President’s Desk
Kia ora mountains enthusiasts,
Well it’s certainly colder and wetter with some icy snow conditions high up on the mountain. Our not so modest club has plenty to offer this winter whether you’re into speedy ascents to summits when conditions allow, long gruelling suffer walks with big packs or just a casual stroll up jacob’s ladder and everything in between. This season’s first buddy walk kicks off this weekend and appears to be very popular, followed by plenty of instruction courses amongst some great film nights on and off the mountain.
Motivation is high but don’t forget to check that gear, best you do this before you head out otherwise you will look like a amatauer like me with a soaked through rain jacket and an anti-balling plate half flapping under afoot. Talking about gear, Snowcraft students will have new Ortovox Diract avalanche transceivers as part of the essential gear dished out for the weekend long courses. This will mean a lot less work for our instructors and equipment officer trying their best to pull together 10 mix matched working transceivers. There is also the added bonus that snowcraft students get to experience what is available on today’s market for taking appropriate precautions in the mountains. The units do have some cutting edge new features that will likely be turned off for the purpose of instruction if you are interested check out this video link.
If you attend our next club night at the Fitzroy Golf Club let a committee member know what you think as it is on the cards to be our usual club night venue in future all going well.
Our Usual August film night is unavailable at our theatre of choice next month so we are forced to run it a week earlier Thursday 28th July. For those who don’t already know, the club usually coincides with our August club night with the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival which has been a well turned out event both for the club and the public at 4th Wall for the last few years. See below in club night section for ticket details.
That’s it from me for this month so you can go back to your optimistic weather window watching if you’re that way inclined.
Nga mihi
Conrad Murray
President