Tramping Club

This is possibly the only sporting club in the College which operates the year round. We claim, too, that it offers a greater variety of experience and activity to its members than do other clubs and pastimes—activity varying from the relaxation of an easy Sunday stroll to the real adventure of a difficult climb in the Southern Alps; experience varying from learning how to light a fire in the rain to knowing what to do and how to behave in the face of desperate tragedy.

Since the appearance of Spike 1946 the Tramping Club has experienced an active and varied nine months during which the post-war increase in numbers and enthusiasm have not waned. The large and enthusiastic ski trips of last winter were followed by the usual two months of preparing for and sitting examinations during which the nearest to tramping activity achieved by most members is to snatch a few moments occasionally from the welter of books to dream of green valleys and snowy peaks. Then followed preparation for the large Christmas trips, and get-fit campaigns, the training trips on the rocks at Titahi Bay, the checking over of gear, the booking of passages, the ordering of food, the planning of climbs and excursions. Two parties of twenty members each spent their holidays in the heart of the Southern Alps.

It is well known that our Club suffered a grave and bitter loss when one of those parties was involved in an accident on the Neumann Range. Roy McGregor Dixon and Stanley Charles Allaway were killed. In them we have lost two excellent friends and Club members. We have elsewhere and often expressed our sorrow. It will receive future expression in tangible ways. Though overshadowed by this tragedy, which occurred at the end of the holiday, these two trips were otherwise successful and we propose to make similar expeditions this year, needless to say redoubling our care and precautions which, let it be said, were never inconsiderable.

Meanwhile our ski-ing enthusiasts are being favoured with a good snowy winter and are making full use of it both in organised club parties and in smaller private groups.

Besides major excursions far afield and winter sports activities, the Club has carried on a wide programme of week-end tramps and Sunday walks. There have so far this year been five major official week-end excursions in the Tararuas, including a Southern crossing by a big party in February, and popular trips to Waitewaewae and Totara Flats on Anzac and King's Birthday week-ends. A full programme is planned for the balance of the year.