Joining the Over Forties Tramping Club is simple.

We like you to do some trips with us before joining, so that you can get to know us, and we can get to know you. Prospective members must also do an overnight backpacking trip with us.
To join the Over Forties Tramping Club Inc you must complete, with the club:

• Two qualifying day trips within three months.
• An overnight backpacking trip of about 4 or 5 hours tramping each day.

For three months you will be sent Club newsletters which list the Wednesday and Sunday day tramp options, with leaders names and phone numbers and meeting places. Easier trips are listed first.

Procedures for joining are:

Step 1:

Contact the Membership Officer, who will obtain your address so that newsletters and a pink application form can be sent to you.

Step 2:

Choose and complete two qualifying day tramps from the newsletters. For your first two trips, you must contact the leader before the trip for information about the suitability of the tramp for your fitness level. You are advised to choose easier trips to build up your fitness. Take the pink application form with you for the leader to sign after each tramp.

Step 3:

When you have done two qualifying trips, send the registration slip cut from the bottom of the pink application form and $10 to the Membership Officer. After this, you will be phoned by the leader of the overnight backpacking trips and given the dates of the next qualifying trips.

Both weekend and mid-week trips are run, and qualifying trips are not held in the coldest part of winter. If an overnight trip is not completed after two dates have been offered you will have three months from the date of the last option to contact the overnight organiser yourself and arrange to complete the overnight trip.

While waiting for an overnighter, you may continue to enjoy day trips.

Before the overnighter, a pre-tramp meeting will be held to discuss arrangements and the gear needed. It is not necessary to buy expensive equipment for this trip, and some can be borrowed or hired from sports shops in Christchurch (ask Club members for advice).

Step 4:

When you have completed the backpacking trip, send the pink form, with the required signatures, together with your subscription to the Membership Officer.

Your application will be considered at the next committee meeting, and on approval, the Club handbook and membership list will be forwarded to you.

When you want to join, contact the Membership Officer - Fay Jackson, 3489276 and leave your name, address and telephone number. Newsletters and other information will then be sent to you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Fay or any of the committee.