Queenstown & Milford Track Tramp 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 and 2012

Held late November each year, this is a week long experience of Queenstown and the Milford Track for our 9970 students. It is held by 9980 and we come along to do some work but not much preparation. That is all done by the 9980 team headed by Blair Middlemass & Steve McLean over the years.

A great trip thanks to the 9980 team. Queenstown / Milford

2012 Plan so far....
We assemble in Nelson on Saturday 17th November - hosted by the Rotary Club of Nelson West.
Sunday 18th we drive to the West Coast and take in the Denniston Experience, then on to Karamea.
Monday 19th we head further north to Oparara for the Caving & Walking tours and then to Punakaiki.
Tuesday 20th take in the Pancake rocks, on to Shantytown & Greymouth and continue to Hari Hari to see the Schmetz family. On to Franz Josef, have a dip in the hot pools.
Wednesday 21st we start with the West Coast Wildlife centre & on down to Queenstown. Arrival in Queenstown by 5 p.m.
We will board the 6 p.m. MV Earnslaw for a dinner cruise.
Thursday 22nd: sees us on the Gondola, Luge, and Bungy - If anyone wants to 'do' the Nevis bungy instead, we need to book this in advance. Please let the Committee know during the Nelson pre-tramp.
Friday 23rd: Heli rafting - then the Nevis, or a free afternoon. Dinner this evening with Steve & Tracey Mclean
Saturday 24th: The trip Queenstown - Te Anau for the start of the Milford experience

24th-27th: OUR MILFORD TRAMP TRIP is organised with the Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of Milton Trampling Club (www.OtagoRotaryTrustTramps.org.nz) (OYAT) and they (Peter Vollweiler and his group) organise the food, cooking equipment etc. Russell Turnbull comes with us as the primary leader. We are expected to carry 2.5KG's on day one (reducing) so leave room in your pack for food, pots etc. About a green shopping bag size. EVERYONE needs to carry some.
The OYAT bring a bus from Dunedin (leaves 7 a.m. from the Leviathan Hotel) getting to the 'Pop Inn' (lakefront) at noon. This leaves for Te Anau Downs at 1 p.m. and we are ready really on our way. No turning back now.... We can leave surplus stuff on the bus as it stays in the area. The bus comes to Milford Sound to meet the 2 p.m. ferry from Sandfly Point so we depart Milford approx 3 p.m. via the Homer Tunnel, over the Divide, Hollyford and back to Te Anau. We leave the bus there, back in our vehicles and head back to Queenstown for a shower, Fergburger for dinner... yummmm and a good sleep.

Wednesday 28th: early start, big tidy up, and the long drive back to Nelson.

We ask for respect to others. Not only in the huts and cabins but at all times. None more necessary that while you are being driven. The driver does not need any distractions - seat belts must be worn. We will not be having music up loud in the vehicles so if you want music, maybe someone needs a portable player...

Take a look at the bottom of the page for the people on the trip.

Info for adult participants on the 2011 tramp.

A good web site to find information about the track is www.milfordtrack.net

Murray's #1 Track Rule

Whilst on the track, and you want to to go off track for a photo or other reason, you MUST leave your pack on the track. If you have an accident off track, you will most likely not be visible from the track and it could be a very, very long time finding you. If there is a pack on the track, we will find you in a few minutes.

What to take - also take a look at the list

The following gear is essential for all walkers, no matter how warm it is on the day of departure. Most equipment is available for hire or purchase in Te Anau. A full range of food can be found in supermarkets in Te Anau and basic stores are available at Milford Sound. Remember, we provide all food, you may want to bring snack food.

Clothing

You will need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. It is not possible to dry clothes in the huts. It is essential that this clothing is carried as your safety and the safety of others could well depend on it. Please also bring all to the Pre-tramp as it is inspected.

NB: cotton clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts are not suitable. Polypropylene, which is quick drying (but can be flammable), is recommended.

Boots: should be comfortable and well broken in
Socks: (wool/polypropylene) 3 pairs
Shorts: (quick dry)
Shirt: (wool/polypropylene)
Long johns/trousers: (wool/polypropylene)
Jersey/jacket/bush shirt: (wool/polar fleece)
Undershirts/T-shirt: (wool/polypropylene)
Hat/Mittens/gloves: (wool/polypropylene)
Raincoat: (waterproof, windproof with hood)
Light Over trousers: (wind and water proof)
Woollen hat/balaclava, sunhat and sunglasses
Extra socks, underwear, shirt or lightweight jersey, hankies

Personal equipment

We also need to take: (some of this is needed for the pre-tramp and is inspected)

Pack:
50 to 70 litre capacity with large waterproof/plastic liner, pack cover
Sleeping bag:
Good quality down or hollofil (Rotary supplied one is fine)
Eating utensils:
Knife, fork, spoon, plates (dinner & breakfast), mug/cup - don't forget!!!!
Toilet gear:
Soap, toothpaste, small towel (do not wash or use soap in lakes or streams)
First aid kit:
Insect repellent, sunscreen, blister kits, pain relief, assorted bandages
Drink bottle:
1 - 2 litre capacity (you need to drink regularly during the day)
CAMERA:
Do you have a big enough memory card, enough battery life?
Also set your date and time accurately please
Survival & Breakdowns Kit: - your choice....
Survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high energy snack food, spare laces.
Optional extras:
Lightweight shoes for in hut
Ear plugs for communal bunkrooms (you will be sharing huts with up to 40 trampers)
Plastic bags
Togs - if you want to swim - most do
Headlamp type torch - also to see in Bell Rock
Matches/ lighter in waterproof container
WEIGHT - DO NOT OVERLOAD
You will need to carry 2.5kg of food, and the total weight should not exceed 13 kgs.

Food (NB - this is organised for us so only snack food is needed to be taken)

Food is not available for purchase on the track.

Snack food: snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, drink additives as required.

What NOT to take

Clothes like Jeans (they get wet and are heavy to carry), cell phones (no coverage), and AC devices (no power)
Hair dryers and Hair Straightners - there is no time to use them and they are expensive to run.

How it works for us

We drive from Queenstown to arrive in Te Anau by 12:30 on Tramp Day One. Our packs are transferred to the bus along with any other gear we want. We are driven to Te Anau Downs where we get our food parcel, billies etc, and transfer to the boat. We can leave anything on the bus (it picks us up).

We 'do' the tramp and the 2 p.m. boat takes us to Milford on Tramp Day Four. Here we transfer back to the bus for the trip back to Te Anau. We transfer back to our vehicles and return to Queenstown for the night.

FITNESS

You must possess a good fitness level if you want to enjoy the tramp. Street walking is no good, put on a back pack and take to the hills. Use your boots. We don't want blisters on the tramp...

Sleeping

We sleep on rubber mattresses with 10-20 in a hut. Snoring is a curse (so don't share with me lol), as is disrespect for others. Make it good for all and be quiet in the bunk rooms.

HELP

We all need to help on the tramp. Help with food preparation, help with cleaning up, and sweeping out in the morning. We have designated 'Leaders' so please make everyone's life easy and help when asked.

Prerequisite

ALL participants must complete the pre-tramp or similar as specified by the tour leader

Attendance on the 2012 tramp

This Year: planning already:

2011 Participants:		$	West Coast	Accom Coast	Earnslaw	Luge	H/raft	Accom Wed/Th/Fr	Tramp	Accom Queen Tuesday
Murray Butler	(9970 committee)	^	y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Kirsty Butler
Ally Butler			y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Dick Carter	RC Nelson West	Y						F	Y	y
Devon van Haalen	c/- Dick	Y						F	Y	y
Ryan van Haalen	c/- Dick	Y						F	Y	y
Hugh Briggs	RC Whakatu
Julie Briggs	RC Whakatu
John Blundell	Blenheim		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Nigel King	Nelson		-	-	-	-	-	f	y	y
Sarah (with Nigel)	Christchurch		-	-	-	-	-	f	y	y


(Belgium)			y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Karin Karlsson (Sweden)	Student		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Ulrika Breme (Germany)	Student (Rang)		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Camila de Figuieredo Martins (Brazil)	Student (W/N)		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Magali Vallone(Argentina)	Student (Ash)		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Kazuhide Imai (Japan)	Student		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y
Manon Vergnet (France)	Student (Ash Pl)		y	y	y	y	y	y	y	y

RESERVES:
None yet.............

Information for adult participants on the 2012 tramp.

Activities: (these will be priced as activity, food for the day/period, transport and night accommodation)
    Pre-tramp ~ $100
    West Coast Experience ~ $500.
    Queenstown  ~ $700
    Milford Tramp ~ $600
    Miscellaneous ~ $300

Costs have not been determined this year yet, but the price for the Milford should be $600 (Per adult with Membership & Donation & RYE fee). The full trip will be approx $2,100 (with donations).

All adults will need to make a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure a place. If you pull out, a reserve will be slotted in if possible and their deposit paid out to you.