Changes at Aspiring Guides
Aspiring Guides is sad to announce that Nick Cradock has resigned as a director of the company. One of the Founding Directors of the company, Nick has been the cornerstone of the business since its inception in 1990. However, he now feels that the time has come for him to move in another direction. The remaining directors of the company - Jean, Pete, Marty and Steve - are sorry to see him leave and we wish him the very best for the future. We are pleased that he will continue to guide our clients up mountains occasionally.

Aspiring Guides Expeditions
The strength of the Australian and NZ Dollar provides the most affordable opportunity for years for Antipodean climbers to participate in overseas expeditions. In the near future Aspiring Guides will be leading (in conjunction with Jagged Globe) several expeditions which may be of interest to you. These include two highly coveted peaks on which we have an excellent track record of success:

Ama Dablam 6856m / 22,494ft with Steve Bell 11 November - 11 December 2007
The stunning Matterhorn of the Himalayas is without doubt one of the world's most beautiful mountains. In November, Aspiring Guides and Jagged Globe Director Steve Bell will be leading our 7th expedition to the mountain. If you have good mountaineering skills and want an unforgettable challenge in the shadow of Everest, this is a great opportunity.

GB£3895 (Joining in Kathmandu) http://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/exp/itinerary/ama+dablam.html

Cho Oyu 8201m / 26,906ft with Pete James 30 August - 12 October 2008
The most often climbed of the 8000m peaks, Cho Oyu is regarded as the most straightforward to climb. In spring 2008, you can join Aspiring Guides Director Pete James on this Himalayan giant. If you are interested, you'll need to start training now for this challenging 8000m experience!

GB£6495 (Joining in Kathmandu) BOOK NOW FOR 2007 PRICE! http://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/exp/itinerary/cho+oyu.html

Everest 8850m / 29,035ft with Marty Beare 22 March - 1 June 2008
This is it, the big one! If you have dreamed about climbing the world's highest mountain one day, here's your chance: join our Chief Guide, Marty Beare, in 2008 on our ascent of the South Col Route from Nepal. First climbed by Tenzing and Hillary in 1953, this route provides the best chance of success.

US$42,000 (Joining in Kathmandu) BOOK NOW FOR 2007 PRICE! http://www.jagged-globe.co.uk/exp/itinerary/everest.html

Why Jagged Globe ?
Jagged Globe is a pioneer of guided professionally led Everest expeditions. Its first Everest trip in 1993, led by Aspiring Guides Mountaineering director Steve Bell, remains the most successful British Everest expedition ever, with 16 summiteers. Since then Jagged Globe has operated 12 expeditions to the mountain, climbing both the north and south sides of the peak. It has also provided logistical support to many other teams, including, in 2007, the British Medical Research Everest Expedition a BBC film team and the IMAX film team. The company's expertise and experience on the mountain is unsurpassed. Jagged Globe will be returning to Everest in 2008, and the expedition will include an Aspiring Guides Mountaineering contingent led by Marty Beare.
 
The current strength of the Kiwi makes an overseas expedition more affordable than it has been for some years, and with the added benefit that you can sign up for Everest 2008 now for the 2007 price (before August 2007), this is a great opportunity for your Everest ambitions.
 
Marty Beare's off to Changabang in August
In August this year Marty will be leaving for northern India to attempt alpine-style ascents of peaks in the Garhwal Himalaya. Marty is a member of a 5-member expedition that plans to climb new routes on Purbi Dunagiri (6489m) and to repeat classic climbs on Changabang (6864m). In particular, Marty and friends hope to achieve the second ascent of Pete Boardman & Joe Tasker's 1976 legendary climb of Changabang's West Ridge. This route has attained almost mythical status in the thirty years since it was first climbed and then immortalized in Boardman's prize-winning book "Shining Mountain". Log onto the following website for more information on Marty and friends' Himalayan adventure: http://changabang2007.com/

What's happening NOW

Winter waterfall ice 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!

What's happening NEXT

Backcountry Ski touring Choose from an introductory day ski touring beyond the ski area boundary with your guide, to a five day intensive Summit to Sea ski-mountaineering tour beyond your wildest dreams. 

Steep Alpine Ice Do you spend 11 months of the year sitting behind the office desk fantasizing about 300m long ribbons of squeaky white alpine ice? This course is an opportunity to develop an all encompassing approach to the sharper end of mountaineering which has been tried and tested by the best of NZ’s steep alpine ice climbers, the likes of Nick Cradock, Phil Penney, Murray Ball, Marty Beare– to name a few. This eight day day advanced course is designed to make safe proficient leaders of course participants on - especially upon, steep ice and mixed terrain. The course is based from Pioneer Hut because of the close proximity of some of NZ’s best steep alpine ice and mixed routes.

NEW for next summer
Aspiring Expedition Course This 8-day advanced technical course was developed to teach state of the art alpine climbing techniques with the main focus on climbing Mount Aspiring. It is structured with a focus on a self contained ascent of a 3000m peak. The course enables 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 Aspiring Expedition Course a great way to attain the necessary skills. Bring a friend. Guide-client ratio 1:2 Price NZ$2950 per person. This price includes 8 days 1:2 ratio, air access, all meals and energy snacks, hut fees, technical mountaineering manual, technical equipment.

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