Bush-wise Brian off to new fields

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

Make all enquiries about trips to Barbara phone 348 9149 or Dorothy phone 345 7039.
The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with longer walks on July 13 and 27 and shorter ones for the TT2 group on July 6 and 20. The Wednesday contact is Margret, phone 344 3899, and the Thursday contact is Val, phone 345 0456.

To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips.

For further information contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.wanganuitrampingclub.net

The next meeting at the Deerstalkers' Hall, Peat St, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 5 will feature an illustrated talk by Diane Harries on tramping in the Coromandel district. All welcome.