Mid March, Delmar Schafer and Mike Peat did the Holdsworth-Jumbo circuit in the Tararuas. Having earned our stripes in these hills as members of the Onslow College Tramping Club during the mid 1980’s, we were relishing the chance to take up the challenge of wild weather, mud, rivers and leatherwood. We found there had been a few changes since our last visit in 1988. Most significantly, major track improvements have reduced the weekend trip of old to a 7 hour walk (at a good pace). We discovered that Kiwis have by and large given up tramping and the local hills have been invaded by Europeans and North Americans. Sadly, school kids don’t go tramping any more because it’s apparently too hazardous. We thanked our lucky stars that we went to school in those dangerous says before OSH laws and regulations. We discovered that nobody walks in on a Friday night any more, imagine the surprise of the good folk at Powell Hut when we burst in out of the wind and rain at 11 pm! We found no mud or streams to cross: these “hazards” had all been bridged. A wide and well graded gravel path had taken the place of all those tiresome ups and downs and pesky roots that we used to occasionally slip or trip on. The fierce leatherwood of our youth was pruned well back from the track to negate any chance of getting scratched or worse, whipped, by the person ahead of you. But most of all I regret to report that modern trampers don’t say hello, let alone stop for a trackside chat any more. I’m afraid stranger danger has officially gone too far. They have all been afflicted by “public transport syndrome” – have you tried talking to the person sitting next to you on the bus recently? Try it and check out the shocked reaction! Next time you’re heading into the hills, don’t forget your newspaper: that way if someone says hello you can quickly bury your face in the business section and pretend you haven’t heard them. At least the rotten weather lived up to our memories. (How did you like the cellphones beeping at Powell Hut? My favourite – Ed) Mike Peat Carriage of Stoves on Airplanes While travelling Air NZ over Easter, some club members had some issues when declaring their stoves for transport despite having followed the published instructions exactly. The main issue was inconsistency in the rules applied to the 3 different stoves. If other club members have had any good or bad experiences when travelling by air with stoves can you please email Caroline at cd@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz MOUNTAIN SAFETY & AVALANCHE SEMINAR The Mountain Education Centre of NZ (a division of Tai Poutini Polytechnic) is holding a Mountain Safety and Avalanche Seminar in the Central North Island on 29 May 2004. The theme is mountain safety and avalanche awareness with particular emphasis on the unique situation as experienced on the North Island volcanoes. This seminar builds on the success of their 2003 avalanche seminar in Queenstown. All ski patrollers, snow safety professionals, professional and club mountaineering instructors, SAR personnel, mountain and ski guides and other interested individuals or groups are encouraged to attend. The seminar will focus on current practices and developments in mountain safety, search and rescue, avalanche risk management and control and the latest in safety equipment. This is a great opportunity to meet other professionals and club personnel and expand the network of the mountain safety and avalanche community. The location is at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre near Mt Ruapehu. Cost is $95. The Wellington Section committee would be happy to consider any requests for funding from any of our alpine instructors who wish to attend this seminar. If you’re a recent, current or prospective instructor on our alpine course, please contact Pete de Joux for more info (ph 478 1017 (hm), 568 1478 (wk), 0274 421 779 (mob) or email pdj@nzalpine.wellington.net.nz This may also qualify for Distarghil Sar Fund funding so get your application in. A description of the seminar will be posted on the Section’s website, along with the enrolment form you’ll need to fill out. Pete will be taking his van up and some spare seats are available. Accommodation is available at OPC for $35 in a bunkroom or $85 for a twin share room. BANFF IS BACK! THE BANFF FESTIVAL OF MOUNTAIN FILMS! “Well of course the Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the greatest, if not THE greatest film festival on mountaineering matters in the world” -Sir Edmund Hillary Well, if Sir Ed says so……….. Following on last year’s success, the NZAC is bringing the Festival back to Wellington on Sunday 2nd May. Featuring films on climbing, skiing, mountain culture and other oddities, we guarantee you will be entertained. There will be showing a variety of short and long films, so be prepared for some adventure, humour, and adrenalin. This event sold out last year so get your tickets early. Only 500 seats! Don’t miss out! When: Sunday 2nd May 6:30 PM Where: Paramount Theatre, Courtney Place Tickets: $15 From: Mountain Designs, Mainly Tramping and Bivouac Outdoor Thanks also to our other sponsors Fergs Rock ‘n’ Kayak, Hangdog Climbing Centre, and Format Printing for helping us bring this event to Wellington. DISTAHGIL SAR FUND APPLICATIONS This fund was set up as a memorial to Chris Hoare, Andy Boas and Steve Thornley, Wellington Section members who died on Distaghil Sar in the Karakoram in August 1996. The fund is made up of donations from families and friends. Awards are made every year from the interest it earns. This year the total available for awards (including interest not spent last year) is in the region of $1000. The purpose of the fund is to assist members to become better qualified to instruct on our alpine courses. Any member of the section may apply for an award. The closing date for applications this year is 3 May. Decisions about grants are made by the fund administrators (the section’s chairperson, instruction committee convener and treasurer). Ap
