Mount Brewster Climb
A climb of Mount Brewster (2515m) provides an alpine ascent that can be accomplished in a few days without the use of helicopters. It is a great introduction to mountaineering in New Zealand and the Aspiring National Park or a progression before attempting more challenging ascents in the Southern Alps. This walk in and out climb travels through a variety of altitude zones via one of the most accessible glaciers in New Zealand.
Mount Brewster Climb
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster Climb](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDAwOjE5ODQ=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 1")
The climb starts from the Haast Highway, an hours drive north of Wanaka. After crossing the Haast river, the track climbs up steeply through the beech forest to the Brewster Hut.
We often carry on above the hut to camp or bivi next to the stunning terminal lakes below the snout of the glacier. This takes us away from the busyness of the trekkers in the hut hut and a great advanced position from where to climb the peak.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster Climb](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDEwOjI5MDc=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 2")
Early season we climb Mount Brewster via the South West or South East faces provide a direct climb to the summit. This involves a number of steep snow climbing pitches.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster Climb](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDE2OjMwOTY=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNzY4IDEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI3NjgiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAyNCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 3")
A large bergshrund will cut these routes off as the summer progresses so instead we traverse the exposed rocky west ridge accessed from snow slopes near the subsidiary peak of Top Heavy.
Difficulty and Fitness Requirements
Good fitness is required to climb Mount Brewster. This includes being able to ascend 1000m in 3 hours and trek over rough ground with a 15kg pack.
Off-track trekking experience over rough ground is required. Training in all the technical skills required to safely undertake an ascent can be covered prior to the ascent.
Dates and Pricing
| Duration: 4 days |
| Maximum ratio: 1:2 |
| 2025/26 Dates: |
| Get in touch to arrange other private dates from November to April |
| 2025/26 Price: F |
| Includes: Applicable taxes, guide fees, compliance, mountain food and accommodation during the trip, and technical equipment. |
See Also
‘First class guide with excellent skills with safety being the priority. However, even his cooking was good! :-)… overall had an amazing adventure! Tim managed all aspects of our safety efficiently and professionally. It was a truly great experience! Tim did a first-class job guiding us with his in-depth knowledge of the mountain. He was efficient, professional, and helpful with all aspects of the trip. Very safety conscious and very patient given I was a bit slow at times! It was a really fun and memorable adventure. I would thoroughly recommend having Tim as your mountain guide.’
— Murray, Mount Aspiring Climb
‘[My guide] was extremely professional at all times. He had a quiet confidence that was admirable yet he wasn’t arrogant. He was quick to correctly judge my abilities and let me be challenged just beyond my comfort zone enough to feel accomplishment. I quickly felt that I could trust him… I couldn’t have asked more from a guide – I know that I was perhaps more energetic than some of his clients but he rose to the challenge of keeping me entertained and kept me busy! He also was a really good cook on the Mountain – his meals were nutritious and filling… just what I needed!’
— Anna, Mount Aspiring Climb
‘Great team at Wanaka Mountain Guides. A well organised, professional team of experienced guides who make each mountain adventure exciting and rewarding. Looking forward to the next adventure in the hills! Highly recommend.’
— Arthur, Private Guiding
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Njg2OjI4MDk=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 10")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NjkwOjI3ODQ=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 11")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Njk5OjE5NTg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 13")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzAzOjI5ODg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNzY4IDEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI3NjgiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAyNCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 14")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Brewster](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzA3OjI5ODg=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNzY4IDEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI3NjgiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAyNCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Brewster Climb 15")