News

Next Wanderlust Submission Date

The deadline for the April Wanderlust is Wednesday, 17 March.
Please send contributions for the magazine in electronic format, to wanderlust@aucklandtramping.org.nz. with Wanderlust in the subject line. Trip reports and photos are welcome.

(Vice) President's Column

Well, our President is away on the Xmas trip this month and I trust that, like everyone else who journeyed to the South Island this year, he had a thoroughly pleasant time. (Let there be no mention of additional ventilation in Big Blue!) We can all look forward to a few ensuing trip reports and club night presentations, not to mention the odd tall story.
In Doug’s absence, a short note from me instead.
Remember to review the list of 2010 Mountain Safety Courses listed in last month’s Wanderlust — these can be fun, as well as a means of acquiring valuable safety skills.
Please note the club vacancy mentioned below – let’s hear from you, or make a suggestion if you know of a likely candidate.
Like any club, ATC relies on the invaluable investment of time and effort by many volunteers. Some are able to contribute a little, some contribute a lot over an extended period of time, and others contribute by simply participating in club activities. Any and all involvement, past and present, constitutes the collective vitality of the club, keeping ATC ticking over for the enjoyment of members and guests alike. Thank you all. You are appreciated.
So – summer is still with us, great tramping everyone!
Brent Rose

Club vacancy — can you help?

Social Convenor/Support Person: Support is required for club social night presentations. If you own a good contemporary laptop, and would be comfortable with setting up photographic slide shows using the club’s projector (or learning to do this!), your help in sharing this role would be appreciated.
If you can help with this position, please contact Brent Rose, ph 570 5580, or email vicepresident@aucklandtramping.org.nz.

Under 40s’ group

The under 40s’ group has now run two successful tramps and is gathering interest. However, they would still like more support, so if you fit the criteria I suggest you contact Jane (ph 815 2281 or email Jane.dudley@gmail.com) to learn more about coming activities. The group is planning three tramps and they are listed at the beginning of the General Trips Programme
Graeme McGowan

Mountain Safety Courses in Auckland in 2010

Mountain Safety is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of safety in the tramping activities which we as a club enjoy. The volunteer, trained instructors are passionate about their tramping and other outdoor activities. These courses will help you lift your tramping activities to the next level. Some of you may even wish to gain the Outdoor Leader Qualification. The courses are fun and interactive. The Intermediate and Advanced (survival skills) Bushcraft courses build on the skills learnt on the level(s) below. For the same reason, some courses are prerequisites for others.
All the courses are listed on the website or details can be obtained through the Auckland email address. Some courses are preceded by information evenings.
Contact for Auckland Mountain Safety:
Leanne, Auckland Branch Administration Officer, ph 817 3957 e-mail auckland@mountainsafety.org.nz
Address: Auckland Mountain Safety PO Box 60696, Titirangi, Waitakere 0642.

Programme Outline for 2010

    August: Outdoor Safety Risk Management (Motu Moana, Green Bay)
    Outdoor First Aid (Motu Moana, Green Bay)

River Safety Course — 7 March

An opportunity to experience serious river-crossing conditions in relative safety — the skills learnt could save your life!!!
****Learn to read the river
****Learn what to do if you get swept away
****Improve your decision-making with regard to crossing rivers
On Sunday 7 March, Auckland Mountain Safety will be running the River Safety Course on the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta Rivers in the Karangahake Gorge. Club members who participated in last year’s course enjoyed the day and reported that they had learnt new skills.
The cost for the full day course is $55.
Book with Mountain Safety by contacting Leanne McKenzie, Administration Officer for Mountain Safety Auckland or complete the form on the website www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
Mountain Safety Auckland, PO Box 60696, Titirangi, Waitakere 0642 Ph/fax 817 3957 Email auckland@mountainsafety.org.nz

Waikato Tramping Club 60th Birthday Celebrations

15–16 May 2010
We invite past members to join us to celebrate our 60th birthday. Please send your contact details to us and the contact details of any other past members you know.
Waikato Tramping Club 60th , PO Box 685, Hamilton 3240
Email: wtc60th@paradise.net.nz Website: www.wtc.org.nz

Wanderlust Advertising

The committee has recently reviewed the Wanderlust advertising policy and decided that tramping-related advertising for the benefit of members should be encouraged. For no cost, members may place short advertisements to sell equipment or endorse services and equipment. We will also advertise, for no cost, specific deals offered to the club by businesses for the benefit of members and/or the club. Generic advertising by businesses is available at competitive rates. The Publicity Officer and the Editor have the right to edit or reject advertisements. Members' advertisements should be sent to publicity@aucklandtramping.org.nz. Please be concise, and include your name and contact details.

Any budding writers out there?

We plan to communicate our activities in the Central Leader and Western Leader in the 'What's On' column. I would also like to try to get editorial space two to three times per year with some good tramping stories, to link with 'What's On', and I'm looking for one or two keen writers. Here's an opportunity to release that hidden talent. Please contact publicity@aucklandtramping.co.nz.
Graeme McGowan

Promote Club Membership — to all members

ATC Intro Card

To help you promote the club the committee decided an introduction card would assist and we are very grateful to Rosalie Morrow for designing a card.
What’s the purpose?
When you meet someone interested in the club, write your contact details on the back. Encourage them to check out our website and give you a call if they have questions.
Where do I get cards?
Club night and on Big Blue. Please take no more than five at a time.
The one ‘do not’:
Please do not leave them in huts, etc. We don’t want to be accused of littering.
Graeme McGowan

New Venue for Monthly Meetings

Remuera Bowling Club

Our monthly meetings are now held at:
Remuera Bowling Club
6 Market Rd
Remuera
This beautiful historical building will provide a wonderful setting for both monthly meetings and some fun social events.
You may drive into the club grounds via the driveway between 3 and 5A Dromorne Rd (off Market Rd). Parking is available along the driveway, or continue round and behind the building to further parking. Alternatively, you may park on Market Rd and take the pedestrian access from street level through the gates and down to the main building.
Enter the foyer via the central doors at the front of the club building (or via the carpark side access), pass through the glass doors (push the green button if closed) and take the stairs to the first-floor meeting room.
(Click ‘Meetings’ under the News menu item for further photographs and a map.)

Kauri Disease

Mark cleaning boots

Trampers will notice some new and improved cleaning stations in some Auckland Regional Council parks, which have been installed to fight kauri dieback disease.
In the Waitakere Ranges there are eight large stations, with barrels of Trigene, (a biodegradable disinfectant), and a scrubbing brush installed over a crate in the ground. These stations are designed so visitors can walk across the grate and use the brush to remove excess soil from their shoes or boots, then spray the footwear with the disinfectant to kill any disease spores. There are also nearly 80 smaller cleaning stations with scrubbing brushes, and spray bottles of disinfectant. These are at track entrances and exits, and between tracks in the network, aiming to protect areas of healthy trees. There are also smaller stations in the Hunua Ranges, where there is no sign of kauri dieback disease so far, and we would love to keep it that way.
For more information visit www.kauridieback.co.nz. Amanda Peart (ARC)

Our very own Mark Lewis, park ranger, shows us how it's done. (Photo: ARC)




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