Mountaineering
One day options
The Remarkables is a stunning mountain range that dominates over Queenstown. We run day trips from Queenstown to the Remarkables during both winter and summer. The day trips are 8 hours plus and we cater for a variety of abilities and fitness levels.
For the first time mountain adventurer, trips are available to Wye Dome, Telecom Towers or Single Cone the highest point on the Remarkables. For people with some mountaineering experience possible routes taken are the Double Cone traverse or one of the more challenging routes to Single Cone. Enjoy breathtaking views from any of these peaks as well as a fantastic sense of achievement.
We only operate private guiding personalised to meet your needs and aspirations and to ensure complete customer satisfaction. This means that if you or your group initiate the trip we won't book anyone else on your climb.
We provide all the necessary technical equipment to ensure your safety (including ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet and avalanche transceivers in winter). We recommend that you wear your own boots to ensure you experience a comfortable walk into the mountains.
Clothing can be hired from Outside Sports, where our desk is based, at preferential rates. Outside Sports also hired trekking boots suitable for summer conditions.
Price:
Per person $500
2 People $800
3 people $900 *
4 people $1000 *
*Trips offered under summer conditions and certain climbing routes.
Three day option - Mt Earnslaw Expedition
The three day climbing trip to Mt Earnslaw (2830 metres) is our premier trip. Mt Earnslaw is situated in the Aspiring National Park and sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu. A colossal mountain it captures climbers with its own unique beauty and stature. Mt Earnslaw is attainable for a first time mountaineer with high level of personal fitness.
Day 1We take the trip to Glenorchy and enjoy a four wheel drive up the Rees Valley (at additional cost, saving 3 hours of walking). From half way up the Rees Valley there is a narrow track that climbs steeply through the Beach trees to Kea Basin. Depending on weather and your fitness level we'll either bivi high in Kea Basin or continue to the Esquilant biv. Relax for the evening as your guide shows off their culinary skills.
Day 2Normally the summit day either from Esquilant biv or Kea Basin. The rope is your best friend this day and your guide will teach you basic rope management and movement skills in the mountains.
Day 3Depending on the weather and how you're feeling, we demonstrate a range of snow skills before heading down to the valley floor for the walk out. A really enjoyable day where you soak up the magnificent scenery and peaceful environment of the Rees Valley
This trip is hugely rewarding where you'll experience a great taste of New Zealand mountaineering. Whilst the days are long, the sense of achievement in immense.
Price:
1:1 guide to customer ratio $1950
1:2 guide to customer ratio $1450 per person
Note - cost does not include Four Wheel Drive hire, which we do recommend to increase your success on the summit day. Price does include all technical equipment, food for the three days and hut fees.
We also like to have one contingency day for weather.
Three day option - Mt Brewster Expedition
A 3 day trip to Mt Brewster is located at the northern tip of Aspiring National Park. At 2515 metres, Mt Brewster is a prominent peak that offers a challenging climb. This trip is suitable with people with some climbing experience and a good general fitness.
Day 1Drive to the Fantail Falls carpark just over the Haast Pass. A steep walk up the ridge takes you to the stunning new Brewster Hut with awesome views.
Day 2This is the real climbing day - leaving before daylight, it's a 12 hour climb from Brewster up to the summit and return. After leaving the tussock slopes, it's onto the weathered rock and then the Brewster Glacier. The travel on the glacier is generally flat however expect a few open crevasses. Above the glacier, the climb steepens with steep snow slopes to the summit ridge. The view from the top of Mt Brewster is amazing and it's often said this is one of the best view points in the Southern Alps.
Day 3If the legs are still feeling fit there maybe time for a quick climb up Mt Armstrong or Topheavy Peak or maybe a sleep in before heading down to the valley floor and the drive back to Queenstown.
Price:
1:1 guide to customer ratio $2200
Price includes all technical equipment, hut fees, transport from Queenstown and food for the three days.
Courses - 3 day Beginner
Learning the basic skills right the first time is essential for safe travels in the mountains. We pride ourselves in delivering quality courses with experienced instructors. We run a 3 day course on the Remarkables at set times of the year, and additional courses on demand. The Remarkables is a great place to learn basic skills as there is a variety of terrain, generally better weather than the main divide and quick and easy access to the mountains. Expect long days (8 hours plus) with very passionate instructors who love to teach and share their skills. As part of the course we encourage you to use your newly learned skills on the last day to climb either Wye Dome, Telecom Towers, Carbo Peaks or Single Cone.
Course dates 2008/09 Season:
15, 16, 17 September 2008
22, 23, 24 October 2008
7, 8, 9 November 2008
1, 2, 3 December 2008
6, 7, 8 December 2008
11, 12, 13 May 2009
1, 2, 3 June 2009
Price:
$800 per person
Note: we require a minimum of two people to run the course with a maximum of 5 people per instructor
Course - 3 day Advanced
Climbed a few mountains? Had a few trips in the hill? Confirm and raise your skills to open the door to leadership in the mountains.
This three day course is all about making sound decisions and improving your climbing technique.
Course dates 2008/09 Season:
17,18,19 November 2008
13,14,15 December 2008
6, 7, 8 June 2009
Price:
$1095 per person.
Note - we require a minimum of two people to run the course with a maximum of five per instructor
Cost includes all technical equipment and transport to and from the mountains, however for this level of course it is expected that clients have there own equipment.
Note: Other course dates are sometimes possible, depending on minimum numbers and instructor availability. Please contact Climbing Queenstown for more information.
