Soldiers going up the wall!
Waiouru's new rock climbing wall was scaled for the first time last Wednesday night. The 8.5m high by 5m wide wall was tested by the Army Adventure Club. Its size and capabilities make it one of the most sophisticated in New Zealand and commissioned by the Army Adventurous Training Centre (AATC) and built by soldiers from the carpenters apprentice wing of the School of Military Engineering. We dorit have a wet weather rock climbing or abseiling facility" said Maj Ian Nicholson, Officer Commanding, AATC. "Now we have somewhere where we can do basic training before going out to the real thing. It will also be our wet weather altemative." In addition to use by AATC courses the wall will be scaled regularly on Wednesday nights by members of the Army Adventure Club. Maj Nicholson visualizes it being utilized by servicemen, dependants and local civilians. |On stage "Indoor rock climbing walls are becoming very popular. In Europe they are erected on stage and competitions provide entertainment for the night." "Here in Waiouru it will allow graduates of our basic rock climbing Course to maintain the skills they have learned. Our nearest outdoor climbing location is over 60km away." The construction of the wall makes it outstanding. Most climbing walls are made from a flat surface with holds screwed on. The Waiouru one has a textured surface with moulded holds coming out of the wall in addition to attached holds. Half of the wall slopes with adjustable angle of incline, which means climbers can experience climbing an overhang. A special epoxy resin was Turnpage5
Wall
Frompagel used to create the surface to resemble a rock face. The wall comes complete with abseiling platform and facilities for both top roping and lead climbing. AATC will be making the rock climbing wall, ropes and instructors available to individuals and groups. It is expected to become an important part of Unit Adventure Training Programmes.
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Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 440, 16 June 1992, Page 1
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324Soldiers going up the wall! Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 440, 16 June 1992, Page 1
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