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NZAT Member Caleb Jennings Passes Away

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Caleb Jennings in the mountains

It is with great sadness we report the passing of a member of our team, Caleb Jennings. Caleb was a great climbing partner & friend to the team, he was incredibly strong, fit and reliable on trips but also a gentle man who always exercised sound judgement in the mountains.
Born and raised in Canterbury, Caleb was introduced into the mountains at a young age where he spent most of his youth hunting and tramping in the Southern Alps.

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New Route – Southwest Face of Mt Percy Smith

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The Southwest Face of Mt Percy Smith

Creator:

Simon Middlemass

‘The Promise’ Grade VI, 6+ (WI4, M5+, A0), 700m.

On the Southwest Face of Mt Percy Smith (2465m), solo first ascent, Ben Dare, October 7, 2018.

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NZAT announces appointment of new Advisory Mentors

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New Advisory Mentors Tim Macartney-Snape, Lionel Clay and Allan Uren

Creator:

Ben Dare

The New Zealand Alpine Team are proud to announce that Tim Macartney-Snape, Lionel Clay and Allan Uren will be joining the NZAT in an Advisory Mentor role.

Tim, Lionel and Allan are three of Australasia’s most accomplished alpine climbers. They each have a wealth of experience spanning a number of decades, and the knowledge and expertise that they will bring to the NZAT is invaluable.

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Traverse of Les Drus to Aiguille Verte

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Alastair, Daniel & Chris on the summit of Aiguille Verte (4120m)

Creator:

Chris Warner

The Integral ridge spanning the Flames De Pierre to Aiguille Verte should be one of the iconic Chamonix alpine climbs. Over the course of 5 days, Daniel Joll, Chris Warner and Alastair McDowell traversed the granite skyline ridge connecting Les Flammes de Pierre, Les Drus, Aiguille Sans Nom and Aiguille Verte, descending via the Moine Ridge to Couvercle Refuge.

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A Second New Route - Sheila Face Aoraki/Mount Cook

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Sam climbing to the summit ridge

Creator:

Rose Pearson

The Ministry of Silly Walks - MC5+, WI4, M4, 800m

Rose Pearson and Sam Waetford have followed in Caleb and Kim's foot steps to climb another new route on the Sheila face of Mount Cook. Rose and Sam had been watching the weather hoping the high would continue through the weekend as Sam wasn't flying in from Australia till midday on Friday. They had three days before the weather broke, and decided to aim for the Sheila after hearing it was in good condition from Kim and Caleb on the way down to MCNP.

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New Route - Sheila Face Aoraki Mount Cook

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Sheila Face Mount Cook

Creator:

Daniel Joll

We are excited to announce that NZAT members Caleb Jennings and Kim Ladiges have climbed what is arguably the last plum unclimbed line on Aoraki Mount Cook.

Caleb and Kim left Empress hut around midnight on the 5th of September arriving back to Empress 24 hours later having completed the first ascent of the direct line. They named the route "Pilgrim", which goes at a grade of MC6, WI5, M6, 750M. The crux pitch involved a difficult detached ice pillar, with steep moves pulling over a small roof bulge.

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Mt Hutton South Face - First Ascent

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Alastair, Caleb and Rose on Mt Hutton under a full moon

Creator:

A. McDowell

The South Face of Mt Hutton (2820m) at the head of the Cass Valley in Tekapo received its first ascent on Sunday 26th August 2018 by three members of the New Zealand Alpine Team, Caleb Jennings, Rose Pearson and Alastair McDowell. Both the ascent and descent was illuminated by a full moon, casting a huge shadow across the face as they approached, and making headlamps unnecessary on the descent as the Southern Alps glowing around them, so they named the route 'Moonshadow' (MC 5+, 500m).

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Macpac New Zealand Alpinist of the Year 2018

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Creator:

Daniel Joll

The Macpac New Zealand Alpinist of the Year awards are judged over the 12-month period that follows the previous year’s Remarkables Ice and Mixed Festival. The awards recognise the best alpine climbs during a one year period, taking into account style, difficulty and creativity of the ascent. The award is open to all New Zealand citizens and Expedition Climbers Club members for climbs completed in New Zealand or overseas. This year's awards ceremony will take place in August at the Ice and Mixed Festival in Queenstown, NZ.

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New Route – South Face of Mt Suter

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Creator:

Ben Dare

‘Elysium’ Grade VI, 6 (AI5), 750m.

On the South Face of Mt Suter (2094m) in the Darran Mountains, solo first ascent, Ben Dare, July 12, 2018.

Sometimes the best adventures are those that we don’t plan for. The ones where we set out on a whim. Without specific goals or objectives, and without the burden of expectation. These are the adventures where spontaneity is king and where we open ourselves up to possibilities not previously considered.

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About the NZAT

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Steve, Rose and Al on the south peak of Taulliraju

Creator:

Al McDowell

What is the New Zealand Alpine Team?

The New Zealand Alpine Team is an initiative of the Expedition Climbers Club Inc. that represents a new concept for climbing in this country. It is born of a desire to support and encourage aspiring young Kiwi alpinists looking to improve their mountain skills. Some of New Zealand's best alpine climbers have volunteered their time to mentor a future generation of alpinists. In doing so, we are hoping to help a group of young climbers to learn valuable skills and knowledge that might have otherwise taken them many more years to acquire.

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