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New Queenstown Climbing Club Membership App
New Queenstown Climbing Club Membership App

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Queenstown Climbing Club Calendar

We now have a public Google Calendar for all Queenstown Climbing Club events. You can view the calendar on this website and see upcoming events on the right hand side, and if you are technically inclined, you can integrate the calendar to your own Google Calendar, any 'RSS Feed' application, or any iCal compatible application (I think Macs are good with this?).

The different address for the different formats are below :

RSS Feed : https://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/3llblo9s43geuqed64qo3vg7fg%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic

iCAL : https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/3llblo9s43geuqed64qo3vg7fg%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

Obviously you won't be able to amend the calendar with these links so if you hear of any events in the area that may be of interest to member's let us know and we may add it on.

Over time we hope to integrate the website more with other things like Facebook so watch this space.

Jardines has re-opened

Great news, Jardines is now open so you can enjoy this great place.
The club has been working hard to keep a good relationship with the owners, please please please respect this place as it is private so definitely not a right but rather a privilege to climb there.  Please follow the guidelines below  :
  • Absolutely no dogs
  • Drive in the tracks....NOT on the grass - If track is muddy...maybe head somewhere else to boulder.
  • Don't party there.
  • Pick up any litter (even if you see someone else's on your trip - earn karma points!).
  • Park in the area next to the sign (underneath the boulders)
If everyone follows this we should be able to maintain the good relationship.  Remember that we can be kept up to date with what's happening in Jardine's but there are probably a lot of visitors passing through as well if they've found out about it, so don't be too proud to pick up that extra bit of trash you may see, or ask someone to keep the noise down.
Have fun!

Website Updates

We're in the process of moving over to the new website.  Currently we are waiting for the internet to catch up with us (or something like that) and hopefully normal service will be resumed soon! There's a few recent updates missing from here right now - I'll try to get onto that once I move house on this weekend that should be a holiday!

Happy climbing!  The temporary few days of winter this week are hopefully behind us!

Events for Your Diary - 2011 / 2012

The Queenstown Climbing Club events calendar for this year is ready for your diaries!  With more helpers than before it's probably even busier than normal, and provides something for every climbing ability - so don't be scared if you're a newbie! So to get your appetite going, get ready for :

(NOTE : Most dates are confirmed but there may be slight changes)

Hawks Wall (Miss it?  See the report below) Fancy Dress Bouldering at Jardines - Halloween October 29th (Guess the theme???) Kids Climbing Camp (parents welcome to tag along) : November 12th (13th if bad weather on 12th) Kingston Outing : November 19/20th (overnighter) Alpine Climbing in Remarkables : January 28/29th 2012 Cross Wye Creek Climbing Marathon : March 2012

There's another couple of events coming up too but they are still being discussed - watch this space for more soon!  We're also hoping to kick off something that can keep you occupied throughout the season, and open to the wider community soon......so start the drumroll on that one and we'll let you know once it's agreed and confirmed.

As well as the above there may be the odd Wye Creek working bee during the season to help out.

When the new website gets up and running we'll have a Google Calendar you can access with club events and local events of interest so watch this space over the next few weeks as there's been some delays with this.

If you are interested in attending any of these events, please send a note to queenstownclimbing AT gmail.com with the outing as the title....don't sit on it - let us know so we can focus on the events that people are interested in.

The summer nights are here already, so if you haven't done this yet, it's time to dust off those shoes, unravel the rope, untangle the harness, polish your nuts* and jump on some rocks!

(!...sorry I forget this is largely Sports  Climbing country but there's always time for a good pun)

Membership Renewal Reminder

We're now a month into the new membership year of the Queenstown Climbing Club so please remember to renew your membership. Remember that the club is here to help you and any money received by the club all gets ploughed back into local climbing - mostly for the benefit of local climbers, and to help promote Queenstown as an international climbing destination.  This year the club has a much larger committee to 'spread the load' of work, and to expand the club's acitivities.  There's a lot of work went on, and continuing since the formation of it a few years ago :

  • Maintaining access to existing crags
  • Developing new crags
  • Working on access and advocacy issues both locally and nationally
  • Club meets
  • Subsidised courses such as ice climbing in July
  • Bolting Fund to develop and maintain routes
  • Many more outings planned this coming year (see upcoming blog post this weekend)
  • Projects such as the superb Wye Creek toilet
  • Producing guidebooks to the area
  • Working on agreements with organisations such as Department of Conservation
  • The club is also now a registered charity meaning more money can be kept within the club, and provides us the opportunity to apply for funding and grants from local and national bodies

The club is run entirely by volunteers so and all money is ploughed back into local climbing and developing Queenstown's climbing reputation.

You can renew your membership by clicking on the Membership link on the menu and sending us the completed downloaded form.

Club Drinks at World Bar - This Friday 23rd

Its your Social Events Coordinator here inviting all Queenstown Climbing Club members and friends for a drink and a catch up at the World Bar this Friday the 23rd September from 5 pm on. All members will receive a fantastic 50% discount on drinks and a 20% discount on Fat badgers pizzas. So get yourself down there for a spring yarn, some pizza and a drink or two or six.....

Ask around for Dylan when you get there.....

Hawk Wall Outing - Saturday 1st October

The Climbing Club are having their first outing of the season on Saturday 1st October to Hawks Wall. This is a great chance to come out and meet new folk, or catch up with old friends.  Routes range from 13 to 26 so there's something for everyone.

Grab your climbing gear, food and water and meet opposite Video Ezy in Frankton at 11am.

NOTE : This Friday's talk has been cancelled due to it being too short notice for many.

Zimmerman Poster

Family Friendly Snowshoe Trip to Lake Alta

The Queenstown Climbing Club is organising a Family snowshoeing trip to Lake Alta! All are welcome - even non-club members!  Mums, Dads, babies, toddlers... Let's show our kids how beautiful the outdoor is and encouraging them to like being outside! We can all have a great time together! Home cake will be served at the Lake!

Date : 17th September Where :  Meeting at 11.15am, bottom carpark Remarkables.  We should be back by 4pm.

Gear to bring: snowshoes (not compulsory depending on snow conditions but fun!), hiking poles, hiking boots, warm clothes, sun glasses, food, water, baby backpack if your child won’t walk to the Lake. (Count about 2 hours walking time). If you don’t have the gear, we can probably find some for you. Unfortunately there are no snowshoes for little feet…

Please contact Celine to register your interest or for any questions via queenstownclimbing (@) gmail.com with the subject “Subject: Lake alta trip”   (Sorry for the funny email format - it's just to stop us getting a lot of spam email)

Please pass this on to anyone who you think may be interested.  This is the first family day of the new season.  It's happening soon so don't ponder about it - drop an email through just now.

CELINE Family Liaison
NB : There will a whole load more events and dates posted soon once I confirm the dates (Web Admin)

First Committee meeting of the new season

There was a well attended committee meeting on Friday night to discuss upcoming ideas and plans for the next year. There were a number of items discussed that are just being finalised and discussed a bit further, but look forward to a busy calendar and some dates to put in your diary for the following year.

Thanks to Guillaume for hosting a great meeting and everyone else for attending.

New Route on the Remarks by Dan & Craig

Only my first week in"job" so I'm delighted to have some news sent in, and a new route as well! Route “Searching for Sumo” 20/08/2011, Craig Jefferies and Daniel Joll.

M5+ maybe M6 ?? 6 Pitches

Located on a buttress just left of the west face and about 200m left of the North summit on Double Cone, tops out onto the ridge.

The line follows a very close to the arête of the buttress on the left hand side (of the arête) in several spots you could have escaped onto easier pitches or snow slopes to the left however at each of the crux pitches we choose the harder looking of the two corners that always seemed to be available.  6 pitches not sure if its M6 definitely pretty solid M5 two of the cruxes are quite bouldery so its hard to grade them.  The final pitch is a definite three star 55m corner with some nice ice runnels and steep hooking to get you established into the corner.  There are three similar grade crux pitches one pitch of M4 and a couple of easier ones P1 50degrees (head up a right leaning snow ramp P2 M4 (wide corner on left half way up snow ramp) P3 M5+(boulder over small roof to steep pic & finger crack easier option could be wide crack to the left) P4 M3 P5 M5 (take the left corner capped by nice roof traverse left and up at the roof) P6 M5+ (drop  15m down a snow gully to the base of this ausome corner, there is a shorter easier looking corner available on the right) .  The route protects very well and all the crux sections have good gear.

A couple of knife blade pitons are handy, single set of wires and we had a double set of cams.  However you probably only need doubles of zero to 2 with one number 3 & 4

 

The pic showing the top 35m of the last pitch,  the crux of this pitch is not shown in the pic and is probably the bottom 10-12m of the pitch with some committing moves required to get you established in the corner.

Also can report conditions on Fridays fool are thin but good soloed wed 17.  Upper section is in great shape.  Neil also says that minge cunt had some nice ice on it soloed Friday 19, no doubt the big snow dump will have changed that though.

Thanks again Dan, always great to have new routes being put up.  Apologies I had some issues getting the pictures up but I'll get them up as soon as possible as they're great.

Hi From Your New Website Admin

Hi All, Thanks for Sally for the welcome message.  I thought I'd give a brief background of myself as  I take on the Website Administrator role.

I've been in the area for around 5 months now and thought I'd get involved in the climbing to help the already stretched committee, and to meet some new folk.  We have some great ideas to enhance the website and add more information.  To do that we need your input so if there's anything you think should be added to the website, or regular features you'd like to see on here please let me know.  It may take a few weeks to notice any difference but hopefully this year, having someone dedicated to the role will allow us to get more information online for you and the numerous visitors to the area.

As for me, I've been in New Zealand for over a year and hope to make Queenstown home.  I left Scotland around 18 months ago, arriving here via Central Asia, the wildernesses of Kyrgyzstan and the wild west of Mongolia.  I'm loving having the opportunity to live in the wonderful playground of the Southern Lakes and look forward to getting out and exploring more.

Like a recent email about the AGM said, I can't solo a 23 or do any other miraculous climbing.....I'm very much there with the average Joe bumbling around the easier grades, and fitting my climbing into everything else that's offered on our doorsteps.

There's definitely a buzz around the extended committee and this website is only one facet of the club - there is always a lot more going on behind the scenes : fundraising, activities, advocacy, projects and lots more.  Over the following week's we'll get a survey up here to see what you want on the site, and we'll enhance some of the existing features.

As always, this website is for you.  Keep the stories, pictures and anything else newsworthy arriving in the inbox.  If you're keen to write anything or have any pictures or updates, please send them through.

The snow is still coming sporadically but some signs of Spring are in the air.  I'm a newbie in town so I still can't work out whether I want winter to continue, or Summer to start.

Here's to a great new season for the club.  If you don't have one already, grab the guidebook and start planning your 'bucketlist' of outings for 2011/12 and I'll look forward to being dragged up some harder climbs this season.

AGM!!! be there or be Square

You are invited to the.... Queenstown Climbing Club  2011 Annual General Meeting.

Where: Events Centre / Upstairs Room

When: Thursday 11th August 2011 - 6pm

Special invite from the President:

Ni Hao! Great to be back in the Wakatipu after my trip and looking forward to meeting a lot of new members. This year there are some strongl incentives to come to the meeting. We want to know your views about the direction of our club. During the meeting we will stop proceedings to allow some discussions and for people to circulate and organise nominations for the committee. The club is putting on drinks and nibbles at this point.

We have had a relatively small committee up until now, however the club is growing and becoming involved in many more things (hopefully you have noticed some of them). So the committee hopes to grow to 14 members. We want you there too!

After the formal part of the evening is over, we have booked out the climbing wall. From 7 to 9pm, the wall is free for members to use, so bring your gear along.

See you at the AGM,

Guillaume

If you attend the AGM on Thursday August 11th, you will be able to renew your membership for $25 or $10 (under 16) during the meeting, a saving of $10.

  1. To get the special membership rate of $25 for the year, you need to attend in person. Your friend/flatmate cannot pay on your behalf. Please bring some cash!
  2. Members who joined during the months of june and july this year will just have to pay $5 to renew for 2011/2012.
  3. Please bring anyone who would be interested in joining the club.
  4. The $25 rate will apply to all memberships sold on the night.

5 REASONS TO COME TO THE AGM!

  1. A social catchup and a chance to meet other members around some free nibbles and drinks.
  2. Find out what the club has been doing lately and what is coming up!
  3. Get involved - we have 14 positions on the committee - super keen to see new faces there!
  4. Renew your membership at the AGM and save $10
  5. Climbing Wall is booked and FREE for club members from 7pm to 9pm. Bring your gear.

PROPOSED COMMITTEE POSITIONS

  • President  &  Vice PresidentSecretary   &  Vice Secretary
  • Treasurer  &  Vice Treasurer
  • Website Administrator
  • Social Events Coordinator
  • Membership Officer
  • Trips Officer
  • Bolting Fund Coordinator
  • Project Manager
  • Youth Development
  • Family Liaison
  • Guidebook Editor
  • Assistant Editor
  • Equipment Officer/ Track maintainance
  • Advocacy

We would love for Every one to come along and Help build the club

See you there

Club Iceclimbing Instruction day

The folllowing is a report from Rupert gardiner- Along with Dave bolger, he was an Instructor on the day The club ice climbing day was a great success. Even though there was limited ice the two teams got to squeeze out some quality laps on a small hidden alcove of ice directly below the Grand Coulior. We left the car park at 7 am and did some avalanche beacon practice as the sun came up at Lake Alta. We were disappointed to see very little ice on Alta States but Dave knew of this small alcove that would be perfect.While Rupert rigged the ropes Dave took the group over general crampon and ice axe use. Once the ropes were up he then gave the team a demo and let them at it. By lunch time the ice was beaten out and there had been a lot of V threads made as Rupert taught those waiting in line for a lap the art of escaping off ice routes. After lunch Aaron our trusted helper and ice climbing fanatic moved the ropes and another two climbs were enjoyed for the remainder of the day

Rupert and Dave would like to thank Mike and Melanie for the hard work in organizing such a great opportunity for local climbers and Aaron for being a tireless helper and sharing his climbing skills and knowledge with the group.

AGM- what are your dreams for the club?

The AGM date will be announced shortly. It's time to start thinking...What do you want the club to be doing? Are you happy with what has been done so far? What would you like to be involved in? Come to the AGM, make the club yours by becoming involved.

This year- The guide continues to sell, there is a subsidised Ice trip, Several slide shows and social gatherings, A toilet installed at Wye creek, New signage at Jardines, rebolting of substandard anchors at Wye has begun.