Ninety climbers took part in the 2004 New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) 2004 climbing camp based at Elcho Hut in the scenic Hopkins valley, 40km west of Twizel. The 8 day long Climbing Camp concluded on Sunday 11 January after waiting for flooded rivers to subside.

Climbers ranging in age from 16 to mid sixties, from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, England, Wales, Scotland, Norway and Germany took part in the largest climbing camp held by the New Zealand Alpine Club.

Climbers completed ascents of Mt Ward (10 climbers), Mt Reticence (3 climbers), Hut Peak (12 climbers), Dasler Pinnacles (27 climbers), Gillies Peak (3 climbers). New ascent routes were completed on the striking 600 metre high west face of Dasler Pinnacles 2312m by Kevin Hammond, and on the south face of Mt Reticence 2310m by Ross Cullen, Kevin Hammond and Rebecca Smith (aged 10).

The climbing camp is held each year at a different location in the New Zealand mountains. New Zealand Alpine Club President Dave Bamford attended the camp and commented "the camp was the most successful yet held by NZAC. It was pleasing to see climbers exercising their climbing skills, good judgment and successfully completing ascents of peaks in the valley." He stated the large numbers of participants, and high levels of climbing activity clearly indicated that climbers are enthusiastic about their sport and are ambitious to complete repeat climbs and new ascents. Climbers he had spoken to were unanimous in their praise for the organization of the event and had reveled in the superb Southern Alps scenery.

The Climbing Camp organiser Steve Hart commented "that given the variability of the weather and the considerable amount of climbing undertaken it was gratifying that there were no incidents."

Contacts:

David Bamford – NZ Alpine Club President, ph 0274570313 or 04 4723114

Steve Hart – Climbing Camp Coordinator

Ross Cullen – Hopkins Climbing Expert and can supply digital photos of the camp; ph 03 3253807