Mountaineer Doug Ball, ready for Mt Aspiring, aged 79
Checking up on keywords, I came across these 8 youtube creations about alpinism activities by Doug Ball from New Plymouth and Gary Dickson, his IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide from 2005 until 2009. Those two were all in all on a douzen mountaineering adventures in New Zealand’s Southern Alps as well as the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. On days where climbing in Europea and/or mountaineering in NZ were affected by the weather, they kept busy with technology and smart talks and somewhere along these were made:
- 2 climbs from Centennial hut, Westland National Park, NZ
- climbing from Homer hut, Fiordland Nationl Park, NZ
-climbing the Dossen, central Swiss Alps
- rock climbing on Pierre de Moëlle, near Leysin Switzerland
- a windy day on the Remarkables, near Queenstown, NZ
- climbing in Fiordland, Southern Alps New Zealand
- climbing from Pioneer hut
- climbing from Centennial hut
A Poppy below the Tour d'Aï, Leysin
This last week in July has been absolutely beautiful weather wise and a number of alpinism activities have been going on for us: visiting the ancient alpine botanical garden high above Leysin, rock climbing and hiking plus climbing peaks over 4000 m altitude in the Swiss Alps. Earlier, Phil Melchior from Wanaka was on his sixth visit in Europe for alpine climbing with chief Gaz and he kindly made this photo album available. They stayed at the historical mountaineering hotel Rosenlaui, then climbed up to the Dossenhut. Continue reading 'Mountaineering and other Alpinism activities in Europe'»
Ibex in the Swiss Alps
End of June in the European Alps saw Andrew from Wanaka, with Gaz, our chief mountain guide, head off to higher altitudes. Firstly, they traversed the Weissmies, a 4023 m peak in Switzerland with just all right conditions. For their second goal, the Nadelhorn, the weather improved and blue skies were part of this alpine climbing adventure. This peak of 4327 m can be reached from the Mischabelhut and a reasonably good fitness level is required. Strong high winds and more rain approaching brought the team back to Leysin, to finish the week with the local via ferrata of Les Plans, a short but quite demanding adventure in itself. Continue reading 'Alpinism Adventures in Europe'»
Here some memorabilia of Alpinism during the last decade: youtube legendary Doug Ball who spent considerable time climbing with mountain guide Gary Dickson aka Gaz from January 2006 until August 2009.
Doug Ball, 79, on Mt Aspiring, New Zealand
Doug at 80, climbing a few peaks over 4000m in a week in Switzerland
Doug climbing high above the Dossenhütte, Kingspitze in the back ground
Doug had climbed Mt Cook Aoraki with his wife Peggy and many other peaks, but never Mt Aspiring. He got thwarted twice while climbing with Gaz because of conditions and weather but third time lucky and for a brief time he was considered the oldest climber to have sumited. He must have been an inspiration … more
Based at Centennial hut for some more alpine climbing
He sent us these lines just recently …”I use a slide show of my mountaineering photos as a screen saver so that my memories are not lost but are refreshed every day. Alpinism and Ski certainly made an enormous difference to my life. What would have become of me if I had just thrown in the sponge after Peggy died? I have so much to thank you both for and am not likely to ever forget it.”
keep going strong Doug
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Alpinism & Ski, Alpinism adventure, Alpinism in Europe, Alpinism in New Zealand, Alpinism Wanaka New Zealand, climbing, climbing in Switzerland, climbing Mt Aspiring, Europe, Mount Aspiring ascent, mountain guiding NZ, mountaineering, New Zealand Mountain Guides, NZ, Switzerland, Wanaka New Zealand
Mid July and after two weeks of mountain guiding for ISM, Gary is ready for some top quality rock climbing with Iris. Climbing in europe, we are spoilt as we can choose to go climbing on lime stone, gneiss, granite and/or marble. The European Alps provide us with all sorts of fun from gazing at pretty flowers on trekking trips, watching chamoix and ibex to alpine climbing.
The New Zealand late winter program has been on our minds too and ski touring is definitely on. We have a team booked for ski touring end of October and have decided to offer two scheduled 6 day ski touring trips for individuals keen to share experience and cost: Tour I from 25.9.- 30.9. and Tour II from 10.-15.10.2011. There is also a 3 day avalanche course available for those keen to learn/improve their back country skills.
Views from Tour de Famelon, Leysin: Eiger,Mönch,Jungfrau
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