Rock Climbing...

Rock Climbing

What it is?

Rock climbing a blanket term for almost any activity involving getting to the top of a rock in a self propelled fasion.  There are many variations on this theme, but the two most prominent forms are free and aid.  Free climbing, which involves climbing up a rock using only the natural geological features as holds, can be further broken down into bouldering (no rope, short rocks), soloing (no rope, BIG rocks, real DON'T FALL type stuff) and rope climbing, which can FURTHER broken down to toperope climbing (a rope is tied to the climber from a point above them and they are belayed up with little risk of a big fall) and lead climbing (where the climber is belayed from below, protecting from falls while climbing by clipping the rope into fixed points of safety along the route.  Aid climbing uses gear placed into or onto the rock, apon which the climber ascends using short ropes, webbing ladders and an assortment of other ascending equiptment.

 

What MUAC offers.

MUAC has its own indoor climbing wall, as well as offering a variety of introductory and advanced level climbing trips over the course of the school year.  The club offers gear hire such as harnesses, climbing shoes, helmets and bouldering mats as well as a number of members who are experienced climbers and almost always eager to give advice, demonstrate various climbing techniques and help to organise non- club trips on weekends or vacation times.

 

Local Opportunities

Although Palmerston North is not well known for it's rock climbing, there are definitely a few worth while spots to enjoy the sport with out having to drive TOO far. There are a few decent rope climbing areas in the Manawatu Gorge, as well as some great bouldering around Ashhurst and Dannevirke.  For those willing/ able to travel a bit farther.... there is a huge amount of superb climbing to be had within a 3 hour drive in almost all directions from Palmy including Whanganui and Kawakawa Bays of the Taupo region, Blowhard Bush of the Hawkes Bay region, superb alpine style rock climbing on both Taranaki and Ruapehu as well as Turakarai and Baring Head, Titahi Bay and Pukerua Bay of the Wellington region.

 

Other Opportunities

New Zealand offers a wealth of great rock climbing, on both of the islands.  The South Island boast Castle Hill, one of the worlds greatest bouldering destinations, which is just outside Christchurch.  Paynes Ford is a great sport climbing destination on the Northern tip of the South Island and there is also fabulous alpine rock to be climbed in places such as the Darrans and the Remarkables.

The North Island, offen considered to be the lesser of the two islands as far as climbing goes, does have a number of great areas for those willing a bit farther from Palmy including the limestone cliffs and boulders of Mangaotaki, the seaside ryolite cliffs of Te Anunui and the massively pocketed faces of the Wharepapa South ignimbrite.

 

Useful Books

 

Rock Delux

South Island Rock

Wellington Rocks

New Ignimbrite Climbs

Central North Island Climbing Guide

 

Muac_rockclimbing Yahoo! Group

This is a great way to meet and keep in touch with other climbers in the club and the surrounding community.  It also is a great way to let others know or get ideas for/ about unofficial climbing trips you are trying to organise.

 

Gear Hire

The club hires out climbing shoes, harnesses, belay devices, helmets and bouldering mats.

 

Leaders Resources

The club has first aid kits availible along with the afore mentioned gear hire availible for club trips.  For trip leaders, the club also has ropes, rigging gear, carabiners and a few quick draws as well.  For people interested in leading a climbing trip, the club also has a folder for leaders which give ideas on locations, contact people, travel times etc..

 

New Zealand Rock Climbing Links

 

www.freeclimb.co.nz

www.climb.co.nz

www.cactusclimbing.co.nz/powerband/index.html

www.41174.org.nz

www.mojozone.co.nz

www.alpineclub.org.nz

www.rockclimbing.com