Remarkables Grand Traverse

Overview

The Remarkables Grand Traverse is New Zealand’s premier alpine mountaineering day trip. The route is easily accessed from the Remarkables ski field, near Queenstown. It takes in the summits of Double and Single Cone. In summer the route offers fun and immersive scrambling and jaw-dropping exposure and views down to Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu.

Route options

The classic Remarkables Grand Traverse takes in both Double Cone and Single Cone. These summits are the highest points in the range and have excellent viewpoints over the Wakatipu basin. The main difficulties are a series of rock steps on the ridge up to Double Cone. In the early season up until December, some patches of snow remain and crampons and ice axe may be used. Above 2000m, a range of conditions can be expected throughout the year. The North East Ridge of Single Cone can be scrambled down. Alternatively, it is possible to abseil down the South Gully and walk down the eastern flanks.

Winter provides shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures. This makes the route more demanding requiring a full range of mountaineering techniques and the ability to move efficiently over snow and mixed ground.

Remarkables Winter Mountaineering

For those without experience in rock climbing or winter climbing in crampons on snow and rock, the summit of Single Cone provides an alternative and worthwhile objective. Alternatively, we may recommend a preparation day to cover skills before attempting the full traverse.

Single Cone Ascent

Itinerary

We can meet in Wanaka or Queenstown and drive up the access road to the Remarkables ski field. A short walk to Lake Alta brings your first sight of the objective and the jagged skyline of the traverse. This area was used as a filming location for Lord of the Rings and Vertical Limit. The start of the route is gained by heading up to and around the ‘Telecom Tower’ where the views down to Queenstown are first encountered. The route can take between 6 and 10 hours depending on conditions. At the end of the day before descending back down from the summit of Single Cone towards the lake and car park.

Prerequisites

Technical difficulty

In summer (November to April), the route involves scrambling using hands and easy rock climbing. Your guide will use ropes and climbing equipment to safeguard the ascent. Some rock climbing experience is useful but more importantly, experience hiking off-track including scree and boulders. There is a sense of exposure with Queenstown almost 2km vertically below

Fitness

The route requires moderate fitness and the ability to comfortably ascend and descend between 500 and 1000m in a day.

Dates & Pricing

Availability

Pricing

Inclusions & Exclusions

Includes: Applicable taxes, guide fees, compliance costs, transport from Wanaka, and safety equipment

Testimonials

'My wife and I hired Wanaka Mountain Guides to do the Grand Traverse in the Remarkables. They were great with ensuring that we had enough backup days to go ahead with the trip and were very responsive and easy to deal with. Tim was very helpful and was happy to answer all of our questions. Our guide was incredibly easy going. He was clearly very experienced with the climb and understood our climbing experience well to make sure that we got what we wanted out of the climb. He made us feel safe throughout and also gave us opportunities to push ourselves a bit. He also kept up the energy near the end of the climb when we were getting very tired and needed his positive attitude and encouragement. We would recommend Wanaka Mountain Guides to anyone interested in climbing in the Remarkables or anywhere in the Queenstown/Wanaka area or beyond.'

— Jon, Remarkables Grand Traverse

‘Had an amazing trip with these guys. Tim was incredibly helpful and responsive with organising the trip. I did the grand traverse in March. Jules was my guide and he was fantastic. You can tell how much he enjoys guiding people. We moved through the day at a good pace. Safety was excellent. Thanks guys for a great day and lots of memories’

— — Josh, Remarkables Grand Traverse

‘It was an excellent day and really lived up to the hype. Both guides were experienced and very technically proficient so it meant that everything went smoothly. There was also some quality kiwi vs aussie banter which was entertaining. I’ll definitely be back for more mountain adventures!’

— — Terrence, Remarkables Grand Traverse

‘Don’t hesitate to book with this crew! Had the pleasure of doing the Grand Traverse of the Remarkables. Professional, highly skilled, and excellent customer care. An incredible way to explore the lesser seen parts of NZ!!’

— Kat, Remarkables Grand Traverse

‘The recommendation for the Remarkables as a day trip during our time in Queenstown was absolutely perfect, definitely a highlight of our month-long trip to New Zealand. We really enjoyed climbing and chatting with [our guide] and were super grateful for a chill day in the mountains with some epic views.’

— — Ashleigh, Remarkables Grand Traverse