Chair’s report:
Welcome to the first Vertigo for 2022. As I write this introduction, Cyclone Dovi is passing over the central North Island, snow is forecast down to 800m at Lewis Pass, and the West Coast is still dealing with the early February flooding. All this extreme weather is in sharp contrast to a perfect hot and clear January that saw many of our members out and about in the mountains and up in the crags, on the rock across New Zealand.
The Wellington Section Committee has a group chat on social media and from time to time we all post a picture of our recent activities. It’s always a treat to see where everyone has been and what they have been up to - some of these photos are in this edition of Vertigo. So, if you are reading this, and have some great shots of your recent (and not so recent) adventures, please do send them in!
The committee has been building a calendar for 2022 that sets out all the exciting trips, meets and courses for the year ahead. First-up will be the summer rock course and a trad climbing course at Whakapapa. Interest in these courses has been very high and we apologise to the members who have missed out. Our annual snowcraft courses will be advertised soon as will be a number of trips that will provide consolidation opportunities for both the rock course and snowcraft attendees.
The committee is also planning two significant meets this year. The first will be at Tukino at the end of April, and the second will be a full week at Temple Basin Lodge in early Spring. These events will be advertised shortly do keep an eye out and book your place - each event will provide a great base for climbing or high-level exploring on both rock and snow.
Finally, it is with sorrow that we include below an obituary for John Nankervis, patron of the Wellington Section. Written by Paul Maxim and supported by Dave Bamford and John Wiles, the short piece on Nank captures the essence of the man. He gave much to the Club and to the Wellington Section, and he will be sorely missed.
Cheers
Steve
|
|
|
Shaun Barnett, Kahikatea trees, Arohaki Lagoon, Whirinaki 2020
|
|
From the editor
It has been a wonderful summer so far with lots of great time to be had in the mountains and on the crags. 2022 is going to be a busy year for us with more trips, courses and meets.
We also have Banff to look forward to. Our Live Screenings will consist of a limited number of select in-person events and will take place during May and June 2022.
We’re also bringing back our Virtual Festival films to the comfort of your home for more epic adventures indoors, and this will take place in July 2022.
Tickets coming soon!
We would love your input into section nights. Have you been on a great trip or know someone who has? Is there something you would love to learn? Email us so we can arrange it.
Stay up to date with news and events via our social accounts, we're on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/nzacwellington) and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nzacwellington/. This is the first place we'll post about upcoming trips and meets, so like and subscribe to nab a spot on some of our upcoming adventures!
The Section Library is looking for a new home
We have a collection of 700 books and journals that we would love to make available to members and the public. Here are photos of the books https://photos.app.goo.gl/gp5K9jHCFhAQD1GWA
Do you or the business / organisation you work with have a reception / meeting area where the books could be on display? The books will take up a wall space approx. 4m long by 1m high. We can provide shelving.
The business gets the benefit of having a cool collection of interesting books on display, and our members get the benefit of being able to access the books.
We will manage the borrowing system to require no admin for the business.
If you can help or have any ideas, reply to this newsletter.
Andy
In this Vertigo
To view past Vertigo's and notices click this link
|
|
Farewell to Nank
As some of you may know, John Nankervis (known to many as 'Nank') passed away recently. Long-time TTC and Wellington section member Paul Maxim with the support of Dave Bamford and John Wild put together this warm, eloquent and heartfelt obituary to share with members:
I first met John in late 1983, on a one-day Southern Crossing (at that time a popular get fit trip that climbers and trampers would do before Christmas) and we struck up a firm friendship. I did not climb with John a lot during those early years, as he was busy doing bigger things with Dave Bamford, but we always enjoyed meeting socially at section meetings at Turnbull House, the TTC, on various Alpine Instruction Courses and at friends’ houses. When I re-joined the TTC and Wellington section twenty years ago, we started to regularly climb and ski together. He would invite me on his trips, and I would return the favour. Both in Aotearoa and abroad. His fall near Mt Awful on the morning of 27 March 2013 changed everything. Obviously for him, but also for myself, Dave Grainger and Sean Buchanan. The Nank I had known as a friend and trusted companion in the mountains (with few equals I should say) became a ‘new’ Nank, whose friendship I learnt to cherish even more. Instead of going climbing, we would go wheeling – to the Raglan Roast coffeehouse, along the waterfront, to the orchestra, book launches, movies, opera, even the odd rock concert, Often Dave Bamford, John and Carla Wild, Carol Kelly, my wife Judith and his many other New Zealand friends would join in. Or he and I would simply sit in his apartment and solve the world’s problems. We did not entirely agree on everything, which made for some earnest conversation. They were all great times and the memories will always remind me of what a remarkable man John Nankervis was. He was a mountaineer, a conservationist, a mentor, but more importantly, a true friend.
The following note was sent to members in the NZAC President Newsletter.
The memorial for John Nankervis has reluctantly been cancelled. In its place will be two things. First, a recording of the tributes, photos, music and karakia that were to have been part of the 23rd February celebration. A link to this will be provided when it is ready, hopefully by early March.
Second, when conditions allow, there will be a celebration dinner. To be enjoyed when there are not limits to travelling and gathering.
Many tributes have been sent and are being collated into an electronic booklet. Continue to share those tributes via email here no later than the end of February.
From John Wild, Paul Maxim, Jim Lynch and Dave Bamford
|
|
Members Out and About
Email your photos to vertigo@alpineclub.org.nz
|
|
Clockwise from top left
Tom, Camp under Mt Smyth, looking onto Malcolm Peak
Juergen, McPherson-Talbot Traverse
Sam, Pinnacles GT
Howard, Pinnacles GT
|
|
|
Clockwise from top left
Nina, Mt Temple
Owen, Base Camp Kaitoke
Andy, Sunrise at Maungahuka
Stephen, Temple Buttress
Rose, Seconding Year of the Monkey, K Bay photo Juan Zamara
|
|
|
Rock update
Summer time, despite the weekend's weather, is the time for rock to shine, and shine brightly it is!
Summer Rock, and the newly introduced Trad Rock (the first time we have had a trad offering in a few years), courses are full and underway, with a slate of newly minted and skilled climbers to flood the Wellington scene once the courses wrap up around April. This is an area we are stoked to see such a level of popularity and growth in, and hope to continue to develop our offerings in the future.
We have also reinvigorated the club climbing nights at Fergs with a change of days (now on Tuesday evenings) to better suit peoples weekend climbing excursions. Discounted rates, a chance to meet new and fellow climbers and 2-4-1 pizzas at Bin44, what is not to like! Meet at the seating area next to the top ropes at 6pm or at Bin44 at 7:30pm.
Lots of work is going on in the background to provide some club meets over the coming months, before it gets too chilly for our poor wee fingers. The paperwork is straightforward but the planning requires effort so if you are keen and willing to help, be it planning, leading or just with ideas, please reach out to us. Many hands make light work they say!
Thanks to everyone that is out there getting involved,
Sam and Howard
|
|
Section News
Gear hire
We hire gear out to members at a charge of $5 per item per week, except for PLBs which are free to hire but require a $50 deposit.
Our equipment is available only to NZ Alpine Club members and you will be asked for your membership number on checkout; please also bring your membership card along with you when you pick up the gear.
Pick-up: 8.30pm-9pm on Wednesday nights in Kaiwharawhara
Return: 8pm-8.30pm on Wednesday nights in Kaiwharawhara
For large groups, please all use a common tag in the event field and make one collection and drop off.
Please visit our online shop to hire gear: https://nzac-wellington-section.booqable.shop/
For any questions, our gear custodians Owen and Catherine can be reached on wellington-gear@alpineclub.org.nz
The Section has gear for hire: avalanche transceivers, ice axes, shovels, stakes, hammers, helmets, crampons, probes, PLBs, Garmin InReach, ice hammers (entry level).
Section nights
All scheduling is subject to COVID Level status, but at time of writing it is as below.
Thanks to the support of TTC we are trailling a new venue:
Tararua Tramping Club Hall
4 Moncrieff Street,
Mt Victoria.
If we can't meet in person we will hold the section night online at: https://zoom.us/j/9791484563
February 17th Thursday 6pm: Ski-t ouring Ball Pass: Fast Packing, travel lighter in the mountains with new gear
March 17th Thursday 6pm: Risk management and trip planning for alpine trips
If you would like to make a presentation at a future Section night, or have a suggestion about someone else to present, please let Juergen know at: juergen.oesterle@email.com
|
|
Photo essay: Exploring the head of Tasman Glacier, Peter Laurenson
|
|
|
|
Shaun Barnett on the summit of Mt Aylmer
|
|
Clockwise from top left
Shaun Barnett nearing the summit of Hochstetter Dome, Mt Aylmer behind
Inside Kelman Hut
Tasman Saddle Hut, with Hochstetter Dome (left) and Mt Aylmer (right)
Shaun Barnett with Mt Aylmer behind
|
|
|
Clockwise from top left
Aoraki, Tasman and the Minarets from the summit of Hochstetter Dome
Kelman Hut
Jane Morris leading towards the summit of Hochstetter Dome
|
|
|
Past Section Nights
Visit this page https://vertigo_alpineclub.mailchimpsites.com/sectionnights to see information or videos from the following section nights.
Avalanche Awareness 22 June our Wellington Section Avalanche Educator, Aviette Musin, gave her annual Avalanche Awareness talk to a packed crowd at the Southern Cross. Her talk covered the following topics:
- the avalanche problem
- weather, terrain, snowpack and how these relate to avalanche conditions
- travel: decision making about route selection and safe travel techniques
- understanding the NZ avalanche advisory
- trip planning an preparation
Video recording Paul Maxim and Geoffroy Lamarche presenting climbing in the European Alps, including Mont Blanc.
Video recording Derek Cheng 'The Darran mountain range in Fiordland National Park is the country's most awe-inspiring destination'
Video recording Les Molloy, The spectacular Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan
Video recording Peter Laurenson's book Khumbu presentation
Video recording Don French, The 100 Peaks Challenge
|
|
|
|
|