[CUTC] Snowcraft information!

[Giselle]

Hey guys,

This is an email for those of you coming on the snowcraft course this
weekend. We're still having trouble deciphering some of your email
addresses, so this is the best way to make sure you get the info you need!
Sorry if you've got this email twice, bear with us :) Contact David (
smeg_2 at hotmail.com) with any questions.

Snowcraft

8/9th August, Leaving at *7:30am* Saturday from the UCSA carpark. *Don’t be
late*, we will leave people behind if they are not on time. If you do not
have crampons sorted yet you need to be at there at 7am (sorry) to get a
pair before we leave

What you need:

On top of the normal gear you need for a weekend in the outdoors there is a
few extras that you need for the snow... If you need to buy gear I would
suggest Bivouac, R&R or Mountain Designs all in the middle of town and you
get a 15% discount on everything in store. Ill also suggest budget options
below.

Boots/Gaiters – You need footwear that will keep snow out, gaiters help stop
it going in the top, the club has some to rent otherwise Kathmandu has cheap
gaiters (they did a few years ago anyway). WARNING: IN GENERAL KATHMANDU
GEAR ISNT THAT GOOD. Boots with stiff soles will help give you grip in the
snow. You can rent a pair from R&R if desperate but most hiking boots should
be fine.

Waterproof Gloves – The army surplus store on Columbo street has insulated
leather gloves for $10.

Waterproof Jacket/Pants – Para Rubber sells plastic jacket/pants for $20-30
they are pretty nasty but are waterproof and you can get them in day-glo
orange! Or try torpedo7.co.nz

Sleeping Mat/Bag – As we are sleeping in the snow a good sleeping bag and
mat are essential, you can get a foam mat from an outdoor store for $10-20.
Sleeping bags are expensive, synthetic is a cheaper alternative to down and
while not as warm for weight as down, it reacts much better to water. The
really cheap option is to find a friend and make sure you don’t dig the
snowcave too big.

Sunscreen/Sunglasses – Snow is reflective so the solar radiation can be
kinda intense, and if you think sunburn can be bad you don’t want to try
snow blindness.

Warm Clothes – A down/synthetic insulated jacket or a few layers of fleece,
a good tight fitting thermal layer underneath everything goes a long way to
keeping you warm.

Food and Water:

As normal bring your own food for during the day and try and get into groups
of 4-5 for cooking dinner. If you don’t have a cooker sharing shouldn’t be a
problem but try and get hold of a pot for your group. Melting snow is a slow
process so it is good of you can carry enough for the day and cooking with.
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