Snowcraft

The snowcraft course is an introduction to trans-alpine tramping in the NZ alpine environment. Completing snowcraft qualifies you for going on WTMC ALP1 tramps. The course runs over several weekends in July and August of every year; the first weekend of 2013 will be 12-14 July.

Who can enroll

The Snowcraft course is designed to introduce participants to the joys of travelling in alpine environments. The course is aimed at people with some outdoor experience and an interest in trans-alpine tramping and climbing.

The course is suitable for ...

• trampers who regularly do medium grade trips but have no prior knowledge of crampon and ice axe use 

and

• trampers who have used crampons and ice axes in the past but feel they need to refresh their skills.

You must be a member of WTMC to enroll on this course.

A reasonable degree of fitness and familiarity with tramping is recommended.

Note: signing up for the snowcraft course does not guarantee you a place. Applications to join the course will be assessed for suitability on an individual basis.

Course structure

The course covers:

• clothing and equipment
• shelter
• food
• weather
• navigation
• walking in snow with and without ice axe and crampons
• alpine hazards
• leadership and decision making and risk management.

The course does not cover the use of ropes and other technical climbing equipment.

Delivery

The course is run by experienced Club members. The instructors are volunteers, not professional instructors with formal teaching qualifications.

While instructors will make every effort to look out for your health and safety, this is primarily your responsibility. You cannot use our Snowcraft course as credits for any NCEA or other educational programme. If you want to do a professionally run course contact the NZ Mountain Safety Council.

Course gear

To do this course you must have:

• solid tramping boots that can take crampons
• a waterproof raincoat
• gloves
• sunglasses
• lots of warm clothes.

Gear will be covered during the first session on the course.

The club has ice axes, crampons and helmets available for hire at a small cost.

Other gear you should take is listed on 'what to take on a trip'.

Course dates

We run snowcraft every winter from our Club Lodge at Ruapehu.
The dates for the 2013 course are:

You have to attend every date to complete the course.

Places on the course are limited to 28.

Cost

The course is open to club members only.

Cost:  $335

Course fees include:

• a snowcraft manual
• food
• accommodation at the lodge
• transport to the lodge

Course fees do not include the cost of gear hire. You can hire ice axe, helmet and crampons from the Club for a small charge.

How to pay

You can pay by...

• Electronic banking. Account nubmer: 06 0582001 3409 00. Use your surname and “snow” to identify your payment.
  or
• cheque made out to WTMC
  or
• cash handed to Sharron Came on a club night.

The course fee must be paid by Wednesday 3 July 2013.

Enrolement and enquiries

If you have any questions about the snowcraft course

• email the alpine tramping crew or
• come along to club rooms and ask to speak to one of the alpine crew.

To sign up for the course:

• Write your name and contact details (legibly!) on the trip sheet at the clubrooms (available after Easter)
• email the alpine tramping crew
• Pay the course fee before Wednesday 3 July 2013.

On course completion

Once you have completed Snowcraft, assuming you are fit enough (at least medium, often medium-fit to fit) you will be able to go on alpine club trips graded ALP 1.

If you enjoy alpine trips then the next step may be to do an alpine instruction course where you learn how to use ropes and other equipment to do snow and ice climbing.