COURSES
AUTC runs & hosts a number of courses throughout the year. All courses are advertised through the mailing list. To sign up, follow the instructions on the email.
To attend a course, you must be a member of the club.
For an overview on each course, see below.
For more information on courses in general, have a look at our FAQ page here
Note: As these trips vary year-to-year the actual course may differ from what is noted here. Always consult the advertised email for the most accurate information.
Snow Schools
Note: Snow Schools are run jointly with AURAC
Beginner Snowschool
Beginner snow school is our introduction to basic mountaineering and alpinism. This course is appropriate for anyone who is new to alpine terrain. It is a 3-day course, tailored to provide basic skills aimed at moving through the alpine environment. This includes correct and safe use of crampons and an ice axe.
From this course, you should gain confidence in participating in easy alpine trips, and be comfortable with moving through easy trans-alpine environments.
This is also a great course to see if alpine climbing is for you.
There are no pre-requisites for beginner snow school, however you can expect to be climbing a mountain with a full pack, so a good level of fitness is highly recommended.
Beginners Snow School is organised by our
Alpine Officers:
Duration: 3 days
Frequency: 5 courses annually (may vary)
Time of year: Winter
Location: Mt Ruapehu
Course size: 8 Students, 2 Instructors (may vary)
Cost in 2021: $150
Advanced Snowschool
Advanced Snow School is a 5-day course designed to further your alpine climbing skills.
This typically includes:
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glacier travel
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alpine camping/shelter
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climbing on steeper terrain where roping up is required.
To attend advanced snow school, you will need to have done basic snow school (or equivalent), and have done a few alpine trips under your belt.
Advanced snow school involves the use of rope & climbing equipment, so some ropework skills are recommended to get the most out of the course.
A good way to develop rope skills is with our partner club AURAC.
Advanced Snow School is organised by our
Alpine Officers:
Duration: 5 days
Frequency: 1 course annually
Time of year: Winter
Location: Mt Ruapehu
Course size: 10 Students, 5 Instructors (may vary)
Cost in 2021: $180
Bush Schools
Basic Bushschool
Basic Bush School is a 2 day introductory course aimed at bridging the gap between hut-to-hut tramping on well defined tracks (Such as Great Walks) and more challenging or remote tramping where navigation and bush skills may be required.
Basic Bush School varies year to year in both content and location, however a typical syllabus may include any of the following:
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Camping & Campsite skills
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Navigation (Map & Compass)
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Off-track travel
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River safety
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Leadership and group management
and much, much more....
To get the most out of this course, a reasonable level of fitness and some prior tramping experience is recommended.
Basic Bush School is organised by our
Safety Officer:
Duration: 2 days
Frequency: 1-2 courses annually (may vary)
Time of year: Not Winter
Location: Varies
Course size: Varies
Cost: $50 - $100 Typically
Advanced Bushschool
Advanced Bush School is a 3-4 day course typically run in the Kaweka or Kaimanawa Ranges. This course is aimed at trampers with a moderate level of experience, who would like to further develop their back-country skills.
Participants can expect to sleep in the bush, learn to navigate & travel in thick, difficult terrain, and develop an understanding of what is possible, and what is not.
This course is run annually, or bi-annually depending on demand and instructor availability.
Basic Bush School is organised by our
Safety Officer:
Duration: 3-4 days
Frequency: 1 course annually or bi-annually
Time of year: Year-round
Location: Varies
Course size: Varies, 8 students, 2 instructors in 2021
Cost: $50 - $150 Typically
Other Courses
Outdoor First Aid
AUTC typically organises 1-2 Outdoor First Aid (ODFA) courses each year.
This course is a 2-day outdoor variant of the basic first aid course typically taught in organisations and workplaces.
These courses are run by external providers. Click HERE for more information on what is covered in the course.
ODFA courses are organised by our
Safety Officer:
Duration: 2 days
Frequency: 1-2 courses annually (may vary)
Time of year: Year round.
Location: Varies
Course size: Varies, typically up to 16
Cost: Varies, typically under $100
Avalanche Awareness
Avalanche Awareness courses typically run every 2-3 years.
This 1 day course covers the basic fundamentals of travelling in avalanche terrain and is a good follow on from basic & advanced snowschool.
Note: Basic mountaineering skills are required for this course. To develop these skills see Basic Snowschool above.
This course is run by an external provider.
Advanced Snow School is organised by our
Alpine Officers in conjunction with AURAC:
Duration: 1 days
Frequency: 1 course annually or bi-annually
Time of year: Winter
Location: Mt Ruapehu
Course size: Varies, typically up to 16
Cost: Varies, typically under $100
Heard rumors of a course, but you cant see it listed here?
Contact us. If there is enough enthusiasm (and the right instructors) we might be able to make it happen.
Past Courses Include:
Riverschool
Caveschool
Leaderschool
Introductory Ironing
Navigation
and more...