Mountaineering

Mountaineering ascents of the classic peaks of New Zealand, including Aoraki / Mount Cook, Tititea / Mount Aspiring, other classic peaks, and four-day expeditions throughout the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

Instruction courses cover all aspects of mountaineering skills from beginner to advanced. Short locally-based courses to multi-day mountain-based courses. Specialist courses for ice climbing. Climb with and learn from some of NZ’s most experienced mountain guides.

Private Guiding

Private guiding for mountaineering, climbing, or ski objectives throughout the Southern Alps. We can offer flexibility to give the greatest chance of success, often critical for the variable conditions of the NZ mountains. With an extensive knowledge of the mountains, we can suggest a variety of objectives to suit individual aspirations.

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Classic Peaks

The Southern Alps are renowned for high glaciation and relief. The range has 24 peaks above 3000m. Although this is an arbitrary measure of the technical or aesthetic appeal of a mountain, these and other prominent peaks provide a variety of classic routes and a lifetime of guided adventures.

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Aoraki / Mount Cook

The highest summit in New Zealand is an aspired to prize for many. The Linda Glacier route is a long and serious outing requiring excellent movement skills and fitness. The crux is mixed climbing through the Summit Rocks. A return from Plateau Hut on the Grand Plateau can take between 15 and 24 hours.

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Tititea / Mount Aspiring Ascent

The namesake of the Mount Aspiring National Park, our local maunga is one of the most aesthetic peaks of the Southern Alps. The only 3000m peak outside of the Aoraki/Mount Cook region, and with access from Wānaka, its prominence makes it visible from many areas of the Southern Lakes. Every route is classic and is deservedly NZ’s most popular alpine peak and the first 3000m summit for many.

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Mountaineering Instruction

Customised instruction in all areas and at all levels from ambitious trekkers looking for trans-alpine adventures to aspiring mountaineers. This includes short, locally based introduction or refresher courses to consolidate skills learned previously or longer multi-day mountain-based courses to set you up for your own summer or winter mountain journeys and adventures.

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Ice and Mixed Climbing

Winter ice and mixed climbing guiding and instruction. Venues include Wye Creek, The Remarkables mountain range to the classic alpine ice ascents of the Tasman, Fox, or Franz Josef glaciers.

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Four-Day Ascents

Four-day ascents offer the opportunity for short alpine trips and summits. Objectives within the Mount Aspiring region and the eastern or western sides of the Aoraki/Mount Cook region including Mount Brewster and Mount Earnslaw. With options for walk-in and out expeditions and helicopter access, it is possible to be flexible and choose the best venue based on the weather forecast and conditions.

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Darrans Mountaineering

From early January to the end of the summer season in March, when the loss of seasonal snow begins to cut off access to the high glaciated peaks, the Darrans mountain range in Fiordland is the premiere destination for exposed rock scrambles, alpine rock climbing on the rough compact granite of the Moir massif, Mitre Peak and classical mountaineering routes of Tutoko and Madeline.

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Alpine Ice Climbing

In late winter, the high glaciers provide access to the country’s best alpine ice climbing. The Fox névé with a base at Pioneer Hut offers a mix of short technical routes and longer classic outings such as the South Face of Douglas. Alternatively, Tasman Saddle Hut on the eastern side provides a base for classics such as the East Face of Mount Walter.

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