Femmes and Thems 2025
7-9 November 2025. A summit trip on Ruapehu that turned into a night evacuation during a forest fire. The Femmes and Thems trip started as …
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Adventures from the Wellington Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club
Spring Turns at Tukino
Late October. The fields are closed. The lifts are silent. But the mountain still calls. And we — well, we still answer. Five of us from the …
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Taranaki East Ridge — Winter Ascent
Trip leaders: Emily Shrosbree & Tiffany Shih Participants: Emily Shrosbree, Tiffany Shih, Nye Williams Renouf, Mathew Denys, Stuart …
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Tongariro Full Moon
We planned an Alpine Club Trip to do the Tongariro Crossing under the full moon. A few years before we managed to score a perfect clear …
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Of Mice and Mounts
The road from Wellington stretched out beneath us, winding its way through the late afternoon light, the Outlander smelling new and humming …
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Ruapehu: Girdlestone Peak / Peretini
10–11 August 2024. Tom Firth, Tiffany Shih, Dave Chowdhury, Owen Lynch, Stuart Meiklejohn, Martin Sedy. Our group of six met at our Ohakune …
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Mount Ruapehu and Tongariro: Snowcraft to Summit
9–11 August 2024. Eleven participants, just two weeks after completing Snowcraft 1. Eager and ready, and just two weeks after completing …
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Alp 2 Trip: Te Heu Heu and the Pinnacles
Whakapapa weekend, July 26–28 2024. A big weekend for Wellington Section, with three separate trips and a snowcraft course all based in …
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Taranaki Maunga Alp 1 — October 2023
NZAC Wellington Alp 1 trip, 28–29 October 2023. Like almost all winter alpine trips, this one took a few attempts to get off the ground and …
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Temple Basin 2023 Trip Report
Nineteen club members spent a week at Temple Basin Ski Lodge exploring the surrounding peaks and basins. We had pretty average weather …
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Remarkables Ice and Mixed Festival 2023
Remarkables, Queenstown area — in three pictures. Sam Brown searching for ice in The Den of Iniquity. (Photo: James Johnston) Remarkables …
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Cotterell Peak Alp 1 Trip — Travers Valley
NZAC Wellington Alp 1 trip to the Travers Valley, 25–27 August 2023. Four participants caught the Wellington–Picton ferry Thursday …
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Mount Hopeless — August 2023 Alp 2 Attempt
Patrick Lam (leader and scribe), Brendan Pizzacalla, Gracie Scott, Dan Waterston, Andrea Wolter After failing to get ferry tickets for a …
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Tararua Heartland: Visiting the Most Remote Hut in the Tararua Ranges
Poads Road end to Waiopehu, Te Matawai, Arete, Carkeek, Nichols, Pukematawai and back — August 2023. ‘Come over the lip Pete, …
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The Long Walk Home: Holdsworth to Kaitoke via the Tararua Main Ridge
NZAC alpine navigation course, Holdsworth to Kaitoke, Tararua Main Range. Last week I was at an NZAC alpine navigation course and because I …
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Matariki Weekend '23: North Island Ice and Mixed Meet
Tukino, Mt Ruapehu, Matariki weekend June 2023. With unseasonably warm temperatures, uncomfortably windless days and a concerning lack of …
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Kehu Peak, Nelson Lakes National Park
Kehu Peak via Upper Travers, Nelson Lakes, April 2023. March 2022: We had been planning on an attempt at Kehu for a while. A quick drink in …
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Traverse of the Twins: Kahurangi National Park
North Twin, South Twin, and Ellis Basin, February 2023. Some years ago, my husband and I traversed the Mt. Arthur Range and stayed in the …
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Taranaki & Aoraki Trips 2022
Mt Taranaki — East Ridge & Shark’s Tooth Date: 27 August 2022 Team: Sam Brown, Dan Waterston, Eric Buscaro & James Johnson …
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Beyond the Cliff Top Shelter: Ringatoto and the East Ridge of Tahurangi
A spring climb of Ringatoto and the east ridge of Tahurangi. Perched on the edge of a sheer cliff at 2,080 metres, Whangaehu Hut serves as …
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Photo Essay: Exploring the Head of Tasman Glacier
Peter Laurenson explores the head of the Tasman Glacier — Tasman Saddle Hut, Hochstetter Dome, and Mt Aylmer. Clockwise from top left: Shaun …
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Topo Twisting on the Ella Range
A north to south traverse of the Ella Range between Mole Tops and McKellar Stream. Well, that’s a fail I thought as my gaze dropped …
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Climb of Mt Hopeless: 19-21 November 2021
Mt Hopeless (2278m), Nelson Lakes National Park, via the Hopeless Creek Route (Grade 2). 2021 has been a tough year for budding alpinists …
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Angelus Snow Trip
On the Friday night we ate like kings – tortillas warmed on top of the cast iron fire, filled to overflowing with hot sticky beans, carrots, …
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Ruahine Rime
There had been rain, but now a window was opening, at least on the south western end of the Ruahine Ranges. Time to enjoy some tops …
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A Cold Night Out: The Five Passes
Lake Fohn, Mount Aspiring National Park. Words and photographs – Andy Carruthers. This trip had been on my list for a few years. I had …
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South Island Tour
A photo essay of Eva’s South Island adventures including Tutoko Valley, Fiordland, the West Coast, Heaphy Track, and Fox River …
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Cascade Saddle & Grand Traverse
Eva had a fabulous trip to Cascade Saddle and climbed Single Cone on the Grand Traverse.
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Tararua Tops Feast
An extended version of the northern crossing of the Tararua Ranges. Ssssuck. The sound of my boot extracting from another micro-swamp, as …
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Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku: Tappy Trip
After a couple of weather-induced postponements, eight intrepid Wellington section members headed to climb Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. The team …
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The Crusty Couloir: A Spring Climb of Mount Cupola's North Face
Met Service had granted my wish – a two day weather window and an avalanche risk deemed green – low. Having been rebuffed twice …
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The 10th North Island Ski Touring Meet
| The 10th North Island Ski Touring Meet Tukino on 2 - 4 October. Keith Munro Numbers continue to grow for this popular event, with 29 …
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Fire & Ice: Ski Touring Adventure Ball Pass
What makes a great adventure? A quest An unfamiliar environment An element of risk I turned the big 50 in July and to celebrate I planned a …
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CRAWLING TO JUMBO
A Tararua photo essay by Peter Laurenson, July 2020 It was Level One. Shaun Barnett and I had to get out and do SOMETHING. The forecast was …
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Three Saddles: Going Off Trail in Nelson Lakes
Going off trail in Nelson Lakes, August 2020. I really didn’t want to concede. It’s supposed to be third time lucky, but there …
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TRACING HISTORICAL STEPS
A day climb from Waihohonu Hut to Te Heuheu, May 2015 By Grant Christian A view north from about 2,500m, down Waihohonu ridge, May 2020 …
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Mount Ruapehu
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson This image, looking south from Paretetaitonga was considerably more tenuous – a lot of very loose scoria …
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Hopeless Isolation
Mount Hopeless via the southwest ridge, May 26–29 2020. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve bothered to write up a trip …
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Surfing the Sound Waves
On 21st March, New Zealand came to a standstill. Level 4 Lockdown had started. Two weeks into it, I found myself couch-ridden due to a not …
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Paines Ford March 2020
Cheesecake and wetas, a vegans worst nightmare By Marie Kelly In the beginning there were five… On the first day we set our eyes on Globe …
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Work With What You Get
Sam McCahon writes about how rain didn’t defeat a Section trip to Queenstown, Wanaka and the Darrans Mike Greer and Elliot O’Brien summit Mt …
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Battle of the Weekend Whipper
The fun had already started before we even left Wellington for (what is becoming) our annual November trip to Paine’s Ford. Jetstar very …
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Tukino titbits
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Saturday morning offered the best conditions of the weekend – ‘best’ being an overstatement as winds were …
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The Nun’s Veil and Mount Sealy, 14 to 18 January 2020
Words and photos Grant Christian After a long period of unsettled weather in the South Island the outlook for the following week looked good …
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Blown To Bits
A post snowcraft trip to Mt Ruapehu, Simon Williamson What do a bunch of international climbers do to escape the wind in Wellington? They go …
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Reaching Angelus Peak
With every adventure you learn something new. The Alpine Club trip to Angelus Peak taught me that mountaineering is akin to childbirth …
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THE SWEET SPOT
A six day traverse in the Richmond Range Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Five days earlier we began our journey, in bright sunshine, …
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Would you go into a bar if there was a moderate
chance of getting stabbed in a knife fight? Words and pictures Keith Munro Tim Robertson posed this question to the attendees of a recent …
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Thin and hard
A winter climb of the south face of Mount Taranaki, July 2019 Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Here, inside the crater, heading for the …
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Success in a small weather window
A Wellington Section climb of Nuns Veil, November 2018 Words and pictures Carolyn Ellis As with many alpine trips, the weather forecast for …
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The longest night
A Wellington Section trip to the Grand Plateau, June 2019 Words Simon Williamson, pictures Peter Laurenson I wasn’t that worried. It was …
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Mount Codral
An attempt of the south ridge of Mt Travers, Nelson Lakes Words and pictures Peter Laurenson I was slow. We reached John Tait Hut after four …
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Somer circuit
An overnight circuit over Mount Somers Words and pictures Peter Laurenson To Cantabrians it’s part of their backyard. To trampers more …
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The 97 Stars
Rock climbing meet at Arapiles over Easter and ANZAC Day 2019 By Jenny Cossey A conversation, between a visiting Australian NZAC section …
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A trip beyond memory lane
Mount Holdsworth > Aokaparangi > Maungahuka > Cone Ridge Words and pictures Peter Laurenson I almost felt teary. Waves of nostalgia …
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Not quite like Doctor Who would do it
Exploring tops in Lewis Pass National Reserve Words and pictures Peter Laurenson It seemed like the weather had been sunny and scorching for …
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Thirst on the ridge
An overnight circuit: Neill Ridge / Mount Hector / Bull Mound Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Above - From Cone (1,080m), looking north …
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After the coffee
was whipped…. Words Jenny Cossey, photos Jessica Thorn Climbers in action on Cathedral Wall, Pohara …by the ‘Red Viper’ rope that hurtled …
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Not the perfect freeze
A spring climb of Mount Brewster via the south west face Words and photos Peter Laurenson As the gradient levelled out I stated the obvious …
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A fortunate alignment
A climb of Mount Rolleston via Rome Ridge Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Right - On Rome Ridge at about 1,850m, just above and east of …
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North Island Ski Touring Meet
5 to 7 October 2018, based at Tukino Lodge 40 NZAC members from throughout the North Island attended the ski touring meet at Tukino in early …
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Another great day in the mountains
Climbing Te HeuHeu’s SE Ridge Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Just as I thought what lay above wasn’t the prettiest icescape I’d seen, …
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Khumbu: Beyond the ‘cattle route’
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Most people, even those who don’t normally go into the hills, have heard about the Everest Base Camp trek …
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In to the void
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson There are plenty of striking places in the Tararuas, but the ladder at the steepest section of the …
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Mount Travers: south-east ridge to summit
An early escape from work on Thursday gave us ample time to reach the Inter Islander and for some quick introductions around the team before …
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Bush Bash Thrash to “Bollock” Creek
Words and pictures Stacey Wong With November leaving unfinished projects and scores to settle, our Wellington team promptly rebooked their …
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Trip evolution in the Kahurangi
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson With some relief we unlinked from our last four man river fording formation. Now safely on the true left …
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Kahurangi National Park
Just back from a week in Kahurangi National Park. Happy to report that, in all my trips into New Zealand’s back country, I’ve never seen …
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NZAC Climbing Camp: 3-6 Feb 2018: Tukino
A photo essay - images Margaret Ortega, words and captions Eric Duggan This image, Luca Wiles leading “It’s Alright Ma (I’m only bolting) …
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American climbs
a gloriously sunny Sunday last year – on Sunday, 10 September, to be precise – I reached the summit of Mt Marcy. At 1,629m above sea-level, …
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Fastpacking the Kaimanawa Kaweka Traverse
28 hours of hiking in two days? Andy embarks on his first two-night fastpacking trip – the Kaimanawa Kaweka traverse. When you look at …
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Overnighting with a Kaitiaki
Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Since Guy Mannering and A. P. Harper first crossed it in January 1890, Ball Pass has become one of those …
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Snowcraft 2018
Find out more and submit your registration here … Don’t miss out! When What & where 7 - 14 June Banff Mountain Film Festival 2018 …
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A snowball called Anxiety
An attempt on Mt Travers, Labour Weekend Words and pictures Peter Laurenson Well that didn’t work – this rock is no better than the sugary, …
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Where’s Eric?
Wellington Section Sports Climbing Trip, Payne’s Ford, Golden Bay, Labour Weekend By Jenny Cossey The trip moved from Mount Sommers to …
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Section trip, Mount Wakefield
Outdoor Training NZ Courses OTNZ Wellington is running training courses as follows: Navigation (6 and 11 November) In depth course to teach …
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Trip Report
Photos and Text by Lans Hansen After 3 weeks of waiting with bags packed, watching weather reports and praying a nice big high would make …
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Summer Rock 2013 – What's it all about? (Wharepapa South)
Do you take the high road even though it’s longer? Do you scramble to the highest point of the cliff to watch the sunset? Is it …
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Club Trip: Whanganui Bay Rock Festival 23–24 March 2013
Join the Wellington crew at this year’s rock fest. Whanganui Bay old timers and first timers welcome! Climbing, chilling, crag …
Read MoreMount Hopeless, Nelson Lakes
Needing a fitness trip, I drafted a list of people and places and sent out an all points bulletin a week before Wellington Anniversary …
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Mount Hopeless, Nelson Lakes, 19-21 January 2013
Trip participants: Colin Rolfe, Mark Hearfield, James Flannery, Dan Pringle. (On the SW ridge of Hopeless we took out our rope just to …
Read MoreWharepapa South Rock Climbing
Sitting at a Wellington Section committee meeting I volunteered to organise a section rock climbing trip to Wharepapa South in my spare …
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Trip Report – Tapuae-o-Uenuku
Trip Report by Wiebke Heise Trip Participants: Scott Taylor, Magdalena Faltynkova, Wiebke Heise Friday evening Scott, Magdalena and Wiebke …
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Mount Arrowsmith – November 2011
Arrowsmith has long been on my tick list for a while, it is one of the 15 “Classic Peaks”. However it has a reputation for rebuffing many …
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Mt Aspiring – January 2010
After Xmas, Robert Hawes, Steve Dowall and Reece Geursen spent 8 days in Mt Aspiring National Park, aiming to climb Mt Aspiring. The plan …
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Trip report by Scott Taylor
Photo by Scott Taylor – John Nankervis ski touring on Mt Roberts Magnificent seven A small band of mercenaries drawn from assorted …
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Cathedral Rocks
It’s quiet now, as the last of the days light fades across the crater plateau. I carefully step through the notch and gaze at the slopes …
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Paretetaitonga, Dome, Cathedral Rocks, Te Heu Heu (South Face)
I had signed up for this trip with the Wellington section several months before. At the moment I’m flitting between cities (and sections of …
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Mt Ruapehu South Girdlestone and Tahurangi, 3rd – 5th July
The weather forecast was looking a bit dire leading into the trip, but the call went out on Thursday that it was going ahead. There was hope …
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Alpine Piking and Sneaky Hut Bagging in the Easter Break
The plan for this Easter’s trans-alpine adventure was to enter the Dobson via Bush Stream, slug it up to Barron Saddle Hut (bagging lots of …
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Cappuccino Traverse
During the first week of May, and after acclimatising at a ski resort in Les Trois Vallees (France), Jamie Durham, Paul Lynch and John …
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Mt Cook over Easter
Scott Taylor, Toby Johnston & Don French found plenty of snow at Mt Cook over Easter. This significantly curtailed their plans. There …
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Easter Bunnies in the Arrowsmiths - 9th to 13th April 2009
The plan for this Easter trip was to attempt Mt Arrowsmith (2781m) from the Cameron Valley and with the weather forecast being excellent …
Read MorePayne’s Ford Trip Report - 22-25 Jan09
This was a somewhat spontaneous gathering of Wellington climbers at the Payne’s Ford crag near Takaka past Nelson. Over 3 days around 13-14 …
Read MoreWellington Section members are truly nuts… here is the proof!
Section members Richard Davies and Kieran Paton and ex-section member Ben Clark decided to express their love on Valentines day. Their love …
Read MoreWhanganui Bay Trip Report - 5-7Dec08
This was the biggest club trip of the year with 15 participants spending 2 primo days at “The Bay”. Our first day at the Bay got …
Read MoreCombine Harvesting
Well, I guess it was my idea. Tim and I met Harry at the Knoll Ridge Café . Harry was with Paul, both supping what looked like triple …
Read MoreMiddle East Backdown
On the back of some serendipitous travel arrangements I was able to represent the Club at the UIAA (World Mountaineering Federation) meeting …
Read MoreSki Touring on Ruapehu
This last winter will be long remembered for the big snow cover in the eastern part of the South Island. I had great days off piste in the …
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Upper Tasman Glacier
On the 21st November 2008 a mixed assortment (to say the least) headed down to Christchurch with the aim of spending 8 days in the Upper …
Read MoreRock Activities at Titahi Bay
Desperate to get outdoors after a winter spent climbing at Fergs, a group of Wellington NZAC members including ShiChang “Jeans” …
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Three skiers, two glaciers, one September
Bang! The engine roared and the nose descended. Again, Bang! And simultaneously, “Shriek!” from Sonia. In the back, Trev and I gripped our …
Read MoreGarden of Eden – November 2008
The second Tuesday in November Charles Ross (CMC), Sam Newton (lapsed member of NZAC) and I found ourselves bouncing up the Clyde Valley …
Read MoreA Trip for the 'Leave Challenged'
Given most South Island trips are minimum 3 day commitments (day walk in, day climb, day out) we decided to use a bit of lateral thinking to …
Read MoreHappy Anniversary and 1st Summit - Paretetaitonga (2751m) 6th September 2008
Bridie & Ben Allen, Jo Langridge and Stuart Clark After a not so Alpine start, leaving the top o’ the Bruce at 9am we took the easy …
Read MoreKawakawa Bay Rockclimbing Trip Report
After I did a life-changing summer rock course 2008, I discover that I am such a potential talented rock climber. I wish I had started …
Read MoreTransalpining in the Ötztal Alps
Early July saw myself and Hannah McGregor in Innsbruck to meet ex-Wellingtonians(now Londonites) Ben and Kathryn Clendon and Tim Baker for a …
Read MoreCrumbs from the Summer
Just after New Year Paul Maxim and John Nankervis climbed Ngatimamoe via the Northeast Ridge from a camp in Falls Creek. Good Darrans rock …
Read MoreMt Tapuae-o-unuku
To take advantage of Queen’s Birthday weekend, an 8-member party including H. Cox, S. Dowall, B. Fry, R. Geursen, L. Griffin, B. …
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French Trip to Mt Murchison
Mt Murchison (2400m), Arthur’s Pass National Park - ANZAC weekend 2008 – leader: Don “French Don” French Well here we are three days after …
Read MoreA Garden of Eden Crossing
In late January, a mix of members from Wellington and other sections, as a well as the odd lapsed member, converged on the Whataroa Hotel …
Read MoreSpending Easter in the Garden
Easter Friday saw Richard Davies, Hannah Mcgregor and Ben Clark battling a typically fresh westerly breeze up the Clyde. Rain (and the …
Read MoreTrip to Wharepapa South
Friday night after work the Summer Rock students and instructors meet at Wellington railway station. We are waiting for Blair and Scott to …
Read MoreWhanganui Bay, Lake Taupo
Another Friday evening departure and drive to Whanganui Bay on the western shore of Lake Taupo. We arrive in the dark and walk from the car …
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NIWA had promised the best summer weather for years, and so it was
At Mt Cook Ollie Touhy & Don French climbed Mt Hamilton from the rarely visited east ridge accessed via the Murchison valley. The lower …
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Arthurs Pass – Franklin and Phills
Two NZAC Wellington members (Kevin Patterson and Laurie Griffin) planned a rock climbing trip to Malte Brun (3199m) over the New Year …
Read MoreFrom Mike O’Brien (sounds like NZ this summer)
Hi Rach. I’m dying. The weather is dreadful… sticky, hot and humid. I’ve been stuck inside for days. It’s too hot and humid to go …
Read MoreFrom Richard Davies…
Just after Xmas, (Boxing Day even), Quentin Duthie and I from the section along with Jo Hoare and Bruce Galloway from the Canty/Westland …
Read MoreHamilton (the mountain…)
In the second week of January Steve Dowall and Tom Wilson walked up the Tasman to a high camp in the Bonney Glacier. From there they …
Read MoreLast but not least – Taranaki rock (Paul Grimwood)
Eleven Wellington rock warriors (say that quickly) travelled in 3 cars to climb the rock of Taranaki. However, for now, let us ignore the …
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Summer Rock 2008
It’s a Tuesday night in early February and the first session of the Summer Rock course at Ferg’s. There are 12 students – …
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The Paringa
Just after Xmas, (Boxing Day even), Quentin Duthie and I from the section along with Jo Hoare and Bruce Galloway from the Canty/Westland …
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Summer 2008 by Don French
NIWA had promised the best summer weather for years, and so it was. At MT Cook Ollie Touhy & Don French climbed Mt Hamilton from the …
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Centennial beckoned last week…
Eight members took part in a Wellington Section Southern Alps trip from 10-18 November, based out of Centennial Hut on the Franz Josef …
Read MoreThe glory without the sweat, blood or tears
Sick of lugging a huge pack crammed with heavy climbing gear? Finding freeze-dried food just a little tiresome? But you still want to climb …
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Girdlestone 17 November 2007
Wellington section members Colin Cook and Ron Stutter, with Stuart Hutson and Michael Buchanan, drove to Rangataua after work on Friday and …
Read MoreAndrew’s Adventures
Andrew Finnigan was a student on AIC in 2004 (Garth London was his instructor). Since doing AIC, Andrew has gone on to complete some amazing …
Read MoreChamonix Adventures July ‘07
Living and working as a volunteer at the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg, Switzerland allows a great deal of time to play in the …
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It's not all about NZ mountains…
The glory without the sweat, blood or tears Sick of lugging a huge pack crammed with heavy climbing gear? Finding freeze-dried food just a …
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Taranaki 21-23 September 07
Another chance to climb Egmont? “hell yes”! I thought, looking at the upcoming club trips on the sections web site it was the perfect …
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Taranaki Climbing Camp
Early Bird Registration ends December 1 Good alpine rock offers fantastic trad climbing within a brief walk of the camp. Go tramping in the …
Read MorePossible new route on Hopeless 26-28 October 2007
Wellington section members Colin Cook, Marc Heatley, Helen Mitchell, Peter Shanahan and Ron Stutter, together with (yet to become section …
Read MoreFor whom the bell tolled…
Merewyn Ellis and Joshua Groom went to check out the North Island ice climbing opportunities starting with the ultra classic Chiming Bells …
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Grands Cojones in the Bugaboos
From Dave Henwood (former Wgtn section member) “I was very fortunate that we picked a week of gloriously fine weather to visit the …
Read MoreScottie freezes his piglets…
Nuns Veil, Mount Cook National Park, climbed 24th-25th August 2007-08-28 After my arm being twisted… Tossing up on the option of the Stewart …
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Mt Taranaki
21 - 23 September 07 Another chance to climb Egmont? “hell yes”! I thought, looking at the upcoming club trips on the sections …
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Did I Mention the Wind?
A group of six from the Palmerston North section ventured to Whangaehu Hut on 1–2 September 2007 despite forecasts of severe wind …
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Grand Cojones in the Bugaboos
By Dave Henwood (former Wgtn section member) I was very fortunate that we picked a week of gloriously fine weather to visit the Bugaboos. …
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He's turning into an Aussie….!
Mike O’Brien writes: “Hi Rach. Have got a job in Halls Creek for a while, so thought I’d tell you about the climbing up in …
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Tahurangi Peak & First Finger Gully
A team of seven climbers — Neville Palmer, Gavin Marshall, Jason Brown, Ali Bryant, Frances Woodhead, Mark Yeo, and Trey Guinn — ventured to …
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Scotties Freezes His Piglets
A group of five climbers — two from Wellington, two from Canterbury, and Tessa Bunny from Otago — met at Unwin Hut for a late-winter alpine …
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Latest from Mike O’Brien: Moonarie
I first heard of Moonarie from chatter around the Arapiles camp ground. Tempting tales of great routes in the outback that are seldom …
Read MoreMORE FROM MIKE! Mt Buffalo
Mt Buffalo is the premier Granite climbing area in Australia. It covers a huge area, comprising a 300m deep gorge that cleaves into the side …
Read MoreThe adventures of Merewyn and Josh
For the moment we are back in Calgary, more bike maintenance, we are now using 2 part epoxy to hold things together and stop them leaking. …
Read MoreAlpine Instructors Course 2007 - a Students Perspective
Welcome to AIC 2007!! The weekend started without a hitch. The buses got away on time, there was no traffic to contend with – Kebabs at …
Read MoreSame old same old
Richard Thomson, with Richard Turner and Dave Vass, returned to Turner’s Eyrie in the Central Darrans in late March and April, this …
Read MoreSKI MOUNTAINEERING IN THE AXIS OF GOOD
From Easter to Anzac Weekend and beyond John Wild, Wilf Dickerson, Clinton Wadsw orth and John Nankervis were in Iran with touring skis and …
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A GHOST AT RUAPEHU HUT?
There’s changes afoot at Ruapehu Hut on Delta Corner and whispers of a resident ghost. I received this report on the Ruapehu Hut working bee …
Read MoreA NEW ROUTE TO THE CABLE CAR
Matthew Stevens advised me of the following first ascent by himself and other section members Maria Cassidy, Caroline Duggan, Jeremy Bray …
Read MoreCLIMBING IN PARADISE?
In September ‘06, Simone Chiaretta, an Italian rock climber temporarily working in Wellington, and his wife Daniela, spent a week in what is …
Read MoreEVER WONDER WHERE MEREWYN WENT?
Merewyn leading W14 (she “can’t believe she did it”) Merewyn Ellis and Josh Groom are spending the Northern Winter in the Canadian …
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TEN DAYS IN FIORDLAND
From Kevin Patterson: “We took an extended Easter break to visit a part of the country we had not climbed in before. Our official aim was to …
Read MoreTHE PINNACLES IN SUMMER
“In mid-March Steve Dowall and I took some time off work and headed up to Ruapehu. We climbed a rib of rock on the East (far) side of the …
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HIMALAYAN EXPEDITION: MANASLU 2007
Manaslu 2007. Joint Canadian/NZ expedition. We have one, possibly two, places left for a expedition to Manaslu (8,163m) from 30 August 2007 …
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And the last word goes to Nank…
At Queens Birthday weekend John Cocks, Paul Denys, Graeme Morrison and token northerner, John Nankervis, walked up 2 Mile Creek from Lake …
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Fine Weather 5 Cross Ball Pass
Given the garbage weather that we were experiencing in the New Year at Takaka and a bad forecast we called off the plans to head in to …
Read MoreTearing Up the Tasman
Yibai He, Tom Wilson and the writer (Mike Peat) headed south for a week of mountaineering in the 3rd week of November. We winged our way …
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Ball Pass - Five cross in fine weather!
January 2006 - Garth London, Craig Robinson, Cat Robinson, Mike Courtney, Rachael Schmidt, supported by Angie London Given the garbage …
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Finding Mount Doom — Ngauruhoe, September 2005
A New Zealand Alpine Club trip to complete the Tongariro crossing and climb Ngauruhoe in September 2005. Just as sleep was becoming a really …
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A Momentary Lapse
Paul McCullagh and Mike Peat headed to Ruapehu for a weekend of climbing and skiing. They arrived on Friday 19th August and skinned up to …
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Faerie Queene - Upon a great adventure he was bound
Tom Zink, Wanda Stratford, and Mike Peat joined me from Wellington. And we were joined by Tom Wilson who was on an extended South Island …
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Margaret River
Mike O’Brien writes: “Hi Rach. I’m dying. The weather is dreadful… sticky, hot and humid. I’ve been stuck inside for …
Read MoreWaipara, Bonar, Matukituki Traverse
James Wright, Kevin Patterson, Pete Shanahan and I recently caught a jet boat up the Arawata to the confluence with the Waipara, where we …
Read MoreHanging out in Fox!
“Dan has just advised us he is vegetarian and doesn’t eat meat, whereas I don’t like vegetables (or fish and especially not mushrooms)” …
Read MoreNews from the Palmie crowd
Some of the Palmy based members have been down south over the summer: In January, Pete McGregor, Lance Gray and Terry Crippen spent a few …
Read MoreSefton from the Douglas
Sefton from the Douglas. Geoffroy Lamarche, John Nankervis and Wellywood exiles, Martin Hunter and Rob McBrearty had a few moist days in the …
Read MoreTararua Lovers Community (?? Not my name for it – Ed.)
“I’m setting up a new web site aimed at celebrating the Tararua Ranges - the mountains and bush itself and the people who have spent …
Read MoreA France contribution….
Jay Piggott, Paul Prince, Mark Dolan and Stephen France climbed the North-west face of Mt Ionia during the Christmas / New Year break. We …
Read MoreAnd a French contribution….
Got in a Jollie quick ascent of Nuns Veil on one of the few fine days over the Christmas New Year period. Approached it from the Jollie …
Read MoreAnd the weather does its thing….
We (myself, Peter Rowe, Malcolm McGechie, and Duncan Rait) had hoped to do a bit of alpine rock climbing at Mt Cook over the Chrismas break. …
Read MoreBaring Head Rock Hop
29 January 2005 11am start - $10 entry fee - Recreation, expert, youth and masters categories - BBQ and prize giving at the Rimutaka Forest …
Read MorePlan I or 9th Time Lucky?
During the last week in November we made several attempts to climb Mt Aspiring. A number of hut days were experienced with the passing of 3 …
Read MoreSki Touring - Nelson Lakes
In September Dave Ellis, Mark Ellis and Ben Ellis (but not necessarily in that order) and John Nankervis skied along the Robert Ridge to …
Read MoreThe Importance of Not Being Ernest!
In December Colin Monteath (mentor), John Nankervis, and “Theo from Montana” tried to repeat Shackleton’s crossing of …
Read MoreNew Routes Down South — Mt Cook Region
In late January David Morgan and Matthew Woods (Woods as he’s known) headed off with big ambitions to the hills around Mt Cook. The …
Read MoreAlso in Arapiles!
Merewyn and Josh also spent some time in Arapiles but we’re still waiting for the write-up! From the Ed: This is the last VertiGO for 2004. …
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From Arapiles to the Arrowsmiths
Eric Duggan and Kim Hessell spent a week at Arapiles in Mid October. We met up with Glyn Jackson and Lara Wilcox (both NZAC members from …
Read MoreMassages in the Bay!
(Yes, you read that correctly!) Kia Ora Koutou, As suggested by Aunty Mere, I would just like to let you all know that there will be a …
Read MorePete de Joux from Antarctica
Other Section Member Happenings Various members of the section were seen in the Orongorongos a few weeks ago trying out the sport of …
Read MoreSki Touring at Aoraki Mt Cook
During late October Niklas Werner, Paul McCullagh and Mike Peat went ski-touring in the Mt cook area. The plan was hatched by Mike during …
Read MoreTen take on Tapi
After many days staring at Tapi across the strait we finally got through the hoards onto the ferry out of Wellington on the Friday of labour …
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A Year in Antarctica
November 2004 After one 7-hour returned flight, Pete finally reached Scott Base at minus 25 degrees. He began field training immediately, …
Read MorePete's Post from Antarctica — 2004–2005
Pete de Joux spent a year at Scott Base, Antarctica, from late 2004 to late 2005, sending regular dispatches to the Wellington Section. Here …
Read MoreBudding Journo’s!
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a journalist, be it photos or writing, Mark Watson at the National Office would love to hear from you! He …
Read MoreL’alpinisme au Presidente
After three weeks climbing in France and Switzerland in August, I can happily recommend climbing in Western Europe to fellow Alpine Club …
Read MoreLiterature-less days at Colin Todd
Nick Groves (C/W), James Broadbent (C/W), Scott Campbell (Wgtn) and Don French (Wgtn) spent a number of days on skis in the Aspiring Region. …
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Thumbs Up!
A party of seven climbers chose the Two Thumbs Range as an alternative destination when Mt Cook’s weather proved unfavorable during …
Read MoreTimTams at Tukino
On the weekend of 4th - 5th September Paul McCullagh & Niklas Werner (CNI Section) and Tom Wilson & Mike Peat (Wgtn Section) went in …
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TimTams at Tukino — September 2004
On the weekend of 4th–5th September Paul McCullagh & Niklas Werner (CNI Section) and Tom Wilson & Mike Peat (Wgtn Section) went in …
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Mitre via Tufa Spur
On the weekend of 31st July – 1st August, David Eaton, Sam Newton, Tom Wilson, Yibai He and Mike Peat headed into the remote south eastern …
Read MorePleasant (Objectiveless) Days at Ruapehu
Having recently moved back to the North Island after being in the South for a few years I was curious to see what climbing and tramping …
Read MoreEaster in the Garden of Eden
The annual Don French Easter trip to the mountainous south again was a great success. After an overnight stay at the Rakaia Hilton a party …
Read MoreEverything But The Mountain (QB week)
Thursday 2pm – Cowboy (on the phone): “OK, are they in a position to make me a job offer? I’ve got another on the table at the moment. I …
Read MoreRuapehu Hut: Ice climbing or a surrogate office?
On Queens Birthday weekend Yibai He, Tom Wilson and Mike Peat went up to Ruapehu Hut for a spot of ice climbing. Due to inclement weather on …
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Ringatoto via Mitre
On the weekend of 31st July - 1st August, David Eaton, Sam Newton, Tom Wilson, Yibai He and Mike Peat headed into the remote south eastern …
Read MoreAnd more Easter Bunnies
Early Easter, Delmar Schafer and Mike Peat had grand plans of a Southern Crossing of the Tararuas, but an injury saw our objective revised …
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Tararua Biscuits
Mid March, Delmar Schafer and Mike Peat did the Holdsworth-Jumbo circuit in the Tararuas. Having earned our stripes in these hills as …
Read MoreDuggan to the Darrans
During the last week of February Malcolm McGechie, Jeremy Haines and myself headed down to Homer Hut in Fiordland. We spent several days …
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More Crumbs from Nank
Adamants. Early February evergreen Section member and San Francisco resident Rob Rowlands, Cherie Bremer-Kamp, John Nankervis and a host of …
Read MoreLabour Weekend – Mt Dixon (or maybe not…)
As one would expect with a trip organised by Kevin, plans and logistics were impeccable; as usual with a climbing trip, things didn’t …
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Successful NZAC CLIMBING CAMP!
90 climbers took part in the 2004 NZAC climbing camp based in Elcho Hut in the scenic Hopkins Valley, 40km west of Twizel. The 8-day long …
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Mt Whitcombe - a Non-ascent
In the second week of January, Wellington Section members Terry Crippen, Andrew Lynch and Pete McGregor teamed up with overseas (Bristol, …
Read MoreLabour Weekend - Mt Adams
The original plan was to go hard out from Arthur’s Pass all weekend - a busy plan of Rolleston (Rome Ridge), Avalanche and Mt Cassidy. …
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POTATOES, SMALL MEN AND IGNIMBRITE
Michele Domaneschi may be a small man, but his penetration rockclimbing skills are legendary. Those participants in the Wellington Section’s …
Read MoreThe French invade Murchison
Don French, James Wright, Steve Hart and Toby Johnston ventured into the Murchison Valley at the end of October, with Mt Hamilton being …
Read MoreVolcanoes and Revolutions
Charles Allison (Auckland section) and Craig Anderson have just returned from scaling some volcanoes in Ecuador, including Mt Chimborazo, …
Read MoreFREE PIES AND VEHICLE GYMNASTICS
In early October we (Kevin Patterson, Jane Furkert, Mark Vickers, Paul Clarke and Sean Kelly) travelled to Arthur’s Pass for an attempt on …
Read MoreOVERSEAS NEWS! Yunnan-Tibet Gorge Country (Oct/Nov 2003)
Recently Ron Stutter, Julian McPike, Clinton Wadsworth, Geoff Spearpoint and John Nankervis crossed the Yangtze and Mekong (both by bridge) …
Read MoreRUAPEHU ALPINE STYLE
30-31 August. The alpine stylers comprised Nigel Roberts, Tom Zink, David Eaton and Mike Peat. Like all good weekend expeditions dining in …
Read MoreTO GIRDLESTONE OR NOT TO GIRDLESTONE
A second club trip to Girdlestone and this time I didn’t even make the mountain… Approximately 20 people made it to the lodge in Ohakune on …
Read MoreCordillera Blanca
In July Jon Terry, Bruce Roberts and I went to the Cordillera (sp?) Blanca in Peru. My overall impression that it is hard work doing 5 …
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Mt Adams on Labour Weekend
The excursion began with an altered itinerary. The team had originally planned to tackle multiple peaks from Arthur’s Pass, but …
Read MoreWeird scenes in the underworld
Maybe some of the people who have seen me swanning (stumbling) around on the AIC recently will find this amusing, but I am conducting the …
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Re. Peat, Pinnacle performance
On the weekend of 19-20 July four hardy souls went ice climbing on the pinnacles… Terrence Handscombe, Andrew McKinlay, Paul …
Read MoreWellingtons Waterfront
Ph 04 4998898 Fax 04 4998896 wn@fergskayaks.co.nz www.fergskayaks.co.nz Open 7 Days Largest Real Rock Indoor Rock Wall – Kayaking – Inline …
Read MoreAlpine course Instructor Weekend of fun
Attendees at this weekend at Tukino were Peter de Joux (coordinator), Alan Lowrie, Sean Comber, Dave Shanks, Caroline Duggan, Craig …
Read MoreAndrei and Nicki get Thai’ed up and Krabi on rock holiday
.We climbed at Railay (Krabi, Thailand) and Koh Phi Phi, one and a half hours away from Railay. We hired gear from “Phi Phi” climbers who …
Read MoreKnockin’ on Evans’ door
In mid May, John Barnes and Pete McGregor flew from Harihari into County Stream for a quick attempt on Mt Evans (2620m). Circling in the …
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And this just off the wires… Mt Tappy Trip report – Her Majesty’s Birthday
Weekend 2003 This was a “medium” 3-day trip with the intention of having a leisurely adventure climbing Mt Tappy over QB …
Read MoreMulheron on enforced diet, takes “lightening” trip
In settled May weather Johnny Mulheron (NZAC Wellington) and Erik Bradshaw (Queenstown) did a lightening [ie. they took far too little food. …
Read MoreNever mind Mt Pollux, here’s the story
Easter Monday saw seven pairs of headlamps starting off around 6am. The climbers left perhaps 3 cm later, or at about 6 am and 1/1000 of a …
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Wilkin Explorations - Easter/Anzac 2003
Don French’s Wilkin Valley Exploration trip sounded so exciting that a total of 15 enthusiastic climbers journeyed there over …
Read MoreTasman Saddle November 30 to December 7 2003
Friday Garth : “Don’t berate my Rod!” * Okay Garth we won’t. But anything else you say will be written down. Caro: “I …
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Tramper Goes Alpine
A mixed group of Wellington Alpine Club members and one self-described “tramper” embarked on a three-day expedition to Mt …
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Mt Cook - Tasman Saddle
A Wellington Alpine Club expedition to Tasman Saddle Hut in November 2001 encountered persistent poor weather and challenging glacier …
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There's Snow on Them Local Hills
Ruahine snow plodders Dave Henwood, Tony Gates, Alistair Millward, and Derek Sharp crossed the central Ruahine Range, from Rangi Hut to …
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