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declimber
Dec 13, 2006, 5:27 PM
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Registered: Nov 22, 2006
Posts: 6
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I am lucky enough to be going on a study abroad to New Zealand for January, and I was wondering if anyone had been there or lives there and had advice for where to climb and what to bring.
I am hesitant to bring a rope and draws because I am not sure of the extent to which we will be able to get to bolted crags, but I am going to bring a bouldering pad which I will just leave on the bus we are traveling in. The pad is my second checked luggage and I don't know if I want the weight of a rope and draws added onto my first checked bag.
We will be traveling around both the North and South islands, with about 5 free days total for the month. There will only be myself and another climber on the trip, the rest photographers as it is a photo study abroad.
ANy advice or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
(This post was edited by declimber on Dec 13, 2006, 5:33 PM)
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stashyboy
Dec 13, 2006, 7:01 PM
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Registered: May 11, 2004
Posts: 33
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start with this site's database and google NZ climbing...there is plenty of good climbing on both north and south islands...people are really friendly there and you should have no problem hooking up....make a few contacts before you go and you'll be all set. Make sure you visit some of the cool stuff like the thermals, caves, southern alps...the list is too numerous..have a blast-wish I was going back!
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philbox
Moderator
Dec 13, 2006, 8:10 PM
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Registered: Jun 26, 2002
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There are some absolutely gobsmacking boulder fields ripe for the plucking, definitely take the bouldering mat if you take nothing else. You should also try to hitch a ride up on a helicopter to the Fox Glacier and other locales up in the alps.
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chalker7
Dec 13, 2006, 9:18 PM
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Registered: Mar 17, 2003
Posts: 317
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Climbing magazine had a huge write up on bouldering in New Zealand a while back. Quantum Field I think they called it? Check it out for me since I won't be goin there anytime soon. Looked cool as hell in the article. Have fun.
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socialclimber
Dec 13, 2006, 11:18 PM
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Registered: Nov 18, 2001
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You may regret not bringing a rope and draws, There is plenty of accessable sport climbing in the North Island and two of the most popular climbing areas in the South Island (Paynes Ford and Wanaka)are predominatly sport too. A pad is great if you can bring it, but while we might have one of the better bouldering areas on the planet with Castle Hill, there isn't a huge amount of bouldering to be had in other parts of the country. It is possible to hire pads for short or long term once you are here, in the South Island at least. The rule of thumb regarding gear is: bring what you need, you wont want to buy it once you get here.
Cheers,
Gary.
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