West Coast Bush-Tree top view

I came across this little video a client took while lifting into the Fox Glacier.  What can I say, we are pretty lucky to live in such a wild place.  Come check it out for yourself.

Mountain Skills Course 9 crawls back to sea level

Our final Mountain Skills course for the season was recently pinned down at Centenial Hut in high winds and had to spend an extra day before a helicopter could get in to extricate them.  Here are a few quick photos.  While the weather was mixed the crew got some good training with some very realistic crevasse practice! Click here to see photos

Lake Wanaka

Wanaka can be idyllic in the fall.  This year has been one of the best.  If you are looking for a good time to visit, check out the Festival of Colour.  There are films, plays and music and it is a great time to dovetail a trip into the hills with a little Kiwi Culture.


Lake Wanaka from the Aspiring Guides Office



Fear of Falling?

You don’t have to be a hardman climber to appreciate this video from Spain. 

http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6346244/cool-rock-climbing-competition-over-a-river

Osaka Climbers Summit!

Five members of the Osaka climbers club recently had impeccable weather for a Mnt. aspiring summit attempt.  Members ranged from 60-70 years old were surprised with the difficulty of the climb.  With 5 climbers and 5 guides this was a large group!  Compounding the challenge Colin Todd Hut was closed for repairs and it was necessary for the group to bivi at the foot of the NW Ridge.  But they make them tough in Osaka and despite new snow requiring crampons on the mostly rock route the Japanese summited at noon.  It was an amazing achievement by the both the clients and the hard working guides.

Mitre Peak : Big Peak, Big Guides, Big Boats, Little Car

Guides Stefan Sporli and Felix Landman did a quick dash up Mitre Peak in Fiordland. Collecting a couple kayaks in Te Anau they lashed them to the top of their already too small vehicle and completed a one day paddle and ascent of this magnificent peak.

Late Summer Conditions

I left the hut the other morning and there it was... frost!

Summer has reached its peak and from here on out the days are a little shorter and a little colder. Like water spiraling down the drain we are getting relentlessly sucked into winter.  March and April are notable for cold morning and hot afternoons with usually stable weather.  Since the glaciers start to get particularly dry (see below) and access to many areas begins to get cut off, many people wonder if this is a good time to go alpine climbing or not.

To be honest the only thing that is important is what the weather is like on the day. If the weather is good we will provide a great trip any time of year. Unfortunately we have yet to come up with a way to guarantee what the weather will do. The only thing guaranteed is that if you don’t go you will never get there! My advice is pick a time of year that works for you and go for it!