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By alpinism, February 13, 2013 2:51 pm

Gaz expanding from mountain guiding to helicopter missions

As summer is racing along, mountain guide Gary Dickson is presently on a guided Pure Alpinism week with Mark from Christchurch. They managed to fly as planned up to Pioneer hut on Monday, aiming to climb peaks such as Lendenfeld and Haidinger.

The native and not so native plants continue to display their beauty with new flowers popping out somewhere every day, at the moment, the ground covering, creeping vegetable sheep, raoulia, coprosma and celmisia show off their minuscule splendor and edible berries are not far away.

At the Alpinism & Ski base in Wanaka, when no guided mountaineering or trekking trips are on, sustainability projects continue. The latest project, to insulate the last part of the walls, has just been completed with an awesome rock wall by top handyman Gaz:

Sustainability projects continue to happen

harmony and sustainability = related?

You wonder where the chief’s helicopters come in? watch this space but expansion of the business into flying is happening and the first pictures have been taken from the air for an estate which is for sale, interested? check this out:

Mt Aspiring in the back – mountain guiding and flying are related too

should you be keen on a top quality home in Wanaka just click through to this link . But, back to Alpinism adventures: inquiries and bookings are welcome anytime, for guided trekking excursions, mountaineering courses and guided ascents in New Zealand and soon again in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.

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By alpinism, December 28, 2012 11:45 am

Wanaka, base for Alpinism Adventures

Christmas day, once again Gary Dickson the chief guide aka Gaz got called out on a SAR mission. Iris prepared for a guided trekking excursion to Mueller hut in Mt Cook National Park and enjoyed an otherwise perfect day in beautiful Wanaka. A couple of years ago the Search and Rescue team in Wanaka was being filmed and presently on TV NZ the eight episodes are being shown. If you are interested, here the links:

• episode 8
• episode 7
• episode 6
• episode 5
• episode 4
• episode 3
• episode 2
• episode 1

Alpinism adventures are on our program this summer, from guided trekking, to mountaineering courses and ascents, the Southern Alps offer fantastic opportunities and Wanaka is the most fantastic base to start from.

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By alpinism, October 4, 2012 11:56 am

check out what Phil has to say: here

Phil on the Copeland traverse, Mt Cook

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By alpinism, August 8, 2012 10:47 pm

We are still  in Switzerland, currently enjoying a week of rock climbing sessions on beautiful lime stone formations above Leysin.  Only a few weeks before we are back in Wanaka and welcoming our first ski touring team of the season for a trip mid September. Guided trekking excursions will start up again and we are counting on some more snow to fall for our return, to have some fun on the local ski fields. The best times for ski touring adventures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand in our humble opinion is during September and October. Days are longer and snow conditions often optimal, with participants having had time to acquire winter fitness on skis or snowboard.

Fabulous terrain for back country adventures

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By alpinism, March 29, 2012 10:25 am

Colours are changing and the first frost has come and gone. In one month we’ll be sorting ourselves from our base in Switzerland to go ski touring. But the next few weeks left here bring some exciting moments with the Wanaka Easter airshow, Autumn Art School and the Epic Mountain Bike race around lake Hawea. Talking of races, our friend Simone just won the Gold Rush, she’s looking for sponsoring to pursue her racing career, so if you have what it takes to sponsor a worthy person, check her out here

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By alpinism, March 5, 2012 10:40 am

Views from the guided hiking excursion to Rob Roy glacier

February guided hiking included visits to Rob Roy glacier and here some feedback:

“Iris, thank  you for a terrific day! We got a lot more out of the hike to Rob Roy glacier by doing it with you. We hope we can remember half of what you told us! We will be sure to recommend you. Bart & Jean Alfano”

and more from where they stayed in Wanaka: “The guests absolutely loved their time with you- we wanted to pass on the written comments that they left from their stay…..

“Iris, of Alpinism + Ski (recommended by Craig) did a great job guiding us on the Rob Roy Glacier hike- a good choice for a couple in their mid 60’s who are reasonably fit. “

Thank you for providing our guests such an enjoyable excursion!

Warm regards, Carole, Whare Kea Lodge

Guided hiking photos can be seen here and more comments this last summer:

” Dear Iris, Today was a brilliant hike, thanks so much for guiding me on the trek, it was brilliant to be able to learn about the local flora and fauna, something I’ve always been curious about! All the best, Atif” 13.12.2011

” This is one of my best one day hikes. The weather is nice and the scenery is beautiful and of course the guide Iris was so knowledgeable on plants, birds and history etc. It was memorable, I will come back again.” Yang Yue from Singapore, 3.12.2011

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By alpinism, January 5, 2012 12:06 pm

Cameron hut and Mount Cook lillies - giant buttercup

Magnificient views on the Rob Roy glacier track

Keas, welcoming you to Rob Roy glacier cirque

Beginning of January and the weather has been outstanding here for at least three weeks, fantastic for all sorts of walks and hiking adventures. Iris has been on her guided trekking excrusions to Rob Roy a couple of times and privately for personal recreation, hiking to Cameron hut and Breast Hill. For more recreation, the Alpinism & Ski team has climbed Sharks Tooth in the Matukituki valley with friends Gordy and Katrin. Also on the program a few sailing excursions on lake Wanaka, perfect alternative to the mountains. Want to join us for some fun? just ask!

Climbing up and up towards Shark's Tooth with brilliant views of Mt Rob Roy

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By alpinism, September 9, 2011 6:53 am

Our break was having a sailing trip in turkey - fabulous adventure

We have just returned to Switzerland, having a break our selves from the Alpinism and Ski office.

On the agenda coming up in NZ :

1st off is a ski mountaineering course for three keen Australians who are setting their sights on traversing the Patagonian ice cap, so are looking to hone their crevasse rescue, avalanche rescue and technical avalanche and snow pack knowledge in the back country; their ski mountaineering skills etc

We are very much looking forward to getting back to our base in Wanaka, but also hope to get a few more rock routes and socializing done in Switzerland before we hop into the big bird for the journey across the globe……..

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By alpinism, December 14, 2010 3:03 pm

Checking out how cold the glacier stream water is

Taking a few photos of native green hooded orchids

What a great lunch spot with the Rob Roy glacier in the back ground

Today is another glorious day in Wanaka, and what better for Iris to do than to go trekking with a lady from Hongkong into Mt Aspiring National Park.  Destination – walk up the Matukituki Valley, turn right and up the Rob Roy valley to visit the Rob Roy Glacier Cirque.

With the beautiful weather we have been having, the native orchids are in excellent shape. With the Keas cruising around, lunch was had in front of the mighty Glacier – with a few ice avalanches to be heard and watched from a safe distance.

Iris, having dropped off a very satisfied customer is now getting ready to head to Mt Cook National Park this evening where she is meeting up with friends to do the Ball Pass trek.  Wow , the weather this season is very summery!

The swing bridge at the entrance to the Rob Roy valley

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By alpinism, November 5, 2010 1:13 pm

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 -