Knowledge Base
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Knowledge Base](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzgyOjMyMDg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Knowledge Base 42")
Our Knowledge Base includes technical advice, articles, and route descriptions to help further your mountain knowledge. We are experts in mountain activities, with years of experience, and an extensive knowledge of playing and working in the New Zealand mountains as well as overseas.
Downloads
Visit our Downloads page for resourses for our winter and summer courses.
Technical Advice, Articles, and Route Descriptions
Avalanche Skills Crevasses Rescue Darrans Gear Glacier Travel Ice Climbing Mountaineering Rock Climbing Ski Touring splitboard touring
- Packing for a Glacier Ski Tour
Essential Gear and Preparation for a Glacier Ski Tour For backcountry skiers and splitboarders, embarking on a glacier tour in the Southern Alps is an unparalleled experience. Combining exhilarating turns with breathtaking alpine scenery, surrounded by New Zealand’s highest peaks. To ensure your adventure is safe and comfortable, strategic packing is key. The variable mountain… Read more: Packing for a Glacier Ski Tour - Preparing for Trekking in New Zealand
Trekking in New Zealand can be very different to experience from other countries. Away from the Great Walks, even popular routes such as the Gillespie Pass circuit have minimal infrastructure. If you are planning on trekking during a visit to New Zealand, here are some tips and tricks so you can be prepared for a… Read more: Preparing for Trekking in New Zealand - Essential Training for Mount Aspiring
Climbing Tititea / Mount Aspiring (3033m) requires both physical and technical preparation. The level of training for Mount Aspiring depends on the route you choose and your experience with mountaineering. It is one of the Southern Alps most aesthetic and classic peaks. It is the only 3000m peak outside of the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland… Read more: Essential Training for Mount Aspiring - Learn Mountaineering with Wānaka Mountain Guides
We offer a range of mountaineering courses suitable for all experience levels. These courses provide essential skills, mentorship opportunities, and access to experienced guides, helping aspiring mountaineers to safely tackle challenging objectives. From introductory to advanced courses, participants can develop the expertise and confidence needed for alpine adventures in New Zealand and beyond. - Preparing for an Ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook
Many mountaineers aspire to an ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. The summit, at 3724m, is not as high as others worldwide. Reaching it involves technical difficulties and objective hazards that make the climb much harder than most people realise. - Gear Advice
A full range of conditions and temperatures can be expected in the New Zealand mountains over the summer. Here’s advice on choosing gear and clothing from the early season classic snow and ice climbs to the mid to late season alpine rock scrambling and climbing. - Vertical Mid-clip Snowstakes
Snowstakes are most commonly used in the heavily glaciated New Zealand mountains to build anchors. The vertical mid-clip is most useful for a range of snow conditions. - Ski and Splitboard Touring Equipment Advice
Ski and splitboard touring equipment has improved very quickly in recent years and has made it much more affordable, comfortable, and fun to get out touring. - Ski Mountaineering Skills
Ski and snowboard mountaineering combines the skills of both touring and mountaineering, and therefore requires a range of technical skills and knowledge. - Avalanche Skills for Mountaineers
Statistics suggest that mountaineers are over representing in the fatal avalanches in NZ. What are the practical reasons for this and what can we do about it. - Mount Madeline
Mount Madeline, the second highest peak in the Darrans, isan excellent mid to later summer mountaineering adventure. - Which Ski Touring Course?
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Ski Touring](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDMzOjI5ODE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzAwIDIyNSIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyMjUiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+ "Which Ski Touring Course? 33")
Our range of backcountry ski and splitboard touring courses cater for all levels of experience and aspirations. Try and choose the one that is right for where you are at. - Preparation for Ice Climbing in New Zealand
Ice climbing venues, hazards and gear consideration for ice climbing in New Zealand. - Glacier Ski Touring Crevasse Rescue
Crevasse rescue techniques for glacier ski and split-board touring including building snow anchors and hauling. - Glacier Ski Touring Skills
Essential skills for glacier ski and split-board touring including identify hazards, navigating glaciers and roping up. - Mitre Peak Climb
Iconic Mitre Peak rising out from Milford Sound is a classic summer scramble with jaw dropping expose down to the fiord below. - Mount Sefton
Mount Sefton is a classic 3000m peak with a long and remote access from the West Coast via the Copland Valley. - MacPherson Talbot Traverse
A classic alpine crossing from Homer Saddle to the Gertrude Valley. - Mount Brewster
Mount Brewster (2515m) provides an alpine ascent that can be accomplished in a few days. - Mount Earnslaw
Mount Earnslaw is the highest peak of the Whakatipu basin and a classic ascent for ambitious trampers.
