This is an introductory course focused on taking participants new to mountaineering into the mountains to gain skills, confidence and experience in the alpine environment.

The overall aim for this course is for participants to finish the season with good habits, the skills required to climb grade 1 alpine peaks within New Zealand, an understanding of how to manage risk and be self-sufficient within this range of challenge. This is a great induction into the New Zealand Alpine Club and is designed for members who are looking to be a part of the club long term and want to meet other climbers.

The Basic Snowcraft Course is now being offered as a season long course over 6 weekends and 4 evenings. This course is designed for club members who want to become proficient in the mountains and is designed as a great year 1 introduction in how to keep safe, learn skills and put them into practice on two trips.

Details

The course will contain the following:

Theory Day

• 1st June 8.30am to 5pm.

• Location. Morning: Massey Avenue Community Hall covering logistics, gear and navigation theory. Afternoon: One Tree Hill covering practical navigation.

• All participants are required to attend this day. We strongly encourage not purchasing any gear prior to this day.

Theory Evenings

• Tuesday 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th June.

• Location – Zoom. 7pm to 8pm.

• Covering – Weather, Human Factors, Avalanche and Survival.

• All participants are required to attend all evenings.

Skills Weekend 1 and 2

• 18th to 20th July and 1st to 3rd August.

• Location, Ruapehu, Rotorua Tramping and Ski Lodge.

• All participants are required to attend both of these weekends and carpooling is arranged between participants. Friday will need to be taken off work for this day to travel to the mountain.

• These weekends will give the practical skills needed to climb grade 1 climbs within New Zealand and cover this syllabus: https://shop.alpineclub.org.nz/parkside/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/NZAC-Basic-Snowcraft.pdf

Avalanche Awareness

• All participants will be required to select one of the options. Option 1 – 8th to 10th August. Option 2 – 15th to 17th August.

• All participants are required to attend one of these weekends and carpooling is arranged between participants. A half day on Friday will need to be taken off work for this day to travel to the mountain.

• Selection of these options will be made when a course spot is offered. First come first served for the options.

• The syllabus for this weekend can be found here: https://alpineclub.org.nz/sites/default/files/2021-01/NZAC-Avalanche-Awareness.pdf

Trip Weekends

• Location, Ruapehu, Delta Ridge Hut.

• 29th to 31st August and 12th to 14th September.

• All participants are required to attend both of these weekends and carpooling is arranged between participants. A half day on Friday will need to be taken off work for this day to travel to the mountain.

• These trips will be the chance to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the training weekends and applying it in a practical situation. The objectives for the weekend will be designed by the participants supported by instructors and experienced club members.

Costs

$900 which covers instruction and accommodation for all weekends. 

This does not cover:

• Transport to and from the mountain, but the aim will be to car pool as much as possible in groups,

• Food, which we will be looking to do in groups on each of the weekends, and,

• Gear hire which can be hired from the club at a cost $200 for all of the weekends plus a bond (Transceiver, shovel, probe, crampons and ice axe) which is discounted from the standard rate. As participants might have certain items themselves, the total cost will be calculated in July after the theory day.

• The cost for gear to complete the course ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the gear you already have and your background. If you have a Tramping background – This could range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on what you own. No tramping background – This might cost around $3,000. If you have a tramping background and have access to borrow gear then you might be able to spend around $1,000. This assumes that you rent the equipment the club owns at a cost of $200 for all of the weekends which if you purchased could cost $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the items you purchase. The club strongly recommends you do not purchase anything until you have been accepted onto the course and attend the theory day.

Course fees are required to be paid in full to confirm acceptance onto the course. The refund policy is as follows:

• Made by end of April – Full refund.

• Made by end of May – 50% refund.

• Made by end of June – 25% refund.

Minimum Requirements

Generally, at a minimum, participants who are registering should have:

• Some experience in backcountry tramping.

• The fitness required to enjoy multiple full days in the mountain environment.

• Be enthusiastic to learn new skills in New Zealand’s alpine environment.

Questions

Please let us know if there are any questions at all through email at instruction@aucklandclimber.org.nz

Please choose an Avalanche Awareness Weekend option