Mount Madeline Climb
Mount Madeline is a varied and satisfying climb in the Darran mountains of Fiordland and based from Turner’s Bivi. With options to helicopter in or walk-in, this expedition provides the full experience from sea level at Milford Sound and the Tutoko Valley.
Mount Madeline Climb Itinerary
Meeting in Wanaka or Frankton, we drive through Te Anau to Milford Sound. It is possible to helicopter in to Turners Bivi or start the walk in with a possible Bivi enroute.
Allow 8 – 10 hours for the approach to Turners Bivi.
Turner’s bivi provides reliable shelter even in heavy rain. Although climbers should be prepared for all conditions in the NZ mountains, in mid to late season mild temperatures allow a lightweight approach.
Early in the season, Madeline can be ascending directly up the glaciated west face. Once this is no longer passable, the more technical south ridge can be followed. Short rock steps are well protected and possible to abseil on the descent.
Mount Madeline Climb Further Details
Difficulty and Fitness Requirements
A guided ascent of Mount Madeline is achievable for most people with some experience mountaineering ascents, off-track trekking over rough ground and a good level of fitness.
Good fitness includes being able to ascend 1000m in 3 hours and trek up to 20km in a day over rough ground. After the summit day, the walk-out involves another 1000m+ of descent down technical terrain and a 20km walk out down the valley with full packs (10-15kg).
Some mountaineering experience is required.
Mount Madeline Climb Dates and Pricing
| Duration: 5-days |
| Maximum ratio: 1:1 |
| Scheduled 2025/26 dates: Get in touch for more details and to arrange other dates from November to April |
| 2025/26 Price: $6750 |
| Includes: GST, NZMGA certified guide, compliance costs, mountain food, ground transport from Wānaka, accommodation during the trip in mountain huts or our Kea Lodge, and technical equipment. |
| The helicopter flight into Turners Bivi is $1000. This is subject to change by the helicopter operator. |
The meeting point for trips is our base in Albert Town, Wānaka. If you require accommodation the night before or after the trip, it is possible to book extra nights at our comfortable Kea Lodge. It is also possible to pick up in Frankton, Queenstown.
See Also
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Mount Cook Ascent](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDg2OjI4NjM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 5")
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Four Day Ascents](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDkwOjI4NTQ=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 6")
‘First class guide with excellent skills with safety being the priority. However, even his cooking was good! :-)… overall had an amazing adventure! [Our guide] 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.’
— 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 Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NjgzOjMwNDA=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 8")
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Njg3OjMwNDk=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 9")
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NjkxOjI2NTA=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCAyNTAiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 10")
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Njk1OjMwNDI=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 11")
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=Njk5OjMwNDE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 12")
![Wanaka Mountain Guide [] Mount Madeline](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NzAzOjMwNDE=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Mount Madeline Climb 13")