News of Oceania and Pacific Islands

I will be making a last minute trip to the South Island arriving on the 27th of June to 10 july, up for just about anything with no obligating plans as of yet. If your interested in meeting up shoot me a PM of e-mail.

Hi All,
I will be on the North island for my honeymoon in mid-September and was hoping to do the Tongariro Crossing and bag Mt. Tongariro along the way. What will the weather and snow conditions typically be like at that time of year? What type of gear is usually necessary? Do people typically use ice axe and crampons on that track in September, or can I just walk up with no technical gear?

Also, ...

Any guidebook recommendations for NZ? I am interesting in Cook, Tasman, Aspiring and other prominent peaks. Thinking of going this coming winter.

Hi guys

thinking about heading to nz for a few days boarding would like suggestions about a good resort which will give me a mix of riding some lifts then hiking on to do a bit of free riding away from the crowds, not after anything hardcore as my axes are a bit rusty
thanks in advance for any suggestion.

My wife and I are considering a first visit to Australia in February '08. While surfing around I found this organization that offers inn-to-inn walking holidays.

http://www.auswalk.com.au/inn-to-inn-wa ... idays.html

The inn-to-inn concept has a lot of appeal, as does the Great Ocean Walk, since we don't have an ocean within 1000 miles of where we live. Has anyone done that walk, or sections of it? Worth doing?

Also, we ...

Queensland climbing icon, Kevin Pearl has died aged 50 from cancer.

Kevin is widely associated with establishing new routes in SE Queensland, particularly at Frog Buttress. Kevin tragically lost his wife to cancer about two years ago and had only recently married his second wife, Hilary, before becoming ill himself.

Aussie climbers will probably remember his great friendship with the legendary Fred From, also a Queensland climbing icon, who was killed on Everest in 1984. ...

One of the most difficult peaks in Tasmania has claimed the life of a climbing geologist :cry:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20 ... 893560.htm
The link below describes it as the most spectacular peak in Tasmania
http://www.john.chapman.name/tas-fed.html
http://www.wavelengthphotography.com.au ... onPeak.asp

:cry: She died before rescuers could get to her
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/stor ... d=10430738
Other search and rescue links on the right hand side

Some amazing new routes in New Zealand thanks to Alpinist
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/ALP19/newsw ... mith-gobat

Seven Indonesian climbers have been found dead on the banned Indonesian Volcano - Mt Rinjani 3726m - 12224 ft :(
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... id=2942822