Internationally experienced, professional and qualified guides

Aspiring Guides and Wild Walks joined forces in October 2008. Wild Walks, headed by Whit Thurlow, is a six-year old wilderness trekking operation with a difference! It has pre-placed camps in the Mount Aspiring National Park, allowing guests to carry only their personal items. This is just one of the numerous benefits that the combined company can add to its guided climbing and skiing activities. Aspiring Guides' new Chief Guide, Whit Thurlow follows in the footsteps of Marty Beare who remains a director and IFMGA guide here at Aspiring Guides. 

Aspiring Guides was founded in 1990 by IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guides Nick Cradock, Guy Cotter, and Paul Scaife.

We continue to excel as mountaineers with first ascents of NZ's technical alpine routes, ascents of international technical peaks and extensive successful expedition climbing experience on Cerro Torre, Shivling, Uli Biaho, El Capitan and Alaskan big walls.

As guides we have guided and instructed guests of all ability levels to greater heights and new elements of self discovery within the Southern Alps of New Zealand and worldwide, including Everest, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, and the Sydney Opera House! We are about action.

In New Zealand and worldwide, our mountaineering achievements combine with a comprehensive knowledge of the history of guiding and instruction. These are the fundamental ingredients in providing a safe and enlightening connection between our guests and the mountain environment.

Whilst our activities are centred from our base in the Mount Aspiring region, our permits and experience extend throughout the Southern Alps including Fiordland, Westland and Mt. Cook National Parks. This is a vast area, diverse in geography.

Your safety is our priority. We have 'hand-picked' specialist guides from within the industry, in light of their qualifications, knowledge, experience level and communication skills. Our guiding team are qualified through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association. The NZMGA are affiliated to the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association who governs mountain guiding worldwide.

Our high level of expertise, comprehensive logistics support and refreshing personalities are the basis of Aspiring Guides' internationally renowned reputation for providing a quality and personalised service.

Meet the crew