Last Aspiring Ascent for the Season 2011 / 12 ?

Is this the last Aspiring Ascent for the season?   David from Auckland caught the weather window and made it to the top last Sunday with NZMGA Climbing Guide - Tim Steward.    The settled Autumn weather has finally broken and we suspect...it will be all over for another climbing season.    Congratulations to David on his summit. 

Next stop....Cordillera Blanca, Peru for 6 of our lucky climbing crew with Aritza Monasterio from Andinista Adventures and NZMGA Guide:  Tony Donaldson.

What's Xavier Fournier, IFMGA up to?

What's Xavier Fournier, IFMGA up to?

For those who met our Euro guide Extraordinaire - Xavier Fournier this summer, you'll know that he's a man of many talents.    He's now back in Switzerland as the safety supervisor for a famous bi-annual ski mountaineering race called the Patrouille des Glaciers.   Its civilians vs.the Swiss Army and Xavier's job is to check and supervise the course and also to ensure that everyone has the correct safety gear.  Given that weight saving is paramount, Xavier has to keep his eye out for the "cheaters" !  Competitors have been known to try and "beat the system" by taking plastic toy shovels and cutting their probes down to 1 m!

Here's some photos from the set up.  Nice uniform Xavier!!  

Announcement:  Aspiring Guides and NZ Snow Tours in 2012.


For most of us, time is short!  So having someone else organise all transport, lift passes, accommodation, gear hire and all the other stuff that goes along with a ski holiday in NZ can certainly make life a breeze.    For the last 8 years, this is what Simon & Ange from NZ Snow Tours have been doing ....and they've been receiving rave reviews!  Check out what the they offer at http://www.aspiringguides.com/nz_snow_tours.html.


NEW for 2012, Aspiring Guides has added 3 backcountry ski options to the packages they offer.  From 1 day Backcountry Touring at Treble Cone, to 3 day touring option on the Pisa Range near Wanaka and from Aspiring Guides private hut at Black Peak.... we've got your next ski holiday organised from the moment you step off the plane!

Celebrating a Summit

Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating when they get to the top!   Liz certainly showed her own style after a successful summit of Mt Aspiring 3033m this week with Felix Landman.     For those of you who may be concerned, unseasonably warm Easter weather meant there was a low risk of frostbite !