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NZSSI mountaineering courses

LouiseJ

17-Mar-2008
10:08:34 PM

Hi there,
I was thinking of heading over to NZ this year to do some mountaineering training and NZ snow safety institute runs courses out of Temple Basin ski area in winter. I gather they are on significantly lower peaks, most likely with no glaciers but at less than half the cost of a summer course in Mt Cook or Aspiring Nat parks its something I'm definately considering.
Does anyone have any feedback, good or bad on the courses? Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Louise

JamesMc

17-Mar-2008
10:44:49 PM

I did a course at Temple Basin a couple of years ago.

Positives
Learning to self arrest without an ice axe (didn't know you could do that)
Easy access (a couple of hours bus ride from Chch and a hour's walk).
Great accomodation with great company (if you get along with HARD CORE skiers).
Great food - the cook was an absolute nazi in the kitchen but it was worth it.
Good use of video, both for instruction and entertainment.
Instructor was great.
Great scenery
I took my skis - after a day's climbing I'd grab a nutcracker and ski. The rope tow nearest the lodge kept running 'till dark.

Negatives
No glaciers.
The instructor was an 'instructor' not a 'guide' and apparently there's a rule that only 'guides' can instruct in glaciated country. We got a fair bit of instruction and practice in hoisting - ie if your partner fell over an edge / into a slot, this is how it feels and what to do. I'll let others comment on whether this is a sufficient substitute for time on a glacier.

I think Temple Basin / NZSSI cater mostly for New Zealanders rather than wealthy Australians & Americans, hence the lower prices.

JamesMc

deadbudgy

18-Mar-2008
12:15:23 PM

I did the technical mountaineering course at Mt Cook with the Alpine Guides. The guide, Bill, was an absolute ledgend. We stayed at Kelman hut up in the mountains for a week which meant you can't go anywhere without walking on the glacier (Tasman?). You get pretty good at glacier travell when you do it every day for a week. There is iceclimbing on the glacier and many snow and rock (?) routes nearby to practise skills that we went through at night. Also, you get to ride in a plane with skiis and a helicopter.
There is no cook though and you each take it in turns to prepare a meal. Major downside was the ammonia levels in the toilet at kelman hut. It stung your eyes and was bad news for wheezy asthmatics like myself. It was almost worth taking the walk to Tasman hut just to take a crap (toilet there is best in the park apparently).
I would definitely recomend the course. Even though we have no mountains in OZ it will up your confidence levels and ability and you will definitely learn some new tricks to make your rock climbing better.

qman

18-Mar-2008
12:40:58 PM

I have done one of the backcountry avalanche awareness courses with the MSC and it was pretty good although the instructor pupil ratio was a bit big.

But for a $100 a day you cant expect to much more,

skink

18-Mar-2008
9:07:29 PM

Join the NZAC and go on their courses - save bucks and you get instructors teaching you, not guides telling you :o)

LouiseJ

21-Apr-2008
10:56:56 PM

Hey guys thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately finances aren't going to let me take up any of these fine options this year but at least I got an early start on research for next year!

There are 6 messages in this topic.