Southland Section Annual Winter Climbing Meet
Due to popular demand, from both New Zealand and overseas, the Southland Section of NZAC is again hosting the Annual Winter Climbing Meet, based at Homer Hut in the Darran Mountains.
The Meet this year is slightly later in the winter than it has been the past couple of years, running from 15 to 24 July. Interest in The Meet tends to be high, so it's best to get in touch sooner rather than leave it until the last minute. Also, there is a practical limit to the number of people the hut and its environment can handle – lower than in Summer – so if demand exceeds this we will have to limit numbers.
The Meet aims to provide a venue where climbers can get together socially, climb with new partners, perhaps climb in an area they have never visited, and exchange views and ideas on technique and ethics. There are also a few new routes just begging for attention.
Homer Hut is a natural choice. Apart from being right beside the road, it is big and comfy. The Darrans has it all: roadside crags, huge unclimbed faces as big as anything else in New Zealand, peaks waiting a first winter ascent, what more could a climber ask! While daylight might be a bit limited in July, the weather is often better and conditions always "interesting". The snowpack is usually less deep.
The Meet is mainly for people who already have at least a basic grounding in Winter Climbing techniques. It's not a climbing school. If you want to learn here, get out and do it on the hill. We would like to see a real mix of climbers attend, from those climbing Grade 2, right through to poking out new lines at grade 7. People climbing at more modest grades, for whatever reason, need the encouragement and inspiration the harder climbers can give; the harder climbers should feel that there are others coming along snapping at their heels to keep them on their game.
If you're considering coming, you do need to be aware that the Darrans in winter can be a big nasty place, and you might have to wait out bad weather. The road can be blocked by avalanches. Bear in mind also that there is no nearby rescue team. But don't let that put you off, it's still the best winter climbing venue in the country.
We look forward to seeing the regulars, and new faces as well.
Contact for the Southland Section, NZAC
Alastair Walker
Email mealluaine [at] yrless [dot] co [dot] nz
