AUMC Frequently Asked Questions

General
What is the AUMC?
Finding Out About AUMC Activities
Trip Information and Organisation
Official AUMC Trips
Private Trips
Does AUMC Provide Training in Outdoor Activities?
I’m a Complete Beginner. Can I Participate in AUMC Trips Without any Training?

Membership
Who Can Join?
Benefits of Membership
Becoming a Member
How Much Does Membership Cost?
How Long Does Membership Last?
What Do I Need to Do After Becoming a Member?
Can I Get a Reduced Membership Because I’ll Be Joining Near the End of the Year?
Can Non-Members Hire Gear or Participate in AUMC Activities (Even as a Once-Off)?

Mailing List
How Do I Get On (Or Off) the AUMC Mailing List?
How Do I Let AUMC Members Know About My Next Trip?

Gear Room and Gear Hire
Where is the Gear Room?
How Much Does Gear Hire Cost?
Conditions of Gear Hire
Hiring Gear for Specific Activities

General

What is the AUMC?

The Adelaide University Mountain Club (AUMC) is an active and vibrant club at Adelaide University with over 100 members. The club offers members the opportunity to participate in exciting and challenging activities far removed from their usual study (or work) commitments. Core activities of the club include:

Hiking
Rock climbing and Mountaineering
Canoeing and Kayaking
Cycling
Cross-Country Skiing
Rogaining, including the annual AUMC 24 Hour Walk
Endurance and multi-sport events

Popular destinations for rock climbing and hiking include the Adelaide Hills and Flinders Ranges, the Northern Territory and other interstate locations. The Victorian Alps, the Grampians, the Blue Mountains and Tasmania are also major destinations, with longer trips usually occurring in the University holidays. Intrepid club members also venture overseas to such destinations as New Zealand, Nepal and South America. The club also offers a gear hiring service, providing members with excellent quality outdoor gear at very affordable rates.

Of course, there is a large social side to the club, with AUMC gatherings and ongoing events throughout the year.

Best of all, membership is really cheap! (See below).
So get involved – and GO AWAY! (On a trip, of course!)

Jonathan Gobin, AUMC President 2015

Finding Out About AUMC Activities

The majority of club communication occurs through the Events page of the club website and through email bulletins. The email bulletins provide the most up-to-date source of information, and can be obtained by placing your email address on our mailing list. This is done by simply entering your address into the form on the Mailing List page of the AUMC website. The Events page provides detailed information on trips that are being run or endorsed by AUMC Committee.

AUMC does not produce a printed calendar of events spanning the whole year. Some printed information may be available at O’Week, but email and the website will be the major sources of information. If you do not have regular access to the Internet, it would be best to arrange access via a library or Internet café if you would like to keep up with events in the club.

Once you know what trip or area you are interested in, you contact an AUMC Committee Member and get further information and advice. If you have a specific trip you would like to do, or if you can offer help with an AUMC trip (e.g. towing a kayak trailer), then we’d like to hear from you!

Trip Information and Organization

AUMC activities are usually organised as trips to a particular destination, and have a certain core aim or activity (e.g. Victorian High Country to hike to Mt. Feathertop). Most trips are organised and run by experienced members of the club. The participants share costs (petrol, food etc.) and there is usually no other charge (except gear hire fees if club equipment is hired). Transport is usually by private vehicle and is arranged by the organiser. Trips are divided into two categories: Official AUMC trips and Private trips.

Official AUMC Trips

Official AUMC trips are organised by a member of the current AUMC Committee, or by an officer appointed by the Committee. For these trips, the organiser notifies the AUMC membership of their trip plans (providing details such as what, when, where, estimated costs, skills required etc.) via the website and email bulletins. The organiser is then contacted by members interested in the trip and makes further arrangements for trip planning (e.g. a trip meeting at a bar or restaurant). This includes ensuring that everyone has the necessary skills, fitness, equipment etc. for the intended trip and that there are enough experienced leaders for the group. The organiser then leads the trip (often with help from other experienced club members).

Trip participants on official AUMC trips receive a high level of support and information from the trip organiser. This means that the trips are good for beginners or those with limited knowledge of Australian conditions. Gear hire on these trips is also free of charge.

Competent AUMC members that are not members or officers of the current Committeei (e.g. ex-Committee members) may also run official trips. These trips are advertised by the website and email, and are designated as trips that are endorsed (but not directly organised) by AUMC Committee. Endorsed trips function in the same way as other official trips.

Private Trips

Private trips are those that are not organised or endorsed by AUMC Committee. The AUMC membership is notified of these trips by email bulletin, and the trips may be planned and organised by any AUMC member (see below for how to advertise your trip!). Private trips vary greatly according to the interests and skills of the AUMC member organising the trip. The organiser may provide participants with a lot of assistance in trip organisation and planning, or (at the other extreme) may expect you to rock up on the day with you and your gear ready. The best idea is to contact the organiser and ask them about what the trip will involve (when, where, estimated costs, equipment, skills you will need etc.).

Private trips often involve smaller groups than official trips and may be much more extended (e.g. three months touring Australia at the end-of-year holiday). Members going on a private trip can hire gear from the club (see below for details). Note that AUMC (and the AUMC Committee) is NOT involved in the organisation or running of these trips. However, the Committee strongly encourages members to organise their own trips and can always provide advice and information on trip planning.

Does AUMC Provide Training in Outdoor Activities?

AUMC does NOT provide formal training or instruction in any outdoor activity. The club is an association of like-minded people with an interest in outdoor sports, and is not a commercial operation. The AUMC members leading official club trips are highly experienced in one or more areas (e.g. rockclimbing), but are NOT instructors and do not necessarily have formal outdoor qualifications. Club members that wish to obtain instruction should arrange this with a qualified commercial provider. Advice and recommendations can be obtained from the relevant AUMC Committee member or officer.

I’m a Complete Beginner. Can I Participate in AUMC Trips Without any Training?

This will vary according to the trip organiser and the nature of the intended trip. Some trips (e.g. the Opening Walk and some walking trips) require little or no experience and a modest level of fitness. However, participation in many trips will be limited by the organiser to those with particular levels of fitness, skill and/or experience. For example, the organiser of a climbing trip may limit the trip to those with outdoor climbing experience and the ability to do a toprope setup. This is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all trip participants.

If you don’t have the necessary skills and experience for an upcoming trip, you can:

Participate in another trip where you can learn the skills and gain some experience. Trip organisers will frequently hold several “how to” or beginners’ trips where you can build up your skill levels for the main trip. (You can find out about these trips by contacting the trip organiser.)
Obtain instruction from a commercial provider (talk to the trip organiser for advice).

Membership

Who Can Join?

AUMC membership is open to both students and non-students (graduate or otherwise). The club has a great diversity of members, and welcomes people from all walks of life.

Benefits of Membership

AUMC Membership gives you participation in all official AUMC trips and access to our discount gear hire service (which is typically less than 25% of commercial rates). Members also receive a variety of discounts on outdoor gear and activities (see a Committee Member for information on the latest deals), and free food at AUMC BBQs. Members can also send their trip intentions to info at aumc.asn.au for inclusion in the next email bulletin, making it really easy to plan trips and meet new people.

Best of all, membership is really cheap! (See below.)

Becoming a Member

You can join the Mountain Club by coming to our gear room (located on the 5th floor of the Union Building behind the Unibar). The gear room is open by appointment with the gear officer. Please contact the gear officer to confirm their availability at least one week beforehand.

You can also join the club online, join at the beginning of an official trip if you inform the organiser in advance, or join at the VRC indoor climbing gym on club nights.

How Much Does Membership Cost?

Club membership costs $20 per year for Adelaide University students (i.e. those with an Adelaide University student ID number). If purchased online, an extra processing fee is charged. To be a part of the club, you must also have a Adelaide University Sports and Fitness (AUSF) membership. Students can get a free membership during O’Week, otherwise membership for students costs $11 for the full year.

For insurance reasons, students from other universities and non-students must pay an annual ‘Associate Membership’ fee of $97 levied by the AUSF.

The AUSF fee is not charged by AUMC, and may discourage some members, particularly non-students. However, the benefits of AUMC membership (e.g. discount gear hire) far outweigh the cost. Moreover, paying the AUSF membership fee gives you the ability to join any other Adelaide University Sport Club at the student rate (i.e. without paying for another membership).

How Long Does Membership Last?

Membership is for one calendar year and must be renewed before or during Orientation Week, which is typically the last week in February before University lectures resume.

What Do I Need to Do After Becoming a Member?

Go to the Mailing List page of this website and put your email address on the official AUMC Mailing List. This is essential if you want to know what’s going on!
Fill in your details on your membership card. These include your name, membership no. (from your receipt) and signature. Please print!
Work out what trips you want to go on!

Can I Get a Reduced Membership Because I’ll Be Joining Near the End of the Year?

Unfortunately the answer is no. This should not be a problem for members who are Adelaide University students (after all, it’s only $20), but may discourage Associate Members. The best thing to do if you are worried about the cost is to work out whether you’ll get your money’s worth out of your membership. How many trips do you want to go on before you leave or before O’Week next year? Will you need to hire gear for an extended period during this time, and would it be better to buy or hire your own from elsewhere? How many great events will you miss out on if you don’t renew your membership? Answering these questions will help you work out whether it’s worth renewing now or later.

Can Non-Members Hire Gear or Participate in AUMC Activities (Even as a Once-Off)?

NO. All participants in official AUMC trips must be current financial members of the club to ensure that they are contributing to trip costs and are covered by public liability insurance. Gear is only hired to members to make sure that we know who has the gear and to ensure that it is going to club members. (In other words, our gear hire is not a commercial operation-the outdoor stores in Rundle Street can provide gear if non-members wish to hire.)

Mailing List

How Do I Get On (Or Off) the AUMC Mailing List?

Just go to the Mailing List page of this website, enter your email address into the form and click ‘Sign Up’.

To unsubscribe, please use the link that appears at the bottom of every email.

How Do I Let AUMC Members Know About My Next Trip?

Just send an email to info at aumc.asn.au giving your trip details (what, when, where, estimated costs, skills required etc.) and your contact information. Your trip plans will then be sent out in the next AUMC email bulletin and may be advertised on the website (if you are known to and endorsed by AUMC Committee).

Gear Room and Gear Hire

Where is the Gear Room?

The AUMC Gear Room is located in the basement of the Hartley Building. The easiest way to get to the Gear Room is to enter the building from Kintore Avenue through the doors closest to the Northern carpark. After entering, go down the stairs (follow the toilet signs) and the door is directly in front of you.

Photos directing you to the Gear Room are here.

How Much Does Gear Hire Cost?

That depends on the type of gear and the time you wish to hire. The latest rates are available on the Gear Hire page or from the gear officer. Everything is cheap, but make sure that you bring enough money to cover both the deposit and the hire fee. Unfortunately we can’t accept credit cards – there’s an ATM on the ground floor of Union House.

Conditions of Gear Hire

We trust that members will bring gear back in reasonable (and clean) condition. Your deposit(s) will not be returned if you have severely damaged or failed to clean the gear. Also, please let us know if you have lost or broken anything. We will not keep your deposit if there is only a minor problem (e.g. lost tent peg) or if damage is due to normal wear and tear. We would rather know about any problems than hire out damaged gear next time. We rely on the honesty and good will of members to keep our hire charges and deposits low-so please return your hire gear on time and in good condition.

Full details are on the Gear Hire page.

Hiring Gear for Specific Activities

Climbing gear

AUMC does not hire any climbing equipment for safety reasons. Rock climbing is potentially fatal, and so the use of AUMC equipment is usually restricted to official climbing trips run by the Climbing Officer and/or other Committee members that can safely use the gear.

Climbing equipment may be borrowed from the club if you can demonstrate your ability to safely use the equipment. The procedure for this is to contact the Climbing Officer and arrange a mutually convenient time to go climbing. The Climbing Officer will observe you setting up the climb and then decide whether your safety techniques and skills are adequate. If this is the case, the Climbing Officer will put your name down on a list indicating what gear you may borrow (i.e. top-rope setup only or top-rope+lead rack). The Climbing Officer has the final decision on whether to grant you access to the gear. (In exceptional circumstances, you may appeal to the AUMC Committee to review the Climbing Officer’s decision.) The climbing gear itself will be available on a first-come first-served basis, and will not be available if required for an official AUMC trip.

Canoes and Kayaks

As with climbing equipment, AUMC does not hire canoes or kayaks for safety reasons. Canoeing equipment may be borrowed from the club if you can demonstrate your ability to safely use the equipment. The procedure for this is to contact the Canoeing Officer and arrange a mutually convenient time to go canoeing. The Canoeing Officer will observe your canoeing and rescue skills and then decide whether they are adequate. If this is the case, the Canoeing Officer will put your name down on a list indicating what gear you may borrow. The Canoeing Officer has the final decision on whether to grant you access to the gear. (In exceptional circumstances, you may appeal to the AUMC Committee to review the Canoeing Officer’s decision.) The canoeing gear itself will be available on a first-come first-served basis, and will not be available if required for an official AUMC trip.

Canoes and kayaks are stored at Foreman St. West Beach (map). Some AUMC events may leave from here.

Mountain bikes

AUMC has six mountain bikes, four of which are high quality. These bikes may be hired for use on trips of short duration (i.e. no more than two weeks) unless they are required for an official AUMC trip (such as eco-challenge training).

FAQ