Nelson Lakes National Park is one of our most beautiful tramping areas and keeps drawing Wanganui Tramping Club members back there.
This summer has been no exception and the jewel in the crown is Angelus Hut, perched high on the ranges between Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa.
The superbly sited hut and campsite can be reached by a number of tracks and are so popular that bookings are needed from late November to April 30, on Labour weekend and Queen's Birthday weekend.
A comfortable refuge in any season, at 1650m altitude the weather can change very quickly.
Snow, frost and freezing winds can occur even in midsummer. In winter the lake is frozen and snow blankets all routes to Angelus.
Closer to home we have Tongariro National Park which has its own charms and the club has two trips there next month, including a multi-day on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Weekend visits are scheduled to the popular Kime Hut in Tararua Forest Park and also to the historic Shutes Hut at the top end of the Ruahine Range.
The four-bunk Shutes was built of local stone and cement mortar in 1920 for the owners of Big Hill Station.
It served as a musterers' hut in a backcountry grazing area then carrying 1000 sheep. Later the long-term residence of a rabbiter and then used by government cullers, the hut is currently maintained to protect its historic fabric and minimise deterioration.
The club's full programme for May is: --
Sat-Sun 4-5, Waihohonu Hut, leader Dorothy.
Sat-Tues 4-7, Tongariro Northern Circuit, leader Brian.
Sat or Sun 11 or 12, Possum Lodge, leader Bruce.
Sat-Sun 11-12, Shutes Hut, leader Dave.
Sat or Sun 18 or 19, Marton Sash and Door Track, leader Dorothy.
Sat-Sun 25-26, Kime Hut, leader Shane.
Make all enquiries about trips to Barbara phone 348 9149 or Dorothy 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 May 9 and 23 and a shorter one for the TT2 group on May 2, 16 and 30.
The Wednesday contact is Margret, phone 344 3899, and the Thursday contact is Val, phone 345 0456.
To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest.
