Glorious forest walk: Glacier Burn track
- Mt Avalanche and avalanche glacier
Avalanche Glacier seen from Glacier Burn track
From Wanaka, drive about an hour up the Matukituki valley, cross the first ford, then walk across the first swing bridge and along the valley floor up the Eastern branch. Pass the old homestead, then up the Glacier Burn. Another great day out in Mt Aspiring National Park and spring time is fabulous to watch these healthy farm animals with their young all along the valley. The forest is rich and beautiful, here some more photos
Supposedly a 'false beech', this one just magic
delicious water and delightful mosses
Kio kio, Blechnum capense, part of the edible native plants
It is awesome to be back in Wanaka! Iris had a ski day up at Treble Cone, loved it and plans to get back out soon again. Gary the chief guide and his ski touring and winter mountaineering team Linda, Rob and Kerryn are having some excellent weather in Mt Cook National Park. The Alpinism & Ski climbers bunk room has now a written sustainability tip attached to the towel basket, thanking guests to participate in being environment friendly at the base : not one towel per day – BUTÂ ‘one towel per stay if possible please’.
The local tracks and view points are beautiful as always and the ‘eco’ guided trekking excursions are on offer again, in the immediate areas around Wanaka, the lake and Clutha river, a half day walk in the Matukituki valley exploring the Diamond Lake loop track or a full day trip to Mt Aspiring National Park and Rob Roy glacier cirque.
hiking, trekking, walking, tramping with Alpinism & Ski
Autumn has turned to winter and as everybody is waiting for snow, we are getting ready to leave for alpinism adventures in the European Alps. Still enjoying the fabulous weather, Gary on a mountaineering instruction course in Mt Cook Nat. Park and Iris roaming through the country near Wanaka. Her and friend Lorraine climbed above the clouds to Mt Roy just yesterday.
The season is changing again and as usual Wanaka has an awesome display of autumn colors:
the outlet, a favorite for colors on a walk in autumn
here the Clutha river outlet, during this time of the year an absolute ‘must do’. The Wanaka festival of arts is also fast approaching and the Wastebusters are having the awards for best and worst packaging while the Alpinism & Ski team continue with their sustainable practices and improvements: new bathroom floor is in. Some time in the future, we will be able to tell you our environmental footprint analysis (as we are now part of a sustainable practice study) and show you our sustainability statement and policy in black and white. For now, we continue to learn and practice… and we continue to fly into the mountains too. Here some tips from Iris about being sustainable:
safe your left over hot water in a thermos, your next cup is ready
Where you can, use an old fashioned duster insted of a hoover
Above your fire place use a drying rack instead of an electric dryer
The new year started very well for the Alpinism & Ski team with a sailing adventure on lake Wanaka in company of good friends. Presently, Gary is climbing Mt Aspiring while Iris is off on another trek to Rob Roy glacier cirque. The sky over Wanaka last night:
Wanaka, base of Alpinism & Ski
During the last few weeks, the Alpinism & Ski base has been further improved with lounge and kitchen walls and ceiling now fully insulated, new kitchen installation and fabulous lights. It is time to head into the mountains again and Gaz with Craig are waiting for the weather to clear to fly in and attempt a Mt Cook climb. Then Mt Aspiring with another Kiwi mountaineer but more about these alpinism trips soon.
Fixed dates for scheduled mountaineering courses, to learn or improve your alpine climbing skills:
- Intro to Alpinism, a 6 day beginners alpine climbing course, price $ 2310 pp, from 11th – 16th Dec. 2010 and again from 24th – 29th January 2011
- Total Alpinism, 7 days intermediate-advanced mountaintaineering course, price $ 2695 pp, from 6th – 12th and from 21st – 27th February 2011
Get in touch for details here
Spring times in Wanaka and our guided trekking excursions are on again. New flowers are out just about on a daily basis: Matagouri, Manuka, Vegetable Sheep, flax…
Matagouri, Wild Irishman, Discaria Toumatou
If you need a place to stay other then our Alpinism Studio, try Lake Hawea Holiday Park part of Glene Dene Adventures -
Labour weekend and the town is buzzing with visitors. The Alpinism & Ski team are off on a different adventure, while the Wanaka winter fest is happening, art exhibitions and plenty of activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking and cruising around on the lake, though the water is still a tad chilly. November will be here soon and with it the summer mountaineering trips. Get in touch if you are keen on an ascents adventure such as Mt Aspiring or learn the tricks to stay safe in the mountains by signing on for one of our mountaineering instruction courses.
Iris and Gary are back in Wanaka 30 Oct. and guided trekking excursions plus mountaineering trips will be happening, get in touch to organise your dream adventure this summer.
From beautiful Spring days to more stormy cold fronts. Driftwood, pine cones and dry fire wood as well as newly insolated wall and roof, we can’t complain. Ski touring for a week will keep Gaz busy shortly while Wanaka gears up for another Wanakafest this month. Already there is mention of the next Challenge competition and the Festival of Colour. Today there even was a compost seminar offered. Definitely never boring here! so, see you soon?
wool bats, pink bats, different prices, same goal
chief guide Gaz assisted by Cam, the Alpinism & Ski base improvements are never ending...
Iris' playground while renovations at home are happening
The local ski field Treble Cone has just closed and we had a blast on the last day:
having fun is part of our alpinism adventures
Skiing is not over yet as ski touring is happening for probably another month, conditions are great out there with plenty of snow and this week certainly also a splendid high over the Southern Alps
