Welcome to the NZ beanie grant blog 🙂
In July 2019, a group of 8 keen students from the UNSW Outdoors Club successfully applied for an adventure grant to bring mountaineering back to the club. The aim of this blog is to share our story, inspire you to get active, get outdoors, and perhaps even get you into mountaineering – read on to find out how!!!
Evolution of a climber:
Hill walking – Scrambling – Sport climbing – Trad climbing – MOUNTAINEERING!
Despite the clear scientific explanation above, many people may ask why mountaineering? Why put your life at risk? Why put yourself through so much suffering? Why not stay in the comfort of your home? Here are few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- A love of the outdoors, the freedom, the fresh air, the views, the exercise and the friends that comes with it
- To connect with like-minded people, outdoorsy people are alright I guess
- Suffering can be enjoyable, Being in a howling snowstorm with a small group of good friends, calves burning and no signs of civilizations, it makes you feel alive
- For a challenge and sense of achievement
- Lots of opportunities for researching/buying/talking about/testing out new gear (posts about gear to follow!)
- Because I can, on its own being in a fortunate position is a terrible reason to do anything. A fear of being physically uncapable one day and for the love of nature, that’s what motivates me!
There are two types of people who live on this planet: those that live on the edge and those that don’t.
I can’t remember exactly when the idea of going mountaineering was first seriously considered, it could have been on the suitably chossy Margarine Ridge with Henry (read the trip report here). A couple of weeks later Maria followed up on the idea. A few messages later (quite literally!) and vague plans had been made. If you search hard enough, it is possible to find someone who shares the same goals. And that’s how it all began….
Next up, find out how the trip exploded from a few aspiring mountaineers to a team of 8 with more on the waiting list!
