President’s Desk
Kia ora folks,
Well, the snow arrived…I guess it pays to be careful what you wish for.
A tough month weather wise has resulted in some cancellations and postponements, a bummer for those of us who were looking forward to a weekend at the Levin Waiopehu Lodge on Ruapehu watching the Snow Craft 2 crew being put through the wringer. But we are nothing if not persistent, and as I write this bleak missive, chained to a laptop nowhere near the snow and shackled into club service, there should be a crew of lucky punters heading central for a second crack. Big thanks to the Levin Waiopehu Lodge for moving our booking.
Likewise, the mid-winter dinner planned for the same weekend was postponed, but the crew should be heading up the weekend of the 31st to kick start those celebrations.
Later this month the snow craft one courses will start, with lotsa keen freshies waiting to give it a go and the usual team of hardworking volunteers on hand to help. If you are lucky enough to have scored a place on a snow craft course, please make sure you contact your lead instructor, attend the pre-fields, and actually turn up on the day. If you’re not sure you’ll make it, or have had the sort of massive, existential, life altering change of situation that means you may no longer wish to be part of possibly the best introductory snow craft courses on offer in NZ, then please let Club Captain know well in advance. There are people on the waiting list that want in.
Also, because the courses are running this month and next, club hire gear might be in use, so don’t assume club crampons etc are going to be available. Please call Club Captain after 9pm, well in advance to avoid disappointment. Alternatively, buy some gear off him instead, then you never have to try and decipher what he’s saying to you ever again.
There’re some big birthdays this month. Mark Hall turns 50, while Sheryl, Greg and Claire are throwing a combined 180th birthday on the 28th of August (Tahurangi is booked out for club members for that event, all welcome but might be worth checking the booking officer for spaces).
Club night is this Thursday, 5th of August, at the Blind Foundation rooms on Vivian Street and should be another goodie. Mike Andrews has cracked open a case of slides and will entertain us with tales from his early years in the club and his many climbing trips in the South Island. Club nights this year have been particularly good (no pressure Mike), and turnout has been awesome and growing. More to come in the coming months as well with the club hosting the NZ mountain film fest in September, while Ben Dare from the NZ Alpine team is being up lined up for October.
All welcome, see you there!
Ivan Bruce
El Presidente!