Author: Canterbury University Tramping Club

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Elephants, keas and an irate farmer’s wife

Participants: Tae Park, Glen Baxter, Josie Dransfeld, Charlotte Stephen-Brownie, Sergei, Gordy Kast, Andrew Spencer, Arty

Date: 19-20th July

Words and images: Charlotte Stephen-Brownie

The forecast said “snow flurries to 500 m in the Canterbury High Country, blowing in from the south east”. Our gamble, after much discussion, was that the Torlesse Range would catch the snow, and leave us, on the Cass-Lagoon track in the middle of winter, comfortably high and dry. Fortunately, the gamble paid off, and we enjoyed a crisp, clear weather window.

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How to go bush-bashing in the Kaikouras

Participants: Alex Warnaar, Jeff Ducrot, Rachael Horner, Tania Seward, Richard White.

Date: 28-29th June 2014

Words and images: Tania Seward

Bushbashing (noun): the process of forcing a path through the bush

How to go bush bashing in the Kaikouras, in 13 easy steps:

  1. Pack your gaiters, your gloves, your confidence and your resolve. These things are necessary for bush-bashing in the Kaikouras.
  2. Don’t bother packing your self-esteem or your dignity. These things are not required. Continue reading “How to go bush-bashing in the Kaikouras”
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How Ten Fearsome Snow Warriors Overcame the Curse of Mistress Winter

Participants: Alex Warnaar, Tania Seward, Jeff Ducrot, Anna Larsson, Laura King, Zeinab Chegini, Timothy Manning, Richard White, Shawn Fostner, Victor Santos

Dates: 14-15th June 2014

Words and images: Tania Seward

Once upon a time, in the hallowed Kirkwood Village, a gathering of fierce warriors took place. Each had brought their sturdy tramping boots and were ready and willing to fit their crampons.

At the start of the meeting, Glen the Warrior Instructor checked the weather forecast… and told the warriors to put their boots away, as there would be no Snowcraft that weekend. Instead, the warriors drank beer together and there was great merriment.

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Twalk

Participants: 300+ crazies from the CUTC, OUTC, AUTC and beyond

Dates: May 17th – May 18th 2014

Author: Sharon Hornblow

Photos: Kate Wootton and Euan Cox

According to most competitors, T’Walk the 48th was moonlit, marvellous and full of just the right combination of matagouri and bog. The only “complaint” this year was that it all went a little too quickly for the Rubber Ducky Hunters – winners of 72/72 points with over an hour to spare. We’re not sure when this sort of thing last occurred, but the routesetters were just glad to know that all the controls were in place where they were left 2 weeks previously.

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