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 

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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