Alpine Recreation Mount Cook

Ball Pass Guided Trek

• Hike in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park home of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine scenery, and a Mecca for climbers.

• With an experienced mountain guide on the Ball Pass Trek you can get close to the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook and see nearly all of New Zealand’s highest mountains at close range – usually only the realm of experienced mountaineers.

• On this 3 day challenging alpine crossing you trek from the Tasman Valley, up the Ball Ridge, straight opposite the awesome Caroline Face of Aoraki, over Ball Pass and down into the Hooker Valley.

• Guided hikers spend two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, using the middle day to climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier.

• The views of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers are breathtaking. You will encounter rich alpine flora and unique bird life..

• A high level of fitness is required and you need to have previous hiking or tramping experience because this trek is alpine, traverses snow fields and a small glacier and there is no track in parts. Where there is a track it is narrow, uneven and you have to place your feet carefully.

• All equipment is provided.

Group Size

Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide. Individual bookings are welcome.

Introductory Climbing Course

• This 4 or 6 day climbing course is based at our privately owned Caroline Hut located at 1800m on the Ball Ridge straight opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook.

• The course will teach you not only the technical skills of mountaineering, but more importantly, raise your risk awareness, and improve your ability to keep safe in the mountains.

• Because we are not dependent on aircraft to access the venue for this course, we do not need to include extra days to allow for good flying conditions.

• The four day course is for trampers or hikers who want to sample mountaineering. The six day course is for those who intend to go beyond the basic skills of mountaineering.

• This course also includes a crossing of Ball Pass, and a climb of Peak 2222m/7290ft, or Turner Peak 2341m/7680 ft. The emphasis is on "learn as you climb".

• A high level of fitness is required. All equipment is included.

Learn how to:

• Be safe in the mountains – develop risk awareness and learn risk avoidance
• Develop good cramponing techniques and ice-axe skills
• "Read" a glacier and the general terrain for safe and efficient route selection
• Climb on rock, snow and ice using appropriate techniques
• Read weather signs early enough to take evasive action if necessary

Participants for an Introductory Climbing Course need:

to be of above average fitness, have extensive hiking, tramping, backpacking or bushwalking experience, be capable of sustained walking over steep, rugged, untracked and very exposed terrain, be able to hike or climb at least 8 hours in a day without difficulty, be secure-footed, be well co-ordinated and have good balance and have no fear of heights.

Group Size

Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide. Individual bookings are welcome.

Departures

November – April, ex Lake Tekapo

Alpine Ski Touring

Mount Cook Glaciers - 5 days minimum

• Wilderness skiing at its best! Alpine and Telemark Ski Touring amongst the glaciers of the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

• We base ourselves at Kelman, Pioneer or Centennial Huts, and undertake day tours from there.

• The glacier runs are spectacular: Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Tasman, Darwin, Bonney and Murchison Glaciers.

• Aircraft access for access and return is essential, 1 – 4 participants per guide.

Caroline Hut – 3 days

• For those with limited time or budget a trip to our Caroline Hut is an option for expert skiers, subject to safe snow conditions.

• No aircraft access needed, steep skiing, great views of Mount Cook, may also be undertaken with snow shoes, 2 – 4 participants per guide.

Sharpen Your Skills 7 days

• A Ski Touring Course with a difference. Based at Kelman Hut. Learn efficient winter travel and risk minimisation through skilful trip preparation, expert route selection in glaciated terrain and energy-saving modern downhill technique.

• Learn to read the signs of snow stability and understand the snow pack you are skiing on.

• Learn to navigate efficiently, how to build a comfortable snow shelter and practice the zero waste code.

• Learn to interpret the weather signs and familiarise yourself with modern ski mountaineering equipment that meets the demands of the extreme cold.

• Learn what is essential to become a good leader in the winter wild. This course is an ideal preparation for those who want to go the next step and take responsibility into their own hands.

• We promise you that you will be covering lots of terrain and won’t be standing around listening to boring lectures.

• Basic mountaineering skills, advanced to expert skiing ability and very high level of fitness are essential. These courses are on demand. Two participants minimum. 3 – 4 participants per guide.

Group Size

Maximum 4 people per guide

Departures

July – October by arrangement.

Other Information

• Book well in advance as peak season times are often booked up
• Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather
• Alpine Recreation provides all mountaineering equipment at no extra charge, including boots, a detailed equipment list will be sent at time of booking
• As our equipment check takes place at 8am on the morning of departure, you need to book accommodation in Tekapo the night before
• After the tour/course, it is recommended to overnight in Tekapo again

Location

Alpine Recreation Office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.