Alpine Instruction Course

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ALPINE INSTRUCTION COURSE. The Alpine Instruction Course Personnel hes undergone some changes since it was first published and now consists of Graham Jacobs, John Robinson, Keith Gerbutt, Dus Janning, Graeme Hall, Terry koore, Rod Lilne, Peter Melillen, Howard Fhillips, 3ill Rice, Harold Stretton, Trev walsh, Barry Wilcor, Karie Nershall and with Jalla Hobbs and Cliff Dargie attending as they can. The course has been desiened to cover both theory and practise. A series of lectures was drawn up to give the theory and two Titahi Bay trips for Rock Climbing, two Kime and one Ruap pehu trip for anow and ice technique were scheduled for practical instruction. Lectures have been given by Mr. Hines on "Gear and 3dapnent". by Mr. Litt on "Use of Naps and Compass", by Mr. : Roberts and lir. Howe on "Rock Climbing'! 17 Mr. Powell on "Use of Ice ixe, Crampons, Rope, Step Cutting and Belaying". Trips have been run to Titahi Bay and to Ruapehu. The Titahi Bay trip served as a very useful introduction to rock work end if we are not yet experts we at least sre still enthusiastic. It is with regret that we report an accident from falling rock, that temporarily disabled Keith and Rod and caused minor injuries to Peter. The party was roped, led by Phil Gardner, instructor. Phil reported that Peter, second man, no more than touched the rock which dislodzed, with his finger tips. The rock vas merely resting on the growth though to all appearances it vas embedded. This rock in falling dislodged another which hit Rod and Keith, the other two men on the rope. ione of the party were knocked from their stances and all climbed safely back to the beecho is there was little or no snow in the Tararuas, the committe rather then cancel the scheduled instruction at Kime ran the trip to Rumpehu. The snow was wet and rather soft on Saturday but plenty of practise was had in belaying, kicking steps, cutting steps, safing, and glissading. Saturday night members slept under the truck canopy while outside the snow fell thick and fast. On Sunday elthough it was a beautiful day, conditions were entirely unfit for alpine instruction, so the party spent a lazy morning sight-seeing round the Chateau. Incidentally do not ask Trevor to go to the Springs i he says they are miles away and he is no longer interested! The Course ends Labour weekend when we hope the theory and practise and thol will enable us to climb Girdlestone on Ruapehu as a. grand finale. So here's hopingo Marie Marshall Secretary for the Course.