| Rolfe Oostra. BSc (Ecology/Biology) FRGS.
UIMLA (UIAA), UK EML, First Aid Instructor (Expedition specialty), SPA, NZ TMC (1992), PADI (Dive-master)
Rock climbing graded by the Australian or French grading systems. Alpine routes graded by the French Alpine grading system. ( in brackets)
AUSTRALIA » 1984 - 1993: Led Kangaroo Island trek from Cape Borda to Cape de Quediac.(8 days) » Led several treks through NSW national parks such as Kosciusko, Morton, Washpool, and Girraween. ( all treks more than 5 days in duration.) » Led treks through remote parts of Mac Donald ranges, Mt.Giles and Olga Wilderness areas of the Australian interior. (all treks more than 7 days in duration.) » Trekked extensively in Tasmania: Western and Eastern Arthur's, Overland, Mt.Anne and Frecinet Peninsula.( all treks longer than 7 days in duration). » Taught Kayaking and canoeing for two summer seasons on the Murrembidgee river. » Tasmania: Kayaked Georges river.(5 days) and sea kayaked North west coast (4 days) » Obtained scuba licence (F.A.U.I) and participated in diving expeditions nationwide. » Extensive cross-country skiing ,snow camping and ice climbing during four winter seasons in Kosciousko National park » Managed small nature reserve Ginninderra Falls from 1987 to 1990. » Rock-climbed to leading grade 23 (F6c) in all Australian states. Extensively developed Ginninderra Gorge area. 20 first ascents up to grade 23 (F6c). » Worked as a climbing instructor on weekends in 1989. » 1993: Climbed "Ozymandias" (M5 multi-day aid route) and several other hard aid routes at Mt.Buffalo. Victoria.
NEW ZEALAND » 1991: Completed technical mountaineering course with alpine guides. (10 days). » Climbed numerous Alpine peaks including: Mt.Dixon (PD+) Peak 9914 (PD) Mt.Tasman (AD+) Hotchetter Dome (PD) Augille Rouge (AD) Almer (F) and Silberhorn (AD). Two friends killed in avalanche. » 1992 Climbed: The Footstool (East face. D) Mt.Seally (PD) Mt.Massey ( PD ) and Mt.Cook via Porters Col route (AD+). Attempted Mt.Cook via Earls Ridge (D) but descended due to storm 150m.from the high peak. » 1994: Climbed: Mt.Wakefield (F) Footstool (AD) Madonna peak (PD) Lean Peak (F) Bride veil peak (AD) Mt.Hadinger (west face. AD+) Mt. Lendenfield: normal route (PD+) and Peter Hillary route (D) and Mt.Tasman: Heemskirk face (TD). » Attempted: Mt.Cook South Face on two occasions (TD) and Malte-Brun (D) once but descended due to poor weather or ice conditions. » Trekked around Steward Island,18 days (solo.) Crossed Copland Pass in winter (solo). » 2000:Taught alpine skills course at Mt.Cook national park. » Guided Mt. Cook via the North-West Couloir (AD) Hooker face (D) and the Linda Glacier route (AD) with a client. Descended due to objective danger on all routes.
AFRICA » Kenya 1992: Guided one client on Mount Kenya, (5200m. Mc.Kinders route. D+.) » Climbed Point Lenana (4985m), Point Thomson (4955m. AD) and Point Meluish (4880m, AD). Mount Kenya national park. » Climbed Mt.Sekker (3400m.) Koh (3000m. AD) Sondhang (3211m) and Mt. Kalelaikelat (3349m) Cherrangani mountains. West Kenya. » Trekked remote west shore of lake Turkana to Ethiopia border (10 days). » 1993: Climbed Mount Kenya, (5200m. North-Face route. TD). » Extensive rock climbing in Kenya's prime locations. (leading to F6c) » Guided Mount Kenya's Pt.Lenana (4985m.) on 6 separate ascents. » Led trek through Matthew range and crossed Chalbi desert (17 days). North Kenya. » 1998: Climbed Mount Longonaut (2800m,volcano). » Climbed Lonely Peak (1800m. TD- ). Shaba national park. » Explored Matthew Ranges and climbed numerous peaks ( 4 weeks, 2500m.+). » Lived with remote Samburu communities (2 months) and studied tribal customs and partaking in local ceremonies. » 2002 and 2005: Guided Mount Kenya's Pt.Lenana (4985m) Sirimon route and Chogoria route variant. » Uganda 1992: Ruwenzori Mountains. Climbed Margarita. (5109m. South East ridge. AD. Solo.). » Trekked cross country through Kabalega National Park to Murchison Falls (6 days) » Mozambique 1994: Led 330 kms. trek along remote north coast of Mozambique. From Isla de Mozambique to the Tanzania borders. (11 days.) » Zaire 1994: Paddled using local dugout canoes 1100 kms of the Congo and Mawimi rivers. (6 weeks). Congo rainforest basin. » Walked most of the route from Beni to kisingani. (600 kms. 1 month.) » Tanzania 1994: Attempted to paddle the previously un-paddled Ifakara River (tributary of the Rufuji river) in the Selous National Park. - Unsuccessful due to hippopotamus attack. »
2005 and
2006: Guided three separate ascents of Meru Peak (4656m.). 32 clients. » Malawi 1992: Led 2-week trek through Mulanje Massive. Climbed Sawpitwa (3000m) and climbed Chinzama (west face. AD+. solo) » Paddled using local dugout canoe 170 kms. along northwest shore of Lake Malawi. » 1994: Climbed East face of Mt. Chambe. (TD) Mulanje Massive. » 2005: Worked as a bicycle guide and cycled from Lilongwe to Mzuzu (500kms. 36 clients) » Zimbabwe 1994: Led two separate 5-day treks through Chimani-mani Mountains. » 1995: Led trek through the Chimnani-mani range into Mozambique and climbed the rarely climbed '5th range'.(6 days) » Eritrea 1997: Explored mountain area of Keren region.((2000m peaks.8 days). » Ethiopia 1997: Trekked along course of Blue Nile (110 kms 3 days). » 1998: Trekked along course of Bako River (140 kms. Western Ethiopia.1 week) » Trekked along course of the remote Omo River (southern Ethiopia) to Lake Turkana (north Kenya, 11 days). » Lived with remote Hammar communities and studied tribal traditions. (3 weeks.) » Morocco 2004 to 2008: Guided on five Sahara desert treks. (8 days each trek ) » 2008: Guiding in the Atlas Mountains (Jebel Toubkal 4200m.). 12 clients.
Sinai Peninsula - Egypt » 1997: Obtained professional scuba diver qualifications (PADI Dive-master) and logged over 300 working dives. ( day check night boat safari and rescue dives). » Dived extensively in Dahab area as well as leading safari dives to Ras Mohammad, the Straits of Tiran, Gabr el Bint and various other sites in the Red Sea. (110 dives) » Logged over sixty deep dives (65m+) and set a personal deep diving record of 105m. » 2000/1: Started up Sinai's first and only rock climbing school (137 clients.) » Guided clients on various climbing safaris to Wadi's Quanai, Connection, and Kidd. » Established six first ascents at Wadi Kidd. (Graded up to F6a) » On-sights routes up to grade F6c: hardest routes climbed (lead) were graded F7a.
ASIA » Pakistan 1993: led expedition to Karakoram. Climbed from Ghondogoro glacier: Ghondogoro Peak (6000m) Peak 5800m (rock spire. D) And an unnamed 6310m Peak. (West face. Mixed. AD+). All routes multi-day alpine style. » Attempted Masherbrum (7820m) but failed low down on the mountain due to storms. » Led trek up Batura glacier. Karakoram. (8 days). » Nepal
2005 to 2008: Guided 3 expeditions to Mera peak. (6476m.). Total 28
clients. 17 summited. » Climbed Lobouche West. (6135m. South ridge. AD+ .) Solo. » Attempted Kussum Kanguru (6468m. AD+ ) from Hinku valley but stopped 200m below north summit due to un-stable serac barrier. » 2006: Guided 27 clients on Everest base camp trek (5350m) and Kala Patar (5600m).. » Tibet 2006: Guided 6 clients on Lhakpa Ri (7045m). Reached 6600m. Unsuccessful due to extremely heavy snowfall and avalanche risk. » Guided 21 clients on Shishapangma and Everest base camp treks. (5300m) » Climbed Tridon Peak (6420m). AD+) above Everest BC. solo. » Attempted Changtse (Everest North Peak. 7565m. AD+). Reached 7415m on the North -east ridge. Unsuccessful due to extensive cornicing of the final 200m ridge. » Bhutan 2007: Guided on the Chomolhari BC trek (5000m. 22 Clients) and the Druk path trek (18 Clients). Total 31/2 weeks » Vietnam 2004: Worked as a bicycle guide on two separate bike challenges from Saigon to Hanoi. » 2006: Guided two treks through Long Pou National park. 6 days. 31 clients. » 2007: Guided on Mount Fansipan trek (3143m).21 clients.
SOUTH AMERICA » Brazil 1995: Paddled using a local boat 1100 kms of the Rio Madeira in Brazil (Amazon basin). 4 weeks. Expedition sponsored by Australian Geographic Society. » Bolivia 1995: Guided Camino del Oro trek (alpine and forest) 2 clients. » Climbed from Sorata Village 'Pico Choss' (5000m. PD) and 'Pico Oro' (5200m. PD winter. Solo). » Led Yunga Cruz trek (alpine and cloud forest) three days. » Paddled using local dugout canoe the Rio Beni. (solo. 600 kms. Amazon Basin). » 1996: Climbed Pico Shultze (5943m. Southeast face route-variant. AD) » Climbed Ancohuma (6427m.West face. AD). Descended from new route (6100m North ridge D+) on due to illness one week later. » Attempted Illampu (6368m. South-west ridge. D) but descended from 6100m. due to bad weather and un-stable sow conditions. » Guided Illimani Norte (6403m. South ridge. D-). One client. » Guided for eight months in mountains near Sorata village.23 clients. 6 treks/climbs. » Guided on various jungle treks including the Mapiri trail and Choro trail (7 days). » Trekked through very remote Cocoyo region of alto Plano (6 days). » Trekked through remote Noel Kempf Mercardo rainforests. (Amazon Basin. 9 days). » Paddled using local dugout canoes the Rio Mammore for 1500 kms. Also many tributary rivers. (Bolivia's Amazon Basin. 5 weeks) » Paddled using local dugout canoes the Rio Paraguay, Rio Itenez and Rio Mammore for 1700 kms (Bolivia's and Brazil's border Amazon Basin. 6 weeks). » Argentina 1995: Climbed Aconcagua (6960m. Normal route. F. solo). » Aconcagua: Descended from 6450.m on the Direct-Polish Glacier route ( AD. solo) due to extremely bad weather. » Climbed Pico Bonete (5035m. F). » Climbed Pico Ameghino (5860 m. PD. solo) from the Polish glacier route. » Climbed Tupungato (6550m. West ridge. PD) » 1996: Climbed Mercedario (6770m. North-east ridge. AD solo) » Climbed Mercedario Sud (6210 m. North- face. D ) . » Climbed La Plata (5955m. Normal route. PD). » Rock climbed 14 routes at Los Arenales up to grade F6a+ (multi pitch). 3000m rock spires. » 2007: Guided on Aconcagua (6960m. Normal route. F ). 7 clients to the summit. Guided Bonette peak. (5035m. F ) 10 Clients » Ecuador 2003: Amazon basin. Recognisance expedition. Set up cultural and naturalist program. Ecuador Orient. 2 weeks. » 2004 to 2005:Worked as a rainforest guide on 2 separate 10 day cultural and naturalist expeditions. » Chile 1995: Cycled 500 kms. across Atacama Desert. (10 days.) » 2007: Guided on the Torres del Paine circuit. 21 clients. » Worked as a horse riding guide on an across the Andes horse traverse. 20 clients » Peru 2000: Taught 3 alpine skills courses and ice climbing courses at Pico Pastoruri (5240m. F). 16 clients. » Guided on Pisco Oeste (5752m. South -west ridge. PD+) . 2 times total 8 clients. » Guided on Pukaraju (5346m. South face. PD). One client. » Guided on Alpamayo (5947m. Ferrari route. AD/D) . Two clients. » Guided on Shaqsha (5703m. North-west face. AD). One client but descended due to avalanche danger at 5450m. » Attempted Shaqsha (South-ridge. AD).In one day from Hauraz but descended due to a bad storm at 5520m. » Guided on Huascaran Norte (6655m. South-east ridge. AD) Two clients. Descended from 6200m due to avalanche danger. » Attempted Huascaran Sur (6768m. Garganta route. PD). Reached 6255m descended due to developing storm. Solo. » Climbed Bayo/Haupi (5415m. South-west ridge. AD) . One day from Huaraz. » Attempted Copa (6188m. South -east face. AD/D) Descended from 5900m due to partner getting altitude sickness. » Attempted Huandoy (6395m. North-east face. D+). Forced to retreat at 5690m due to unstable snow and avalanche danger. » Guided Santa Cruz trek. (4750m) with two clients. (4 days.) » Guided the Rio's Perene and Tambo (400 km S.E Peru) using balsa rafts, local dug- out canoes and motorised boats, with four clients. (2 weeks). » 2003 to 2008: Guided on the Inca trail on eight occasions. 134 clients.
CENTRAL AMERICA » Panama 2003: Recognisance expedition . Found route to link Pacific Ocean with Caribbean Sea. Coast to coast walk. San Blas region. Jungle walk. (14 days.) » Nicaragua 2003: Guided on a month long multi activity expedition. Climbed Volcan Madeira (1394m), San Juan peak (865m), Selva Negra peak (1457m) and a sub-peak of Mogodon (2438m). Also horse riding and jungle trekking.
» Honduras 2003: Worked as a dive-master on Utila Island. 9 dives. .
» Costa Rica 2005 and 2008: Guided on 9 day long jungle/volcano trek 28Clients
EUROPE » UK 1998: Dartmoor National Park- Rock climbing leading to grade F6c. » 2002: Worked as an outdoor instructor for various adventure companies teaching team building, rock-climbing and preparing groups for overseas expeditions. » Rock-climbing to grade HVS (leading) in Devon Wales and the Peak district. » 2003: Rock-climbing to grade F6c (leading). » Awarded Mountain leader award and Single Pitch climbing instructor award. » Wales 2006 to 2008: Worked as a climbing instructor for 12 weeks in Wales. (200+ clients.) » Scotland 2001: Glencoe-climbed: Crowberry gully ( D). Ben Nevis: climbed: » Moon gully buttress (AD) Italian climb (D) Curtain route (TD) Tower ridge (AD)
» Iceland 2001: Sails as crewmember on traditionally gaff rigged yacht to Reykjavik from Plymouth UK. (2 weeks). » Attempted to climb Hvanadalshnukur (2119m. AD) via a route from the Skaftafellsjokull glacier retreated from 1750m due to extremely strong winds and inexperience of some members in the party. » 2005 and 2007: Guided on four separate 6 day treks in the central highlands. 112 clients.
» Switzerland 2002: Attempted Eiger (3940m. Mittelidge ridge. AD) but retreated at 3850m. due to severe weather. » 2004: Awarded the International Mountain Leader Award. U.I.M.L.A (UIAA) » 2006. Guided on the Matterhorn (4462m. North west ridge. D) Retreated from high due to unreasonable objective danger. » Climbed the Matterhorn: Hornli ridge (AD) in 7 hours. Solo. » 2007: Guided on the Matterhorn. (Hornli Ridge. AD). Two clients: retreated from 3800m due to heavy snowfall. » France 2003 to 2008: - Pyrenees. Guided ascents on Peak Baum (3194m), Maupa peak (3091m) Spejoiles peak (3200m) and Gordoun peak (3094m). For 3 weeks. » Guided 7 different groups on Haute Route trek: climbing 16 separate peaks. » Guided fifteen separate Aneto ascents (3404m. F/PD. two in winter). » Guided Vignemale (3300m. PD winter. 2 x. 3 clients) and Petit Vignemale (3050m AD 1 x 2 clients. » Climbing instructor on many rock, ice and Alpine skills development courses. » Climbed Vignemale (3100m. North face direct route. TD). » Rock climbing to leading grade F6b+/6c. (Climbed 2 x 7a routes.) » Extensive ice climbing. Over 50 routes up to WI 5+ routes (3 x WI4 solo.) » First ascent of 70m. Grade WI 5 ice route. First ascent of 100m WI 4 ice route.
GREENLAND
» 2001: Scorcesby sound, Liverpool land and Jameson's land. Climbing expedition. Total of 6 peaks climbed. Team retreated from one peak. » Climbed Kaempehojen (1200m. New route. South-east face. AD+). » Climbed Pk.1180m. (South Ridge. F). » Climbed Tvillingerne (1430m. "Colouir route". South-east face. AD). » Climbed Pk.1230m. (un-mapped: Hermione Pk. AD). » Climbed "Anita's temple" (1245m. First ascent. D.) » Attempted Pk.1364m. (D) Retreated due to high objective danger 200m. from summit. » Two team members climbed Pk.1364m. (New route. East face. PD+) |
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