Natural High

Sydney Morning Herald journo-cum-adventurer recommends NZ as the perfect training ground for would-be mountaineers: “It’s close, cheap, the inhabitants speak English, and the mountains are world-class.” Particularly highly regarded is the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s 2-day advanced snowcraft course (NZ$120). A non-profit, volunteer-run organization, the MSC was established in 1966 “to encourage the enjoyment of the mountains, and to promote safety through more effective techniques, responsible attitudes and sound judgement.”