
Otago
The Otago section has an active membership who are exploring the mountains of Otago and further afield. Our main membership is concentrated in Dunedin where the main local crags of Mihiwaka, Long Beach and Lovers Leap have produced excellent climbers over the years and serve as excellent training grounds for the climbing incubator that is Otago University.
The Section
OSONZAC is vigorous and independent Section, that has a strong and active base of climbers. Historically one of NZAC strongest Sections, it has benefited from being able to draw upon students at the University of Otago. Many, many great climbers have emerged from the Otago Section.
Meetings
Anyone interested in the Club or its services can visit the regular section meetings on the *first Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm, in the Otago University Staff Club, Union Street Central, North Dunedin.
Courses
The section organises beginner instruction courses (Snowcraft) and these will be advertised in the section newsletter.
Calendar
Hut Responsibilities:
The Otago Section are responsible for the Aspiring Huts Agreement and as such the following huts come under their jurisdiction: Aspiring, French Ridge, Colin Todd, Cascade and Esquilant Bivvy.
Rock Climbing
During the summer daylight saving period, on Tuesday evenings the section organises rock climbing on the local crags.
Trips
The section runs a range of trips throughout the year it has an online system for organizing and disseminating information about Club events/trips. Check out the OSONZAC website.
Gear Hire
DUNEDIN
We have eight sets of avalanche equipment and eight sets of snowshoes that are available for rent, Hunting and Fishing at 141 Crawford Street, in Dunedin manage the rental of this equipment for us. The rental costs are $5 per day for an avalanche set of transceiver, probe and shovel and $5 per day for snowshoes for all Alpine Club members. You MUST show your current membership card to receive that rate.
Not a member, or don’t have your card? Then the fee is $10 per day and you will be required to pay a $20 deposit. Members are welcome to collect gear on Friday and return Monday and two day’s rental will apply. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact Keith or any of the committee and we will sort things out BEFORE you go into the shop. If you have any issues with the gear or rentals, please don’t hassle the staff at Hunting and Fishing as they are doing us a huge favour by running the rental scheme for us.
QUEENSTOWN AND WANAKA
We have 5 sets of – avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe; helmet, walking axe and crampons. Three sets are in Queenstown and two are in Wanaka.
GEAR HIRE CONDITIONS
To hire gear and organise pick up/drop off, fill in the form at https://tiny.cc/gearhire . Either Chris (Wanaka) or Bryce (Queenstown) will respond with payment details and pick-up arrangements.
- Minimum hire is 2 days.
- When hiring the Avalanche set (transceiver, shovel, probe), please supply your own 1 x AA alkaline non-rechargeable battery.
- Gear is hired with the expectation that it will be returned clean and tidy, if gear is lost or damaged, replacement cost will be charged
- Gear can be reserved in advance by paying in full via bank transfer.
- All gear must be paid for on booking.
NON-MEMBER GEAR HIRE CONDITIONS
NZAC Members may hire on behalf of non-members joining the same trip knowing that the NZAC member is responsible for any loss or damage. The non-member pays non-member prices.
PLEASE NOTE
The NZAC – Central Otago Section is not responsible for providing any technical advice regarding the fitting or use of the gear hired; this is solely the renter's responsibility.
PRICING – All gear has a minimum charge of 2 days
Members price
- Avalanche Set - $10/day
- Helmet, walking axe, crampons – $5/day each item.
Non-Members renting via a member
- Avalanche Set - $20/day
- Helmet, walking axe, crampons – $10/day each item.
Pre-payment is required and current membership card required at pick up.
If you aren’t known by the gear custodian, you will need to pay at $100 cash bond on pick up
Newsletters
May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 January 2022 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 January2023 February 2023
Central Otago Newsletters
April 2021 June 2021 October 2021 February 2022
Contact the Section
Email the section here
Post C/O Keith Moffat, 172 Gladstone Rd, Dalmore, Dunedin 9010
Or email/call the chairperson (details below)
Committee
Keith Moffat - Chairman phone 027 664 4037 email here
Danilo Hegg - Treasurer email here
Eve O’Brien - Secretary email here
General Committee Members
Juliet Meldrum - email here
Riley Smith - email here
Hylton Briscoe - email here
John Coulston - email here
Ben Mitchell - email here
Sabrina Poulin (Queenstown rep) - email here
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Aspiring Hut is owned by NZAC and managed by Department of Conservation (DOC) under the NZAC-DOC Aspiring Huts Management Agreement. The hut is located on