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The Spike or Victoria College Review 1936

Tramping Club

Tramping Club

The Tramping Club has yet another very successful year to record. Reference to the record book reveals that since "Spike" last went to press, trips have been arranged to many of the best tramping regions handy to Wellington. The average attendance on these trips has been high, though it has, on more than one occasion, fallen as low as two. On the other hand, three dozen rallied round the Varsity banner at the Tararua Sports Meeting in December, and in July the same number of student bodies reached Kime Hut with sufficient energy in reserve to enjoy four strenuous hours of ski-ing and toboganning.

The week-end of August 24th-25th witnessed the Club's usual winter crossing of the Southern Tararuas, this time under extremely arduous conditions. The notorious Tararua weather can. however, claim three victories. On Anzac week-end a Southern Crossing failed to go through, and Mt. Mitre has twice repulsed our efforts. The first occasion was early in February when it was intended to traverse the range from Mt. Mitre to Mt. Holdsworth—but that was the day that the "Rangatira" ran on the rocks, so enough said. Six months later, abnormal weather conditions again defeated a party which made a very determined effort to climb the peak under winter conditions.

The scene of most activity has been the Orongorongo Range, where, with the kind consent of the other owners, the club has had more than its two-fifths share of the

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use of "Tawhai" Hut. Working parties have re-built the chimney and made other improvements to the hut and its surroundings. Besides being a handy base for several official trips, "Tawhai" has been used by various parties who sought to combine recreation with "swot."

Our activities further afield are worthy of mention. During the Second Term vacation of last year, a large party spent an enjoyable week at Tongariro National Park, ski-ing and climbing. A similar trip has been organised for this year. The peaks of National Park were again assailed at Christmas by another large party who established a base camp in the Kaimanawas. At the same time, a smaller and more energetic party tramped in the Waimakariri and Wilberforce districts.

Then at Easter there were some students who feared that they would be unable to face the strenuous demands of Tournament, so that triumphant shouts of "Wikitoria" rang out from the summit of Egmont and the College was on top there, if not at home.

Our new Executive has wisely decreed that none but bona fide students shall henceforth be appointed to executive positions in College clubs. Although it is not the only essential of tramping, experience is invaluable. Tramping can be enjoyed by the inexperienced, but many places are inaccessible to them without a capable leader. It is therefore pleasing to note the number of freshers who have been converted to the cult.