HiTAC December 2020

President’s Desk Hi folks, It’s been a while, did y miss me? It’s still not December and I’m begging for January already, but here goes the last one of these before the pre-Christmas madness kicks in and renders me completely insensible. We managed to get a few club trips away over the past couple of months, including a breezy mission to Syme Hut, followed by a horrendous, but probably successful slush summit (I think that’s where we were) in white out conditions.  The ever-popular Labour weekend rock trip to Kawakawa Bay lived up to everyone’s high expectations despite a few […]

HiTAC November 2020

Tahurangi Lodge Access DAY AND OVERNIGHT USE Scan the NZ COVID Tracer QR code, or enter your details into the hut register provided. Do not enter if you’re unwell. Wash your hands on entry. Leave facilities clean and fit for use by others. Keep 2 metres’ distance from people other than your party. Leave the lodge if you can’t physically distance. OVERNIGHT USE  All overnight stays require prior booking with the bookings officer. Overnight stays are limited to 14 people; with no more than 7 per bunkroom. Scan the NZ COVID Tracer QR code, or enter your details into the […]

HiTAC September 2020

President’s Desk Hi folks, First on the agenda this month, we’re changing our response to Level 2 at the Lodge to a more nuanced scenario, and overnight stays are once again allowed. However, (there’s always a catch) the number of nocturnal inhabitants are to be limited to no more than 14 in the lodge overnight and no more than 7 per bunk room, to allow for social distancing. To make sure that this has a chance of working , all overnight stays need to go through the booking officer. The booking officer will be giving preference to club members, but […]

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 […]