Robrosa Hut in place!

 The hut has landed!

In cooperation with Robrosa Station, Aspiring Guides has a new place to explore.  Situated at 1700m this is a ski touring paradise.  With the Black Peak Hut nicknamed the Dog Box after its creator Nick Cradock, the new hut has been dubbed the "Cat Box". Stay tuned for more photos.

While everyone is complaining about lack of snow we have been happily ski touring away.  See photos of Robert and Barbara's day out.  This was Barbara's first time on touring skis and despite first timer nerves she had no problem at all enjoying a beautiful day out.

Did we mention that Ice-climbing was cold?

More from this week's ice-climbing at Black Peak

Did we mention that it was COLD ice-climbing at Black Peak?   
Not sure our guide Felix had many layers left to put on?  Rumour has it that the latest No.2 haircut has left him feeling the cold a bit more than usual?   At least he had a smile on his face!  Karly found the sun on one of her climbs - hence her smile.   It was great to have Karly back with us after her Aspiring Ascent earlier this year and we wish her luck with her trip to Cotopaxi (5,897m)  with our overseas expedition partners Jagged Globe in October this year.    

So how cold is that haircut Felix?

Karley found the sun on a sneaky gully back to the hut.

More on the weather!

Our weather tools - NZ Mountain Webcams

At Aspiring Guides our whole lives revolve around the weather.   We like to think with our years of collective knowlege we're pretty damn good at picking when to "go" or "stop"  At certain times of the year, NZ weather can be fickle.  Given our maritime climate, weather changes happen quickly.  Checking the weather on a 3 hourly basis can show amazing changes.   But we've been fortunate that kind people are investing in web-cams to make our job easier.   One of the best for seeing what the weather is doing on Mt Aspiring is the web-cam at the luxury lodge WhareKea on Albert Saddle (1681m).    While we can't yet see how much cloud is sitting on Bevan Col, it does give us a really good idea of what the weather is doing.

Try the link for yourself http://wharekealodge.com/weather/index.php 

Sat 28 Jul - 8:51 am

Sat 28 Jul - 11:31 am

Will we get more snow?

Is this a forecast for snow?

Certainly these weather maps are ones that have everyone in Wanaka wondering?   We've been so spoiled on the weather front lately, with day after day of sunny, freezing cold days (perfect for ice-climbing) that we've forgotten what NZ weather can be like.   As the ice-climbing wraps up for the season, we'd love a drop more snow for our up-coming ski touring .....so stay tuned!!

http://www.metvuw.com/

http://www.metservice.com/

Sunrise at Black Peak Hut

No words necessary.

Really Useful Websites - Learn Mountaineering Knots

Animatedknots.com

Every so often, we come across really useful websites.  For many years now we've been recommending http://www.animatedknots.com/ to our clients.   It's a great website to learn all the basic mountaineering knots required for good ropework.   Lets face it, unless you are working every day in the mountains like our guides, it's easy to get a bit rusty with even some of the most common knots. 

With this website - and the mobile apps, you can take a piece of cord with you on your next plane flight, train ride or boring road trip and practice them until you can tie knots blindfolded!  [Actually given how dark it is when making an alpine start in NZ - learning to tie off in the dark is a pretty good skill to learn!]. 

Once you become the Knot Guru...then you have to know when and how to use them...that where we come in!     

          

Good Weather, Even Better Ice-climbing at Black Peak!

Sean Drennan & Marcus Pickett joined Tim Steward for a private 4 day trip to the Black Peak Ice fields.  Four days straight of good weather saw this team tackle a pile of routes resulting in some pretty tired blokes at the end of it.....  But that's not the end of it!  With their ice-climbing techniques sharpened, Sean & Marcus are off to the Remarkables and Wye Creek for more cold climbing.   Will look forward to receiving their photos from their next trip.

Marcus lead climbing on newly named "Star Pickett" WI2*

Nothing to do with climbing, skiing or hiking!

This photo was sent to us by Laurie Lindner who joined us for our first Peru Cordillera Blanca climbing trip in 2011.  Laurie was concerned that this could happen in our little town of Wanaka?   We think he's bored at work and have suggested a mountain remedy with us!! 
Enjoy!

Several guys from Peterborough, Ontario dressed up their truck with a guy tied to the roof. The driver and passengers put on Moose Head costumes. As they drove down the main street of Peterborough they caused about 6 accidents.  They were charged with Public Mischief and having open beer in a vehicle, Peterborough cops have no sense of humor.

Peru 2012

Cordillera Blanca Climbing Expedition 

with Aritza Monasterio, Andinista Adventures and Aspiring Guides

It's been over a week now since our Peru 2012 Expedition Crew  have landed back to their respective homes in Australia, New Zealand and the US.   Another great trip with a full compliment of 6 climbers - Bett Koch, Peter Upton, Steve Wyatt (AUS),  Ed Stevens, Trevor Faulknor (NZ) and Rob Henke (USA) and Ian Upton (on trek) joining us for 3 weeks in Peru. 

Our trip is run in conjunction with Andinista Adventures and Aritza Monasterio, IFMGA.  This year he was joined by Aspiring Guides, Tony Donaldson, NZMGA.     We've had  fantastic feedback from all the clients, but Rob Henke did admit to finding it hard to understand the Kiwi's and Aussies conversations once they were in full swing!     It's funny, but sometimes you forget that we all have such distinctive accents despite all speaking the same language.  

The Cordillera Blanca ("the White Corridor") is rich in mountaineering objectives and Inshinca (5530m)  Tocllaraju (6032m) and Chopicalqui (6354m) were the peaks on the hit list this year.   Here's some of the photos from the trip, and we're busy collecting more images from the group as well as those special stories that come from such great expedition.

Aritza and his team are keen to do another trip in 2013 - so make sure you drop us a line - climb@aspiringguides.com if you're keen to join us next year!

  

 

  

Skiing in NZ - the history!!

Ski film footage "gems" from the NZ On Screen Library

The NZ On Screen library is a treasure trove of NZ film history.  Check out this gem!   "Turn of the Century" made in 1987 has some amazing historical skiing footage from all our ski areas in both the north and south islands.   There are 3 clips of about 15 minutes each. If you need a laugh and you're stuck waiting for you flight in airport somewhere - definitely worth a look.

And you might like to check out who's in the credits....

More Nice ICE!!   

Waterfall Ice Climbing Course #2

The second of our ice-climbing instruction courses finished up this week.  While the Wanaka township languished under thick inversion cloud, our ice climbers, Michael Hall, Patsy Waibler, Graeme Pearson & Stephen Dolphin with Andy Cole, NZMGA enjoyed cold but sunny conditions on the Black Peak ice face.   


After a challenging day on the ice, this week's crew were able to return to the warm bunks of our private hut and the hearty cooking of Andy Cole!   Just right to restore energy levels.        


The weather map looks a bit of mess towards the end of this week.  As always, NZ Mountain conditions are always unpredictable.  Fingers crossed that we get some more precipitation and cold temperatures to keep that ice getting fatter and fatter!!

Hot Ice Climbing at Black Peak, NZ

Latest photos in from our 4 day Ice-climbing Course at Black Peak, Wanaka NZ.  The incredibly clear cold weather we've been experiencing in NZ might be sending our home heating bills through the roof....but it's meant perfect ice-climbing conditions at Black Peak.  And according to our guide Tim Steward "it's only going to get fatter!!"    

Next course starts this Friday.   Start sharpening those ice tools!!