Tramping with the Christmas spirit

Tracks251115 FESTIVE: Wanganui trampers enjoy a 2014 pre-Christmas luncheon at Field hut in the western Tararua. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

Trampers like dressing up. Maybe not all, but many find getting into some alternative gear is fun, and the Wanganui Tramping Club's calendar provides a number of opportunities. The annual club dinner in July and the annual gourmet meal trip have dress-up themes.
The next opportunity is in December. The Wednesday group always has a pre-Christmas celebration and the obvious theme is 'yule-tide'. Last year we had to trudge up to Field Hut in the western Tararua, but the pot luck cuisine made it the most lavish of lunches in a bush setting. The location for this event in 2015 has yet to be revealed.
Other events which have become December customs are a visit to Possum Lodge, a weekend hosted by the Taumarunui Tramping Club, a more demanding one-day tramp led by Ridgway Lythgoe and a Whanganui River cruise led by Esther Williams.
The club meeting on December 2 begins with our annual pre-Christmas barbecue and ends with a Dutch auction, the proceeds of which will go towards the rescue helicopter service. The auctioneer will be club member Brian Doughty. While the club has rarely had to call on the service, it appreciates that when needed, help is just a helicopter flight away.
The December programme is:
¦ Fri-Mon 4-7, Kaweka wander, leader Tracey
¦ Sat-Sun 5-6, Possum Lodge pre-Christmas, leader Brian
¦ Sat 12, Mt Ruapehu wander, leader Basil
¦ Sun 13, Mountain biking Old Coach Road, leader Mark
¦ Sat-Sun 12-13, Taumarunui weekend, leader Dave
¦ Sat or Sun 19 or 20, Tongariro National Park crossover, leader Ridgway
¦ Sun 20, Mountain biking Akatarawa, leader Tracey
¦ Wed-Mon, 30-Jan 4, Whanganui River cruise, leader Esther
All enquiries about trips to Barbara, phone 348 9149 or the club secretary 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 December 3 and 17 and shorter ones for the TT2 group on December 10 and (possibly) 24. The Wednesday contact is Jacky, phone 345 6858, and the Thursday contact is Barbara, phone 348 9149.
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.
The next meeting in the Deerstalkers' Hall, Peat St, on Wednesday, December 2 will begin with a barbecue at 6pm. ¦ For further information, contact Barbara at 348 9149 or visit our website www.wanganuitrampingclub.org.nz