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Mountain conditions in NZ's southern alps:
Mt Aspiring National Park - excellent coverage with a few ascents Thursday by happy climbers. Rock step in the SW Ridge couloir. Pioneer hut region - excellent ice climbing reported by Woody last week. Mt Cook region - glacier well covered and Aoraki in great condition. Current conditions and weather can also be found on our website http://www.aspiringguides.com/weather_reports.html
Ama Dablam: 24th November - Acclimatisation and flu
An update by text from Marty Beare in base camp, of the team's acclimatisation: Caroline, Corinne, Barry and Robin spent last night at ABC and are now heading up to Camp 1 to overnight there. Em, Rich, Bill, Andy and Archie all tagged Camp 2 (5900m) yesterday, then spent a second night at Camp 1. John is currently resting at Camp 1. It is normal to 'tag' or spend at least one night in camp 1 (5,700m) as part of any acclimatisation schedule, before returning to base camp, resting and preparing for a summit push. The rest of this group have now descended to Base Camp. Jerome, Chris and Marty all came down from Camp 1 yesterday. Marty is sick with the flu. Sadly, Mark has decided to leave the expedition as he is not well. He is on his way to Lukla today.
Mt Aspiring - recharge yourself!We are the local specialists in the Mt Aspiring National Park. If you are fit and interested in this spectacular ascent, contact us to talk about it. We also have a questionnaire which can help ascertain if you're ready for it. With one of our skilled guides, Mt. Aspiring is an excellent way to experience your first big ascent. Guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience! http://www.aspiringguides.com/mount_aspiring_tititea.html
Mountain Skills Course:
We have a couple of spaces left on our Dec 11-17 introductory Mountain Skills course and two more over New Year Dec 28-Jan 3.
This is a challenging (from all perspectives) seven days introduction to mountaineering covering the basics while actually out there climbing!
Topics include: snow and ice climbing belaying and rope skills glacier travel techniques route selection & navigation weather analysis and forecasting avalanche awareness camp management crevasse and alpine rescue alpine rock climbing and emergency shelters mountain first aid http://www.aspiringguides.com/introductory.html
Mt Cook via the Hooker Valley route: Phil Penney, Nick Morgan and Richard Poulter are shortly departing for this excellent expedition ascent of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Details on this 7 day walk in and out expedition is on our excellent website. http://www.aspiringguides.com/mount_cook_aoraki.html
Recommended reading: Paul Hersey "Where the Mountains throw their dice" ISBN 10: ISBN - 13: 978-1-86966-191-5 New Holland Publishers
There are regular reports in the media of mountaineering fatalities and costly rescues, and to some of us climbing may seem a selfish and crazy game in which victims have only themselves to blame. But to Dunedin climber Paul Hersey climbing is nothing less than a reason for living; even if, or perhaps even because, at the most life-affirming moments he may be just one step from a tumble into the abyss. In this fascinating book, which includes white-knuckle accounts of his own climbs in the South Island and the Italian Alps, Paul chats with some of New Zealand's most experienced climbers, such as Bill McLeod, Lydia Bradey and Erik Monasterio, to find out why they are drawn to the mountains, and why, even after losing close friends, they keep returning to this place of other-worldly limbo. Accompanying the text are Paul's spectacular photographs from his own climbs.
Young Valley reopens:
From 1 November 2008 the Young River Valley near Makarora in the Mt Aspiring National Park will be open again to the public. The valley was closed by the Department of Conservation over a year ago, when a 70-metre high rockfall dam created a lake nearly 2 kilometres in length on the Young's north branch.
A SPECIAL kind of Wild walk in the Mt Aspiring National Park:
How would it be? NO FREEZE DRY? NO HEAVY PACKS? NO CROWDED HUTS? NO BUSY TRACKS? NO LARGE GROUPS?
WOW! something refreshingly different ...
You now have the choice to do some of the harder and more remote tracks - we have pre-placed expedition style camps with yummy food, sleeping bags, private tents, stoves, chairs, tables.
Large groups are not allowed in these remote areas, and our groups run between 3 and 5. Expect delicious food such as Indian curry with Pompadoms, chutney and coconut, pancakes for breakfast!
Summer Wildwalks SPECIAL:A. Three people for the price of two - Gillespie Pass 4 days or Mt Aspiring Discovery 3 days - (choose your own dates) B. Private family trips - (choose your own dates) Upper Wilkin Experience trips only, 2 adults, 2 kids half price (minimum age 12, maximum age ? ). The price includes everything, yes, everything. or join a small group - check our website for details of trip departures http://www.aspiringguides.com/wilderness_trekking.html
Tip of the week:
Try packing the biggest and most awkward items into your pack first, and then add the smaller bits afterwards.
Put forth your aspirations, we will convert them to reality ...
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