Information for day trips

Please take note of the information on the Upcoming Trips page – where the tramp is going, the date, the time and place for meeting up, the cost for carpooling, and the trip leader’s details.

Call or message the trip leader beforehand.  If you are not yet a Club member, please don’t be offended if she/he asks you to complete several tramps of shorter Expected Duration with easier terrain before doing longer tramps with more difficult terrain.

Trip leaders have the authority to exclude participants who are not suitable for a trip.

Note that the expected travel time to and from the tramp needs to be added on to the Expected Duration.

What to bring on a day tramp

There will be many opinions on what the “average” person needs to have on a day tramp. Here’s some guidelines:

  • Day pack, modest sized, with a plastic pack liner (or plastic bags).

  • Sturdy tramping footwear, boots or shoes, and suitable socks.

  • Rain jacket.

  • Hat (for shade) and/or a beanie (for warmth).

  • At least two layers of clothing for the upper body (fleece, merino, or polypropylene, all quick drying). Avoid denim and cotton.

  • Small first aid kit, including any personal meds.

  • Sun block.

  • Survival blanket or bivy sack.

  • Toilet paper (in plastic bag).

  • Water, sufficient for you for a day.

  • Basic food supply for a day – sandwiches, snacks.

  • Extra snack bars or scroggin for an emergency.

  • Whistle.

  • A watch.

  • Head torch.

  • Camera/phone.

  • Some optional items:

    • Thermos, for a hot drink.

    • Gloves.

    • Hiking pole or poles.

    • Sun glasses.

Further useful information

  • Take a small bag of warm clothes to leave in the car or van.  Nice to change into after a cold wet day.

  • Take a large re-useable bag for bringing home wet and dirty boots and clothes.

  • Ensure at least one member from each tramping party is carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).  The Club owns several, and some members have their own.  Ask who has one in your group. Remember: cell phone coverage does not exist or cannot be relied on in many NZ bush areas.

  • We never leave food scraps or wrappers in the bush. They must be carried out and disposed of at home.

  • We strongly advise people not to wear cotton clothing while tramping.  If these materials get wet (from rain, rivers or just heavy sweating), they take a long time to dry and increase the risk of hyperthermia.

How we grade our day tramps

MTC grade our day tramps in terms of expected time and terrain and difficulty. The following Expected Duration and Terrain Difficulty gradings will enable you to decide if a trip is appropriate for you.   Expected Duration times do not include travel to and from the start of a tramp. Both gradings are included in our trip information.

Expected Duration (for tramp)

3 - 4 hours - Suitable for less experienced trampers, those just starting out or those simply after a shorter day out.

4 - 5 hours - Suitable for those with some tramping experience who can comfortably manage the full duration.

5 - 6 hours - Best for experienced trampers, with a moderate to high level of fitness and stamina.

6+ hours - Suited for experienced trampers with a higher level of fitness and endurance for a full day out.

Please note that tramping times can vary depending on individual pace which is why we emphasise expected duration. It is a guide not an exact science determining the expected duration.

Terrain Difficulty Guide

Easy - People of moderate fitness and abilities. Track is clearly marked where necessary.

Intermediate - People with moderate fitness and abilities. Track is generally well formed, some sections may be rough, muddy or steep. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and river crossings are bridged.

Advanced - People with moderate to high level of fitness with skills and experience in navigation and survival. Track is mostly unformed, may be rough and steep. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.

Expert - For experienced trampers who have high navigation and survival skills. Complete self sufficiency required. Track may be unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep. Track may have markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings.

Remember: Everyone’s fitness, experience, and comfort levels are different—so it’s up to you to make an honest judgement about whether a particular trip is right for you. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask the trip leader for guidance.

What if we are late returning from a tramp?

All of us must tell a close family member or friend where we are going and who we will be tramping with.

But the length of tramps, and return times, are approximate.  Be wary of setting definite return times or making post-tramp appointments.

In the event of your non-arrival home after a tramping trip, we advise:

  • That you contact family or friends as soon as you return to an area with cell phone coverage.

  • If you do not or cannot contact home, your family should wait two hours after sunset and then phone one of the Club members below:

Jewel Crane -  (09) 276 8064

Peter Rotherham - 021 165 4737

Geoff Glover -  021 456 837 

Disclaimer

Trip participants are reminded that certain risks exist with tramping and outdoor activities.  Trip leaders and Club officers will use their experience to provide advice to participants about safe practices in the outdoors.  But these people are unpaid volunteers and they are human – like everyone else – and participants in Club trips are ultimately responsible for their own safety.