Our Team

Founder of Basecamp Wanaka Climbing Centre, Managing Director Loz Ogle is our resident Kiwi and has been climbing for over 20 years. He studied Outdoor Education and has worked in the industry, both here in New Zealand and in Italy, Wales and Australia for over 10 years. When not at work or at the local crag Loz can be found skiing at Treble Cone, volunteering for the local Search and Rescue group or developing his green thumb in the garden.

Nia has been climbing at Basecamp since our inception in 2009 and has risen through the ranks ever since. Luckily for us she has returned to Wanaka after finishing her degree in psychology, doing some travels and a stint in Auckland. She is excited to be back and is passionate about motivating and coaching climbers, as well as going out climbing and paddle boarding herself.

Yann grew up in northwest France and spent most of his holidays in the French alps. He arrived in New Zealand 4 years ago and spent the year hiking throughout the South Island. He has now settled in Queenstown where he spends all his free time outdoors; climbing trad and sport, mountaineering, skiing, trail running and taking photos.

Hannah is a key member of staff at Basecamp and you’ll most often find her supervising the Sport Climbing Wall or Clip N’ Climb, making even the most nervous of climbers feel at ease.
Prior to joining the Basecamp team in 2015, Hannah managed a tree-top aerial adventure course in Christchurch so managing people and ropes is second nature to her. Her other passion is mountain biking, so on her days off, she can usually be found on Wanaka’s excellent single-track trails.

Andrew hails from across the ditch, having spent time climbing and skiing all over the world, including; Norway, Europe & North America he has now made New Zealand home. Andrew has NZOIA Rock 1 and has his sights set on furthering his guiding career with the NZMGA over the next few years, if you find yourself around him be ready for a laugh, he has some great banter up his sleeve!

Jules grew up in Melbourne, learning to climb at Mt Arapiles and the Grampians. He worked and climbing indoors (when he had to) but after several mountaineering trips to New Zealand he saw the light and rode his kangaroo across the ditch in search of bigger adventures and chilly belay ledges. After 8 years climbing. he’s as keen as ever for all forms of climbing from pepple wrestling to vertical snow walking.

Shifting to Australia from the USA as a teenager, John qualified as a teacher before moving to New Zealand.  He loves to climb, and to introduce people to climbing.

Summar grew up as a bush kid here in New Zealand, on the wild West Coast of the South Island where she found her passion for the outdoors. She has gained Rock & Bush NZOIA qualifications and has been guiding and travelling around New Zealand ever since. She likes to dabble in most outdoor pursuits; rock climbing, surfing, hiking, kayaking and snowboarding. You can take the girl from the coast but her enjoyment for motorbike riding proves you can’t take the coast from the girl.  Summar loves spontaneous adventures, meeting new faces and having a cheeky beer after a big day in the sun and having good laugh so if you see her around don’t be shy!

Emily’s passion for rock and the mountains brought her to Wanaka in 2013 after 6 years working as a climbing instructor in Australia. She has been a part of the Basecamp team since early in 2016 and recently attained her NZOIA Sport Climbing Endorsement to add to her Rock 1. She’s happiest when her spare time is filled with adventures in the mountains—climbing, scrambling, skiing or biking, and finishing her days creating delicious food and drinking a glass of pinot!

Frankie joined the Basecamp team early in 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. Whether she is supervising the Sport Climbing Wall, or instructing climbers outdoors; Frankie’s boundless energy and enthusiasm are infectious! Her passion for climbing and the outdoors means that Frankie seizes every opportunity for adventure, be it climbing in the Arapiles, mountaineering in the Southern Alps or competing in adventure races

Jamie spent 3 years training as an outdoor instructor / guide in Timaru, where he achieved the top student award all three years. After specialising in mountaineering, rock and bush, he qualified with NZOIA Rock and Bush level 1 then chose to travel to broaden his climbing skills. Going to Australia, America, England and the European Alps and gaining experience teaching all types of people from a range of cultures and backgrounds along the way.

Most at home in the alpine environment, Chris is not only an excellent guide and instructor but also a talented photographer. When not leading our mountaineering trips, Chris also volunteers for the Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team.

Cam is all things outdoors. Although he’s originally from the North Island we let this slide for him. Mostly because he is a through and through outdoor adventurer, and full blown lover of New Zealand, with all it’s historic, cultural, natural and outdoor pursuits to offer.