Queen

 I had my first official mountaineering training over this past weekend, the Queen's birthday... or at least in New Zealand.  As it turns out, the Queen's birthday is celebrated on different days, depending on what country one is in.  Interestingly, most of these celebrations don't even fall on the same month as the Queen's real birthday.  Who knew?  I wonder if the Queen knows about this.  I suppose if it were me, I wouldn't mind having my birthday celebrated on multiple days.  It would be months and months of presents and cake.  Anyhow, I don't get the Queen's birthday off for work.  Kiwis do, so therefore the mountaineering course was offered over the New Zealand Queen's birthday.

The mountaineering course syllabus essentially stated that students would learn proper snow and ice travel.  Interestingly, there was no snow and ice in any accessible area of New Zealand over the past weekend.  Therefore, we had to fake it.  The course began on Castle Hill, which is a awesome collection of boulders up on a hill.  We learned a variety of rope techniques.  It was raining in the mountains, so we were stuck in the hills. 

 The next day we learned how to dry tool.  We climbed up cliff faces with ice tools and crampons.  I had never really planned to do rock climbing with ice gear, but then again, it worked pretty well.  I got to bring out my fancy smanshy carbon fiber tools.  I received bloody knuckles during my first attempt up.  However, I was told that I did well... hmm.  My fancy tools now look like they have actually been used.  I don't have to be crazy about keeping them shiny now.  We also used my new rope... which is longer than typical ropes (it was on sale), so it is also heavier to carry up and down the mountain.  The rope now looks like it finally has seen some use.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera that day.

During the last day of the course, we went up Temple Basin, using ropes and ridge traverse techniques.  I had the opportunity to lead my first rock climb.  There were so many Keas on the route.  The disadvantage is that they try to steal rope anchors.  Unfortunately, they're smart and strong enough to do it.  Anyhow, we had beautiful weather and the traverse was a nice wrap up for my first official mountaineering training course.  Time to plan my next trip!! 

For more pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/david.bark/2011_03_06_queens#