The first eMag of the Queenstown Climbing Scene will soon be out and all we need is your contribution – made localy (and beyond) for locals (and everyone else)!
You have been out and about, here or away from here, climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing or just contemplating the outdoors and you are keen to contribute to this first issue?
Please email us articles, pictures to: queenstownclimbing@gmail.com
Dead line: 30th June 2012

A million thanks to those club members who volunteered their time from Friday 11th May evening  to Sunday 13th May evening.
Thierry, Ruben, Oceane, Lichi, Chris, Guillaume, Cristina and Thomas removed every single hold, clean them and put them back to create new routes.  
This was a massive job due to the height and tricky location and without those guys new routes featuring clean holds wouldn’t have been put up so thank you again.

Now there are thirteen brand new routes going from grade 13 to grade 25!
The purpose of this action was to give back what the event centre provide to club members with their excellent admmission fees.

The  snowy season is now on track…so time to gear up and get together to be up-to-date with: where to go, test the snow, and have the right gear!

Everyone: welcome to our second gathering of the Cold Season!
Where: World Bar- 27 Shotover St – Queenstown
When: Tuesday 5th June –  6:30pm
What:
Part 1: Where to go…the secret spots to go backcountry skiing around Qtown and NZ unveiled by Chris Prudden
Part 2: Making informed decisions in regards to avalanches by expert Mark Austin.
Part 3: Using the right gear for the right purpose by local shops R & R and Small Planet crews.
We will be using the ultra massive screen at the back of the World Bar which is outside and although there are fires keeping you warm please do bring a down jacket for extra comfort!

Drinks are at a very special price for club members thanks to The World Bar!

Back country skier next to huge avalanche debris. Pic Rupert Gardiner

On Tuesday 1st May about 40 to 50 keen bees gathered at the World Bar to check a slide show from Estelle and Guillaume. The pictures were displayed on a huge wall outside and the two travelers entertained the crew while showing some of their slides from China, Vietnam, Greece and France. A real success that was!

Remember next gathering: Tuesday 5th June 2012: Backcountry skiing and Avalanche Awareness Seminar – World Bar -7pm
With guest speakers, and outdoor shops from Qtown!

Following Mike Dunn’s initiative and Celine Austin’s coordination, QCC became part of the Project Gold Kowhai last month.
Saturday the 28th of April (brought forward due to a bad weather forecast for the Sunday) was the first Official planting day: 36 natives including 10 young kowhai have now been planted below the main wall of Wye Creek.
Under DOC supervision, Owen Hale, 11 QCC members and volunteers gathered for 5 hours of hard work, digging out rocky soil and making sure the young plants were well planted.
The weather was beautiful and the site already looks different. We left 2 watering cans up there, so don’t hesitate to spend a few minutes looking after them next time you go climbing.
Thanks to Keith Brown, Estelle Poiron, Tomas Bejeck, Thierry Thouvard, Sally Ford, Guillaume Charton, Celine Austin, Mike Dunn, John, Zara Kingsbury and Owen Hale.
The next planting day will be at spring, keep an eye on Facebook and our website for info.

The Queenstown Climbing Club is officially taking part of Project Gold (Kowhai) investigated by DOC – (attached the latest newsletter from DOC).

We have 30 native shrubs ready to be planted at Wye Creek, below the Main Wall (just past the dam). Owen Hale representing DOC will be there on the day to guide us through the planting process.
We just need KEEN, ENERGIC and FIT members! Due to the steepness and exposure of the area we will need to follow some safety procedures.

Please bring STEADY SHOES, HELMET, GLOVES, (bring also a harness; we will provide safety slings if necessary). Bring ANY SUITABLE GARDENING TOOLS (such shovel..)
Let me know if you’re coming before 26th of April Please by answering to this email via one of those: celine.austincheval@gmail.com or 442-9290 or 0211636961

Not enough spare time to stay the whole day? Prefer climbing instead of digging (fair enough)? We still need your help to carry up gear and plants. This will save a few return trips and will be make a good warm-up before you climb.

You are a member and want to let know or know what others are up to?
Easy: become a Queenstown Climbing Club facebook group friend!

Saturday 17th March 2012: a fun Climbing Marathon in Wye Creek

There were about 40 people who gathered in Wye Creek last saturday to socialise and climb on the different crags on offer in this area. Comp started at 10am with Estelle giving away forms to teams then people climbed as many existing routes and discovered new ones too.

Sam and Estelle gave away prizes around 5:30pm and a yummy bbq got everyone chatting by the Wye Creek mouth on the shore of Lake Wakatipu till 8pm.

Cheers to Sam and Estelle for their work on this excellent event, to the sponsors: Events Centre, Small planet, Refuel cafe, Queenstown Osteopathy, Tin Goose Cafe, Petzl.