Eryn Cutler
Eryn grew up in South Canterbury attending Pre-school, Primary and Secondary School in Pleasant Point. Eryn has a strong connection with the local area, stemming from a family passion for the outdoors – his father Steve one of Outdoor Education's Pioneers in the South Canterbury area. After school Eryn completed a BSc and MSc at Otago University. His Masters Research project involved a 6 week climate and snow investigation based at the head of the Tasman Glacier in the Mount Cook National Park. During this time Eryn and his research team (which included Hamish) learnt a great deal from local guides, climbed many nearby peaks and solidified glacier travel, ski touring and mountaineering skills to a grade 3+ level. Qualified in ski instruction, avalanche safety and kayak instruction Eryn brings valuable white water and snow safety experience to the team. These skills have seen Eryn spend many summers and winter seasons abroad instructing and guiding in the outdoors. Eryn now lives in Wellington where as well as concentrating on Team Adventure Aotearoa escapades, he works as an outdoor risk management assessor and is the director of a global travel adventure company – http://www.educatingadventures.com/.
Hamish Blakemore
Hamish is a 4th generation South Cantabrian who grew up on the family farm up the Opihi Valley just outside of Pleasant Point. Like Eryn, Hamish attended Pre-School, Primary and Secondary School in Pleasant Point. Hamish's family involvement in numerous community projects, both locally and regionally, has meant Hamish has developed a positive affinity for South Canterbury's unique landscape and its community spirit. In 1996 Hamish undertook Geological studies at the University of Otago, graduating in 2000 with a BSc, DipGrad and PGDipSci. In 2005 Hamish returned to Otago University and completed an MSc. During this time Hamish was fortunate enough to be invited on an Antarctic research project where he spent 7 weeks conducting geophysical experiments on the Ross and McMurdo ice sheets. Between stints at Otago University Hamish worked as an offshore Geophysicist based in Singapore, a Seismologist situated in Melbourne and is currently employed as an exploration Geologist working in the Amazonian jungle of Suriname but based in Dunedin. Hamish’s strength in the outdoors lies in the disciplines of rock climbing and mountaineering. Hamish has spent numerous weekends’ rock climbing at crags around Dunedin, Wanaka and at Twin Streams. He has also holidayed at popular multi-pitch rock climbing crags within Thailand (Tonsai) and Australia (Grampians and Mt Arapiles). The majority of Hamish's mountaineering experience is coupled with Eryn's, although other trips have included attempts on the west and southwest faces of Mt Aspiring (with Paul), and winter ice climbing trips into Bush Stream. Hamish has the ability to lead grade 22 naturally protected rock climbs, climb grade 4 waterfall ice, and lead grade 3+/4 Alpine routes. This experience will make Hamish an invaluable member of the team throughout the mountaineering section of the circumnavigation.
Hamish is a 4th generation South Cantabrian who grew up on the family farm up the Opihi Valley just outside of Pleasant Point. Like Eryn, Hamish attended Pre-School, Primary and Secondary School in Pleasant Point. Hamish's family involvement in numerous community projects, both locally and regionally, has meant Hamish has developed a positive affinity for South Canterbury's unique landscape and its community spirit. In 1996 Hamish undertook Geological studies at the University of Otago, graduating in 2000 with a BSc, DipGrad and PGDipSci. In 2005 Hamish returned to Otago University and completed an MSc. During this time Hamish was fortunate enough to be invited on an Antarctic research project where he spent 7 weeks conducting geophysical experiments on the Ross and McMurdo ice sheets. Between stints at Otago University Hamish worked as an offshore Geophysicist based in Singapore, a Seismologist situated in Melbourne and is currently employed as an exploration Geologist working in the Amazonian jungle of Suriname but based in Dunedin. Hamish’s strength in the outdoors lies in the disciplines of rock climbing and mountaineering. Hamish has spent numerous weekends’ rock climbing at crags around Dunedin, Wanaka and at Twin Streams. He has also holidayed at popular multi-pitch rock climbing crags within Thailand (Tonsai) and Australia (Grampians and Mt Arapiles). The majority of Hamish's mountaineering experience is coupled with Eryn's, although other trips have included attempts on the west and southwest faces of Mt Aspiring (with Paul), and winter ice climbing trips into Bush Stream. Hamish has the ability to lead grade 22 naturally protected rock climbs, climb grade 4 waterfall ice, and lead grade 3+/4 Alpine routes. This experience will make Hamish an invaluable member of the team throughout the mountaineering section of the circumnavigation.
Paul Pringle
Paul’s parents and grandparents spent the majority of their lives in South Canterbury and his paternal Grandfather still resides in the wallaby town of Waimate. Paul grew up in Otago and Canterbury but has had a close affinity with South Canterbury through his parents, grandparents and the majority of his holidays being spent camping on the shores of Lake Aviemore. Five years at Otago University saw Paul obtain a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management) before he began working for four years as an employment lawyer with law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. Following two years abroad traveling and working, Paul has returned to Wellington to work as an employment lawyer and HR Consultant, currently at the Department of Corrections. Paul brings solid outdoor experience to the team; having worked as a sea kayak guide and ski instructor in California and in Wanaka. Paul is also a solid class 4+ whitewater paddler having descended the likes of the Rangitata Gorge and Whataroa River. Confidence on rock and alpine has seen ascents of Mont Blanc in France; solid attempts on Aspiring, De La Bech and others around Mt Cook; and multi-pitch rock routes of Grade 19/20 at Twin Stream and Arapiles in Australia. Paul is also no stranger to competitive endurance events and an “ever the optimist” attitude has seen successful appearances in the likes of Arrow 24, Day/Night mountainbike races and the Coast to Coast.
