Taieri Recreational Tramping Club: President’s Update 4 June 2022
Hi everyone
As mentioned at this weeks meet n greet I would bring you up to speed on the work John Gardiner, Ross Davies and myself have been doing on Trip Grading, as well as a proposal on fuel costs for those in town, as well as requests from the TRTC Webteam for information for weekly reports.
Draft papers were submitted to the Committee this past week, and we have agreed we would pilot our new system, then formally consider it at our meeting in late July.
Trip Grading: Appendix 1
At the AGM two years ago it was agreed that the incoming committee would consider this, given the subjective aspect of current ratings such as easy, medium and hard, and everything in between!
John, Ross and myself have met 3 times so far, and can recommend both the Black Road Grocer and Adjo for their coffee and cake.
We have assessed a range of different methods of trip grading. We have considered a paper that sets out the different approaches across a wide range of NZ tramping clubs, as well as some Aussie Bush-walking clubs that I looked at while in Perth, in addition the Aussies have a national standard for rating tracks, and quite good too.
As you can see we are suggesting a numerical rating system; we have assessed it (e.g. distance, ascent, time) against the last 34 trips the club has done to date, and independently Ross and I allocated the same rating for well over 90% of the walks. We have allocated trip gradings to the balance of walks on the current programme to the end of June and will shortly address the balance of the current programme.
We would like to get your feedback as we complete the programme, so that e.g. over coffee and cake the trip leaders just ask how you rated your walk and to provide this to the webteam. A digital profile for each walk completed would be helpful.
The intention is still to have 2 walks per week that cater for all walkers.
We will update the ‘Upcoming Trips’ on the website and also re issue the Trip Programme asap. The new Trip Grading system will be on the website alongside the Trip Guidelines and the links will also be in the Trip Programme. For day to day trip planning, the ‘Upcoming trips’ list on the website should be considered the most current list.
Car passenger Reimbursement of Vehicle Running Costs
Ross has prepared a proposal which the Committee supports. There are now quite a number of vehicles in town that are driven to a central starting point when a trip is north or east of the City, say on the Peninsula, or over the Motorway/ Kilmog etc. After assessing meeting points in town that are all 19km less than leaving from PJ Park, and current fuel prices, the change means that passengers joining a town based car would pay $5.00 less than the cost shown on the trip programme, rather than the full trip fare on the programme. $5 will be a minimum discount. To stress a full fare would be paid if the car leaves from Peter Johnstone park. The Committee will formally look to approve the proposal at our July meeting. This change can take effect from the Split Rock trip on 8 June.
Information for weekly reports
The web-team – they are doing such a great job – have for the last few weeks been asking trip leaders to provide specific information in advance of the weekly report, so that members can be clear about what to expect on a trip, and help decide the best option on the day. They have had good feedback. They will continue this and as mentioned also build in a request for feedback on the revised Trip Grading system. In addition with a digital trip map etc. we would quickly build a profile of our walks with the new trip grading classification.
What to do
Please take 5 to consider especially the appendix 1. Take the opportunity to talk to John, Ross or myself during the upcoming trips as well as provide feedback to trip leaders on how you rate the walks.
Many thanks
Phil
Appendix 1 Trip Grading
| Taieri Recreational Tramping Club Trip Grades | ||||||
| Factors | Expectations | |||||
| Grade | Tracks | Distance | Ascent | Moving Hrs | Fitness & Experience Expected | Rests Every |
| 1 | Footpaths | 0-7 kms | 0-150 m. | 0-2.5 hrs | Average, leisurely pace | 20 mins |
| 2 | Smooth Tracks | 5-10 kms | 50-300 m. | 2-3 hrs | Average, steady pace | 20 mins |
| 3 | Tracks with some uneven ground | 8-12 kms | 150-450 m. | 2.5-3.5 hrs | Good, can ascend a steep hill, steady pace | 30 mins |
| 4 | Tracks & Routes – uneven ground | 10-15 kms | 350-650 m. | 3-4 hrs | Good, can ascend/descend multiple hills, steady pace | 30 mins |
| 5 | Route – uneven going | 13-20 kms | 500-900 m. | 3.5-5.5 hrs | Fit, some experience in the outdoors, sustain a quicker pace over a longer distance | Hourly |
| 6 | Off Track – rough going | 15 km + | 800 m. + | 5 hrs + | Fit, experienced in the outdoors, sustain a quicker pace, and persevere in tiring conditions. | Hourly |
Notes:
Tracks
Higher grades will include sections of easier track e.g. Grade 2 might include footpath sections.
Ascent
Usually trips return to the start point so there will be just as much downhill as uphill.
Moving Hours
These don’t include morning tea, lunch, or rest stops which usually add 1-2 hours for time away from vehicles. All times are estimates because of variables like weather, leadership and general group fitness (a group is as fast as its slowest member).
Rests
These are approximate but indicate the likely frequency of stops for rest, regrouping, refuelling, and rehydrating.
Grading
Trips won’t always fit neatly within the different factors and expectations. Where possible variations will be clarified by leaders before the trip. Some will fall between the grades and will be graded as in between e.g. Grade 3.5 will be harder than Grade 3 and easier than Grade 4.
Hazards
Leaders are encouraged to explain specific hazards in advance, like stream crossings, overgrown vegetation, rope sections, exposure to weather. However, any of our trips may include steep slopes, uneven terrain, tree roots, unbridged stream crossings and other obstacles.
Cautions
Although trips are graded, any trip may be more difficult on the day due to conditions like recent rain, deteriorating weather, or fallen trees.
Feedback
The grading system is to clarify the different levels of our trips to give guidance to newer members and to help all members decide which trips to go on, and to be prepared. Feedback is needed on the factors and criteria of the grading system (which are the more important?) as well as how the grades are being set.
Link to President’s Update information Library for previous updates