STALWART: Brian Sixtus hams it up with Esther Williams at Kings Creek Hut in Kahurangi National Park.
PICTURE / SUPPLIED
The Wanganui Tramping Club has its share of characters, and one who is straight out of a Barry Crump novel is Brian Sixtus, who, sadly, is returning to his home patch of Takaka.
Go tramping with Brian and you will see a display of his bush skills. He's a trail-finder, wood-chopper,
fire-lighter, eel-catcher, track-mender, practical-joker, and - being a caring bloke - a cheerful pack-carrier for those who are lagging.
He's a man who thinks outside the square. On a recent round Mt Ruapehu trip he produced wine and a range of snacks for happy hour on not one but both the nights he tramped with the group.
Brian has been a stalwart at Possum Lodge, the club's cottage at Raurimu. He loves staying there, cutting wood and doing chores and maintenance. He's an explorer, particularly in the Waitotara, and has spent a lot of time nosing around old timber tram lines at National Park. For a long time he has been on the trips' committee, organising the club's programme. Brian's many contributions to the club were recognised when he received the Doughty Boot Award in 2010 and there were further accolades for his generous spirit at the club's AGM in June.
True to his Southern Man roots, Brian has been hankering for familiar country and particularly his beloved Kahurangi National Park. Many club members are grateful for the trips he has led in Kahurangi over the years and there may be more as he plans to maintain his links with the club.
The club's July programme takes members to Kaimanawa and Ruahine forest parks and Egmont National Park and will feature the annual dinner. The full weekend programme is: -
Sat-Sun 1-2 Possum Lodge farewell to Brian Sixtus, leader Brian
Sat 8, Kaimanawa Forest Park, leader Andy
Fri 14, club dinner, leaders Esther and Dorothy
Sun 16, Fisher's Track, leader Dorothy
Sat-Sun 22-23, Syme Hut, leader Mike
Sat or Sun 22 or 23, Paekakariki escarpment, leaders Esther and Juliet
Sat-Sun 29-30, Stanfield Hut, leader Dave