Rock Climbing | Abseiling | Hiking | Climbing Queenstown » News

Dave moving on…

Dave — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:22:57 +0000

Dave Bolger the Operations Manager for Climbing Queenstown is moving on after working for the company for 6 years. Dave will continue to be involved and work as a contract guide from time to time and he looks forward to making some cameo appearances.

Remarkables 29/05/10

Dave — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:08:24 +0000

The Snow continues to fall on the Remarkables with some large wind drifts of 70cm +. Certainly has been a large turn around from two weeks ago when we were experiencing some warm temperatures for May. The forecast for Monday and Tuesday looks great and we should get a better idea on conditions and how any ice is forming up. Keep ya posted.

Single Cone Conditions 16/05/10

Dave — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:22:55 +0000

Rupert reports nice travel up the north ridge of Single Cone. There was minimal snow/ice cover on the actual ridge to the summit. The standard gully route on the eastern aspect has a reasonable amount of snow packed in the gully and crampons are advised. A word of caution that the fixed ropes on the bolted anchors down the gully are unsafe and should not be used. A real contrast currently between northern and southern aspects!

Conditions on the Remarkables 3/5/10

Dave — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:00:21 +0000

The days of alpine rock and approach shoes to the top of Single Cone are over for the season. Again new snow over night and the southern aspects are holding reasonable amounts of snow at higher elevations ( above 2000m ).

Rupert and Client David found a little ice on the decent ramp to the south face of Single Cone on Saturday. He also made a comment the standard gully route on Single Cone is filling up. Therefore time to brush of those crampons and ice axe and get into the hills for some early training.

Camping Wye Creek

Dave — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:25:10 +0000

10 am on a Sunday morning, the sun hasn’t quite made it through the clouds and there is a cool breeze whipping off the lake, 19 sleepy looking kids pile out of their mini buses and look up the Wye Valley with bleary eyes…. “We’re hiking all the way up there?!”

After a quick gear check and a few instructions, Rupert and Rose set off leading the ‘Little Brown Kiwi’ group up the 4×4 track to gain the path that would lead them up the North branch of the Wye Valley. The kids are fast and fit and pretty soon everyone is warmed up.

A leisurely lunch was followed by a few more hours of tramping through the beech forest and a couple of river crossings to reach our campsite. Space was a little tight with all eleven tents but after some careful maneuvering we were all squeezed in and the kids promptly fell asleep for an afternoon nap! After a rest we were keen to do some more hiking and continued up the valley, alongside the waterfall above our campsite. Some tricky moves were required to avoid the spiky spear grass and we soon had fantastic views of Single and Double cone to our right (the highest peaks on the Remarkable Mountains) and Lake Wakatipu on our left. There was an impromptu stone-statue building competition and then we all headed back to camp for tea and medals.

Dinner was followed by a few rounds of group juggling and catching last few rays before watching the sunset. It was an early night for most of the team – wiped out after carrying their heavy packs up the valley.

After a good nights kip we woke to sunny skies and a gentle meander back across the river and down the valley. We were really impressed by the positive attitude of the group throughout the two days; we didn’t hear one single complaint! Special mentions go to ‘Shazza’ for making it all the way up the valley, James for taking a two minute bath in the (very cold) river and to Mr Hay and J-Lo for making it all the way down the valley with surprise rocks in their packs – sorry fellas, karma!

Rupert relaxing in the North Wye.

Age no barrier for the rock!

Dave — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:42:58 +0000

Rupert & Dave have recently been up the Remarkables with slightly older clients (+50). Both trips were to climb the fantastic accessible alpine rock up there. If it’s been a while since you have been on the rock or wanting to step it up a notch in an alpine situation, the Remarkables is the perfect location for a day trip. The routes are generally of the long easy nature and get lots of sun at this time of year! Book your private trip on the alpine rock today (:

Wye Creek Trekking

Dave — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:22:07 +0000

A new product which we have just launched, is the two day Wye Creek Circuit. Classic Kiwi alpine trekking in a stunning location just out of Queenstown. This trip is a mixture of formed trail and an unformed route up and over Wye saddle. Nice and remote with your own personal guide, who is qualified in alpine trekking and has years of local experience. Give Dave an email to find out more details – dave@climbingqueenstown.com

Introduction to rock climbing New Zealand

Dave — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:27:48 +0000

Our half day and full day rock trips are perfect for you to taste climbing on the real rock. Conditions are perfect at the moment and we have a great selection of routes to test you on. Our group size has a maximum ratio of one instructor to four clients, therefore the groups are very personal and maintain a very high safety standard. All instructors are qualified and very current in the latest climbing techniques.

Ryan hangin out at Wye Creek! Full day location.

Look forward to getting you out on the rock in Queenstown! Dave.

Full day at Wye Creek

Dave — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:09:43 +0000

Everyone is raving about our full day trip to Wye Creek. This area is the leading rock climbing area in the Wakatipu. Now with over 150 routes and many being 3 star classic’s, this is not to be missed. We can challenge the beginner right through to the advanced climber looking for steep overhangs.

Book online today to experience a day out with one of our professional instructors at Wye Creek.

ALPINE blog with Chris

chris — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:33:39 +0000

Plenty of action on our local peaks of the Remarkables.

Their geographic location means plenty of dry weather and more climbing days in a multitude of great alpine situations.

'Wye man', appeared this summer at the Wye saddle and he has been monitoring the traffc

Lori and Kim waiting for their guide to leadout the rope on the north ridge of Single Cone

Last moves before the summit of Double Cone

Summit of Double Cone 2320m, Single Cone and the Nevis mountains behind

Luise and Mathias with hands on rock and making progress to the summit

A local Kea comes to say hello

The lads from Holland get the ultimate traverse picture

Crazy clouds in the Wakatipu make for an interesting summit view from Single Cone 2320m

Team Nederland on track for the West ridge of Single Cone