Alpine Sports Club Inc. meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) at 8.00 pm at the St Marks Church, Parish Hall, 5 St Marks Road, Remuera (on the corner of St Marks and Remuera Rd).

See location map

September 2008 Meeting

Tuesday 2^nd September 2008

Eric Scanlan will show his slides of NZ orchids. Erick is an expert on NZ orchids and takes his photos in 3D format. Should be an informative evening botanically and photographically

October 2008 Meeting

Tuesday 7^th August 2008

Brian Duffy will talk about his trips to Kahurangai National Park last October. You can see some of the bleak looking conditions they had to endure on the photo-gallery page.

 Brian is well known for his trips where you need to take your "get hard pills" as Brian puts it (no this is not pornographic SPAM). He plans to talk about his bike trip down the West Coast that he says was one of the best trips he has done, perhaps because the weather was good for a change.

MOUNTAINCRAFT WEEKENDS

Weekend 1 02 - 03 August 2008

Kicking steps, self-arresting without ice axe. Holding the ice axe, self-arrest of a fall using the ice axe, moving around on slopes and cutting steps with an ice axe. Adjusting and using crampons. Practicing with crampons on various slopes and surfaces. Make a snow shelter( cave or mound). If there is insufficient snow, simple anchors and abseiling will be brought forward from weekend 2, snow shelters will be delayed to weekend 2

 Weekend 2 30 - 31 August 2008

Review of Weekend 1. Rope training: Knots, roping up for glacier travel. Anchors with snow stakes and deadman, belaying your partner from anchor while climbing and descending, some abseiling. Practice the above on the Pinnacles without crampons. Prussic loops are required.

Weekend 3 27 - 28 September 2008

Review of Weekend 1 and 2. Snow and weather analysis. Avalanche transceivers. Simple rescue techniques including assisted hoist. Trip to a summit.

The format of the weekends will cover the topics outlined above on Saturday and have a day trip on Sunday to demonstrate and practice the techniques.

It must be realised that snow and weather conditions can have a large impact on what will be achieved during the weekend.

Cost per weekend: Members $110, non-members$140, children of members $70

Information and registration: phone Peter Loveridge 377 3398

TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND

 Sunday 5 October, 2008

 Coordinator: Sue Grant ph 846 5821 or email sue.r.grant@xtra.co.nz

 Car-pooling to embark at Gulf Harbour is planned.

 Ferry Travel Arrangements: Please book your tickets through 306 Discovery Cruises. www.360discovery.co.nz Ph: 0800360discovery Ph: 307 8005 Or call into the office at Gulf Harbour or in the Ferry Building, Downtown.

 Costs (as at July, 2008) and Times: NOTE: Each person pays a $3.00 FUEL SURCHARGE in addition to the ticket prices given below. All prices are for return tickets.

 Downtown (near the Ferry Building) Pier 4. Departs 9.00am. Returns about 4.50pm. Cost: Adults $66.00 Student/Senior $59.00 Child $29.00

Gulf Harbour: Departs 9.50am. Returns 4.00pm. Cost: Adults: $39.00 Student/Senior $34.00 Child $19.50 Family tickets for two adults and two children are available.

Guided tours are available at a cost of $5.00 per adult and $2.50 per child. These need to be booked when purchasing the tickets.

The ferry leaves the Island at 3.30pm.

Cancellations: Phone 0800FANTAIL after 7am on the day of travel.

There are several options for walks on the island. Sue’s fine weather plan is to walk along the Kawerau Track, then down to Fishermans’ Bay for lunch, then along the Eastern Track to the lighthouse and shop (does not sell food). Return to the wharf along the Wattle Track. Some may prefer to do other routes.

Maps are sold at the ticket offices and on the boat.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR CLOTHES AND FOOTWEAR ARE FREE OF WEED SEEDS AND THAT THERE ARE NO RODENTS IN YOUR PACK. PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

Bring: Sturdy footwear. In your backpack: Raincoat, lunch, snacks and drink. Warm clothes, hats, gloves and sunhat . Personal First Aid kit. Spending money.