Alpine professionals from all over New Zealand congregated in Wānaka for the Southern Hemisphere Alpine Conference (SHAC) over the past two days, learning from fellow experts in industry talks, panels and workshops.

Subjects ranged from practical information like patient management, the application of snow anchors and the use of explosives for avalanche mitigation, to personal stories of resilience after tragedy and information on scientific advances and findings.

Listen to Ken Wylie, a guest speaker at SHCA, talk about his life-altering experience surviving an avalanche that killed seven in an interview with The Outlet Wānaka.

The biennial event is the only one of its kind in New Zealand, Mountain Safety Council (MSC) operations manager Nathan Watson said, and it provides an unmatched opportunity for knowledge sharing. 

“There are other get-togethers with various parts of the alpine community but this is the only one that gets all the cohorts together under one roof,” Nathan told the Wānaka App.

He said resilience, preparing for adversity and community-building had emerged as strong themes over the course of the conference.

A panel discussion on using explosives for avalanche mitigation with (L-R) Connor Glynn, Andy Hoyle and Ryan Leong.

As well as the technical side of things it was about “looking after our community.”

Nathan said the 215 people who attended the event on Wednesday (June 12), who travelled from as far as Northland and Taranaki, made up a “high proportion” of the country’s professional alpine community.

It was a “fantastic turnout” and attendees had appreciated the diversity of speakers, the chance to learn both inside and outside of the talks, with lots of connections being built informally. 

The SHAC is an initiative of the MSC, a non-profit organisation of more than 50 years which aims to encourage safe participation in land-based outdoor activities.

Read more: SAR workshop an opportunity to ‘get in the same room’

PHOTOS: Wānaka App