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:

Heels '97 Trip Reports

Part One

Part Two

Part Three


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