Tramping...

Tramping 

What is it?

Tramping is the uniquely Kiwi term for the sport otherwise known as hiking, bushwalking or trekking. In NZ it can range from a well marked summer afternoon stroll along a bush path through to a multi-day winter mission across the mountain ranges requiring ice axe and crampon skills.

What MUAC does.

MUAC runs a number of official day trips and weekend trips to the local ranges. Every so often on long weekends or semester breaks, MUAC has offered trips down to the South Island or to the longer walks in the North Island. Unofficial trips are often announced at the weekly meetings and via the muac_tramping yahoo group.

Local Opportunities

There are plenty of options for both day and overnight tramping trips within about 3 hours of Palmerston North. NZ is blessed with a great network of tracks and huts.

The Gorge Walk and Sledge track the two most popular walks of several that are within 20 mins of the city and offer simple day trips.

The Ruahine and Tararua Forest Parks can be accessed from between 1-2 hours. The deep gorges, thick bush and open rolling tussock tops lend themselves well to day and overnight trips, though the plethora of tracks can easily be linked together for multi day adventures.

In the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park, you can find a world class day walk known as the "Tongariro Alpine Crossing" as well as a popular 2-3 day great walk 'The Tongariro Northern Circuit'. The park is a unique dual world heritage listed place, and is well worth a visit.

The singular volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki dominates Egmont National Park, offering day walks to the summit, weekend trips to the outlying foothils and a week long circumnavigation of Taranaki itself.

The drier and more remote Kaweka and Kaimanawa ranges offer mostly weekend and greater trips, on a slightly longer drive from Palmy. The Kaimanawas have few tracks and are more frequented by hunters and adventurous off track trampers, whilst the Kawekas have a good network of huts and tracks (and some neat hotsprings!)

Useful Books

North Island Weekend Tramps  (2002) Shaun Barnett.  Craig Potton Publishing, Nelson NZ:.

Other Opportunities

Further afield, the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a popular long weekend option in the Te Urewera National Park. The rugged Raukumara Ranges of East Cape see little activity, but offer a wonderful remote experience. North of Taupo, the walking tends to be more day and perhaps overnight trips in the smaller lower lying forest parks and ranges.

The South Island is altogether a different adventure. Soaring peaks up to nearly 4000m, glaciers, giant valleys, endless ranges, gorges, canyons, tracks, hot springs.... There are walks available to suit everyone, but the upper level of difficulty and committment in the South Island is vastly above that which can be found in the north.. Enjoy and be careful!

Muac_tramping Yahoo! Group

Got a question to ask other MUAC members about Tramping?  Want to advertise your own un-official trip? Upload photos, gear lists, maps, and post messages at muac_tramping

Leader Resources

Stored with the other MUAC Gear Hire stuff, the club has First Aid Kits and Survival Blankets for use on official trips.

On the muac_leaders group there are environmental care codes, trip registers, gear lists etc.

Gear Hire

Bivouac Palmerston North has a range of boots, packs and raincoats available for hire.

Mountain radios are available for hire and are worth while on longer trips to more remote areas.

Tramping Links

Tramper.co.nz      

NZ Met Service

NZ Land SAR

DoC