Club nights are at Turnbull House, on the first unimpeded Monday of every month. New and prospective members are welcome. Meet for dinner at the Astoria Cafe, Lambton Quay at 6.30 and on to Turnbull House at 7.30 pm for a catch up. Meetings and talks start at 8.00 pm with club business and tea and coffee afterwards.

'On the Shoulder' by Tom Wilson

NZAC Wellington Section 2006 Photo Competition Results

This year’s competition was well subscribed with over 130 photographs entered by 18 contestants.

For the first time we allowed the entry of digital images. This stimulated a huge amount of interest with over 100 of the entries being of the digital variety.

Rightly or wrongly, digital and slide images were judged side by side against each other. Slides were scanned so that they could be compared equally against digitals.

The quality of the images impressed and at least a dozen or so would be worthy of publication.
Images of the winning photographs and full results can be viewed here

The winners are now encouraged to enter their photographs into the NZAC National Photo Competition. Refer to http://www.alpineclub.org.nz for entry details.

Our thanks is extended to Shaun Barnett who volunteered his professional expertise as Judge and who provided thoughtful judgements and informative commentary for each entry.

And finally a word of thanks must go to our sponsors who have supported the competition with the donation of prizes.

Distaghil Sar Dinner

"We are proposing to have the Distaghil Sar Fund dinner on Thursday 24 August, at Turnbull House. We will keep the price low, but some of the proceeds will go to the Distaghil Sar fund. This year's grants from the fund will also be announced at the dinner
Put the date in your diary now!"

Avalanche Stage 1

This training and assessment course covers all the theory and practical skills involved in avalanche safety. Stage 1 is requirement for employment in many areas of the ski industry and in alpine recreation and instruction. This is a 7 day intensive live in course on Mt Ruapehu starting 20 August.

Enrolments accepted now. Closing date for enrolments 24th July
Enquire: 04 238 2310 w.putt@whitireia.ac.nz

China Trip

At present there's not enough interest in this trip to make it worthwhile. For the peak fee, the optimum number is 10, and if we could get close to this, we would be happy to get back to the agents in China with a firm proposal. But time is running out for a 2006 climbing trip.

The high trekking option is still open, and can be arranged at shorter notice.

Contact china@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz, or betts@paradise.net.nz or j-reid@paradise.net.nz.
Check our section website for pics and information.

We have a likely venue to consider, and also some quotes from local agents. Including air fares, the cost for a 3-week climbing trip looks as if it will be somewhere between $5000 and $6000.

Mt Ruapehu Ice Climbing : 15-16 July, Whakapapa

There has been a lot of interest and I'm expecting there will be a big turnout. As such the venue has changed (originally we were looking at going to Tukino Ski field) - now we are going to Whakapapa instead to make use of the NZAC hut at Delta Corner. The main ice climbing wall we hope to use is the Barium Enema Face, about 45 minutes walk from the hut. The Pinnacles can be used as a back up option. If there is a major storm hitting the mountain then the reserve date is 22-23 July. I'll email any cancellation.
The trip is really just a bunch of people getting together to go climbing. There will be climbers already adept on ice and climbers having their first climb - a range of climbs will be set up to cater for all. I hope to get perhaps five climbs set up at any one time, most top rope but some sport climbs also. I'm wanting to get a couple of instruction "workshops" running too - lead climbing, leash less tool climbing, etc.
Also the weekend will help as a trial run (or a learning experience) for a more official ice climbing festival in 2007 with organisers not having to work out all aspects of a proper event first time up.
Climbing will commence on Saturday morning and are planned to continue into Saturday night due to short winter days. Then climbing continues on Sunday morning and finish mid afternoon.

Contact: Caroline Hart ch@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz

Mt Ruapehu Ski Touring:10-11 July

Kristen Foley is organising a ski touring trip. If you are interested, you can contact Kristen on kf@nzalpine...

Wye Creek Ice Climbing:August

Toby Johnston is organising a general alpine trip with ice climbing and ski touring options in August. The trip will be to Wye Creek in the Remarkables or to Black Creek as a second option. For further details contact toby@basecampwanaka.co.nz

Centennial Hut

For those of you with glacier travel and route finding experience, there is a trip planned for approx 9 days (5-7 days climbing, 2 days travel down/back) to Centennial hut in November (exact date to be confirmed). The plan is for helicopter access and egress with a max of 8 people on this trip.

Contact Garth London for more details. GL@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz or 04 479 2984

Tongariro Crossing/Ngauruhoe

Just done AIC and wanting to go on a club trip, or keen to do a winter Tongariro crossing and side trip up Ngauruhoe? On 12-13th August a trip is being organised to do just that. I'm happy to organise all the logistics so if anyone out there is willing to assist/lead this trip, be good to hear from you.
If you're interested to either join in or assist with this trip, contact Caroline Hart at CH@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz

Tongariro September Climbing Trip

A trip is being planned for September (dates to be confirmed) for either climbing in Pinnacles or climbing up to the Plateau. Trip will most likely involved camping or snow caving so if you're interested in hearing more details contact Paul Grimwood on PG@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz

Aconcagua expedition

The highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere and outside Asia is the perfect choice to take your high altitude trekking to the next level. I'm organizing an Aconcagua expedition between 11/2006 and 02/2007 or 11/2007 and 02/2008 and I'm looking for people to join the core group to work out the details during the next few months. Once the exact budget, date, route and timetable have been set the expedition will be open for any club members to join at a later phase. Aconcagua does not necessarily require technical climbing skills but experience in high altitude trekking and fitness is required. For those who aim on taking eight-thousanders later Aconcagua is extremely good practice. I am also considering combining an acclimatisation trip to the Cotopaxi (and possibly the other volcanos there) in Equador just before the expedition.
Please contact me through e-mail at jsarkila@gmail.com for more information and visit www.aconcagua.com for general information about the mountain.

Juho Sarkila, Wellington