Welcome to the April edition of the NZAC South Canterbury Section’s newsletter. The section runs a variety of alpine, climbing and other trips and courses throughout the year and new members are always welcome.

Climber Content submissions from members – whether they be Is there anything you would like to see in the Trip Reports, Items for Sale or rants. Just send newsletter? Do you have a suggestion for improving your material to the editor by the 20th of the the newsletter? If so, drop us a line, we’re keen to month preceding. Contact Kelly Cooney from hear from you. Alternatively, we love getting emailing: [email protected]

Monthly Meeting – Thursday 19th April, 8pm 2018. 'Summer trips with Hidden Valleys and others' Speaker: Syd Woods

Our meetings are held from February through to November in the Police Social Room, North Street, Timaru (Top floor of the Police station, access via back door adjacent to the vehicle entrance on North Street).

Come & be inspired!

Speakers Your Committee welcomes ideas of topics and speakers. Please send them in ASAP to any Committee Member, we look forward to receiving them! Do not be shy to offer yourself (Contacts at bottom of Newsletter).

Library – Books Available Did you know that the Section has a number of Alpine related library books available in our meeting room? Including guide books etc- Please see attached for list.

Wall/Crag Climbing There are public climbing wall sessions at Ara Polytechic, Timaru. For more Information: http://www.ara.ac.nz/services-and-support/recreation-and-sport/climbing-wall

Congratulations! Congratulations goes out to Gary Brehaut from the NZAC South Canterbury section who is now a 50 year active veteran member.

For Hire The section has ice axes, crampons, show shovels, avalanche transceivers, snowshoes, stakes and now, a second Personal Locator Beacon for hire. Contact Gary Brehaut (03) 688 9399.

Keep up to date with the latest local news, photos and events by connecting with us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/groups/NZACsouthcanterbury

National News

Winter Instruction courses open for registration! NZAC 2018 Winter Instruction Courses are now open for registration! Ice climbing: This year we will be offering a 5 day option, as well as the standard 3 day course, for the Leading on Technical Ice Course which is based out of Wye Creek. Backcountry : We have a new Backcountry Ski Refresher course, based out of Glenmore Station's Falcon’s Nest hut, for those experienced members who want to regain confidence or upskill. The Intro to Backcountry course, based out of the iconic Olympus ski field, and the popular Glacier Skiing course, based out of Aoraki/Mt Cook NP, are also back for the 2018 Winter. Backcountry Ski : Register your interest for a potential new Intro to Ski Touring Course based out of – course to be confirmed depending on interest. Many section snowcraft courses are also available for booking - check your local newsletter. All courses always fill up quickly so check them out here and get your registrations in ASAP so you do not miss out! Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Our awesome NZAC volunteers are again working hard to organise fun-filled Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour- screening(s) in your area! Check out the website https://banff.nz/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BanffNZ/ for more details. Please let anyone who enjoys an adventure know about the upcoming screenings and help promote this great club event. This Club community event and fundraiser would not be possible without the support of Macpac, World Expeditions, Adventure South, and Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and .

Please visit https://alpineclub.org.nz/courses/ for more info.

2017-18 Annual Survey Winner Congratulations to Sam Henehan who won our annual survey competition and takes away a free membership and guidebook. Thanks to everyone who took part as it forms an important part of our future planning. The results of the survey will be published soon.

NZAJ Digitization Give a Little campaign complete! Thanks to everyone who donated to this campaign. Due to a couple of very generous donations we reached our target on the last day that it was open. We are now in contact with the Innsbruck University to get the next stage of the project underway. Thank you to all the donors big and small - we are so excited to be able to provide this valuable resource to the mountain community in the near future.

NZAC Facebook Page We have a new Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/NewZealandAlpineClub/ To increase awareness of NZAC and allow people to find out what we do we will be using this page to share club news, upcoming instruction and events. There might even be the odd competition - stay tuned! The NZAC group will still remain active for the community to share information and discuss the current happenings of the alpine/climbing world. Please give the new page a 'like' and share it with friends so we can all stay in touch!

Remarkables Ice and Mixed Festival - 16-19 August The Expedition Climbers Club is again holding their very popular Remarkables Ice and Mixed Festival (RIMF) this winter. This is a great opportunity to try out some winter climbing in one of New Zealand's premier locations. See the website for more information on the many clinics, climbing and social activities on offer and be in fast as this event always sells out. http://www.iceandmixedfestival.co.nz/

National Indoor Bouldering Series (NiBS) dates NiBs is back for 2018! Under the ever watchful eye of super volunteer Sefton Priestley, NiBs had an extremely successful 2017. A fantastic event to have a go or if competitive is more your scene that works too. 2018 dates: • 19 May - Round 1: Rocktopia Mt Maunganui • 9 June - Round 2: Hangdog • 30 June - Round 3: Extreme Edge Hamilton • 11 August - Round 4: YMCA Adventure Centre Christchurch (Photo: Cameron Mackenzie)

Aspiring Hut not closing In the last national newsletter I advised that Aspiring Hut would be closing for scheduled earthquake strengthening work from April 9. This work has been delayed due to ongoing discussions with proposed contractors and will now likely take later in the year. Our apologies for any inconvenience that this may have caused.

Upcoming Trips

Trips When Contact Wall/Crag Climbing Text 021 243 7381 if you Kelly Cooney want to climb. Godley Hut Painting Trip (Date subject to Spring Ian Rodgers supply of paint) Unwin Lodge firewood work party at Syd 12th May Syd Woods Woods. Mount Nimrod – New track to peak 21st July Mark Easton

Any ideas? …Well, let us know! Committee

South Canterbury Section - Contacts

Committee/ Gear Hire Chairperson Gary Brehaut Ian Rogers Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 688 9399 027 497 8952 Phone: 021 0226 6467

Vice Chairman Committee Roger Brown Mark Easton Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 6860977 Phone: 684 4985

Secretary/Rep Committee/ Newsletter Editor Rob Moffat Kelly Cooney Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 688 1212 wk (03) 689 8079 Phone: 021 243 7381 971 0126 027 221 0981

Treasurer Committee Syd Woods Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 693 8093 021 116 2309

Committee Committee Neil Harding-Roberts John Wilson Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 686 2089 Mobile:021 756 695

Committee Roger Brown Unwin Lodge Bookings Email: [email protected] Warden/Manager Phone: 6860977 Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 4351100 Library Geoff McCrostie Phone: 686 3320 or 021 191 2322