Ice Climbing Course Wanaka Mountain Guides

Overview

The Ice Climbing Course is based at the upper crags and cirque of the South Branch of Wye Creek. The area provides one of New Zealand’s most accessible and varied winter climbing venues. Satisfying the criteria of altitude, drainage, and cold aspect gives this area reliability for good ice formation during the coldest periods of winter. Develop your climbing skills with expert instruction from New Zealand Mountain Guides.

Itinerary

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Wānaka or meet at the helicopter hangar in Frankton. After gear checks, it is a short helicopter ride deep into the Remarkables mountain range.

Campsites are situated right under the ice provide easy daily access to a wide range of classic climbs to develop your skills over four intensive days of climbing and instruction. At the end of the trip, the helicopter returns to transport the group back to Frankton. All flights are included.

Accommodation

The upper Wye Creek is remote and there are no huts in the area. We fly in and out with expedition-style camp equipment including large base camp tents, heated cooking tent, extra blankets, and cooking equipment. This allows for a comfortable winter camping experience.

All food and snacks are included to keep you fully fueled up on this winter adventure.

Equipment

Personal technical climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, crampons, and ice axes are available for use and included. Group technical equipment including ropes are provided.

Participants will need to be equipped with suitable personal clothing for winter climbing and camping.

For more information regarding equipment selection, check out our article on preparing for ice climbing in New Zealand.

Ice Climbing Course Syllabus:-
The variety of climbs at Wye Creek allows the course to cater to all levels of previous ice climbing experience. With previous rock climbing experience, it is possible to quickly progress into leading ice climbs and develop the skills to attempt sustained routes and alpine ice routes in the high mountains including multi-pitch ascents and descents.

A specialist ice climbing course is an excellent complement to previous alpine or winter mountaineering courses.

Topics covered include:

Preparation for ice climbing
Equipment selection
Managing ice climbing and winter hazards
Steep ice climbing techniques
Placing ice screws, building anchors, and leading
Multi-pitch climbing and abseil descents
Avalanche awareness and emergency preparedness
Winter camping

Difficulty & Fitness

Fitness and Difficulty Requirements

Dates & Pricing

Availability

These dates are available for group or private bookings. If you can’t make these dates, get in touch to arrange other dates or private guiding trips.

25th – 28th July: Places available

31st July – 3rd August: 3 places available

10th – 14th August: Places available

Pricing

Inclusions & Exclusions

Includes: GST, NZMGA certified guide, compliance costs, technical equipment, all food, tents and cooking equipment, transport from Wānaka, helicopter flight in and out

Booking Conditions

If the weather does not allow helicopter access into Wye Creek for the entire duration of the trip then accommodation can be provided at Kea Lodge in Wanaka and unused flight expenses will be refunded.

It will be possible to undertake day or overnight trips to ice and mixed climbs in the Remarkables using the ski field road for access.

Testimonials

‘A relaxing getaway with an old mate combined with a cool lodge and back country skiing. Awesome slopes. Staying at Whare Kea Chalet was an amazing place with awesome facilities and luxury beds with a view of the Milky Way! Back country ski touring with a guide in remote locations takes all the stress out of making decisions.’

— — Murray, Whare Kea Chalet Ski Tour

‘[Our guide] was great and I learned so much from him. I would happily work with him again. It was a phenomenal trip,’

— — Mike, Ice Climbing Course

‘Very good guiding, very good cooking, very good company.’

— — Robert, Private Ski Guiding