Of Wild and Wonder

Peter leading a pitch on Ship of Fools (Maddy Whittaker) Party: Peter Adler, Mark Herzog, James Adler, Maddy Whittaker, Olivia Truax and Conor Vaessen We had only been home from our 9 days in the Darrans over New Years for half a week before we decided it was about time we went back. Incredible weather was forecast for the next weekend so it was decided - Mitre Peak and Copper Point it would be. We were on the water early. It was a calm and glorious day. This serenity was shattered by the aggressive Sinbad gully sandflies. Onwards, upwards - full of sandfly induced fury we charged into the bush. Peter on Mitre Peak, just above the camp spot. Sinbad Gully is visible on the right (James Adler) It was a hot day to be going up a 1700m peak with no water sources. As we emerged from the bush into the full sun, it became a slog. We dropped packs at our intended camp spot and carried on upwards. The tussock trudge became type one scrambling, with the warm granite falli...

3/1/2020 - 4/1/2020 Party: Conor Vaessen, Olivia Truax, Tom Hadley Homer hut lies in the Hollyford valley in Fiordland, surrounded by the steepest granite faces which rear out of dense forest and tower skyward. During the 2020 New Years spent at Homer hut, Conor Vaessen, Olivia Truax and I (Tom Hadley) got stuck into the granite by heading up Moirs mate for some alpine rock climbing. The objective for the first day was a 7 pitch, grade 20 climb called Lucky Strike. The day began with a steep scramble through boulders to gain the Homer Ridge. Up on the ridge we began the airy and exposed approach. For the first section, the way forward was to cheval; placing the ridge between your legs, riding the granite knife edge like a horse and shuffling forward, constantly aware of the 500m of freefall that would eventuate with a fall either side. The stoke levels mounted as we began to climb. Conor was leading the first grade 20 pitch, flowing through the tenuous moves with confidence. Oli...

Maddy on the summit of Talbot (Conor Vaessen)  Madeline : Party: Maddy Whittaker, Tom Hadley, Andy Longman, Lottie Armstrong, Anna Murdoch, Conor Vaessen, Alex Nicolle This story starts with forgetting Tom. We arrived at the Tutuko Valley and realised he was not in either car (we both had left thinking he was in the other car rip). So we were off to a great start. After picking up Tom (who was found walking along the road), we headed off. It was a beautiful day and we made quick progress despite the gang factor (the way things instantly slow when you have a large group). We got slightly off route on the way up to Turners Biv and enjoyed some slimy slabs before finding the fixed ropes through the scrub and getting on our way again. Slimy slabs on the way to Turners Biv (Maddy Whittaker)  Alex going up one of the fixed rope sections (Lottie Armstrong)  Gaining height, Tutuko coming into view (Maddy Whittaker) Turners Biv is a rad place. We arrived at around...