Amberley in the foothills. A nice day walk with some scenery.

Weekend 2–3 December

  • Lake Tennyson Base Camp
  • Grade easy/all/MTB. Map M31. Approximate cost $40. List closes November 23. Join Bernard for a great place for a base camp under the Beech trees beside the lake. Princess bath is just one option for tramping, there are options for all grades as well as scope for fishing, and mountain biking.

Weekend 2–3 December

  • Navigation
  • Grade training. Map L34. Approximate cost $25. List closes November 23. Learn how to read a map, line up a compass, fix your position, tame the terrain and find your way from here to there whether up in the clouds or down in the bush. Map L34, notebook, pencil, rubber and a compass with a transparent base required. Magnifying glass useful for reading map detail. Classroom/Port Hills session on Saturday and "In the Bush" training near Mt Oxford on Sunday. Check with Richard if you need advice on purchasing any items. Saturday venue to be announced.

Saturday December 9 or Sunday December 10

  • Vertical Rope Skills
  • Grade training. Approximate cost $10. List closes December 7. Come along and extend your skills vertically. Learn abseiling, prusiking, lowering, safety methods, multi-stage abseils, single rope abseils, multi-stage lowering and more. Some day you may need to do this on a tramp. Beginners can learn the basics and for people wanting to upgrade their skills, I will be teaching some advanced techniques, to increase safety and enable you to deal with some awkward situations. Give your preference for Sat or Sun. The day will be chosen on the number of preferences for each day and the weather.

Weekend 9–10 December

  • Griffin Creek–Rocky Creek
  • Grade moderate. Map K33. Approximate cost $40. List closed November 30. An interesting West Coast trip with a mixture of bush, riverbed, track and also the opportunity of open tops travel. (up to Mt Griffin and the Serpentine mine) The tracks have been recut in the last couple of years and there is a good hut at Griffin Creek.

Sunday December 10

  • Little Mt Peel
  • Grade easy to moderate. Map J37. Approximate cost $25. List closes December 7. Peel Forest area. From the Blandswood Road end climb steadily via Deer Spur overlooking the Rangitata. 8km, approx 850m height gain, marked tracks, some steep. A well-formed track leads to an attractive bush- edged tarn at 900m. A good spot for lunch. Then it's on to the summit with spectacular views.

Saturday December 16

  • Peak Hill
  • Grade easy to moderate. Map K35. Approximate cost $20. List closes December 14. Southwestern shore of Lake Coleridge; 5-6 hrs return. Outstanding viewpoint. 1240m. 600m height gain, 4/5km tramping on part track and part easy tussock hillside terrain.

Sunday December 17

  • Mt Catherine
  • Grade moderate-hard. Map J35. Approximate cost $20. List closes December 14. Clent Hills, Ashburton River Catchment. Weather permitting leave ChCh 5pm Saturday night and camp beside Lake Heron. Views of the rugged Arrowsmiths. 2085m.

Sunday December 17

  • Mt Somers Canyoning
  • Grade easy/wet. Map K36. Approximate cost $25. List closes December 14. Wet t-shirts anyone? Fantastic summer fun in a beautiful landscape. Let the river be your guide.

Saturday December 23

  • Mt Williams
  • Grade moderate. Map K33. Approximate cost $25. List closes December 21. APNP Awesome peak - stands above Edwards/Mingha confluence.

Between Xmas 2006 and January 14 2007

  • Hopkins–Temple–Ahuriri–Snowy Gorge Creek–Maitland–Hopkins
  • Grade moderate. Maps G38 and H38. Approximate cost $TBA. List closes December 14. This circuit starts and ends at the top of Lake Ohau, tramping to the west and north. Lovely country over snowy passes and beautiful valleys. Pace medium. Ice-axe and crampons required for the Temple—Ahuriri crossing. Actual walking 4 to 5 days. Departure date yet to be confirmed. Expressions of interest invited.

Wednesday December 27 to Tuesday 2 January

  • Poulter River / Thompson River–Arthur's Pass NP area
  • Grade moderate. Maps K33, L33. Approximate cost $TBA. List closes December 14. A Xmas trip in the Eastern area of Arthur's Pass National Park that is an interesting area, that the club has not run a lot of recent trips into. Should be a great trip contact. Experience is needed in traveling off track, as this does involve some travel off the standard marked trails.

Long Weekend 1–5 January

  • Wilberforce River–Mungo Saddle–Arthur's Pass SE area
  • Grade moderate. Maps J34, K34. Approximate cost $60. List closes ASAP. For those of you who saw Penny's great slides of Mungo Pass area here is the chance to see it first hand with Bernard. Heading up the Wilberforce River and into the unknown - contact the leader for details. Experience is needed in traveling off track, as this does involve some travel off the standard marked trails.

Weekend 6–7 January

  • Lake Stream–Lewis Pass / Rahu Saddle area
  • Grade moderate-to-hard. Map: L31. Approximate cost $40. List closes ASAP before Christmas. The first weekend trip of the New Year, it's over Lewis Pass to Rahu Saddle. Lake Stream Biv is in a beautiful location with the option of a tops circuit with good views down into Springs Junction if the Northwester stays away. Contact the leader as this does involve some travel without tracks.

Sunday 7 January

  • Mystery Moderate Trip
  • Grade moderate. Map: ??. Approximate cost $TBA. List closes 4 January. Que sera sera!

Saturday 13 January

  • Hallelujah Flat
  • Grade easy. Map: L33. Approximate cost $25. List closes 11 January. APNP - along the track from Andrews Shelter in the Mt White area. Lovely tramp through forest to open scenic river flats. 8km there and 8km back, 300m height gain, mostly straightforward forest track. If it is a hot day there is a good swimming hole to cool off in when you get back.

Weekend 13–14 January

  • Casey Binser
  • Grade easy-to-moderate. Map: L33. Approximate cost $40. List closes 4 January. A really good standard Arthurs Pass trip, suitable for beginner overnight trampers who however must be capable of carrying a pack for 6/7 hours each day. This is very pleasant country and Hallelujah flat which is passed on day 1 is a delightful place for lunch. The Casey Hut is big and comfortable for Saturday night and Sunday sees a pleasant wander down the river flats before a climb up thru the bush to the Binser Saddle and finally down to the road for (almost) a complete round trip.

Sunday 14 January

  • Blimit
  • Grade moderate-to-hard. Map K33. Approximate cost $25. List closes 11 January. Arthur's Pass - Twin peak circuit. Popular high points above Punchbowl Falls.

Saturday 20 January

  • Mt Bruce
  • Grade easy-to-moderate. Map K34. Approximate cost $25. List closes 18 January. A fine viewpoint on the Black Range. The walk overlooks the Bealey/Waimak and Harper River catchment. Well tracked

Weekend 20–21 January

  • Mt Adams–West Coast
  • Grade hard. Map: I34. Approximate cost $60. List closes 11 January. Repeat of the Mt Adams trip that was cancelled in November if the weather gods are happy.

Weekend 20–21 January (or 27–28 January)

  • North Opuha conservation area
  • Grade all. Map: J37. Approximate cost $60. List closes 11 January. The new conservation area has a 7km Access track which is ideal for mountain bikes, so although the walk in is pleasant, the bike in will get you to the hut faster for more exploring time. The area is served by an historic 4 bunker musterer's hut in good condition with plenty of attractive camping around it. There is a lovely ridge circuit to tramp, and MTB tracks all over the place. This can be as challenging or as relaxing a weekend as you want to make it. Walking the MTB access track is an option for more relaxed trampers and is set in impressive country.

Extended trip 20–27 January

  • West Coast Traverse Taipo to Whitcombe via the Kokatahi
  • Grade moderate. Maps K33, J33. Approximate cost $60. List closes 11 January. The plan is to do a traverse on the West side of the divide utilizing the newly maintained huts and tracks in the Hokitika catchment. The trip starts off in the cruisey Taipo climbs up to Dunns creek hut over Newton Saddle and into the Arahura. The next stage leads over into the Styx, climbs up to Lathrop Saddle and over the Browning range then down into the head of the Crawford river. The Crawford is followed to the junction with the Kokathai, then the Kokathai followed up to its head and on up to Zit Saddle. Depending on weather and time there are several options from there. From Zit Saddle the Adventure ridge can be followed into the Toaroha valley to visit the hot pools and an exit to the road via the Toaroha track, or the short route exiting from Zit saddle to Boo Boo hut via the Pinnical ridge, or a harder option which after dropping to the Toaroha involes climbing up to the Diedrich range and down Gerhardt Spur to the Whitcombe river, or lots of others some even exiting to Canterbury. With 10 huts and 5 bivs along the route bad weather shouldn't upset us too much and with the tracks in the upper Kokathai being recently recut this is a good time to visit this rugged interesting country.

Sunday 21 January

  • Mt Harper
  • Grade moderate. Map: J36. Approximate cost $25. List closes 18 January. Above Lake Emma. The Rangitata River flows around Mt Harper and Mesopotamia Station is nearby under the Sinclair and Ben McLeod Ranges 6-7 hours (loop route). Views of Asburton River gorge and lakes area.

Weekend 27–28 January

  • Buckland Peaks
  • Grade moderate. Map: K29. Approximate cost $25. List closes 18 January. A good track to a newish high level hut. Take advantage of the long summer days to get to this interesting tramp in an area not often visited by the CTC. It's a long drive but well worth it. There are great tops to explore above the hut.

Sunday 28 January

  • Around Mt Somers
  • Grade moderate-to-hard. Map: K36. Approximate cost $25. List closes 25 January. This involves a tramp of 28km, and a cumulative height gain of 2000m. With short infrequent rests this takes 9 hours, so be prepared for a 10 hour tramp. Starting and ending at the Sharplin Falls carpark, this is a varied and interesting tramp passing through forest, under waterfalls, and over open tussock land. You will see interesting bivvies, a brand new hut, and with fantastc views and traverse the south face of Mt Somers on a new track still unknown to many.

Sunday 28 January

  • Ashley Gorge
  • Grade easy. Map: L34. Approximate cost $15. List closes 25 January. One of the top picnic spots in Canterbury and a fine place to explore. Beautiful gorge area.

Weekend 3–6 February

  • St James Walkway
  • Grade easy-to-moderate. Map: M31, M32. Approximate cost $50. List closes 25 January. You will need to take a days holiday on the Monday (5th) but take advantage of Waitangi day and make a long summer weekend to walk the entire length of this walkway. The St James is one of the best of Canterbury's walkways and is suitable for anybody who can carry a 4 day pack for 6 hours a day. With good tracks, big huts and great scenery this is well worth the effort. Numbers limited so be in early.

Weekend 3–6 February

  • Copland Pass–Mt Cook NP area
  • Grade hard. Map: H36. Approximate cost $60. List closes 25 January. Take the Monday off for a long 4 day weekend for this great crossover trip. Option of either cross there and back or attempt a round trip. Still to work out the logistics but give me a ring if you are interested. Definitely need some snow craft skills as will require competence with ice axe and crampons for the snow slope at the Pass.

Weekend 3–6 February

  • Lake Angelus
  • Grade moderate. Maps: M30, N30, N29. Approximate cost $60. List closes 25 January. Classic tramping trip, if you haven't done it yet now is your chance. Leaving on Saturday we will walk Robert Ridge, visit Lake Angelus hut and stay there or maybe camp at Hinapouri Tarn. Climb Angelus Peak, drop down through Sunset saddle to Hopeless Hut. Finally walk out along the Travers valley. Will need to take Monday off work.

Weekend 3–9 February

  • Poulter River / Thompson River–Arthur's Pass NP area
  • Grade moderate. Maps: K33, L33. Approximate cost $TBA. List closes 25 January. A repeat of the above Xmas trip into the Eastern area of Arthur's Pass National Park depending on how this trip goes. Should be a great trip. Experience is needed in traveling off track, as this does involve some travel off the standard marked trails.

Sunday 4 February

  • Mt Potts
  • Grade moderate-to-hard. Map: J35. Approximate cost $25. List closes 1 February. Upper Rangitata. Mt Potts is near the confluence of the Clyde and Havelock Rivers. Above the Erewhon Park Skifield.

Sunday 4 February

  • Nikau Palm Gully
  • Grade easy. Map: N37. Approximate cost $20. List closes 1 February. Out past Akaroa towards the heads. A great place to explore this summer.

Weekend 10–11 February

  • Minga Deception (or visa versa)
  • Grade easy-to-moderate. Map: K33. Approximate cost $40. List closes 1 February. The classic Arthurs pass weekend trip. A week after the coast to coast the track should be free of runners. Come on this great trip and see one of the best parts of the national park. Good hut (Goat pass) to stay in on Saturday night.

Weekend 17–18 February

  • Canyon Creek - Ahuriri River
  • Grade moderate-to-hard. Map: G38. Approximate cost $60. List closes 8 February. Access to the park is via Birchwood Road which leaves SH8 about 17 km west of Omarama township. Birchwood Road runs for 21 km up to the park boundary, after which it is 4WD only for a further 10km to the road end but my Corolla seemed to manage it OK. All sorts of options in the valley or on the tops.

Weekend 17–18 February

  • Dunfiunary - Lake Pukaki
  • Grade hard. Map: H37. Approximate cost $60. List closes 8 February. Mt Dunfiunary can be easily accessed from the Mt Cook road and provides some great views of the peaks of the surrounding area not to mention a few mobs of Himalayan Tahr. Always an interesting area.