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Mountain conditions in NZ's southern alps:
Mt Aspiring National Park - the Bonar glacier is in great shape for so late in the season. Access via French ridge over the quarterdeck was cut off early February.
The full NW ridge route of Mt Aspiring, combined with our late light evenings, allows us the luxury of climbing it in a more relaxed manner than via the "ramp" route.
Current conditions and weather info can also be found on our website http://www.aspiringguides.com/weather_reports.html
Recent trips ... oldest person to climb Mt Aspiring: Marty and Adrian have just returned with Ron Webster (79 years) and Murray Robb (74 years) - both of the south island of NZ, after their successful climb of Mt Aspiring two days ago. They are veteran members of the New Zealand Alpine Club, and we congratulate them on their inspiring achievement.
Recent trips ... NZ's most determined mountaineer: Mid January brought us good company but bad weather. Phil signed up for a climb of Mt Tasman, although the weather prevented them from climbing Tasman, but they climbed Haidinger. Phil is the President of the New Zealand Alpine Club. Phil had both feet amputated after 13 days forced bivi with Mark Inglis due to bad weather on Mt Cook in 1982. Suffering raging blizzards, a helicopter crash involving the rescue crew and severe frostbite, both men were finally lifted from the mountain. Phil climbed Aoraki-Mt Cook 21 years later!
Recent trips ... while eating NZ's favourite cereal: Dick "I do muesli" Hubbard (Auckland, NZ) and his sister Joy who lives in London, had a wonderful time with Marty climbing Mt Aspiring last week. Geoff Bonney who sailed to NZ by boat, then walked to Wanaka, climbed Mt Aspiring with Phil Penney on the same day as Dick and Joy. "Marty and Phil were superb guides, and were totally able to accommodate our limited capabilities. Their patience was hugely appreciated. At all times I felt totally safe with them. Thank you for a great adventure". Dick Hubbard.
Recent trips ... Marc Connors makes it ! ... third time lucky : Marc Connors wrote an article in the latest issue of Outdoor Australia about his recent climb up Mt Aspiring's SW with Steve Monks. http://www.aspiringguides.com/dyn_documents/autumn_09_article_on_aspiring.pdf
Staff frolics: Nick Morgan, Gary and Stefan climbed the north buttress of Mt Aspiring. Nick Cradock, Murray and Milo, have had a busy February visiting the Darran Mountains in Fiordland and set up a new route called "Vindication" on Moir. Look out for details in the next NZ Alpine Club magazine. Gavin & Andrew had a couple of days off work and climbed the full north ridge and down the West ridge of Maltebrun. Good news for Anthea who got "Aretnaphobia" 20 (last years nemesis) on her first try this summer. Jo Haines left on Tuesday for Colorado for 5 weeks on a ski holiday. Whit's been surfing at Colic bay and kiting at the local windy haunts. Whitney and Stefan climbed "Indian Summer" at the Remarkables. "Ravages of time" was visited by Stefan and Gavin (on separate trips). Milo and Jean had a great adventure up the "Bowen Allan Corner" on Moirs Mate in Fiordland. Marty bought a mountain bike, he and Suzanne have been whizzing round the local tracks and doing a bit of local climbing. Mal's off to Nepal shortly to guide Mera Peak. Simon and Jo has a lovely weekend of weather while climbing Mt Barth (Ahuriri Valley). Gary and Nick also managed to have a great climb on Maltebrun - West Ridge.
Desktop photo:
We have some excellent photos to share with you. Just email back with "desktop photo" in the subject line, and we'll email you a photo every 4-6 weeks. If you'd like to share your photo send it to us (less than 1Mb please!) When you receive the photo, it's easy to transfer it to your computer's desktop where you can look at it for inspiration.
Tip of the week:
It only hurts the first time.
What's on when this season ?
ski/board calendar http://www.aspiringguides.com/ski.html
climbing calendar http://www.aspiringguides.com/backcountry_calendar_climb_trek_ski.html
wild walks calendar http://www.aspiringguides.com/trek.html
Put forth your aspirations, we will convert them to reality ...
The team at Aspiring Guides - climb-trek-ski
Mt Aspiring National Park
w: www.aspiringguides.com
e: action@aspiringguides.com
p: +64 3 443 9422
f: +64 3 443 9540
l: Lake Wanaka, New Zealand |
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