National Instruction Courses

National Winter Instruction  Programme for 2012

Planning for this winters NZAC National Instruction Programme is already underway with a healthy schedule of courses on offer for Club members. The courses are run by MZ Mountain Guides Assoctiation (NZMGA)  qualified guides or NZ Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA_  Instructors  at a ratio of 1:4 and are incredibly good value. The courses are  for those members who have been through the Clubs basic instruction programme or the equivalent, and want to 'up' their skills to become more self-sufficient in the mountains.

1) Refresher course for 'lapsed' mountaineers

You’ve been a climber in the past but for one reason or the other let your skills slip?  This course is your chance to ‘up-skill’ with others in a similar situation. We envisage a friendly, non-competitive get-together of enthusiastic climbers keen to pick up modern technique and relearn the skills they have lost.

For whom: Mountaineers with good fitness, who have been out of the game awhile, and want to refresh their skills. (This course is not suitable for beginners.)

When: August 24^th -27^th (four days, meeting the evening of August 23^rd)

Where: Tukino Lodge, Mt Ruapehu.

Instructors:  Qualified NZOIA Alpine Level 2 instructors.

Equipment: Participants will be required to bring their own.

Ratio: Instructor / student: 1:4

Maximum number: 8

Cost: $850 .00 (This covers instruction and accommodation

To download information, click here.

To download an application form, click here.

2) Progression to Leading on Technical Ice

This three day course is for those with a solid mountaineering background who want to learn to lead steep ice safely and efficiently. It is run at the Fox Glacier Icefall and participants will stay at the Club's Porter Lodge

• When: June 30-July 2nd (arriving at Fox Glacier on the evening of June 29)
• Instructors : Fox Glacier Guides
• Ratio: 1:4
• Max :12
• Cost: $750 (includes accomodation, instruction and some equipment.)
• For a registration form, click here.
• For information, click here.

3) Introduction to Back Country Skiing 

This six day course is for stong intermediate skiers wanting to head away from the ski fields and into the back country. They will gain the skills needed to move efficiently and safely in mountain terrain.

• When:September 1-7. 
• Base: Mt Olympus Ski Field.
• Instructors: NZMGA Winter Guides.
• Ratio : 1:4
• Max: 12
• Cost: $1350 (includes instruction, accomodation, food)
• Click here for an application form.
• For information, click here.

4) Mountain Skills for Youth

This three day course is for beginners or those with a minimum of experience, aged between 16 to 18 years on June 1st, 2012. It aims to teach basic snowcraft and movement in the mountains in a fun and safe mannert. Participants will be provided with transport (Christchurch to Arthurs Pass return); meals (bring their own snacks); accomodations. They will have to provide their own basic mountaineering equipement.

• When: June 30 - July 2.
• Base: NZAC Arthurs Pass Lodge.
• Instructors: NZ Instructor Association Mountain Instructors
• Ratio:1:4
• Cost $550.00 (includes instruction, food, accomodation, some equipment and a years membership to the NZAC)
• For an information document, click here.
• For an application form, click here.

     Mountain Skills for Youth Scholarship

THe NZAC is offering one free Mountain Skills for Youth Course free. Click here to apply for this scholarship. 

Summer Courses planned for 2012/13

Registration for the summer courses will open June 1st.

Mountain Skills for Women

This is for women with good basic mountaineering skills and excellent fitness who are keen to upskillI. It is a 'roving' course combining huts and bivying/ camping  and will be run at the head of the  Mueller Glacier/ Barron Saddle area. The course will fly in and walk out, so participants must be prepared to carry a heavy pack. To download further information, click here. 

High Alpine Skills Course

Hugely popular the last three summers, this course is for those with good basic skills and excellent fitness who are serious about improving their mountaineering. Its is a 'roving' course combining huts and bivying and will be run at the head of the  Mueller Glacier. The course will fly in and walk out, so participants must be prepared to carry a heavy pack. There will be three HASC's. To download further information, click here.

Advanced High Alpine Skills Course

This is for those climbers who have previously done a High Alpine Skills Course and been actively climbing and improving their skills since then. It is expected participants will be competently climbing alpine grade 2 and have great fitness. They will learn the skills to take them on up the alpine grades. The course will be based at Plateau Hut. There will be a selection process for this course.

Introduction to Multi-pitch Alpine Rockclimbing 

Experienced rock climbers with a knowledge of placing natural protection and who want to take on mountain routes- this is for you! The course will be run by NZMGA guides  The venue is yet to be decided but will likely be the Darrans' or Twin Streams. There will be a strict selection programme for this course.

Section Instruction Courses

Auckland, Central North Island, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago

Each of the Club Sections organise their own program of local instruction courses covering beginner and intermediate level rock climbing, snowcraft, and ice climbing. Other courses cover mountain first aid, avalanche awareness and rescue techniques. Please see the section homepages (links above) for further information on courses being run in your area.

Every year there is also a number of section instruction courses on rock, snow and ice climbing throughout New Zealand. These courses are advertised in advance through the sections and those interested should check out section newsletters for details:

• Courses are open to Club members from all Sections. Volunteer Club instructors donate their time to instruct.
• The courses are subsided by both the NZAC and Sport NZ. This subsidy helps to increase the level of climbing ability and skills in Sections, aspiring instructors and trip leaders.
• Where possible, the courses are held in locations across New Zealand to make them accessible to everyone.

Other Organisations' Advanced Instruction

For further instruction options check out the following webpages:

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC)

New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA)

Snowstake Strength Report

Download this interesting recent report on the strength of diffferent snowstakes and the different methods in which they can be used.

Don Bogie's Snowstake Strength Report July 2005 (PDF 429KB)