Overall, conditions have been great this summer, despite a short spell of challenging weather transforming the snowpack temporarily into something you'd add Tequila to!

The NW Buttress route of Mount Aspiring is in excellent condition and February holds a perfect weather record for this route. Well actually, most adventures into the mountains are suited to February weather, so come along and join us.

Meet Marty Beare and Steve Bell in Australia. Attend an action packed visual show of the best mountaineering options for Australian-based climbers. Marty and Steve describe mountain regions around the world, with an emphasis on New Zealand the European Alps, and the seven continental summits. Useful information is interspersed with hair-raising tales of epics on mountains around the world. Whether you climb independently or with a guide, come along and be inspired! 

Here's the timetable:

• Rockstock Climbing Festival Blue Mountains, Easter, April 7 + 8.
• Paddy Pallin Sydney ( 507 Kent St ): Wednesday 11 April @ 6pm.
• Paddy Pallin Canberra ( 11 Lonsdale St ): Tuesday 17 April @ 6pm.
• Paddy Pallin Melbourne (360 Little Bourke St): Thursday 19 April@ 6pm.
   

The crew have been out personal climbing ...
Nick Cradock and Murray Ball have been exploring Tasmanian rock. Earlier in December Pete James and Adrian Cam climbed the gunbarrell on the south face of Mt Hicks (grade 6), Nick Morgan and Milo Gilmour climbed the south face on Mt Aspiring (grade 5). Nick Morgan and Anthea Fisher have just returned from climbing Silberhorn, Simon Howells recently went down to sample world class granite in the Darrans. Up and coming freshly qualified mountain guide Johnny Davison, pushed the envelope with new grade 6+ routes on the West Coast with Allan Uren and Julian White. Marty Beare, Johnny Davison and Brian Alder are gearing up for climbing new routes (alpine style) on Changabang.

What's coming up ? 

March and April courses, namely Steep Alpine Ice (mixed conditions), and the very best introductory mountaineering course available in New Zealand - our Mountain Skills Course. 

Winter waterfall ice. It doesn't seem quite right to climb a frozen waterfall. From a medium you can drink to something that resembles rock and then climb, it's a miracle. Ice climbing is bizarre, as weird as it gets, fantastic. Go and try it! The ice climbing on Black Peak is waterfall ice. To so easily access water ice in New Zealand is a rarity and have such a great base as a hut, luxury.

The head of the Blue Creek Valley is draped with climbable flows of varying length and difficulty. Depending on your ice climbing aspirations and skills, we can descend to the Blue Creek ice routes (40 minutes below the hut). Our heated private hut, at 1800m on the mid-reaches of Black Peak (2283m), is an ideal base for ice climbing on Black Peak. The 3 day ice climbing course is structured to your level of ability and experience, aimed at skills progression - from toprope through to multi-pitch ice climbing. NEW! Xtend yourself on the four day course - this takes you into the realm of lead ice climbing!

Please stay in touch with what's happening in your world. Feel welcome to phone us at the office for a chat to discuss your next mountaineering move. 

from the team at Aspiring Guides
Your alpine Specialists
www.aspiringguides.com
 Phone: +6434439422 Fax:+6434439540
Email: climb@aspiringguides.com Web: www.aspiringguides.com