Field Notes

The Aspiring Guides Blog

Featured blog post

Latest blog posts

Trek
4
min read

Family Friendly Trekking Ideas For Summer

Kiwi families like a challenge, but sometimes finding the right adventure to keep both parents and kids happy can be tricky. Will the route be too difficult? Will it be too easy? How will we cook for a bigger crew in the backcountry? What food to pack?!
Trek
7
min read

Rabbit Pass: A Kiwi's Bucket List Tramping Experience

If you’ve lived in New Zealand for any length of time, chances are you’ve ticked off a few backcountry adventures. After all, about a third of the country’s land mass is protected land, and at least 10% is national park, so you don’t have to go far to find a wild and scenic patch of earth to explore.
Ski
5
min read

Diagnosing Your Addiction to Backcountry Skiing

The quest for fresh powder and the need to carve first lines has always been an addiction for skiers. What is different is the fact that more and more people are choosing to embark on this quest in the NZ backcountry.
Climb
5
min read

Trip Report: Mt. Blanc

The most important thing to remember is that Mountaineering (Alpinism) was born on Mont Blanc.
Trek
5
min read

The Art of Shoving and Stripping - How to Pack For Your Trek

Nothing screams ‘beginner’ more than a lopsided, unbalanced pack with stuff hanging on the outside.
Trek
5
min read

From Australia’s Larapinta trail to NZ’s Gillespie-Rabbit Passes

Michael as a lad grew up in Tasmania where he developed a love of remote wilderness areas, and cold, snowy environments. That’s why he decided to take a job guiding for World Expeditions on the Larapinta trail based out of Alice Springs in one of the hottest places in Australia !?!
Ski
3
min read

Advice For Your Ski Touring Setup

As winter approaches we often get asked advice on what gear investments to make for ski touring. Getting started is a big investment so you want to get it right. There has been a lot written about touring gear so we're going to keep it simple and as brief as possible.
Climb
3
min read

How to Choose Mountaineering Boots

As with most mountaineering equipment, there is not one magical item that works for every eventuality. When investing in boots, you need to decide when, and for what, you are going to be using them the most. There will have to be some compromise somewhere along the line.
Climb
2
min read

The Unique Nature of Alpine Climbing is New Zealand

Alpine climbing in New Zealand is likely completely different to other mountain areas that you may have visited. Without the easy logistics and access of European mountains, NZ offers an authentic mountaineering adventure.
Climb
4
min read

Mastering the Ice: Essential Equipment for Climbing in New Zealand's Frozen Playground

In this guide, we delve into the essential equipment necessary for tackling New Zealand's ice-climbing, from specialized boots to the intricacies of crampons and ice tools. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a novice adventurer, understanding the gear can make all the difference in the frozen landscapes of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Westland regions.
Climb
7
min read

Progression to Mt. Cook

The most common inquiry that we get at Aspiring Guides is for a guided ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook - the highest peak in New Zealand and an impressive sight from whatever direction it is viewed. We can appreciate the appeal! Learn what is required to "knock the bastard off."
Climb
4
min read

Training Advice for Mt. Aspiring

While Tititea/Mt.Aspiring isn't New Zealand's toughest and most technical peak, it's not an "off-the-couch" objective. It requires training and preparation. Here are some of our suggestions for how to prepare for your first summit!
Climb
5
min read

Mt. Aspiring, WOW, We Did It!

Aspiring Guides clients Gary and Graham recount their tremendous achievement of climbing Mt Aspiring. What started as a goal became their reality through hard work, a strict training regime and being suckers for punishment.
Course
7
min read

Inside our Mountaineering Skills Course at Mt Cook

Recently I was invited by Aspiring Guides to shoot and participate in a seven-day mountaineering course in New Zealand. Based in Wanaka, Aspiring Guides is a local outfit that offers mountain guiding and quality training in the peaks of the New Zealand Alps. When they called me at the last minute with one spot left, I jumped on it.
Climb
2
min read

Jess's Top 3 Rock Climbs in The Southern Lakes

Jess shares her favourite "secret spots" for climbing in the Southern Lakes region.
Climb
6
min read

The Ultimate Guide to the 3-Layer System in New Zealand

As outdoor enthusiasts and guides, we understand that being properly prepared can make all the difference between a memorable adventure and a challenging ordeal. That's why we're here to highlight the importance of the three-layering system—a fundamental strategy for staying comfortable and safe in the unpredictable environments of the backcountry.
Ski
6
min read

Ski Touring at Robrosa

No lifts, no road, no wi-fi, no heating, no shower — Robrosa Hut sits at 1700m in the Pisa Ranges, New Zealand. Just four bunks, a gas cooker, views for days, and endless gullies, chutes and cliffs for as many lines as your legs can handle.
Trek
5
min read

Tips for Winter Hiking in New Zealand

Hiking in the winter months is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand due to the lack of crowds and stunning snow covered peaks can make for a totally different scene from the normal hiking months is New Zealand. When you hit the weather right and you can have a wilderness experience like no other feeling like you're transported into another world.
Trek
5
min read

Are Traditional Maps and GPS Obsolete?

Your phone works as a GPS? There are lots of GPS apps that work on your smartphone and if you spend heaps of time in the backcountry, it's a no-brainer to get on board with the phone revolution.
Climb
5
min read

Mt. Aspiring For Flow

Sven summits Tititea/Mt. Aspiring with Aspiring Guides. Read his story.
Trek
min read

The Ultimate Trekking Survival Guide For Parents

We know that holidays should be quality time for everybody in the family. But finding activities and trips to suit everybody is tough. And before you know it, someone is hungry and needs to run to the loo or forget the backpack. Here's a survival guide for your family holiday.
conservation and sustainability

Stewards of tomorrow.

We instil stewardship in every generation, fostering respect for this taoka, this treasured place.

Join the Aspiring Club Newsletter

We’re at our best when we’re scaling rock, ice and snow but we give this email thing a crack every so often (Monthly-ish). If you want to hear about new adventures and updates, then join our newsletter.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Climb
ShapesShapes