Aspiring Guides aim is to delight and empower you with the skills we have developed in our own climbing experience/careers so that your climbing future is enjoyable and safe. 

Mt Aspiring Expedition Course

It is structured with a focus on enabling a self-contained ascent of a 3000m peak in the future. The course builds upon a wide range of skills enabling you to move with confidence through the mountain environment and preparing you for more technical routes. Whether your preference is towards technical rock routes or classic ice climbs - you will find the Expedition Mt Aspiring Course a great way to attain the necessary skills.
 
Mount Aspiring (3027m/9928ft grade 2+NW ridge) is the only 3000m peak outside of Mount Cook National Park. It is called the Matterhorn of the South. The NW ridge can be accessed from the Bonar glacier by climbing up what is referred to as The Ramp. This involves up to 8-9 pitches of climbing on a snow / ice ramp which leads onto a ridge climb to the Summit snow cap. This involves snow and ice terrain up to the summit. The local Maori people have several names for the peak, ....`Tititea' which means Glistening Peak and `Te Maakahi o Tuterakiwhanoa ' which comes from the traditions of the Waitaha people and describes the wedge(maakahi) of a legendary figure, Tuterakiwhanoa who used it to shape landscapes.

It is more than just a course. It is an opportunity to develop an approach to the mountains which has been tried, and proven, on many a successful venture by Aspiring Guides.

The emphasis of our instruction courses is on expanding and re-developing the essential skills:

		snow and ice climbing
		anchors
		belaying and rope skills
		alpine rock climbing
		glacier travel techniques
		route selection & navigation
		weather analysis and forecasting
		avalanche awareness
		camp management and emergency shelters
		crevasse and alpine rescue
		emergency shelters

 Do not underestimate the mountains of NZ. There are many peaks of around 3000m in height, and although they may seem small in comparison to the higher peaks of the Himalaya, our mountains offer similar valley to summit altitude gains. Without the effects of altitude, we can concentrate on sharpening our technical skills, which can then give us the confidence to climb anywhere in the world.

Comprehensive course notes are supplied, which will assist in your trip planning, equipment selection and purchase advice, what you can expect to be doing on a day to day basis, and much more.

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 *The course price includes; qualified guide/instructor, permit fees, air access, all trip related meals and energy foods, hut fees, technical equipment, instruction manual. Additional costs are for non-technical rental equipment.