Mount Aspiring Climb

Meet your guide in Wanaka for a briefing, we will confirm the time and place on booking, it is preferable to stay the night before the trip in Wanaka to ensure an early start. You will complete a thorough check gear, drive to the road end and fly into the mountains in the early afternoon. A two hour walk across the Bonar Glacier takes you to Colin Todd hut. Colin Todd Hut is located at the base of the North West ridge. It is a strenuous 1.5 day walk or a short helicopter flight. Flying in makes best use of your available good weather. By using helicopter access you can maximise your energy on the mountain, and the time spent climbing. Fresh food can also be taken in. After flying to Bevan Col there is an 1.5 hour walk to Colin Todd Hut, across the Bonar Glacier. Camping may sometimes be required due to the limited bed capacity at Colin Todd Hut and we will provide tents and other camping gear, if required.

Meals:  L,D

Your guide will take you through several skills sessions including basic snowcraft and cramponing skills, crevasse rescue, climbing alpine rock and ascending steep snow and ice.

Meals:  B,L,D

Acclimatisation day, ascend a smaller peak such as Mt Bevan or Rolling Pin. Your leader will assess your skills and capacity to undertake Mount Aspiring at this point.

Meals:  B,L,D

Summit day, start 3am, and finish as late as 7pm - OR contingency day. We generally undertake the North West Ridge route, a long day of climbing 1,220 vertical metres over 10-12 hours - including travel across glaciated terrain and pitched climbing. The climb takes 10 to 12 hours return from Colin Todd Hut (1,800 metres). We climb either via the ‘Ramp’ in the earlier parts of the season (October through December). The Ramp involves sustained moderately-angled pitched climbing with two ice tools. The Ramp Route meets with the full North West Ridge about halfway along the ascent. From there, it is technically straightforward but exposed climbing for the last 300 vertical metres to the summit. Fantastic views are had from this point in space; to Aoraki in the north, and glaciated valleys to the west, and beyond to the Tasman Sea on a clear day. The upper part of the mountain is climbed via the North West Ridge. This involves moderate snow and ice up to the summit. Your guide will usually short rope you up this, depending on conditions. The descent is via the same route. It requires concentration and good crampon technique. Late Season Variation Full North West Ridge The full North West Ridge is a classic route that is normally climbed later in the season (normally January onwards) after the rock is clean from snow. This route follows the long NW Ridge, requiring a number of pitches and airy exposed traverses around rock pinnacles before meeting the top of the Ramp. Your guide will determine the best route depending on the conditions.

Meals:  B,L,D

Commence walk out, via French Ridge or Bevan Col, depending on conditions. This is a long and demanding trip. You need to be fit able to carrying a moderate-heavy backpack through sometimes steep, untracked terrain for 8–10 hours after a long summit day. The French Ridge route can take up to 1.5 to 2 days, and must be undertaken within the time frame of your trip. Your guide will decide which route is most suitable for weather, snow conditions, and your fitness at the time. This day may also be used as a contingency day.

Meals:  B,L,D

Complete walk out to road end, or fly out (weather permitting, additional cost applies) to vehicle at the road end before driving to Wanaka.

Meals:  B,L