Its that time of the year again - time to sign up and get excited about the best 10 days of the year!
I have gone to this 2 years in a row now - and have had heaps of fun, learned lots, grew as a climber and met heaps of fantastic people. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or hard core, it is a great environment for winter climbers of all abilities. So I know it is on the far far tip of the other island, but it is definitely worth the trip!
Organiser:
Southland Section, Alastair Walker mealluaine@rivernet.co.nz
Date:
15 Jul 2011 (All day) - 24 Jul 2011 (All day)
Due to popular demand, from both New Zealand and overseas, the Southland
Section of the NZAC is again hosting the Annual Winter Climbing Meet,
based in the Homer Hut, in the Darran Mountains.
The Meet this year is slightly later in the Winter than it has been the past couple of years, running from the 15th
to the 24th of July. This is still some months away, but
interest in The Meet tends to be high, so it's best to get in touch
sooner rather than leave it until the last minute. Also, there is a
practical limit to the number of people the hut and it's environment can
handle, lower than in Summer, so if demand exceeds this we will have to
limit numbers.
The Meet aims to provide a venue where climbers can get together
socially, climb with new partners, perhaps climb in an area they have
never visited, and exchange views and ideas on technique and ethics.
There are also a few new routes just begging for attention.
Going to the Homer Hut is a natural choice, apart from being right
beside the road, big and comfy. The Darrans has it all, roadside crags,
huge unclimbed faces as big as anything else in New Zealand, peaks
waiting a First Winter Ascent, what more could a climber ask! While
daylight might be a bit limited in early July, the weather is often
better, and conditions always "interesting". The
snowpack is usually less deep.
The Meet is mainly for people who already have at least a basic
grounding in Winter Climbing techniques, it's not a climbing school. If
you want to learn here, get out and do it on the hill. We would like to
see a real mix of climbers attend, from those climbing Grade 2, right
through to poking out new lines at grade 7. People climbing at more
modest grades, for whatever
reason, need the encouragement and inspiration the harder climbers can
give, the harder climbers should feel that there are others coming along
snapping at their heels to keep them onto their game.
If you're considering coming, you do need to be aware that the Darrans
in Winter can be a big nasty place, and you might have to wait out bad
weather. The road can be blocked by avalanches. Bear in mind also, that
there is no nearby rescue team. But don't let that put you off, it's
still the best Winter climbing venue in the country.
We look forward to seeing the regulars, and new faces as well.
Contact for the Southland Section, NZAC
Alastair Walker
E-Mail mealluaine@rivernet.co.nz