Christchurch Earthquake

We have been getting lots of kind inquiries asking if we are alright after the Christchurch earthquake. While tremors were felt in Wanaka there is no damage here and luckily it seems that all our friends and relatives have come through without any real tragedy. We all have friends who have lost their homes but that can all be repaired in time. The “more English than England” Christchurch is gone, but in time a new and vibrant city will emerge. Christchurch is the commercial hub of the South Island and it will take years to adjust to the economic impact this will have here. Tourism will play a big role in the restoration of the economy so if you are thinking of visiting New Zealand now is the time!

Late Summer Conditions

I left the hut the other morning and there it was... frost. Summer has reached its peak and from here on out the days are a little shorter and a little colder. Like water spiraling down the drain we are getting relentlessly sucked into winter.  March and April are notable for cold morning and hot afternoons with usually stable weather.  Since the glaciers start to get particularly dry (see below) and access to many areas begins to get cut off, many people wonder if this is a good time to go alpine climbing or not. To be honest the only thing that is important is what the weather is like on the day. If the weather is good we will provide a great trip any time of year. Unfortunately we have yet to come up with a way to guarantee what the weather will do. The only thing guaranteed is that if you don’t go you will never get there! My advice is pick a time of year that works for you and go for it!

Dry Glaciers?

What is a dry glacier? Glaciers are made from water right, how can they be dry? Glaciers occur when more snow comes down in the winter than can melt away during the summer. The amount of snow just gets deeper and deeper until it can not hold its own weight and it starts to slide off down hill (slowly). The Neve is where the snow is always accumulating. In this area the snow gets harder throughout the summer but it gets replenished by the next winter before it can solidify into ice. The lower elevations where it slides off to is called the ablation zone. This is the zone where the annual loss is greater than the annual gain of snow. The snow in the ablation zone is hundreds of years old and has compacted into hard water ice. This ice can either be clear like an ice cubes or at lower elevations it is covered by accumulated dirt and rock.  Later in the summer the ablation zone reaches its maximum size creating hard water ice conditions over much of the glaciers except for the highest neves. It is this hard ice that is referred to as “dry” compared to the softer snow higher up. 

When is the best time to do an instruction course?

Every season has its advantages and disadvantages. When there is a lot of snow in Oct. and Nov. the crevasses are filled in and you have good access to different routes but when the snow gets soft on warm days and you are sinking in to your thighs you wish you were on a late season trip when the conditions are firm. In April the hard surface conditions make for fast easy walking travel but then you hit an area full of crevasses and you have to weave back and forth and to wish it was early season when it was all filled in! In the end any time is a good time! Check out dates for our Mountain Skills Courses - one more in April this season, and starting up again in Nov for next season.

Mitre Peak : Big Peak, Big Guides, Big Boats, Little Car

Guides Stefan Sporli and Felix Landman did a quick dash up Mitre Peak in Fiordland. Collecting a couple kayaks in Te Anau they lashed them to the top of their already too small vehicle and completed a one day paddle and ascent of this magnificent peak

Peru : Cordillera Blanca 2011

Our Peru trip still has one space left. If you have ever wanted to test out some high altitude climbing this is your chance. Led by Guides Aritza Monesterio and Gavin Lang this trip is running June 18- July 5, 2011 so get on board soon. Gavin has agreed to eat the local guinea pig served in Huaraz if the trip fills up... so please! http://www.aspiringguides.com/cordillera_blanca_peru_2010.html

Upper Wilkin Jan 2011

The Dews family from Sydney recently completed an Upper Wilkin trip with Guide Tim Hudson. It was the family’s first time in the New Zealand bush and highlights for Sophie (10yrs), Hannah (12yrs), and Thomas (14yrs) included the flight in and the river crossings. The Upper Wilkin is an exceptional location and a great place to be introduced to the wonders of the New Zealand mountains.

We trust you have all had a good summer. Stay safe out there.

Cheers

Whit Thurlow
Chief Guide/Director
IFMGA