ATC Forum

Sorry about the last message, it was unfinished but cannot be altered. It is a very funny thing that no-one but me has written in this discussion forum. I imagined people in the ATC would enjoy writing about tramping.

This looks good, but we could not put it in the Wanderlust, it was too late. From: Keith Lyons [mailto:keithlyons@keithlyons.org] Just before Christmas 2007, a new travel designed for hikers and trampers will be launched - *NZ Backpacker*. We're still building the site, but as a *pre-Xmas special*, we're pleased to offer /members of your tramping club/ *bus and shuttle fares all over New Zealand from as low as $1*. Check out the deals at _http://www.nzbackpacker.com/ _What's more, if you are heading to the southern lakes for hiking this summer, take advantage of the limited number of *scenic day-trips to Milford Sound*. The full day trip from Queenstown via Te Anau to Milford Sound includes a 100-minute boat trip into the sounds. And you can even be dropped off at Te Anau or the Divide (access to the Routeburn and Greenstone-Caples tracks) on your way back. All this for *$89* - but only to tramping club members - seats are limited - and only if you email info@keithlyons.org for information about the trip. As well as having great deals on transport, travel, accommodation and other outdoor things, we're a little different from other travel and tramping websites - *all the profits from NZ Backpacker go into aid and development projects in the Himalayas*. Kiwis are working in eastern Tibet helping train guides and enabling young people from different ethnic minorities - including Tibetans - gain decent livelihoods, with help from the Shangri-la Institute and the Australian-run Eastern Tibet Training Institute. Visit http://www.nzbackpacker.com/ now to plan your next trip - and help someone with their future. -- Keith Lyons

THe ATC has lots of folk going to the Northern South Island from Auckland in their bus on 26/12/08, but it is not full. Contact ATC by their website if you wish to go, or indeed come back in February. You will now need to get your own boat tickets, and there may be none left.

The Feb ATC Social meeting should be very interesting, as you will see 20 shots from the easy party trip from Thompsons track to Wairere falls in the Kaimai Range..

Lately the president of ATC has been promoting the idea of further training. What sort of training for overnight trips would be most relevant? We must see what the issues are that prompted the calls for training, and other complaints that are in the air, and look at them. e.g. we might reach an understanding on when we carry tents, over-trousers, maps and other gear, and we could discuss our conventions on sleeping arrangements in huts and in the club bus, etc etc. This sort of exercise is more relevant to our current worries than role playing an injury leading to search and rescue, for example. We would air disagreement during the discussion, some of which could be unpleasant, but it could save people from more serious disagreements and conflicts.