President’s Desk Hey everyone. What a shambles of a month! Plenty of fresh snow, probably better suited to the skiers than climbers recently and only the briefest of weather windows, usually on a Tuesday (*#!!) to get into it. Having to cancel the Ngaruahoe trip was a massive disappointment, especially to Ange our trip coordinator and a SC1 course is also in weather limbo. However on a brighter note we have managed to run a SC2 course and two SC1 courses despite the weather and from what I saw, everyone had a great time. We’ve blooded some new instructors and […]

President’s Desk Hi everyone, Well this month has been productive, despite generally inclement weather, congratulations to the Snow Craft 1 and 2 candidates who stuck it out last weekend despite the wet conditions and a big thanks to the instruction team for biting the bullet and getting it done. This weekends course looks like it will be more pleasant conditions however. Such is mountaineering. Kevin Conaglen is working up a proposal for a club trip into the Hopkins Valley in early January 2020. His plan at the moment is to set up a base camp at Elcho Hut, from where […]

President’s Desk Kia ora everyone, First of all, things are starting to get busy for the winter season. We have snow and ice and I notice various face book pages are filling up with the usual suspects making their first ascents of the season. Those of you who started snow craft courses last year should be getting out there and into it. If you are unsure or cautious, get on the phone or get to the lodge and try and hook up with some of the more experienced club members and tag along on a some of their missions. More […]

President’s Desk Hi All, Right, so we’ve had the chill in the air, filed crampons to needles, now waiting, waiting, waiting, staring at a bony, arid pile of shingle… Where’s the white stuff?! Well, turns out the best way to precipitate winter storms is to meticulously plan a party at the lodge for the birthday celebrations, which according to the forecast, are going to be under the first decent snow dump for the year. Whatever, we’re having one anyway. So put on your snowshoes and see you all at the lodge on Sunday night. Wind, snow or shine. Hey but […]

President’s Desk Hi all, Feeling a chill in the air? Maybe you’ve noticed the first dustings on the summit? So it’s sending season for the unfinished summer rock projects and time to run the file over the crampons you dumped in the bottom of the wardrobe after slush summit! The instruction team will be gearing up for the snow craft 1 and 2 courses this month and will release details on the club face book page when finalised. For snow craft 1 it will be a case of first in first served. So keep an eye out for confirmation of […]