Members of the Nelson Tramping Club on Mt Peel in 1934

Tramping club turns 80

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The Nelson Tramping Club will be looking back to when its members wore hob-nailed boots and oil skins and carried heavy canvas packs, when they celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary at St Arnaud next weekend.

About 40 of the club’s past and present members will be attending the anniversary at the Alpine Lodge and Lake Rotoiti Community Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Club secretary Pat Holland says they will be holding a dinner at the Lodge on Saturday as  well as slides shows and displays covering the club’s history.

“Some of the slides and photos are really interesting,” Pat says. “They give a good insight into the club’s history.

“The members were hardier back then because they had to be. The carried heavier packs – everything is lightweight now.”

The club also built a number of huts around the district. They built the original Rocks Hut, which has since been replaced. Pat says 40 trampers went on the club’s first official trip along the Dun Line and around Mt Jenkins in June 1934.  The first overnight trip during August 1934 was to Mt Arthur – the walk to Flora Hut taking three hours due to the road end being further down Graham Valley.

The club’s most popular annual trip for 50 years was a Christmas trip up to Third House.  The trip was advertised nationally at one stage with numbers peaking at 300 in 1969.

Pat says he is looking forward to catching up with some of the club’s past-presidents at the anniversary weekend, including Stoke’s Ian Bethwaite who is almost 90. They are also planning some day walks as long as the weather cooperates.

The club has a membership of 110 and plans two trips a week, generally ranging from beach strolls to alpine expeditions all around the top half of the South Island.