Mt Cook Aoraki seen from Mueller hut
To walk off some fine Christmas F&B, a trip to Mueller hut in Mt Cook National Park was just the ticket. Here an album on facebook. A lovely Finnish family chose this awesome overnight hut experience during their two week holiday in New Zealand. The weather played the game and we left the Hermitage hotel with an overcast sky but excellent visibility all the way, perfect temperature for this steep tramp from Mt Cook village at 760 m up to the hut at 1800 m altitude. There is still lots of snow left high up (the photo left was taken late February another year) and the 28 bunk hut was not full the night we stayed but just after lunch the next day, all hut tickets from the DoC office were sold. Continue reading 'Guided Trekking in New Zealand'»
Wanaka is just stunning as we near Christmas – find our greetings and latest news here at the bottom of the page. Mountaineering conditions are fantastic at the moment and guided trekking excursions are on the menu as well. Iris will soon be heading to Mt Cook National Park for an overnight trip to Mueller hut and is looking forward to revisit this magic spot with guests from Finland. The Total Alpinism course from 6-12 Jan. has still two spots available for keen and fit climbers. The holiday studio at the Alpinism & Ski base is busy for the coming week but available from January onwards for visitors to our awesome paradise.
The chief guide Gaz has again been on TV with episode four of the Search and Rescue series check it out here
A splendid day in Wanaka, while Gary had a successful ascent with Peter Laurenson who just recently turned fifty. To climb the highest mountain of New Zealand has been on the dream list for our visiting mountaineer from the North Island for some time. Looking forward to show some pics soon of this latest success climb but here in the meanwhile an album of a guided climb of Mt Cook, an adventure for a couple of Wanaka locals who decided to climb Mt Cook with a mountain guide and teamed up with NZMGA/IFMGA guides Sean Brooks and Gary Dickson.
Meanwhile, Gordy, Katrin and Iris enjoyed a fine round trip over local Mt Roy:
Enjoying Lake Wanaka views while on a hike
Wanaka LandSAR team in training
Here are the links (11.12.2012)
Episode one 26th Nov
Episode two 3.Dec
Episode three in Fiordland
If you are interested in what Gary and the Local Wanaka Land search and rescue people do, then tune into NZ TV channel One 8pm on a Monday night for eight episodes of reality TV of “high country rescue” ( the first episode was Monday 26th November and seems to have been well received by those we have talked to and those that have sent messages about it)
Late November, local woman Jackie went off with Alpinism and Ski Mountain Guide Callum into the Aspiring climbing region for a private mountain guiding adventure. They got in and did a warm up climb of Rolling Pin, before the next day making an attempt to climb Mt Aspiring. In was an extremely windy and cold day and wisely they turned back at an appropriate spot on the NW ridge around 2/3 the way up the mountain. As a testament to Jackies fitness and preparation, the next day they walked all the way out to the Raspberry creek carpark and a well earned shower and feed in Wanaka. A great experience was had by Jackie. Mt Aspiring summit will always be there for a less windy day. Nice work team 
Part of private mountain guiding adventures - walking out thru the sub alpine
Jackie climbing on the biggest mountain on her back doorstep
Mountain guide Callum and Jackie - the climbing team for a crack at some private mountain guiding in their back yard - Mt Aspiring
John having a break on the quarterdeck glacier
A very happy John on the summit of Mt Aspiring
A fantastic aerial image of Mt Aspiring taken from a sightseeing airplane on the day
On a clear day in November, long term client and friend John achieved a massive personal goal of climbing a major NZ peak. His ascent of Mount Aspiring was a daunting idea as john is primarily a skier( having done a number of ski tours with Alpinism and Ski) and has a bit of an issue with heights. He found out that it is only exposed ridges that he doesn’t really like that much and actually had a marvelous time on Mount Aspiring. Well done john.
Climbing up to Single Cone
A day out on the Remarkables
Still plenty of snow around
Just a few days ago: an excellent one day experience to test alpine climbing skills and fitness is the ascent of Single Cone on the Remarkables near Queenstown. Next for John will be an attempt at Mt Aspiring. More soon…
Ever been interested in an alpine climbing instruction course in New Zealand? learn, refresh and upgrade your skills with this:
- Total Alpinism technical mountaineering instruction
- Dates : 6th – 12th January 2013
- price NZ $ 2830 per person
- There are 3 spots left on this course, max. 4 participants
This will be our one and only scheduled course summer season 2012-13 for individuals keen to share cost and adventure. Get in touch now for more information.
Top instructor Gary Dickson in person will run this course, be prepared to get challenged in the Southern Alps. Good fitness level and some previous climbing experience is expected as this is more for intermediate mountaineers then total beginners.
Fresh snow again on the hills around Wanaka
For those of you following this and still keen on ski touring this season, here a fantastic site for information: http://skitouring.co.nz/ great job Jo and Jethro!
Alpinism & Ski has finished the ski touring season, a bit earlier then usual as chief Gaz is off sailing, back for alpine climbing in November. The first spot of our Total Alpinism mountaineering course in January is taken now, three more places available, email if you are interested.
Guided trekking is again happening, from now until 8th November and again after 8th December.
Enjoy Spring adventures if you are Downunder and autumnal beauty if in the Northern Hemisphere.
A fine day in the Southern Alps during September
Ski touring has been the main subject since our return from Switzerland a few weeks ago. Three Australian guests visited Fox Glacier and Pioneer hut with Gary, in between the snow storms that rendered the Southern Alps very wintry indeed. Not that much snow around the hut was one of Gaz’ comments. – The next 7 day ski touring adventure started for Charles Day after a day visit to Treble Cone. A legendary mountaineer from way back who knows the mountain guiding scene of New Zealand very well, having had many fine trips with IFMGA guides here, to name but a few Nick Cradock, Anton Wopereis and Dave Hiddleston – he also climbed Mt Aspiring with Geoff Wyatt, walking in and out! but some more photos of ski touring:
Glaciated Beauty and fun times
views down Fox glacier and Pioneer ridge towards the sea
Pioneer hut
Comments Off 
Themocracy