Mark Inglis - You've seen him on TV, now see the man in person

Working in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park as a professional Search and Rescue Mountaineer, Mark's life was forever changed in 1982 after he lost both legs below the knee to frostbite.

Since then he has gone on to study human biochemistry, become a research scientist, make Senior Winemaker for Montana Wines for 10 years, and get on TV ads!

His love of sport and the outdoors continues and he has been an international competitor in disabled skiing, and has ridden at the highest level with Paralympic cycling. More recently his attention has turned back to mountaineering, summiting Aoraki/Mount Cook again after 20 years. This has inspired him to plan an attempt on Everest during April/May 2004 and a climb and ski descent of Shishapangma in Tibet. However, before that, he hopes to set a benchmark for Paralympians with a non-stop bike ride from Kaitaia to Bluff, 2500 km.

Mark should be excellent value, and has a great story to tell, so see you all there at Turnbull House, 8 pm, 7th October.

Cheap climbing at Fergs

As an Alpine Club member you can now climb at Fergs Rock and Kayak for only $5 EVERY Monday night, and at any other time for only $8 (usually $12). Fergs will, however, be more vigilant when checking membership! Make sure you carry your card and that your membership is up to date.

For those who are interested, this is a potential saving of $2,756.00 every year! Or, if you just climb once a week on a Monday, you will save $364.00. This becomes a $284.00 PROFIT after you pay your Alpine Club membership. At least enough for a weekend trip to The Bay (or maybe the mountain if you're of that persuasion).

This doesn't take into account the fact that you will all, of course, be at the 10 Section nights we have each year....

Golden opportunity for budding instructors!

The Club needs you !!!

We depend on a steady supply of people to assist with our winter Alpine Instruction, and our Summer Rock courses. These are important events for the club. The strength and experience of our instructor group is a good indication of the health of the Wellington Section.

If you are interested in helping out in any way please contact the Instruction Subcommittee. Our email addresses are aic@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz or springrock@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz

Or you can contact any member of the Committee.

In return for your commitment, we are happy to provide training in Outdoor First Aid, Risk Management, Presentation of Lessons, and to upskill you in whatever areas you require. We have some money for training, and we don't mind spending it on people who are willing to put their time back into the club. You get the benefits of more training and development, and we get better instructors. It's a win-win arrangement-and you'll have a lot of fun

Spring rock 2002 has become Summer rock 2003

On account of a 3 year history of bad spring weather, the club has decided to run its historic spring rock course in summer. To be precise Summer Rock will begin in late February and run into late March.

The course will involve two weekend trips away to the middle of the North Island, and a day trip to Baring Head and to Titahi Bay. Great to polish up the rope work and learn some rock climbing techniques for those who have done the AIC, as well as fun for the rest of the family.

There'll be a post-course trip too, either Payne's Ford or Mangetepopo. Dates to be announced. For more information or to express an interest phone Scott Taylor 380 0913.

Our website

Reminder about our web site www.nzalpine.wellington.net.nz.

DISCUSSION GROUP - Over half of Wellington section members are now subscribed to our free email discussion group. If you would like to get or communicate articles of interest, trip details and other information then go to our web site www.nzalpine.wellington.net.nz for instructions on how to join.

MOVED HOUSE?

Please notify the Club's National Administrator of your change of address as the labels for all newsletters and club publications are generated at the HQ office.

You can contact:
Richard Wesley
NZAC Administrator
PO BOX 786
CHRISTCHURCH
TEL (03) 377 7595
FAX (03) 337 7594
e mail office@alpineclub.org.nz

Climbing wall deals: More guilty pleasures

Reminder that Hangdog are continuing their anytime $8 deal.

Southern man

Just got back from another 3 weeks down south. Joined Geoff Spearpoint (NZAC Canterbury/Westland) and Lars Brabyn (NZAC Hamilton) for a trip up the Wilberforce. Recent snowfall meant too much avo danger for a crossing of Unknown Col so instead we cruised over Moa Saddle and down North Stream canyon in picturesque conditions.

Then joined Nick Groves (NZAC Canterbury/Westland) and Neville Jones (Mapworld) for a Ball Pass crossing. Snowed some 10 cm in Mt Cook village before departing so skis were the only way to go. Skinned pretty much from Ball Shelter in sticky deep powder. Had morning tea on Ball Pass the next day before an excellent ski run over to the playing fields. Lots of snow meant we could just plug down through the bluffs to the playing fields and didn't have to climb over the rib off Mt Rosa. Highly recommended if conditions allow!"

Johnny Mulheron

Ed's been tramping high above Nuur Khovsgol

The vast desert and steppes of Mongolia are more suited to 4WD-treks and camel caravans than to tramping; however, during a recent jeep-trek through Mongolia, I did manage a tramp in the Khoridol Saridag Mountains. The mountains parallel the western shore of Lake Khovsgol - the world's second oldest lake and one of the most remote. The very deep lake, containing 2% of the earth's fresh water, extends 136 Kms. into NW Mongolia from the Siberian border and is the "geological little sister" to Lake Baikal 200 Kms. to the east.

Hiking along the Khoridol Saridag ridges and scaling three of the 2500-3000 meter peaks (walkups) provided magnificant views of the pristine lake far below.

The lake and mountain range are 800 Kms. to the WNW of Ulaan Baatar - the Mongolian capital and our starting point. We departed Ulaan Baatar in early August on one of the few paved roads our Russian-built jeep would encounter in the next 3,500 Kms. The skilled driver/mechanic made slow but steady progress of 200-300 Kms. per day on the unimproved (and sometime non-existent) roads, and managed to find a camp site with water each night. The slow progress gave us the opportunity to interact with the Mongolian nomadic culture that has changed little since the days of Chinggis Khaan and to observe the wide range of animal life, including the wild Mongolian horse - the "Przewalski horse" that was extinct in the wild until recently reintroduced from international zoo stock.

We arrived on the western shore of Lake Khovsgol four days later and setup base camp at the Jankhai summer settlement in a rented ger - the circular felt dwelling of the Mongolian nomads. My translator and the driver were given a few days off while I joined a local mountain guide for the tramp. A guide is necessary because of the absence of detailed terrain maps as well as marked, maintained or mapped trails - an understandable shortfall in a country that doesn't bother with fences, improved roads or road signs. Additionally, a guide provides the knowledge of the micro-weather system that is unique to the Lake Khovsgol area. Although he only spoke Mongolian, we had no problem communicating and he took much pride in sharing with me each new high-altitude view of the lake and surrounding forests. On our route along the ridges and peaks, we observed many additional opportunities for tramping - other ridge/peak routes that extend ! as far north as the Russian border, many more-leisurely routes along the shore line, and distant treks through the rolling mountains to the west that are home to the Tsaatan (reindeer people).

The day after returning to Jankhai, we were back in the jeep for the long cross-mountain trek south to the Gobi where we would make a west-to-east traverse of the desert before returning to Ulaan Baatar.

Ed McConnaughey

And here are some club trips for you to go on!

25-29 October 2002
Labour Weekend in the Arrowsmiths, Canterbury.

Labour weekend. Fancy a chance to venture further south into the fabulous Arrowsmiths? Already keen interest shown. Contact: Steve at sdhart@paradise.net.nz, or phone 04 9738079 (hm).

January 2003
Wanaka for New Year. 27 Dec 2002-4 Jan 2003.

A chance to soak up some hills before the national climbing camp. Steve Hart will coordinate a trip to the Aspiring region. Potential climbs in the area include the east north traverse of Rob Roy, Aspiring itself and lots more. To lodge interest email Steve at sdhart@paradise.net.nz, or phone 04 9738079 (hm).

January 2003
National Climbing Camp. Godley Valley. 4 - 12 January 2003.

Canterbury/Westland Section is organising the next national climbing camp. Centred in the Godley Valley. Hoping to make use of 4wd/watercraft for access. Fantastic opportunity to quit work and climb all summer-with Steve in Wanaka and then the Godley. Contact: C/W section direct, or stay tuned.

Thanks from Phil to everyone making an effort to generate club trips. Remember, contact trips co-ordinator if you have any ideas for trips-nothing will be set in stone! Phil Suisted-ps@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz, or ph: 380 0855.

A flurry of for sales and wanteds

See Buy and Sale page