With a dismal weather forecast leading up to the movie night, many of us were thinking we would have to postpone this annual event. However, the weather gods came to our rescue and by Saturday the weather had improved sufficiently for the event to go ahead. It was a bit damp on the way up to the lodge, but not too breezy, and the snow didn’t firm up too much until later that evening. 26 adults and 2 children made their way to the lodge with the last person arriving just in time for dinner.

Once we had unpacked and settled down with a hot drink, Greg B suggested it was time to build a snow person in front of the webcam that points towards Hongi’s valley. A hardy group of 6 took up the challenge and before long a large snow person was created complete with shovels for arms and red accessories. This group got back into the lodge just as the mulled wine was being served. We enjoyed an array of pre-dinner snacks, followed by a very impressive and varied first course. This was followed by a selection of mouthwatering desserts, including Christmas puddings fruit salad, cream puffs and other delectable treats.

Once everyone had over-eaten, (as usual), the food and dishes were quickly cleared away and the grandstand built for the movie night. Then it was Glen’s turn to enthral us with a selection of movies that covered climbing, snowboarding, free climbing and other outdoor activities. The snowboarding terrain and free climbing by Alex Honnold were epic and a bit scary to watch at times for many of us.

By morning our snow person had lost its head, and I don’t think it was due to the mulled wine!!!!

After breakfast some went out for a walk or climb, while others stayed for the ‘’Train the Trainers’’ training or headed back to the car.

Many thanks to Glen for putting the movies together and for those club members who braved the weather to enjoy another midwinter Christmas and movie night at Tahurangi Lodge.