Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club

05/10/2026

Paying to stay at DOC’s non-bookable backcountry huts will become easier from 1 November, with Backcountry Hut Tickets becoming available through our online booking system.

You will no longer need to visit a Visitor Centre or retailer to buy a paper ticket before heading away. The price of a standard Backcountry Hut Ticket will remain $15 per adult, per night.

Existing physical Backcountry Hut Tickets will continue to be accepted during a 12-month transition period, until 1 November 2027, while paper tickets are phased out.

Hut fees contribute to looking after the backcountry hut network, so making it easier for people to pay is good for visitors and helps support the ongoing care of these facilities.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4z6soVc

📷: Jonathan Astin

04/10/2026

It's River Safety Month.

Rivers are part of so many great adventures in Aotearoa, but they can change quickly, and a crossing that looked easy on the map can be a very different story when you’re tired, the weather has turned, or the water is up. The good news? A bit of planning before you head out can make a huge difference.

Think you know your way around a river? Test your skills in the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council quiz, and be in to win a $500 voucher to an outdoor store of your choosing.

🌊 It’s River Safety Month! 🌊

Rivers are part of so many great adventures in Aotearoa, but they can change quickly, and a crossing that looked easy on the map can be a very different story when you’re tired, the weather has turned, or the water is up.

The good news? A bit of planning before you head out can make a huge difference. This week, we’re kicking off River Safety Month with the things you can do before you even reach the river.

Planning your next adventure? Make sure you:

🗺️ Identify any river crossings on your trip – what is your plan B if you are unable to cross?
⛺ Take the essential gear – including emergency shelter, two-way comms device and an emergency comms device
🥪 Pack an extra days’ worth of food
🌧️ Check the weather – pay attention to the whole river catchment area
🎒 Keep your items dry – dry bags and a pack liner will help keep the important stuff working, like a sleeping bag and PLB
📣 Share your plans – tell someone where you are going, your plan B and if you have any river crossings.

Remember: If in doubt, stay out. 🚫

Think you know your way around a river? 🧠 Test your skills in the NZ Mountain Safety Councils Quiz and be in to win a $500 voucher to an outdoor store of your choosing! 🎉

Link on our page ✨

Competition closes 31 October 2026. Ts&Cs apply.

02/10/2026

Local LandSAR volunteers out training. Thank you to these people, who are here for us if we get into trouble in the back country!

02/10/2026

October Club Night -- The Richmond Ranges in Marlborough/Nelson have long been regarded as "real" trampers' terrain. Now part of the Te Araroa Trail, the Pelorus Track and Richmond Alpine Route are considered by many to be the hardest section of the TA. The DOC website says this track is one of the most challenging parts of Te Araroa, requiring advanced backcountry tramping skills and supplies for at least ten days.

Come along to hear stories of five trampers setting forth in the Richmond Ranges, from four presenters. Find out why only three of the starters completed the two trips, one of them on their own...

Come to the usual venue, the Rose City Aquatic Clubrooms at 50 Park Rd (next to the Lido swimming pool), this Tuesday October 6th at 7:00pm. Cuppa and bikkies to start. All welcome.

If you're not already a member and would like to join MTSC, you are encouraged to attend a club night (or go on a club trip) before joining. So come along!

The Richmond Ranges Te Araroa Track is one of the most challenging parts of Te Araroa. You need advanced backcountry tramping skills and supplies for at least ten days.

28/09/2026

This Wednesday evening 30 September at 5:30pm, the Massey University Alpine Club (MUAC) hosts the Interclub Photo Competition, in the MUSA lounge in the Student Services Building, Tennent Dr, Massey University.

The best images from MUAC, the Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club, and MTSC photo competitions will be presented and judged in this annual event. Come along to see some of the best backcountry images taken by club members. The images have been prejudged by an independent panel from the Manawatu Camera Club, and the best images in each category will be chosen by popular vote on the night. Voting will be electronic so bring along your smart device with the QR code reader activated.

Photo credit: Heather Knox, 2023 FMC Photo Competition.

26/09/2026

This Wednesday evening 30 September, the Massey University Alpine Club (MUAC) hosts the Interclub Photo Competition.
The best images from MUAC, the Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club, and MTSC photo competitions will be presented and judged in this annual event. Come along to see some of the best backcountry images taken by club members. The images will be prejudged by an independent panel from the Manawatu Camera Club, and the best images in each category will be chosen by popular vote on the night. Voting will be electronic so bring along your smart device with the QR code reader activated.

Venue to be advised; in previous years this has been the MUSA lounge in the Student Services Building, Tennent Dr, Massey University.

Photo credit: Heather Knox, 2023 FMC Photo Competition.

25/09/2026

Club member Hazel Phillips has published another book, Great Hearts: First ladies of Aoraki Mt Cook. "From the 1870s, a generation of bold women made mountaineering history around Aoraki Mount Cook. They claimed space in the mountains, defying conventions and forging a legacy that shaped every woman who followed. Then their stories were quietly erased..."
Hazel says, "I’ve spent the past decade researching women climbers but also grappling with archival absence, and thinking critically about how stories that lie outside of the dominant narrative tend to get suppressed, dismissed and erased. I was astonished to find that these early women climbers were treated as mere footnotes in existing climbing publications. Mountaineering literature has often, historically, been a tool of empire and ego, written by a specific class of men. When women’s achievements are included only as footnotes, standard historical tools fail us." (https://masseypress.ac.nz/pages/event/ten-question-q-a-with-hazel-phillips-author-of-great-hearts)

Hazel was also interviewed on RNZ Radio New Zealand: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019052112/nz-s-early-women-climbers-who-vanished-from-history

https://masseypress.ac.nz/products/great-hearts

Writing New Zealand’s early women climbers back into history From the 1870s, a generation of bold women made mountaineering history around Aoraki Mount Cook. They claimed space in the mountains, defying conventions and forging a legacy that shaped every woman who followed. Then their stories were ...

20/09/2026

MTSC members helping look after Te Araroa.

23/06/2026

Like much of New Zealand, here in Palmerston North we enjoy amazing access to nature - places like Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, in addition to the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges.

The government's proposed Conservation Amendment Bill threatens this. Local clubs and community groups are organizing against this Bill. Add your voice! See you on Tuesday 30th June, 7-8pm, at the Globe Theatre Palmerston North.

Like much of New Zealand, in Palmerston North we enjoy amazing access to nature, places like Te Āpiti - Manawatū Gorge and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in addition to the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. It's one of our stongest drawcards as a nation and as a city.

The Conservation Amendment Bill threatens all that and more.

I'm grateful to see local clubs and community groups prepared to organise.

A united front.

Putting this government and all future governments on notice that exposing 60% of our public lands to risk of sale, lease or exchange is a futile waste of rare and precious substance: political capital.

Thanks to Forest & Bird Manawatū Manawatu Branch Inc, Palmerston North Tramping and Mountaineering Club Massey University Alpine Club Massey Student Wildlife and Conservation Club Manawatu Tramping and Skiing Club Ruahine White Water Club Page and other for joining forces on this one.

See you Tuesday in the Globe Theatre 💚

29/05/2026

With shorter days and cooler temperatures come some very different tramping conditions. Going into the mountains in winter can be a real joy, with clear views, uncrowded huts, and often, great weather. However good preparation is paramount in mitigating risks. For the June club night, several members have put together a presentation that outlines some of the issues and factors to be considered when setting out on a winter tramp. Join the discussion and see pictures from previous winter excursions.

Come to the usual venue, the Rose City Aquatic Clubrooms at 50 Park Rd (next to the Lido swimming pool), this Tuesday 2 June. Biscuits and hot drinks provided, social time from 7pm, presentation starts 7:30.

If you're not already a member and would like to join MTSC, you are encouraged to attend a club night (or go on a club trip) before applying to join. So come along!