Ascents Program
Tailored mountain Guiding for Individuals
Difficulty
Duration
5 to 10 days
Season
All year round
Gearlist
PRICE FROM $9,225 NZD
The Ascents Program is a guided mountaineering package for the individual climber or ski mountaineer. Set your sights high, and Alpine Guides can arrange your personalised climbing, ski mountaineering, alpine touring, or winter mixed climbing trip at Mount Cook, the Westland Glaciers, or beyond...
Perfect for Experienced Mountaineers
The Ascents Program best suits experienced mountaineers and ski tourers. The 1:1 ratio allows attempts on more serious routes and challenging peaks. If you don't know the region we will recommend venues suitable for your experience level.
However, if you are more of a lone wolf, and don’t want to join a mountaineering course, the Ascents Program can work a for a personalised mix of instruction and climbing. It’s your trip.
Designing your Ascents Program
Your Ascents Program
The Ascents Program is your trip. The package can be for specific peaks and locations, or just book in for a week of climbing or touring. Use our guides’ local knowledge and take advantage of the best conditions at the time.
A trip length of 6 to 8 days duration, will help you get the most out of your time in the mountains. Some peaks can be climbed with a 5 or 6 day trip, others require longer - especially if a multiple ascents are in your sights.
We will recommend a venue/location based on:
Your previous alpine experience
Your aspirations
The potential peaks and routes - subject to conditions for the time you book
Mixing Instruction and Mountaineering
For those newer to mountaineering the Ascents Program can be used for a mix of instruction and climbing, or ski touring/mountaineering.
Refreshing Your Technique?
The package is ideal as a refresher for those coming back to the mountains after a long period of “urban retirement”.
The Ascents Program Advantages
One to one ratio allows for more challenging objectives
Open schedule - we will arrange your guide to work around your travel plans
Flexible objectives – keep your options open, or focus on a specific mission
Tap into your expert guide’s local knowledge
Prices and Inclusions
Prices from May 2024
| 5 days | 6 days | 7 days | 8 days | 9 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,225 | $10,495 | $11,775 | $13,050 | $14,325 | $15,595 |
Prices are in NZ$ and include GST.
The package Includes
Guide fees on a one-to-one basis
All meals including snacks and energy bars
Aircraft access and egress from the mountain
Mountain Hut fees
Local accommodation, as required
Free use of a range of technical equipment
Unless arranged differently, trips start at 08:30 AM on day one and finish at 5:00 PM on the final day.
Check-in at Alpine Guides office in Mount Cook Village.
Please read our booking Terms and Conditions.
Aircraft Use
The cost of helicopter access and egress is included in the Ascents Program. This allows us to quickly access exceptional venues and increase potential mountain time.
We are happy to discuss options around walking/skiing in or out of specific locations, for those keen to do so.
How to Book
The first step for booking is to contact us with your proposed dates. We will provide a guide to work around your travel plans (subject to availability).
Short-notice enquiries may be difficult to fill. We recommend making reservations well in advance for the Ascents Program (several months).
Sample Objectives
Upper Tasman Glacier Area
This is a superb location, with 2 huts in the area. A 7 or 8-day Ascents Program can allow attempts on one or more peaks, some of these include including:
Elie de Beaumont (3,109 metres)
A beautiful 3,000-metre peak offering stunning views of the Tasman Sea, and West Coast. This is a great winter objective, and early season peak, but can become cut off by crevasses by December. In good conditions, it can be ascended part way with ski touring equipment.
Mounts Green (2,837 metres) and Walter (2,905 metres)
Mount Green offers various routes from the East Face (grade 2) through to grade 3+ on southern routes. Mount Walter has a number of approaches at grades 2 to 3. Winter and early summer seasons can offer more challenging ice routes.
Murchison Glacier Area
The head of the Murchison Glacier is a great climbing and ski touring area. Being east of the Main Divide it can often avoid the worst of westerly weather systems.
This a remote area, requiring a base camp to climb from, as Murchison Hut is currently out of service.
Winter ski touring/mountaineering options include
The Murchison Headwall
Mannering Glacier
Mount Phyllis (2,444 metres)/Classen Saddle
Mount Sydney King (2,521 metres)
Mounts Mannering (2,669 metres), and Broderick (2,669 metres) make good summer ascents, with bivouacs possible at Whataroa Saddle.
Pioneer Hut Area - Westland
Westland National Park is just across the Main Divide from our Aoraki Mount Cook base. It is an achievable drive or a quick heli flight across to access this amazing location.
It’s hard to find a more spectacular venue for climbing, with views down the glaciers, to temperate rainforest and the sparkling Tasman Sea. As well as access on to Mount Tasman, there are a number of 3,000+ metre peaks close to Pioneer Hut.
Due to the area’s remoteness and exposure to westerly weather systems, we recommend 7 days or more to really make the most of the location.
Possible options can include:
Mount Haidinger (3,070 metres). The West Face offers a number of routes at grades 3 to 4+
Douglas Peak (3,077 metres) at grades 3 and higher
Mount Lendenfeld (3,194 metres) at grades 2 to 3+
Various other peaks from grade 1+ to 2+, like Mount Mallory (2,756 metres), Mount Alack (2,759 metres)
Other Options
Minarets (3,040 metres) from Centennial Hut, a 5 or 6-day Ascents Program
Based at Centennial Hut (2,400 m), at the head of Franz Josef Glacier, an ascent of the Minarets offers a wonderful opportunity to journey across the Main Divide.
The vertical ascent is only 640 vertical metres. However, once above the Chamberlain snowfields the climbing is moderately steep and sustained - and will test the endurance of your calf muscles!
Mount Sefton (3,151 metres) a 7+ days Ascents Program
Mount Sefton towers almost 2,000 metres above Mount Cook Village. It is seldom guided due to the long approach.
The classic West Ridge Route (grade 2+) makes a superb challenge for a fit climber keen for a remote wilderness experience.
La Perouse (3,078 metres), a 7+ days Ascents Program
Strong alpinists can tackle La Perouse in early summer via the Hooker Valley. Access and egress is on foot only. The classic route is Divide Route, at grade 3
The first full day of the trip is a challenging approach to Empress Hut. The climbing route is a long one, involving the ascent of another peak - Mount Jellicoe (2,837 metres), before ascending the rocky Divide Ridge, or up a steep snow arête to the summit.
A 25% deposit is required to secure your booking. Full payment is due 60 days before the start of your trip.
