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Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Author
ANUMC.. Opinions?

RockHobbit
11-Apr-2008
12:16:21 PM
Yup.... This is another post asking 'wots tha ANU cwub like? So sorry about that. But what better place to find out what it's like than here?

So the story goes, I have returned after many years absent from Canberra and would love to hear peoples opinions about the the ANU mountaineering club. Good and bad. Particularly how they opperate. Professional? Fun? A good all round bunch? Ect, ect.....

I checked out the Army Alpine Association and was fairly disapointed. Next week I look at the ANUMC anyhoo, but testimonials go a long way.

Cheers

Frodo

evanbb
11-Apr-2008
1:10:51 PM
On 11/04/2008 RockHobbit wrote:
>Yup.... This is another post asking 'wots tha ANU club like?

While I make no attempt to address the post I will give my opinion anyway.

I'm not convinced that a club is the best way to learn about outdoor activities. I went through Scouts and get to watch a lot of clubs in the Blueys and, to be honest, they worry me a bit, and I don't think they're the best way to learn. In a group situation individual requirements can be glazed over, with the goal getting everyone up or down (see it a lot in canyons too). Much better if you can find a motivated individual who would like a second for their current limit, and who is happy to second anything you want to lead. You'll pick up so much more rockcraft, so much faster, doing it that way. Depends a little on what you're after though I suppose, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't someone on this forum who wants a willing second to clean their projects.


RockHobbit
11-Apr-2008
2:47:34 PM
I'm not after a club to teach me the ways of the force. I'm more of wanting to just climb. I've been climbing for a while now (won't say how long, but hobbits live a long time) and I know what goes into topping a climb. I guess I'm just interested in the general dynamics of how well the club works. The mentioned AAA club has five cheif members for example, that seem to ignore any experience held by new members and assume the rank of idiot upon them. Three hours of my life I can never get back..... And sadly, I wont be back.

What I'm after from a club is a group of people with a common interest, who get together for the love of climbing. Not for a sense of a power over others. If friendships form out of it all the better. What I have heard (albeit one person's experience of the ANUMC) was possitive. I was just wanting a few more happy members/ex-members opinions before I spend money on membership. Especially when I could be using it for gear instead.

Does that make sense?
Winston Smith
11-Apr-2008
3:25:09 PM
Hey Frodo,

Move to Sydney and join the Rockies, we'll show you a good time for just $30 a year.

Estey
11-Apr-2008
6:43:22 PM
I joined the ANUMC when I moved to Canberra in 2003. Overall the quality of the experience will depend on who the active experienced members are at the time. I join up each year mainly to use the ANU wall. This is a good place to hook up with climbing partners. Most of the people I currently climb with were in the ANUMC at some stage. Its probably a good organisation to join if you are into other activities like canyoning and XC skiing. Interestingly there seems to be a few other hobbits in the club.

AAA is mainly focussed on training ADF and reservists. Its probably a good place to practice the stuff you never get round to practicing. They do periodically organise expenditions which might be good if your into big mountains etc.

The indoor gym at Mitchell seems to be focussed on competion and sports climbing. I think they do alright to keep the place running and rumours are they are opening a second gym. A few pretty good climbers have graduated from their bouldering cave over the years so it can't be that bad.

The other option is the CCA which has mainly been focussed on access and "cliffcare" issues since it started back up in 2003. I found the meetings a bit cliquey at first but once you get to know people they are a friendly bunch. The CCA is also focussed solely on climbing and has members who are active in all forms of climbing so you should find someone interested in the same stuff as yourself. At this stage there are not regular club trips apart from the odd intro day (next one is April 20). The website is currently getting a revamp so it should be a useful tool going forward.

Feel free to contact me if your looking for partner.

Estey


cruze
14-Apr-2008
2:06:02 PM
As with most clubs, you get out what you put in.

I was a member of the ANUMC for many years and was generally pleased with the level of skill on offer. I would say however, that there are some trip leaders that proffer to know what they are doing when they probably don't. I myself was guilty of leading trips without full first aid/remote rescue/etc.

In other words, if you don't expect to be covered in cotton wool by the club then you won't be disapointed. Good access to gear and enthusiastic students.

There are 6 messages in this topic.

 

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