Course FAQ
The whys wherefores and why nots of our course program
Why don't you offer shorter, mountaineering courses, say 2 or 3 days in length?
For a number of reasons:
1. New Zealand has a temperate maritime climate. We have a very variable weather pattern. Short duration trips can potentially be severely affected by bad weather.
2. Walking in and our from climbing venues can take between one and two full days. Flying in/out is a better option - but you need good weather. A short trip therefore restricts possible venues/objectives.
With the need to book in advance to secure a guide, and the unpredictable nature of the weather we take a compromise approach of making our trips somewhat longer than in continental areas. This gives the best chance of success.
Why are your summer courses a minimum of 6 days in length?
To really learn the skills of mountaineering you require time. Time to learn new techniques, and then time to practice these. It won't happen in just a few days.
When dealing with a real mountain environment you also need to factor in that at least 1 or 2 days of bad weather may prevent you from getting outdoors on your course every day.
When you also consider the time to prepare equipment, and for access/egress from your venue, 6 days is the minimum period over which we can offer a reasonably comprehensive course that will provide you with any reasonable skills.
What about contingency days?
Some guiding companies offer "weather contingency" days as a point of difference.
This is not realistic or workable because:
1. Guide's work schedules are seldom flexible enough to always allow shifting the start/finish dates of courses. So while it may be offered as a booking incentive - it will not always work in practice.
2. If you are traveling a long way to get here, will it be possible to rebook your travel and accommodation at short notice? What happens to the rest of the team on your course if one person absolutely cannot change their travel plans? Do the rest of the course participants leave the mountains early as well because one or two people can't finish the course with revised dates? Complications abound.
Our summer programs are long enough to allow us to work around potential weather disruptions.
We do offer contingency days on our shorter winter programs (ICE, Arrowsmith Touring and Backcountry Courses). Because our guiding work schedule is not as busy in winter - changes can be made relatively easily. However, this still has to work around all our clients' travel plans.
What happens in bad weather?
Your trip won't stop if the weather closes in, you also won't be entirely confined to the hut. This is the time to study and practice rope work, navigation, avalanche theory, weather forecasting and get outside to build snow shelters.
If weather delays your flight into the mountains we have plenty to keep you busy with covered rope work practice facilities, along with a lecture room, a rock climbing wall and local multi-pitch rock climbing at our base in Mount Cook village.
Our Mountain Experience Course in particular is designed with a flexible format, so weather disruptions are unlikely.
Our group wants to stay in the mountains after our Private Instruction course. Can we do this?
This may appear sensible, but there are possible complications so you need to be well prepared. See the Private Instruction detailed notes for more details. We can discuss this with you during the booking process.
The major concern is the need for your guide to come out of the mountains on the last day of your trip. You may choose to escort your guide to the firn line so that he/she can walk out (if the walk out is possible in one day from this point). Alternatively you will need to arrange to fly your guide out of the mountains (and pay for this).
Winter Guiding & Courses ››
From ice climbing and ski mountaineering to avalanche courses and ski touring.
Summer Courses and Guiding ››
Introductory to advanced climbing courses, guided ascents and expeditions on NZ's highest peaks.
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