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*