Hey guys,

Glenn Pennycook is offering a couple of free alpine courses again this year: 5-6 July (basic rope) and 12-13 July (advanced). See his website here for more details.

I'd highly recommend going on his basic climbing with ropes course, I did it last year and its what really got me into it! He has a great no-nonsense way of teaching you the skills in a practical and simple way - and then chucks you at a climb straightaway!

Unfortunately the basic one clashes with our Mid-Winter trip to Arthur's Pass, but if you're not going on that...

Note however that this is not for newbies to snow - for the basic course you should be confident tramping in snow (using ice axe and crampons on moderate slopes), and for the advanced one you should be climbing Grade 2 (Mt Cook grading system).

Hey,

 I second that they are AWSOME!!!!! :)

 I'll definitly be going on the Advanced Leading one - I'm already registered! :)

 Terra

Heyhey

Just pointing out as well as the Ruapehu weekends, Glenn is also organising a week long winter mission in Mt Cook in August and is involved in the NZAC meet in the Darrens later that month too if you're keen for mad freezing cold climbing adventures and are bopping round the South Island then...

Check out www.mountainz.co.nz for more details

Hey,

 I would be realy keen on the August trip to the Darrens! So if anyone wants to head down there after the 15th (holidays start the 16th) I would love to go!!!

 Terra :)

Hey,

well I guess I can't miss that - so to the south after Ollies 21st!!! :)

Keen as mustard... i read about that gathering down there the other day. We'll just not worry about ollies 21st Terra... Haha. Would probably be keen to drive down to.

Ben

Excelent Ben! :)  I won't even have to beg mom for BB (her car) then! :) I was going to be getting onto your case tomorow night if you didn't reply to this post. So now you have missed out on my choclate bribes :P

 Terra :)

It may be best if both of you get some decent boots first :plight tramping boots wont really cut it!!

I also may be able to source some snowshoes through people i know in the alpine club/from work....

You havn't heard the news? I now have leathers! :) And ice screws and crampons and even polyprop bottoms! And I should even have a jacket by then :)

 Terra :)

Al, who is organising it, said Homer Hut is filling up fast already, so if you want to go tell him soon!

his e-mail is: mealluaine @ actrix.co.nz