Soldiers queue to climb

Ruapehu Bulletin, 25 August 1992, Page 9

Soldiers queue to climb

BY

JAN

SAVELL

The success of Waiouru's indoor climbing wall has exceeded all expectations. Ten sets of climbing equipment are now held at the gymnasium and another week night has been introduced for casual climbers. "People were lining up to climb the wall," said Major Ian Nicholson, chief instructor for the Army Adventurous Training Centre (AATC). "We would have 18-20

people turning up on a Tuesday night. Only four can be on the wall at one time so we've started Thursday night climbing on an ad hoc basis," he said. Rock climbers are coming from as far away as the National Park Outdoor Pursuits Centre to scale the wall which is the most sophisticated in the country. The textured surface with moulded holds and adjustable slope make it unique in New Zealand. It was commissioned by the

Army Adventurous Training Centre and erected in the Waiouru gymnasium in June. Its popularity has bolstered plans to build an extension. Costings have been done for the second phase which will double the width of the existing wall. "The extension will expand the variety with a different design. One top slab will lean in, creating a slope ideal for beginners. In another section a permanent overhang will give

experienced climbers something to tackle. We'll also have a crack to give more practice at using hands and feet," explained Maj Nicholson. Maj Nicholson is also enthusiastic about AATC's proposal for an abseiling

tower. "It would be situated outside the gym with an estimated height of 1 lm. In addition to the abseiling it would provide an artificial ice climbing wall," he said. This winter's inclement weather has made life dif-

ficult at AATC. Conditions on the mountain have made practical experience impossible for some of their courses. The abseiling tower would expand AATC's ability to carry out training in wet weather.