Trampers to tackle wilding pines

170391Contorta ENDLESS JOB: In 1991 the club was kept busy helping to eradicate pinus contorta in the Wahianoa Valley on the eastern slopes of Mt Ruapehu. PICTURE / MARGARET WALFORD

It was 50 years ago in November 1965, that the Wanganui Tramping Club, and often the Rangitikei and Taumaranui Clubs, joined us with DoC in the battle to clear Mt Ruapehu's slopes of the wilding pine, pinus contorta, planted in the adjacent State Forests in the 1930s. Unfortunately, seeds from trees as young as four years could be wind-blown up to 13 kilometres, so it wasn't long before large areas were under threat. The worst area of infestation was above Karioi State Forest which is where we have mainly concentrated on over the intervening years, travelling initially up in Greyhound buses twice a year from 1975. Co-operation from the Army and Forest Service was also required to remove the wilding pines from their land and from Karioi.
In the early days, because the pines were so thick, we didn't move much more than a couple of hundred metres from our campsites. Clubs were subsidised for their efforts and the Wanganui Tramping Club chose to charge those who participated in this venture just $5 and any monies left over after food and transport costs were paid went into club funds.
These were enjoyable weekend trips away and over the years the pines have diminished considerably, but unfortunately, so have the numbers who carry on the good work.
On the weekend of November 28-29, we will be returning to help keep the pines under control plus celebrate our 50th anniversary, with some festivities during the Saturday night dinner. As usual, the food will be good as well as the company, while tales tall and true flow through the celebrations.
Forthcoming trips for November are as follows:
Oct 31-Nov 1 (Sat-Sun) - Our club hut, Mangaturuturu Hut is just a short walk from the Ohakune Mountain Road with places to explore on the way in and from the hut. The view from the window is awesome. Phone Val 06 212 0910.
Nov 7-8 (Sat-Sun) - Sayers Hut is one of the original ones in the Tararuas on the eastern side. Although renovated and remodelled several times, it still retains the original frame. Phone Ken 344 4452.
Nov 7-8 (Sat-Sun) - One for the wheel brigade hoping for decent weather in the Wellington region. Leaving Friday night. Phone Tracey 346 5597.
Nov 14 (Sat) - South Wairarapa Tramping Club is showing us the remains of an Airspeed Oxford aircraft which crashed near Mt Bruce in 1952, killing the Air Force pilot. Phone Dave 343 2836.
Nov 20-24 (Fri-Tues) - A 5-day circuit plus a chance to visit the new Kime Hut is Dave's plan. Adverse weather thwarted plans a couple of years ago so hopefully this time all will go as planned. Phone Dave 343 2836.
Nov 21 or 22 (Sat or Sun) - Stage 6 of the Te Araroa Trail runs from Waikanae to Paekakariki and the beach. Return to the starting point by train - free for Gold Card holders! Phone Roger 348 8141.
Nov 28-29 (Sat-Sun) - The 50th anniversary of the club's involvement in helping to eradicate wilding pines from Mt Ruapehu. The usual working weekend with festivities during Saturday night's dinner. Phone Ridgway 348 750.
The mid-weekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who go out on Thursday, are in two groups, with longer ones on November 5 and 19 and shorter ones for the TT2 group on November 12 and 26.
Wednesday's contact is Margret, phone 344 3899 and the Thursday's contact is Barbara phone 348 9149.
To join weekend trips, call the leader by the previous Tuesday and the day trips by the night before.
As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say regarding who to take, as they are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of everyone on their trips.
The next meeting in the Deerstalkers Hall, Peat St, on Wednesday, November 4, starting at 7.30pm when our guest speaker will be Anne-Marie Harper who will give an illustrated talk on Walking in Luxembourg and Climbing Stromboli. Everyone welcome.
For further information, phone Barbara, 348 9149 or go to www.wanganuitrampingclub. org.nz