Trips
Day Trips:
Day trips depart from and return to a convenient point on the side of town near to the destination. See maps. Non-members are asked to phone the trip leader in advance. If you doubt your suitability for a day-trip, or if the weather is turning bad, contact the trip leader beforehand. A phone inquiry does not oblige you to go on the trip.
Weekend Trips:
Weekend Trips may leave on a Friday night (usually for base camps) or Saturday morning. Please book with the trip leader by the closing date. Be certain you want to go on the trip when booking, as it is not fair on the leader to withdraw after the closing date (good excuses excepted). Numbers on some weekend trips are limited, so book promptly.
Bike Trips:
For up-to-date details of any biking trips highlighted below please contact Chris Leaver 03 322 6445, or newptc75@gmail.com.
To see planned trips further ahead, click here for the annual Trip List 2023-2024 (PDF)
Trip details
Note - clicking on the trip destinations shown in blue will show the location on a map.
9-10 Mar Sat-Sun ●●
Jollie Brook—Gabriel
Graeme Nicholas 027 504 7726
Easy-moderate round-trip in lake Sumner Forest Park. Taking in the open river flats of the Hurunui, the beech forest of Gabriel Stream, going over a very low bush saddle to Jollie Brook and to Jollie Brook Hut. Downstream from the hut the valley becomes more open and there are a few stream (brook) crossings.
Book by 3 Mar
10 Mar Sun ●
Awaiting leader
A moderate walk on the east side of Port Levy from sea level to 600m Wild Cattle Hill. Coastal views towards both Port Levy and Pigeon Bay.
Meet 8am opposite Princess Margaret Hospital on Cashmere Rd, near Fairview St
16-17 Mar Sat-Sun ●●
Mt Tekoa
Kerry Moore 359 5069
A moderate trip to climb this 1615m peak in Big Island Hills, inland from Culverden. We can go via Te Kooti or take an untried route via Island Hills and the Glencoe River.
Book by 10 Mar
16-17 Mar Sat-Mon ●●
Honora Renwick 942 8368
A moderate-hard circuit with a variety of terrain—along streams, through forests and a short section above the bushline. Stay at the newly improved Griffin Creek Hut, surrounded by mountain cedar. Whio are often seen on this trip.
Book by 10 Mar
17 Mar Sun ●
Maureen Thompson 021 266 5778
An easy walk of 3-4 hours up Woodills North track via Tree Crop Farm then up Woodills South Track to Purple Peak Road. We can return down Alpaca's Bedroom track. If there's time on the way back we can visit historic School Rd Reserve in Robinsons Bay. A coffee stop at Little River is more than possible on the way home.
Meet 9am opposite Princess Margaret Hospital on Cashmere Rd, near Fairview St
23 Mar Saturday ●
Godley Head Note Change
Anne Hunter 351 6369
ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/explore-parks/coast-and-plains/sumner-redcliffs/flowers-track
Meet 8:45am opposite Princess Margaret Hospital on Cashmere Rd near Fairview St, or 9.00 at the Scarborough Clock Tower.
23-25 Mar Sat-Mon ●●●
Edwards Rr--Stanley Rr--Fowler Pass
Chris Leaver 322 6445
Moderate tramp north of Hanmer Springs between the Clarence and Waiau rivers. We go up the Edwards River, north of the Amuri Ski-field road, to Charlies Saddle. Travel up the Waiau via The Racecourse, to Stanley River, then to the hut at Glenrae Flat. Returning via Fowler Pass.
Book by 17 Mar
29 Mar-1 Apr Fri-Mon ●●●● Easter
Gillespie Pass Circuit
Raymond Ford fordrm@snap.net.nz or 022 318 0872
Popular moderate circuit over Gillespie Pass with a bonus side trip to Crucible Lake.
Book by 3 Mar
29 Mar-1 Apr Fri-Mon ●●●●Easter
Honora Renwick honorarenwick@gmail.com
A high-level circuit for the fit and experienced that incorporates Nardoo Biv, Burn Creek Hut, Burn Creek and the Matakitaki River.
Book by 23 Mar
31 Mar Sun ●
Mount Lyndon--Cloudy Hill
Merv Meredith 322 7239
This moderate circuit above Lake Lyndon to 1449m Mt Lyndon, drops down a nice scree to a saddle at about 1270m then along and up to 1442m Cloudy Hill. Spurs take us to either the Porter Heights Road or Highway 73.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
6-7 Apr Sat-Sun ●●
Sylvia Tops
Merv Meredith 322 7239
Moderate tramp over this 1500-1600m range between Nina and Doubtful valleys in the Lewis Pass area. Camping beside Devils Den Biv. on Devilskin Saddle.
Book by 31 Mar
7 Apr Sun ●
Virginia Peak
Kerry Moore 359 5069
An easy-moderate circuit in foothills west of Hawarden from Mt Virginia Station to 986m Virginia Peak, then down a track to the end of the Virginia Road.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St
13 Apr Saturday ●
Five Gully Stream--Mt Storm
Kerry Moore 359 5069
A moderate climb of this 1254m peak from near Mt Pember homestead. A choice of spurs mean we can make a circuit of it.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St
21 Apr Sun ●
Mt Barrosa
Geoff Spearpoint 027 318 4727, 03 329 0008
A moderate trip in the Clent Hills area up from the Ashburton Gorge Rd. Open tussock country with good views all the way up this 800m climb to this 1364m peak.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
25-27 Apr Thur-Sat ●●●Anzac wknd
Zampa Tops, Opera Range
Merv Meredith 322 7239
Moderate tramp in the Lewis Pass area. Climb up near Henry Saddle to a beautiful tarn under 1710m Mt Zampa in the Spenser Range to camp and swim. Day 2, back to Henry Saddle and on to the Opera Range, camping in a tarn basin under Mt Trovatore. Day 3 is over Travers Peak and down Foleys Track to the highway.
Book by Sun 21 Apr
28 Apr Sun ●
Kowai River
Awaiting leader
An easy-moderate wander up a flat section of the Kowai Valley from below Porters Pass to the hut, then on to explore the upper valley.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
4-5 May Sat-Sun ●●
Crow Hut
Awaiting leader
For some an easy-moderate walk via the Waimakariri valley and into the Crow valley which drains the Crow Glacier. Others may choose a moderate route starting in Arthurs Pass, going over Avalanche Peak into the Crow valley.
Book by Sun 28 Apr
5 May Sun ●
Porters Pass--Rabbit Hill
Awaiting leader
Easy-moderate walk to 1200m Rabbit Hill in Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park. Starting near Porters Pass.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
12 May Sun ●
Stony Bay Peak--Mt Brasenose
Merv Meredith 322 7239
A moderate walk behind Akaroa, crossing the Misty Peaks Reserve between Stony Bay Peak and Mt Brasenose.
Meet 8am opposite Princess Margaret Hospital on Cashmere Rd, near Fairview St
13-17 May Mon-Fri ●●●●●
Kepler Track
Awaiting leader
A moderate-hard tramp at this time of year, the Kepler Track circuit traverses the ridgelines of the Kepler Mountains from Te Anau.
Book by 28 Apr
18-19 May Sat-Sun ●●
Tarn Hut
Awaiting leader
Easy-moderate tramp from Lees Valley to Tarn Hut located above the bushline on the Puketeraki Range.
Book by 12 May
18 May Saturday ●
Mt Oxford
Geoff Spearpoint 329 0008, 027 318 4727
A moderate climb to Mt Oxford with great views all around.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St