Welcome, Nau mai, haere mai to The Canterbury Westland Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club.
The CW section stands as the largest section within the club with 1,240 members as of April 2024. The section encompasses the Canterbury Westland Alps, with the Canterbury Alps situated to the east of the divide and the Westland Alps to the west. The Southern Alps are renowned for their rugged terrain, towering peaks, and breathtaking landscapes, drawing outdoor enthusiasts, climbers, and adventurers to the region.
The CW Section are kaitiaki/guardian of the Arthurs Pass Lodge, a 28-bunk accommodation nestled in the heart of Arthurs Pass National Park, serving as a hub for climbing, tramping, walking, and skiing activities.
Stay updated by visiting out Facebook and Instagram pages, and make sure to check out our monthly newsletter for the latest news and updates. Our website holds all the information for section courses, trips, meets, trapping and much more
Notices
Canterbury Westland Section Evening. Thursday 7 November
NIC LOW:
The Southern Alps from a Māori point of view.
NIC LOW:
The Southern Alps from a Māori point of view.
Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) is a writer, regular contributor to New Zealand Geographic, and the author of three acclaimed books, including the best-selling Uprising: Walking the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
Over many years, he retraced the alpine routes used by his Ngāi Tahu ancestors, and used these walking and climbing journeys to explore the untold histories of our beloved Alps. Just how high did pre-European Māori go into the snow and ice? What does it mean to climb Aoraki, only to deliberately turn back before the top? Can you be a mountaineer and still see the peaks as ancestors turned to stone?
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The Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo Street, Sydenham
Thursday 7 November
Doors open: 7pm
Talk starts: 7:30pm
If you want to purchase an alcoholic drink from the bar, you must show a Guest pass. You can pick one of these up inside the room we meet in where they’ll be on a table near the door. Entry is free and everyone is welcome, you don’t need to be an NZAC member to attend.
Trips Co-ordinator Wanted!
Are you passionate about the outdoors and looking for a way to give back to the community? We are seeking a volunteer trips coordinator to help organise our trips for members. A the trip coordinator you will be responsible for coordinating a variety of trips into the mountains. You will work with club members to determine trip locations and ensure that all safety protocols are complete before the trip. This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a vibrant community and help others explore the stunning landscapes of Canterbury Westland region. Committee members meet once a month on a Monday. For more information please email Sam.
25-28 Oct 2024
The annual Dunedin Meet is on for 2024. Thanks James for stepping up to run it.
15-17 November 2024
The NZAC Otago section is running a Wānaka Rock Meet over Canterbury Anniversary weekend.
NZAC has it seperate sections, but at the end of the day we are one club and love collaborating. What a fantastic opportunity to meet some more climbers and spend the long weekend in Wānaka.
General Information
Section Evenings
Members and the public are welcome to attend our regular section evenings usually held on the second Thursday of the month. Talks start at 7.30pm and the evening is located at The Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo St, Christchurch, That's at the Port Hills end of Colombo Street. Check out the calendar below for further information.
The section runs numerous trips throughout the year which are a great way to meet people and get into the outdoors. We also organise numerous meets for the CW community including Banks Peninsula Rock Climbing meet, Dunedin meet, and Aoraki meet.
We have a comprehensive programme of instruction in rock climbing during summer and snow craft in winter. Keep an eye on the section newsletter and website for more details.
We hire gear out to members for a nominal fee. Our equipment is available only to NZ Alpine Club Canterbury Westland section members and you will be asked for your membership number on checkout; please also bring your membership card along with you when you pick up the gear.
Midweek Mountaineering
The midweek group are mainly fairly mature mountaineers who still manage to plod up a few peaks, usually on Wednesdays, depending on the weather. If you are interested in joining us, please email Pat Pendergast or phone 03370079.
Join our midweek crew for a variety of local climbing opportunities year-round. Whether you're up for a quick indoor session post-work or eager to hit the hills for some outdoor rock action, we've got you covered.
Did you know that the section has its own Library and that you can borrow the books?
Arthurs Pass Lodge
In the heart of Arthurs Pass National Park, this warm little lodge provides a great base for exploring the surrounding mountains with peaks suitable for beginners to advanced climbers alike.
Bookings are required via the NZAC National page.
