Heels '97 - The Annual Newsletter of the Victoria University of Wellington
Tramping Club
Editor: David Hodson
Editorial
It is looking as though HEELS 97 is finally about to appear. Baaa didn't
happen this year, which I guess is my fault - university work, work work,
tramping and climbing trips conspired against that. Oh well, the club still
managed to survive and many articles were written anyway.
A hint for anyone who may be planning to edit Heels in the future. If
you are planning to be in the South Island for the summer, from the day
exams finish, don't expect Heels to appear by itself.
The year had numerous highlights, most effectively described by Dan
in his president's report. Good times... Articles were written about most
of the trips that happened last year although there were a few notable
exceptions. If you want to know anything about the alpine instruction course,
advanced rockcraft or the club's week long trip to the Richmond Range you'll
have to ask people who went or infer it from the photos on pages 31, 52
and 79. Some hints:
AIC. Although (or maybe because) it was a low snow year we found some
big frozen waterfalls at Turoa. We also discovered the best pub in Ohakune
- the RSA. Cheap beer, cheap pool (how well did we fit in ? you may wonder
... It seemed to suit us quite nicely) and good company.
Advanced Rockcraft. People learned how to do cool things with ropes
then went climbing. Implicit faith was placed in bolts by (too) many -
we all know they will never fail, especially in Wharepapa South's bomber
rock. Climbs were done, fear was encountered and good times were had.
Richmond Range. By all accounts a fantastic trip. Groups came and went
all over the place and all managed to survive.
A huge thank you must go to the co-editor, Adrian Pike, who has done
a shit-load of work in helping to bring this tome together. Another thank
you to all those who contributed articles, photos or time; an empty magazine
would be pretty boring to read. I guess I should mention Eric. If it wasn't
for his badgering and threatening to bomb us from his new workplace in
the Middle East, Heels may have appeared even later.
I guess that's about all I have to say. Tramp, climb and experience
the great outdoors as much as you can; I'll see you in the hills.
See ya
Dave Hodson.
President's Report
Well that was 1997. Unfortunately I won't be with the club in '98 because
I'm now located in Germany (where the beer is awesome). I wish the club
all the best for '98.
Dan Batten
Chief Guide's Report
The year went really well with good numbers showing up on trips and many
a memorable moment had by all. Numbers followed the usual trend with lots
of keen trampers at the start of the year dropping off as time went by.
This has been the same every year I have been in the club and I think it
will continue despite the best wishes of future Chief Guides. Leadership
on trips has been particularly good with everyone making good safe decisions
when required and fostering a love of the great outdoors. There were no
serious safety problems to report which is always good from a Chief Guide
point of view and provided we keep up the standard of leadership and plan
sensible trips our enviable reputation as a competent and safe club will
continue. The tramping club is in good hands for the future and will, I
hope, continue to introduce many students and others to the magic of the
great outdoors.
Matt Ravlich
1997 Victoria University of Wellington
Tramping Club Awards
This year a number of awards were made, with the recipients having their
place in history firmly cemented by the engraving of their names into club
billies. Awards given were the following:
-
Tramper of the year: Adrian Pike
-
For most attendance on club trips.
-
Piker of the year: Dave Hodson
-
For stopping at YTYY on a club trip (also not crossing the Rakaia river
and backing off on the Footstool - see "The Rakaia river" and "We came
here to go climbing").
-
Most geographically embarrassed: Julian Boorman
-
For mistaking the lights of Levin for the lights of Upper Hutt while tramping
up from Otaki Forks.
-
Most Idiotic Act: Matt Ravlich
-
Reason has to be censored to save embarrassment for all concerned.
-
Best new member: Nyree Bace
-
Doing a tonne of trips and helping in the running of the club.
Heels '97 Trip Reports
Part One
Part Two
Part Three