Author Archives: David Newstead

Jono Clarke and Jamie Vinton-Boot paused briefly at their belay. Partway up the west face of Conway Peak, they tried to pick out the line they had decided on the previous day. It was the beginning of August. Fangs of ice, still with an early season sparseness about them, vamped over various gullies and rockContinue reading “‘The Path Of Most Resistance’ article in Climber magazine”

Finding good mountaineering boots in New Zealand can be like trying to get a table at Christchurch’s Cassells Brewery post earthquake – damn near impossible. Reputable climbing shops might only have one or two options available. Lack of a large enough climbing market means there’s no money in it. And despite all the bru-ha-ha aboutContinue reading “‘Gronell Annapurna’ mountaineering boot review”

I found it rather ironic that I was asked to review a book about one of our climbing legends at the same time as working on an article extolling the virtues of our climbers of the present. It was like I was being tested of my facts, or reminded of the toughness and bloody-mindedness thatContinue reading “‘Bold Beyond Belief: Bill Denz, New Zealand’s Mountain Warrior’ book review”

In my next life I want to come back as a kea; which is ironic really because I’m not that fond of flying. But every time I see these gregarious mountain parrots, they’re either up to no good, skiting to their mates about how easy it was to wreck the car with the kea-proof netContinue reading “…COUNTDOWN…”

The lower portion of the Tasman Glacier is one of those unique places. I say unique because it felt like we were battling a time warp while trying to traverse its endless, crumbling rock towers. The glacier appeared to stretch in all directions, and it was as if Shelley and I couldn’t make any progressContinue reading “Murchison Valley”

I love writing. I love trying to piece together the physical jigsaw of words and sentences while unlocking the emotive nuances attached to them. I see worth in sharing personal experiences and the stories of other’s experiences. There’s a collective goal. But sometimes the process doesn’t come easily. Or, what I’m trying to write aboutContinue reading “Taming The Honey Badger – The Last Pitch in Climber”

Why do we read climbing literature? Is it to pass the time; be entertained; informed; appalled; to be perched voyeuristically on our armchair while soaking up another knife-edge experience; or to try and tease something out that is actually inside us? Add to that our personal views and experience, what we’ve read before, and evenContinue reading “‘Native Stones’ by David Craig – Book Review in Climber”

New Backyard and Beyond team member Troy Mattingley has already showcased his photography, filming and editing talents.Here is his latest work: A short video on the recent trip to climb White Strike on Dasler Pinnacles in the Hopkins Valley. Troy’s skills are a huge addition to the team!

I love it when a plan comes together. The forecast for the weekend was average. Perhaps the narrow window of fine weather could stay open, but in all likelihood typical Spring instabilities would shut it down. Jamie Vinton- Boot and I decided to risk it.The Hopkins Valley is one of my favourite places in theContinue reading “‘What We Did With Our Weekend’ or ‘A New Route In The Hopkins Valley’”

Chasing the elusive ice this winter has been rather stop-start. Continuing earthquakes, sinking homes, near misses, injuries, and now a one in 50 year storm has kept the team edgy for more.But I can’t help but love the medium. It’s so finicky, so ephemeral, so beautiful. That is, until it falls on me, and thenContinue reading “Ice Is Nice”