History of Alpine Sports Club

Alpine Sports Club (ASC) was founded in 1929. Before that, a group of people associated with the University of Auckland went walking together under the name of the Sundown Strollers. The active core of this group eventually under the guidance of Professor Ronald Algie, joined with 6 others to form the infant ASC (Incorporated). Twenty people attended that inaugural meeting in the garden pavilion at Professor Algie's Remuera Road home. Membership has grown slowly but steadily to 425 in 1967, 750 in 1986, and 850 in 1994. ASC was set up to cater for a wide range of mountain and outdoor interests including tramping, mountaineering, skiing, camping, caving, canoeing, and outdoor recreation.

ASC's first huts were two dilapidated bushman's shanties beside the Anawhata Stream. The smaller was maintained while the larger was repaired and christened 'Chateau Mosquito' in factious comparison with the Grand Chateau being built at Tongariro National Park in 1928. These old huts have decayed long ago but the name lingers on in the name of the access track from McElwains Road (now Anawhata Road) to the Anawhata Stream.

ASC's third hut was built in 1933-34 on land purchased by the club along Anawhata Road but much nearer Piha Road. This is our Waitakere Hut and is still in use today by club members and their guests, school groups and other clubs, etc. This hut was destroyed by fire in an arson attack in 1998 and was rebuilt in 1999 making it the eighth hut the club has built. The adjoining property had an old hut, now dilapidated, that was built by club members. That property was purchased from Maurice Lennard in December 1983. The Waitakere Hut is used by members and their families and by school and youth groups and other outdoor associations.

Runnymead Hut was the fourth hut built by club members, this time in the Mangatangi Valley, Hunua Ranges. It was a basic hut made of punga logs and Malthoid (a bitumen impregnated fabric). It no longer exists as the waters of the Mangatangi water reservoir now cover the site to a depth of approximately ten metres. Built in 1949 it lasted until 1966 when the reservoir was filled.

Ruapehu Hut was built in 1950 with extensions added in 1956, 1962 and 1976. This is our first hut located in Tongariro National Park. Ruapehu Hut is, therefore, the fourth hut built by the club members.

The A-Frame was constructed on a site just above Ruapehu Hut in 1966 by contract labour assisted substantially by club members. The A-Frame is our fifth hut. It remains in its original design, although the living and sleeping areas were enlarged between 1994-1996.

A limited-edition club history "55 Years of an Auckland Mountain Club 1929-1984" was published in 1986 and is now becoming a collector's item.

In February of 2004 the club celebrated it's 75th Anniversary with a formal dinner held at the Ellerslie Convention Centre. Catherline Watts, Daughter of Sir Ronald Algie, was one of the keynote speakers. More than 250 members attended the function.

Check out our Life Members and former Presidents.

We are in the process of preparing for our 100th anniversary. If you would like to get involved please contact us.