So after seeing photos of my WTG Meetup buddies climbing Mt Ruapehu in 2018 I wished I was there doing it. I went on ebay over summer & purchased alpine gear (always looking for a bargain). I had no idea about any of the equipment, I just knew i had to try it! Up till now alpine, snow and those scary sharp steel ace axe & crampon gears seemed way too next level adventure, but it looked just so incredibly amazing, I had to!

So the 2019 winter season approached, NZAC was running the introductory level 1 snowcraft course to members, so I joined the club, got on the course and the rest is history!
The introductory & theory night in town prior was informative with Alex from NZAC going through what was to be expected and checking our equipment, I learnt how to put my scary sharp toothed crampons on!

We had great weather for the weekend, a large group of learners, amazing teachers and we were put into small groups night one at the Ruapehu lodge.
Lodge shared kitchen communal dinner and duties were assigned Friday night when we arrived.

All my apprehension of the alpine “sharps” were immediately alleviated on the Saturday morning when it was time to don them.

Its amazing how those crampons just stick you to the ice to walk, the ease how an ice axe can stop you if you slip with belay and then self arrest if you do start to slide down!

The day was spent gently climbing up the icy valley with practical tuition & learnings introducing us to the many techniques and use of equipment for alpinism including avalanche search & rescue using person location transceivers. snow probes & shovels.

My attempt at “make a snow cave shelter” was a fail, I had no idea what a snow cave actually was until now, learning, learning, learning!

It’s addictive, the best feeling being out on the tops in the snow, can’t wait to do level 2 snow craft with NZAC next season, I love it!

But wait there is more! NZAC put on a follow up newbie alpine trip for us all to Angelus hut in Nelson Lakes mountains shortly after for us to really experience alpinism and try out our newly learnt skills. More about that epic adventure can be found here…