Climbers  Meet celebrating 100th anniversary of climbing in Tasmania

On March 27 1914, the Malcher brothers, climbing guides from Austria, traversed the Cradle Mt skyline, the start of mountaineering as we know it in Tasmania. To celebrate the event, (and the 50th anniversary of the CCT first formation) we have booked the Blandfordia Alpine Club Lodge in the Cradle Valley for a climbing meet for the weekend of 27th – 31 March.

Nic Deka is arranging for a slide presentation on the history of Tassie climbing for us (and the general public) at the visitors centre on the Sat pm (wine and nibbles supplied).

The brothers did the first traverse from Waldheim, via Mt Campbell and back down the Horse Track, making the first recorded ascents of all the peaks, Little Horn, Weindorfer’s Tower etc along the way, a traverse that has probably never been repeated in full since. Other possibilities, if you don’t want such a big day, include the nearby Rysavy Ridge, abseiling the 350m waterfall off the plateau, climbing Airborne Skink, new routing.... Got any nail boots and an alpenstock stashed away?

More details later on the Forum but make a date in your diary. Preference will be given to CCT members but all are welcome, space permitting. A great time to meet climbers, share some history and possibly wine, and to go climbing.

AND has any one got any slides/photos/digital snaps of early or historic wilderness climbing in the Cradle Mt to Lake St Clair reserve – or anywhere really in Tas  - to go into the presentation? Stunning shots of a range of climbs/climbing/climbers for Tassie would be the go. Email me on tmckenny@outlook.com  and I will arrange to pick them up or forward them to me  electronically.

Cheers

Tony

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10 Comments

  1. Tony McKenny AUTHOR

    Update Climbers Club Meet

    Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th March Cradle Mountain

    To celebrate the first recorded climb in Tasmania (and the 50th anniversary of the CCT first formation) we are organising a climber’s meet in the Cradle Valley. The Blandfordia Alpine Club Lodge  has been booked as well as the nearby Mt Kate hut (there is no camping at the hut now). Nic Deka, the Regional Manager for Parks, is arranging for a slide presentation for us and selected guests at the visitors centre on the Sat pm (wine and nibbles).

    Numbers are limited (around 25-30) and places are filling up fast. It will be self catering, probably with a meal at the Cradle Mt Lodge after the slides. Accommodation is on bunk beds, alpine hut style, with shared cooking .etc, $15 pp, per night.

    Please let me know ASAP via email or thesarvo if you want a space, and which nights you will be there,  and I will send further details on how to get there and what to bring.

    Cheers

    Tony

    PS And we still need slides of summer or winter climbing in the area , or of climbing in other wilderness areas in the state. URGENT!!!!

  2. john h

     

    Tony whats the best way to book a couple of places for the slideshow on saturday night? cheers john

  3. Jed Parkes

     Email Tony at tmckenny@outlook.com to book places.

  4. Tony McKenny AUTHOR

    Latest Update about Climbers Club Meet – Celebrating 100 years of climbing in Tasmania

    Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th March Cradle Mountain

    There are still a few places available at the climber’s meet in the Cradle Valley. The Blandfordia Alpine Club Lodge has been booked as well as the nearby Mt Kate hut (there is no camping in the area). Nic Deka, the Regional Manager for Parks, is arranging for a slide presentation for us and selected guests at the visitors centre on the Sat pm (wine and nibbles), followed by a meal at the nearby Cradle Mountain Lodge..

    Numbers are limited but as some folk are only coming for the slides/dinner there are still a few vacancies in the accommodation. It will be self catering  and accommodation is on bunk beds, alpine hut style, with shared cooking etc. ($15 pp, per night). 

    Please let me know ASAP via email (tmckenny@outlook.com) or thesarvo or ring me on 0448693630 if you want a space, (or if you have said you are coming but haven’t confirmed it!) and which nights you will be there,  and I will send further details on how to get there and what to bring.

    Cheers

    Tony

    PS john h, are you in or out?

  5. dave james

    Hi team, I may head up. Wasn't planning on in but may if i can I get a ride........? Will everyone doing the cradle traverse that weekend?...

  6. Tony McKenny AUTHOR

    Hi  Team,

    The climbers meet is full - over 30 people have put there hand up so far. If you want to go onto a wait list (who would have thought it!), email or phone me, somebody is sure to drop out... maybe ?

    Dave, do you want to stay on the list? Email me if you are still looking for that lift, can send you some addresses to try.

    Cheers

    Tony

  7. Tony McKenny AUTHOR

     

    Trip Report Centenary Club Meet at Cradle Mt.

    It was a great weekend – except for the weather, poured Thurs and most of Friday – and most of Saturday... but we had fun. About 35 climbers turned up for the main stuff and more for the slide show including  some older climbers ones like Peter Sims who is an real legend, and Peter Booth who shot up Cradle at 78! 8 people did the actual traverse I think, the rest walked, climbed peaks, ran round Cradle or just festered with a bottle (or three) of red in the dry.

    We had people staying at the Rangers Cottage, in Mt Kate Hut and at Blandfordia Alpine Club Hut but all came together at the pub meal/slides on Sat night. Nic Deka presented the slideshow which covered the early days through to more recent times – including terrific photos of snow and ice climbing and skiing in the not so distant past when we actually had decent winters. Thanks Nic.

    And thanks everybody for helping out with photos and stories – Nic is sending down the slide show and I will maybe show it again at the pub if anyone wants to see it.

    Cheers

    Tony

    1. dave james

      I'd love to see the slide show at the pub!!

  8. Al Adams

    Tony, 

    It was a brilliant weekend..... apart from the weather.... yet that didn't thwart some of us... anyway..... rain... mist... and slippery rock just made things way more interesting.....

    Thanks for your work in organising Blandfordia and the evening slide show.... I'm impressed how well some of those old slides and photos scanned up! The snow depth back in the seventies had a Scottish feel to it.... as you say hardly the Tasmanian winters of today!

    The skyline traverse of Cradle (the climb the Malcher brothers completed in 1914) is one of Tassie's classic routes... why I have never done it before remains a mystery.... For us it was a day of adventure and uncertainty.... it seemed like complete madness at certain points.... and yet the key to it all was the great group of fellow travellers who steadfastly remained open to the idea in spite of conditions.... Thanks team.

    Adios, Al

  9. Jon Nermut

    http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/when-peak-hour-was-a-natural-high/story-fnj4f7k1-1226868605931