Talk Story with Anna and Ian from ATC
HTMC Talk Story #16
March 30, 2023
The Essential Questions
Current favorite hike: A favourite area (weather dependent) is Tongariro National Park, which is comprised of the three large volcanoes- Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngaruahoe- on the central plateau of North Island. There is magnificent scenery and much scope for hiking both on and off trail. Mountain huts or tents provide accomadation. Our local favourite hiking are the trails and black sand beaches of West Auckland- deserted, wild, and surf pounding the shore. Here is ATC off trail in Tongariro in November of 2020, sunset over Maungaehuehu hut, and a West Auckland beach.
What’s in your pack: Our day packs always include a parka/raincoat, warm jacket. Hat and gloves dependent on weather. First aid. PLB. Phone. Water and food- typically sandwiches and fruit, snack bars. Toilet paper and sanitizer. Wallet. Use pack liners and pack covers to keep gear dry.
What is your extent of involvement with HTMC over the years?
Jeanne Furukawa established the ATC/HTMC link when Hawaiian Airlines began flying between Honolulu and Auckland. She is still an active member of ATC. ATC has been twice to Hawai‘i; both times for a week, both trips bookended by day hikes with HTMC. We stayed at the clubhouse- first time we were allowed to stay upstairs; the second time we were obligated to camp outside. Numbers were restricted to 10. The first trip Jeanne and Hawkins took us on the circuit of Haleakala- great tramp and very reminiscent of the Ruapehu area. The second tramp was meant to include the Big Island, however, Kilauea had other ideas and we went to explore Kaua‘i instead, spending three days at the Conservation Corp camp house which allowed us to hike out to the Napali coast one day and down to the Waimea canyon another day.
HTMC have now been to NZ on four occasions. Each trip has involved 10 ATC and 10 HTMC and lasted two weeks with each trip moving between different national/conservation/forest parks to provide a diversity of landscapes and tramps. Transport was using our club bus/truck “Big Blue”; the back of the bus set up as a sleeper, which also allows for gear storage underneath. We could operate without our great drivers- a huge thank you to Keith and Jim for the efforts over the recent Safaris.
What is one memorable HTMC related experience you would like to share?
In 2018, Ian took a group of ATC/HTMC around Mt Ruapehu while Russel and I took a group around the Tongariro circuit. Here is the group outside Waihohonu hut, Ngaruahoe in the distance. This was the second HTMC trip to NZ.
Do you have concerns about the future of tramping?
No. The Great walks (e.g. Milford, Routeburn) have to be booked, which controls numbers. The main concern has involved the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Constraints on parking and the need to sue shuttles to access the area has acted to control numbers. Most of where ATC goes is back country, and only serious trampers are likely to be found there.
Anything else you would like to share?
Probably says it all (thanks Hawkins)…
