Blog from June, 2009

hey guys hope all is well in tas! im currently in NZ doing a bit of climbing, about to head to peru in a few weeks for more of the same. im keeping my blog up to date at www.thealpinist.blogspot.com there are a few recent posts and will update it every time im out of the hills. check it out if your bored or have a spare moment! enjoy!

simon young

Sad self-promotion - I've produced a book of climbing stories from the last few decades which can be found here if you can be bothered blowing a large amount of money on a small book.

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/630832

Sorry for the cost but I don't make any money on it - they are digitally printed on demand so aren't too cheap, but the printers are in the UK or Europe so post is dear too.

A couple of stories have also been re-printed here:

http://www.broadcontinent.com.au/rockclimbing_mountaineering.html

Some of the stories have apperared in Rock and Crux over the years, some are previously unpublished.

Cheers

Lyle

Video clips from Pete Steane of  old codgers having fun on the Pipes last year. Centaur and Raspberry Jam. (TCIA, referred to in the clips,  is the Tasmanian Climbing Instructors Association if you don't know!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xLqvty5zZU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PIlUlW5fqQ

Hey guys,

I'm looking for climbing courses or instructors in Tassie to learn the basics of climbing for a group of three people. I've been doing alot of googling and can't find much on the net at all, other than a course with World Expeditions. I've also tried emailing the Tasmanian Climbing Instructors Association asking for advice, but never got a reply.

My question - Is there anyone in Tas that teaches Climbing???

I'm quite desperate to give it a shot, as are my friends. Can someone give me a bit of advice? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Sport & Rec Tas are in the process of creating a statewide mountain bike plan:

http://www.development.tas.gov.au/sportrec/current_projects/tasmanian_mountain_bike_plan

The Project
Sport and Recreation Tasmania recently engaged consultants from Inspiring Place to develop a state mountain bike plan for Tasmania. The plan, which is expected to be released in August 2009, will provide a framework for the coordinated development and marketing of mountain bike opportunities in Tasmania.

Context
The Trails Tasmania Strategy was released by the State Government in December 2007. The Trails Tasmania Strategy recognised the strong and growing demand for mountain biking trails and identified a lack of provision to meet current demand, particularly for mountain biking trails and facilities close to where people live. The Trails Tasmania Strategy recommended the development of a state mountain bike plan and presented several strategies directly related to mountain biking.
The State Government committed $4 million in the 2008/09 state budget to support tracks, trails and city bikeways. Sport and Recreation Tasmania has allocated a portion of this funding to the development of this mountain bike plan.

Project Steering Committee
Sport and Recreation Tasmania will act as the lead agency and project manager. A steering committee for the project has been established with the following representatives:
Keith Ryan (Sport and Recreation Tasmania)
Luke Chiu (Sport and Recreation Tasmania)
Chris Colley (Parks and Wildlife Service)
Michael Easton (Wellington Park Management Trust)
Frank Hussey (Tourism Tasmania)
Richard Skinner (Forestry Tasmania).

Opportunities for Input
Land managers, mountain bike riders and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input into the plan through a series of community and land manager forums to be held in June 2009. The community forums are open to mountain bike riders, other stakeholders and the general public. Three community forums, one in each region, will be held at the following dates, times and venues:
North West Community Forum
22 June (Monday)
7:00-9:00 pm
Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club

Northern Community Forum
23 June (Tuesday)
7:00-9:00 pm
West Tamar Council Chambers, Riverside

Southern Community Forum
24 June (Wednesday)
7:00-9:00 pm
Domain Athletics Centre, Hobart

Interested individuals and organisations will also have the opportunity to comment on the draft strategy, which is expected to be released in August 2009. The draft strategy will be available for download from this website.

Survey

In addition to the community forums, members of the public will have the opportunity to provide input into the plan through an online survey, which can be found below. The survey should only take 5-10 to complete.
Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan Survey
All those who complete the survey go into the draw to win one of two National Parks Annual All Parks Passes.

Is on June 18 @ The Plenary,Wrest Point Casino

Tickets and details at http://www.paddybanff.com.au/

I found 2 draws on the top of a route in the gorge on Sat 30th May. If you think they are yours, give me a shout.

Richard Halsey
0488088670
rjhalsey AT gmail DOT com