About our introductory climbing instruction courses

This 6 day course is perfect for those wanting to do low key alpine adventures, snow covered alpine pass crossings or simply wanting to experience the mountains and learn a few of the basic skills to get around in the alpine world.

This introduction to mountaineering course takes place in an alpine setting, experiencing glorious moments in the alps and mountain vista sunsets.
Beginner mountaineering courses will typically fly into a location like:
Alymer hut or Chancellor hut on the West Coast with training peaks like Chancellor Dome, Mt Drummond and St Mildred easily accessible or Helicopter into Barron Saddle hut at the head of the Mueller glacier and walk out via the spectacular "high route" past Mt Sealy.

The decision where to go is usually dictated by the prevailing weather and forecast, the group's experience and aspirations and conditions at the time of snow cover and glacier access.

Another option is to helicopter up to Bevan Col near Mount Aspiring and use the glaciated terrain of that area to prepare for climbing peaks like Rolling Pin, Jofree and Mt French.

Introductory Mountaineering Course Objectives

• how to use an ice axe and crampons
• what to do with rope and harness
• get familiar with weather forecasting
• basic knots for climbing
• belays in snow, ice and on rock
• avalanche awareness
• basic crevasse rescue
• cook and look after yourselves in a mountain hut
• navigation
• equipment selection

Logistics
Price: NZ$	1 person	2 people	3 people	4 people
	4460	2570 pp	2100 pp	1780 pp
Length of trip:	6 days
Season	November - April
Location	Alpine glacial setting eg Fox or Franz neve, Barron Saddle. This will depend on weather and conditions at the time of the course.
Transport:	Drive to Fox glacier or Mt Cook village, fly to hut. Fly/walk out of venue. Return drive to Wanaka.
Price Includes:	Guiding fee, hut fees, local accommodation, GST of 15%, party technical equipment e.g. rope, stove, fuel, ground transport, food
Price doesn't include:	Personal clothing and equipment, flights in and out of mountains, personal rental equipment. More about flights

Bookings taken anytime: e-mail us

2010 not available last week in Oct. and 19-30 Dec.

Scheduled mountaineering instruction courses 2010-2011:

get in touch with YOUR dates, bookings taken anytime

Dates for scheduled alpine climbing instruction courses coming soon:
Intro to Alpinism 6 days $ 2310*
Total Alpinism 7 days $ 2695*

* special conditions may apply

Our Instruction Clients say

"Had a brilliant 6 days at top of Fox and F. Joseph Glaciers being taught mountaineering skills, climbing out of a crevasse the highlight!! Very professional, experienced guiding and teaching from Gary and awesome meals from both Gary in the huts and Iris back in Wanaka. Thank you very much, it has been a fantastic course. Will definitely recommend and lovely Ziggy an added bonus".
Ruth Littlejohn, UK, March 2009

Had an excellent time and one of the best instructed courses I've ever been on. Gary is a mountaineering expert. PS: Iris is a great cook."

Shaun Hazell, Australia, March 2009

Images of Mountaineering Instruction Courses

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Guiding Qualifications

To become an internationally fully qualified alpine guide takes approximately 5-7 years of training and assessment. Kiwi guides are trained and assessed through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) which is overseen by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA).