OUTC Team tackles Mt Tasman

Congratulations to ex OUTC vice president Max Olsen, who recently ascended the challenging North Shoulder of Mt Tasman along with long-time member Danilo Hegg.

Mt Tasman is New Zealand’s second highest mountain and is widely regarded to be the most challenging of our ‘prominent’ peaks (i.e., excluding smaller peaks attached to larger mountains). Max and Danilo shunned aircraft access (which is the norm on Mt Tasman) in favour of a gruelling walk up the Fox Glacier from near sea-level, along with two other OUTC members ‘in support.’

The team made the most of an excellent spell of weather, and report excellent snow conditions. However, they struck constant annoyance by sight-seeing helicopters; which they attempted to deter by stomping a 100m knob into the snow of the upper Fox Glacier.

Other noteworthy OUTC missions of late include an ascent of the South West Ridge of Aspiring by James and Nina, an ascent of Mt Tutoko by Jaz and Danilo and an epic Northwest-Southern Circuit combo on Stewart Island by President Penzy, Nick, Tom, Tim, Claire and others.

Well done guys, keep making the most of that scorching summer weather!

Max and Danilo on the North Shoulder of Mt Tasman, seen from Mt Ledenfeld

AGM This Tuesday

Our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday at 7pm in Burns 1.

Come along! We need numbers to make quorum and so we’re happy to bribe – beer, coke/lemonade etc/pizza is on the house. We’re also going to watch Man vs Wild NZ for hilarity.

Furthermore, join the committee!

Copland Hot Pools – 27-28 August

Hi team

Peter is leading a trip to the Copland Hot Pools on the 27th-28th of August.

Walk 6 hours through rainforest to sit in natural hot pools surrounded by enormous glaciated mountains sending down  avalanches.  Need we say more?

Trip costs about $95.  Email peter.g.wilson@gmail.com

Copland Hot Pools. Photo: Danilo Hegg

Ski Dunedin!

When snow comes to town, what does the Safety Officer, both Treasurers and the President do?

Ski the streets! Even ski the World’s Steepest street!

Our route: Warrender St-Regent Rd-Park St-Pine Hill Rd-North Road-BALDWIN ST-North Road-George St-Taieri Rd (3 Mile Hill)-Lynn St-Highgate-Stuart St-Octagon-City Rd-Rattray St-Serpentine Ave-High St-Melville St-Manor Pl-Princes St-George St-POLICE CAR-Dundas St-Castle St.

photos: http://jazmorris.smugmug.com/Other/Skiing-Dunedins-Streets-14/18532194_Kzjgsg

Penzy and Peter being towed up Highgate

Oncoming traffic never hurt anyone...

Nick, Penzy, Peter and Ben after shredding Stuart St all the way from Maori Hill to past the Octagon

Waiting at a red light on the Octagon

Bushball 2011 – two days longer than usual…

Bushball critical info:

Bushball, leaving Friday:

5.30pm at Clubs and Socs

Leaving Saturday:

5.30AM at Clubs and Socs

Both days:

Bring sleeping bag, sleeping mat, cup, bowl, cutlery, clothes, toiletries, jacket, torch/flashlight, money, lunch for Saturday/Sunday.

Remember, from 9pm tonight there will be nobody in cellphone range to answer your questions. If you are going on Saturday morning, you’ll have to get to Clubs and Socs.

Jaz

Bushball 2011 – Tickets still available

EMAIL jenforret@gmail.com WITH ALL ENQUIRIES

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE

Don’t miss the the last Bushball at Aspiring Hut!

Join the OUTC!

Join at any meeting, or join TONIGHT AT 7PM in the EVISION LOUNGE at CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

We have a SLIDESHOW and a WELCOME TO THE OUTC

THERE WILL BE CHOCOLATE

Otherwise join at  any meeting, 12.30-1.30 Monday and Friday, 5.30-6.00 Tuesday in the Otago Room at Clubs and Socs.

Cheers

Jaz

Semester Two, 2011 – and Bushball!

Coming to Otago to study for semester two?

For those new exchange students, and those who never left, welcome! The Otago University Tramping Club is the largest and most active student tramping club in New Zealand, with trips every weekend and a large selection of gear available for free hire.

We tramp (hike), rock climb, mountaineer, ski, mountain bike, boat, hunt and party!

I can't wait for winter - Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps from Mt Brewster

The things you need to know…

How can I join?

Come to Clubs Day Wednesday 13 July, 10am onwards. It will be in the Student Union building – look for the banner and the ice axes!

Otherwise join at any meeting,  Monday and Friday in the Otago Room of Clubs and Socs from 12.30-1.30, or Tuesday 5.30-6.00.

How much is membership and what do I get?

Membership is $30 for the whole year. This pays for free gear hire, a copy of our yearbook Antics and 15% off at our sponsor gear shop, R&R Sport (Lower Stuart St near the Octagon).

How often are there trips?

There are trips of some kind every week. They are organised by club members. These include Wednesday Walkies (easy evening strolls), weekend tramps (easy to hard), skiing, parties and rock climbing missions to Long Beach. They are organised at meetings and are run at cost – a typical weekend trip costs $50-80 (depending on driving distance).

How fit do you need to be to go tramping?

There are trips to suit all fitness levels. You’ll get an idea of how hard a trip is by talking to the trip organiser.

When are the first trips?

The first trip of the semester is Bushball (23rd-24th July) – our annual formal ball at Aspiring Hut in the West Matukituki Valley. Tickets are $110, and this pays for transport, food, alcohol (plenty), accommodation and fun! After Bushball, normal weekend trips resume. Peter is threatening to go to Mt Somers and the Copland Hot Pools early in the semester.

Semester two is ski-season, and we have a nearly private ski-field – Awakino Ski-Field near Kurow – the cheapest and best field in NZ (~$30 lift passes). www.skiawakino.com

Any other questions?

Email president@outc.org.nz, or come to Clubs Day or a meeting and find someone on the committee.

Cheers,

Jaz (President)

The view from near Aspiring Hut (the home of Bushball) of the Shark's Tooth

EARTH SEA SKY SALE! GOOD STUFF CHEAP!

The Earth Sea Sky annual sale is returning to Dunedin starting from tomorrow and running through until Sunday 15th May. Earth Sea Sky are a Christchurch based outdoor clothing manufacturer who make their products right here in little old New Zealand. Check out their website (www.earthseasky.co.nz) for an idea of their products which range from good not-like-Kathmandu fleece, merino, waterproof layers, softshells, thermal layers and good tramping and travel clothing.

Every year they bring down a huge supply of their clothing to sell direct to the public at hugely discounted prices. This year they will be based at 379 George St next to The Bog and they’ll be open between 9am and 6pm Monday through Saturday and between 10am and 5pm on Sundays.

Jane and David at Earth Sea Sky have long been loyal supporters of the OUTC through Antics and selling our wonderful book ‘45 Years of Antics’ at their sale (see Claire Sims if you want a copy, only $30).