HiTAC August 2020

President’s Desk Hi folks, And we have winter finally. Some good snow fall and with cooler temperatures the ice is starting to form up and the ridgelines are now presenting a more consolidated snow conditions. Let’s hope it lasts a while, August will be a busy month. The inaugural Ruapehu Snow Craft 2 trip went off as planned, with five students learning the ropes under the tutelage of the TAC team, this year including Don Patterson, Chris Hayes, Angus Morely- Hall, Mark Hall and Steve Ritsen. Apparently the course was thoroughly enjoyed by all and the Levin Waiopehu Lodge turned […]

Derek Quickfall

Stuff; Taranaki Alpine Club veteran ready to celebrate club’s 90th anniversary

This item was published by Stuff, 31st July 2020 Long-serving Taranaki Alpine Club member Derek Quickfall​ has lived his whole life with Mt Taranaki at his doorstep. The mountain’s reputation as one of the most dangerous peaks in New Zealand to climb did not deter the adventurous 20-year-old joining the club in 1952. Within a year he was involved in helping rescue a group of nurses as they descended icy slopes in the dark. Six people were killed in the July 26, 1953, tragedy, which remains the highest number of deaths from one incident on the mountain. Quickfall, 90, gave […]

HiTAC July 2020

President’s Desk Hi folks, We’ve past the shortest day already but does anyone else feel like it’s been a phoney winter so far? After some reasonable snow fall over a month ago there’s been nothing but mild temperatures and recent rains have all but washed that all away. Some of us have all but given up hope and headed north to the Waikato crags instead, so here’s hoping the forecast snow arrives this week. It better, because the winter season is about to get up and running. That kicks off with the train the trainers day on the 11th of […]

HiTAC June 2020

President’s Desk Hi folks, It’s been nice to catch up with the climbing community again and stretch out dusty limbs on the Maunga again. Everyone is itching to get back into things as soon as possible and the coming month should start to see a return to normal transmission of club activities. However, there will be no club night for June as our usual venue remains out of bounds. We are working on a back up venue and a guest speaker to kick start the club nights back up again in July, keep an eye on the face book page […]

HiTAC April 2020

President’s Desk Glum times for the outdoors types this month, hope you’re all managing to keep sane. Needless to say there won’t be much happening for the TAC this month, all outside club activities are effectively on hold until we get the all clear to head out again. The lodge is, and this should be pretty clear to all by now, closed for all but emergency services. We will however be trying out an online club night this Thursday night. See the trips section for details. Anyone interested in getting involved in club trips, please get in touch with Ange. […]