New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) elects three new Life Members

Tuesday, 24 November,

New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) elects three new Life Members

New Zealand Alpine Club General Manager, Sam Newton, has announced the election of three Life Members of the New Zealand Alpine Club.

Don French (Wellington), Ron McLeod (Southland) and Keith Moffat (Otago) have been elected to life membership of NZAC, which recognises an outstanding contribution to mountaineering, rock climbing or the Club.

“Life membership is an exclusive club within a club, awarded to only those who have contributed and achieved at the highest levels,” Mr Newton said.

Life Members are elected by the Club Committee, upon the recommendation of a committee of the President and not less than three past Presidents.

New Zealand Alpine Club immediate-past President, John Cocks, had no hesitation in recommending the three nominees, who were elected unanimously.

“These are three mountaineers of the highest calibre and have a huge influence in variety of ways,” Mr Cocks said

Don French
“Don has made a broad, longstanding and enduring contribution to New Zealand climbing, climbers, the club, and the wider outdoors community. Don is a passionate and accomplished climber and has been a respected stalwart of the North Island climbing community for many years.”

“Don has been mountaineering since the mid 1970’s and has climbed extensively in New Zealand, in the European Alps, and has visited the Himalayan mountains on four separate expeditions. Don has a number of first ascents to his credit, and is also a very capable rock climber.”

“Don has also selflessly dedicated years and years of voluntary service to the instruction of novice climbers and Search and Rescue.”

Ron McLeod
“Ron has made a massive contribution to NZAC and the wider climbing community over many years. The focus of his personal climbing has been in the Darran Mountains of Fiordland, including several first ascents.”

“Internationally, Ron has been a member of two notable expeditions. On the 1981 NZAC Molamenqing Expedition to the Tibetan Himalaya, Ron summited what was at that time, the third highest unclimbed peak in the world, overcoming a stress fracture in his foot to do so.”

“On the 1996 Southland Section Patagonian Expedition, Ron was in the summit party that made the first ascent of Cerro Stokes. Ron also summited Aconcagua (6,960m – the highest mountain outside of Asia), making the third ascent of the difficult Polish route.”

“On a voluntary basis, Ron has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the Southland Section of NZAC and the Southland Alpine Cliff and Face Rescue Team. In difficult times, his sole efforts have ensured the continuation of both organisations.”

Keith Moffat

“Keith was nominated by fellow Otago and Life Member of NZAC, Dr Peter Strang. Keith has made enormous contributions to NZAC over many years. The years of selfless voluntary service that he has contributed have included leading numerous climbing trips, hut maintenance projects, the organisation of National Climbing Camps and serving in a variety of roles on the Otago Section Committee.”

“By way of his trip leadership, Keith has introduced and instructed dozens of novice climbers, to climbing. He is particularly regarded for his good judgement and leadership skills, and humour.”

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