What if I don't fit in with the group ability or otherwise?

This tends to be one of the major concerns of clients going on group trips. However, in our experience, it is very rarely a problem. Due to our small group size, we largely avoid compatibility issues.However, almost all of the trips we offer are physically demanding. It is very important that you are realistic in the self-assessment of your skills and experience. If you are not familiar with the NZ mountain and wilderness environment it is hard for you to judge how you will go. Our Lead Guide and all our guides are widely travelled and can give a good assessment before you join a trip whether your experience in other countries will work well for NZ conditions.If you are joining a group, tolerance is an important personal quality. Tiredness from lack of fitness or sleeping in an unfamiliar environment can take its toll over a long trip. But it is important to remember that while you might be the fastest, you might be the weakest at tying into your harness, crossing a river or making turns in deep powder snow. Inevitably every person on a group trip will have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. An upbeat temperament and accepting attitude go a long way in the mountains.If you are really concerned about your compatibility with others and you have not done many group trips then we are happy to offer private options on request.

Do I need my own gear?

Aspiring Guides run as an all inclusive price so there are no surprises with extra hidden fees. So feel free to use our gear and your guide will introduce you to the most common or popular technical equipment and you can discuss the benefits of this.If you have your own harness and shoes this is a great start as the fit and comfort will be the best as well as if you are familiar with your own gear and how it works, this can be a benefit as well.

What is included with the trip cost?

We try to keep most of our trips all-inclusive to take all of the work out of it for our clients.The price generally includes your qualified and friendly guide, all meals and snacks, terrain and hut fees, communications with Aspiring Guides Operations base, technical equipment, ground transport and jet boat / helicopter transports, and 15% Goods and Services Tax. See each individual trip description to see if there are any exclusions from the price.

Do I need a rental car?

No. Most people use shuttle bus transport or a taxi service from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka. If you stay in accommodation in central Wanaka then you will not need to rent a car. Most cafes, restaurants and activities are within easy walking distance, or your guide can pick you up the day of your trip. Please let our team know if this would be required.

How do I get to Wanaka?

The closest airport to us is in Queenstown. There are regular shuttles between Wanaka and Queenstown airport (one-hour drive).For shuttle and taxi information: Ritchies Transfers, Yello Taxi Service, Wanaka Transfers

Can I leave my extra bags and valuables with you while we are in the hills?

Yes, no problem. We have storage for anything you aren't taking on your trip. There's no electricity, internet or phone connection available on any of our trips - so it's best to leave most of your electronic gear with us for the duration of your trip.

Do I have to pay if the weather is bad for our trip?

New Zealand is famous for its changeable weather. The mountains here are characterised by long sunny fine periods mixed with sudden and sometimes heavy rain or snow. Our experienced guides are well equipped to provide the best possible trip and have many years experience in judging the conditions. Travel in bad weather is an art in itself. By using Aspiring Guides you give yourself the best chance of success dealing with whatever the weather may throw at you.If the weather remains adverse and prevents the trip from operating as originally planned, you have the opportunity to carry out sub-alpine adventure and skill development activities. The guide fee applies and any trip costs not utilised will be refunded.It is important that you have read and understood our booking terms and conditions. Once a trip begins there are no refunds.

What do we eat? I have a special diet, is this OK?

We put a lot of work into supplying you with wholesome meals with a variety of healthy and tasty ingredients and snacks catering to common preferences.Where possible, we provide fresh vegetables and real coffee. However, there will always be limitations when cooking in an alpine or wilderness environment. Meals like salads are limited or not possible to provide. Some trips/ courses are not recommended for people with very restrictive or complex dietary requirements. If you do have a restrictive eating regime we ask that you disclose this to us at the time of booking and we may ask you to provide us with an advance copy of what you would typically eat on a wilderness trip and our team will shop and cook accordingly.

Where is the Aspiring Guides located?

Aspiring Guides is based in the small & scenically beautiful town of Wanaka. Situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, on the South Island of New Zealand, Wanaka is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park - a World Heritage Area.Wanaka is a 1-1.5 hour drive from Queenstown (which has an international airport for flights from Australia), 5 hours from Christchurch (with an international airport) and 3 hours from Dunedin. Wanaka has ample accommodation to suit all budget types and a wide range of outdoor sports stores necessary to equip you for a mountaineering, skiing or hiking trip with us.We are located at 58 McDougall St, Wanaka, a short 10-15 minute walk from the centre of town.

Can I hire equipment through Aspiring Guides?

You will be provided an equipment list at the time of booking your trip. We can provide any technical equipment such as ice axes, crampons, climbing equipment, climbing helmets, ice axes, avalanche equipment, trekking poles etc. for no additional cost. For items such as backpacks and clothing, we encourage clients to bring their own or source the appropriate layers. We don't provide ski touring equipment but can provide recommendations for retailers that do.A gear check will take place the evening or morning before your trip, at which you will have the opporutnity to check over any items you might need to hire.

Why should I get trip insurance for my trip with Aspiring Guides?

We request that all clients purchase travel insurance that specifically covers cancellation due to injury or illness as well as weather cancellation. This is highly recommended for all trips with Aspiring Guides due to the nature of the trips we provide. We have a relationship with the provider Global Rescue which has IMG signature travel insurance as an option which includes a "Cancel for any Reason" policy. Global Rescue is a subscription type model for insurance for rescue and medical extraction, however this is covered in New Zealand by ACC. Insurance policy costs will vary based on age, duration of trip and coverage selected. These policies will range from $200-$700 per person. You can learn more and get a free quote here: https://partner.globalrescue.com/aspiringguides/index.html

Climb

Course

4 Day Black Peak Ice Climbing

From late June through to late July, our private backcountry hut on Black Peak provides access to exclusive frozen waterfall ice climbing. Come and experience Wanaka's best ice climbing crag.

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BOOK YOUR TRIP

Risk Disclosure and Terms & Conditions

Real-time availability

PRICING:

Public Group 1:3+ $2,750 per person (minimum numbers required to confirm). Enquire for private trips.

DURATION:

DAYS

DAY

DIFFICULTY:

Intermediate

What do we want to link this with?

SEASON:

June - August

Trip Overview

Whether you are already a strong rock climber and want to transition to this new medium, a mountaineer who wants to get more experience on steeper ice, or a fit, adventurous novice enthusiastic about learning a new skill; then our ice climbing course is for you.

Course syllabus:

-Movement on ice - including crampon techniques and techniques for moderate and steep ice.

-Protection and anchors- Choosing and placing ice screws, how to construct v-threads and ice bollards, building safe and appropriate anchors.

-Efficient ropework - including knots, belaying, abseiling and rescue.

-Mountain hazard identification and assessment - including basic avalanche awareness and rescue techniques.

-Route selection.

This ice climbing course is structured to your level of ability and experience, aimed at skills progression - from top-rope through to multi-pitch ice climbing. Those who want to extend themselves can do so by learning to lead climb.

BOOK YOUR TRIP

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4 Day Black Peak Ice Climbing Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary and can change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Please use it as a guide.

Pre-Trip - Day 1

Pre trip meeting: Evening prior to scheudled trip

Meet your guide at Aspiring Guides’ Wanaka office at 5:30pm on the evening prior to our scheduled departure. Your guide will check all your clothing and equipment to ensure that you have everything that is required for the 4 days of the course. Rental equipment is issued and last minute purchases can be made. Plans are finalised for an early morning departure.

Day 1: Arrival Day

Meet early at Aspiring Guides’ Wanaka office to prepare lunch before driving to the helipad located about 20 minutes up the Matukituki Valley. Here we load into the helicopter and, after dropping our overnight gear at the hut, we fly to the foot of the ice in Blue Creek.
Your guide introduces you to the basics of climbing as you get your first taste of steep ice. You begin with easy top-roping routes while you get your bearings in this beautiful frozen world.
After a full day of climbing, it’s back to the hut for a well-earned rest. The hut is located 300m above the ice, and if there is a previous track, the hike back to the hut takes about 30 minutes. That said, it can take much longer if ploughing through fresh snow.

Days 2 - 3

Day 2 + 3: Full Climbing Days

After a big breakfast, it’s back to the ice for more climbing. There are many routes, and after mastering some of the low angle routes, climbers can begin to explore steeper options.
Many people give leading a try and learn the exhilaration of being on the sharp end. You learn how to place ice screws and roped protection techniques as well as other safety topics.
Depending on snow conditions, many groups take an afternoon to climb to the summit of nearby Black Peak.

Day 4

Day 4: Departure Day

After packing up and organising your gear to be picked up by the helicopter (no heavy packs this trip), it is back to the ice for one last whack and dangle.
Many people develop a pet project to climb clean without falling and this is the final test.
The helicopter arrives once everyone is tired and then it’s back to the valley floor. We return to Wanaka for a hot shower and storytelling over a beer or two.

Pre-Trip - Day 1

Route Information

Always on the ascent

PEOPLE

Our expertise guides adventurers to new heights, inspiring them to step beyond the everyday and embrace the challenges that will draw them back for more.

Stewards of tomorrow

PLACE

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

Champions of Safety

ADVENTURES

Safety comes first, always. The best kind of adventure is knowing there’ll be a next one.

Practical Information

Course Inclusions

Trip Inclusions

Terrain fees

GST Included

New Zealand 15% goods and service tax

Technical equipment

Hut Accommodation

Meals and snacks

For duration of trip

Heli flight in and out of mountains

Qualified guide

IFMGA, NZMGA certified climbing guide

Equipment List

Throughout the winter season, a full range of conditions and temperatures can be expected in the New Zealand Mountains. Due to the remote nature of the the terrain, clients need to be suitably prepared. Your guide will do a comprehensive gear check at your pre-trip meeting. These are usually town based day trips from accommodation or fly-in, fly-out trips based at our private backcountry hut at Black Peak. You will need to carry your personal gear as well as technical gear and avalanche safety equipment.

We include all technical climbing equipment, crampons, ice-axe, helmet, harness etc; you only need to provide your personal equipment like your boots and clothing, pack and sleeping bag.

Multi-Day

Frequently asked Questions

They’re there as you accomplish lifelong ambitions, reach new heights, and dig deep as you pursue the grittiest of adventure experiences. Overcome your limits, and discover the moments that lead to enduring achievement and pride of what you can accomplish with us.

Planning your trip

Choosing your trip length

New Zealand weather can be unpredictable and it is likely you will experience at least one weather day on your trip. We structure our trips as 3-7 days to ensure we’re setting you up for success.

Optimal trip lengths:

Glacier ski/climb trips: no less than 5 days
Rock climbing: 3-5 days
Ski Trips: 4-5 days
Trekking Trips: 3-6 days

When it comes to choosing your trip length for ascents or glacier trips, we recommend talking with our team and they will be able to recommend the best option for you depending on your skills, objectives, seasonality, and availability.

In New Zealand, the best plan is a flexible one.

Having a flexible plan might include a roll date on either side of your trip to shift if needed, or have flexi flights booked.

Pre-Trip Prep

Getting to Wānaka

The easiest way to get to Wānaka is to fly into Queenstown airport and take one of the shuttles to Wānaka that run several times a day (1.5 hour drive).

-Ritchies has regularly scheduled transfers direct from Queenstown airport to Wānaka each day for about $40 per person.
-Taxis, are also available from KT Sightseeing and Yello if the shuttle schedules don't suit you.
-You can also look at Wanaka Transfers as a great option should you prefer a private transfer.

Trip Insurance

It's always good to be prepared for any unforeseen incident. For any adventure activity or trip that is dependent on weather conditions, we HIGHLY recommend getting trip insurance.

We work closely with Global Rescue which offers great options for international as well as domestic clients for medical/accident coverage, trip interruptions or cancellations due to weather. There is also offer a "cancel for any reason" policy. Costs will typically range from $200-$700 depending on your trip length, cost and your age and trip insurance needs to be purchase within 20 days from first deposit/payment was made.

You can view the Global Rescue offerings here, or please feel free to source through your own providers.

Accommodation

We recommend staying in Wānaka the night before your trip as we will have a gear check at the office the evening before then leave from our Wānaka office the morning of your trip.

Wānaka offers a vast range of options for your pre and post trip accommodation. It can be busy over the winter and summer season, so it is a good idea to book well in advance.

View Accommodation in Wānaka

We do have special arrangements with some Wānaka accommodation providers. Get in touch with us should you like some recommendations.

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*For day hikes, we can provide pickup form your Wānaka accommodation if you need. Please get in touch with our team to let us know where you're staying if you would like a pickup.

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What our Customers say
about us?

Hear directly from the adventurers who’ve joined us. Their stories of success and transformation highlight the extraordinary experiences that await you with Aspiring Guides.

Matthew, New Zealand

I had an amazing experience hiking with our guide Grace from Aspiring Guides on the Upper Wilkin and Gillespie pass trip. I had my first time on a helicopter and jet boat which was a blast. The scenery, native plants, birds, weather, and food was great. If you're hiking fit, I really recommend Aspiring guides if you want to go on a new adventure in the mountains. Thank you

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We highly recommend Aspiring Guides! They are an elite, top class company. Aspiring Guides enabled my fiancé and I to see things previously impossible for people of our skill set. Fiery sunrises seen from the top of the mighty Tasman Glacier, deep blue ice cathedrals within crevasses of the upper névé seen while hanging twenty feet from our guides self-made anchor, or endless views of the West Coast viewed from perilously steep mountains include just a few of our experiences with Aspiring Guides.But in the end we were most impacted by the people we met, and friends made. Ryan Colley was our guide - a consummate professional. Initially, Ryan impressed me with his directness and ability to manage the itinerary within a tight weather window. He was flexible enough for us to bump our dates ahead 3 days, which gave us a precious few sunny days in Mt. Cook NP. Furthermore, Ryan monitored the weather closely and we were able to pull off a helicopter extraction as planned, with incoming weather looming.Furthermore, Ryan led us through terrain that pushed me to grow. He did not miss a moment to teach, either by example, or by suggesting that we lead where appropriate. When I found myself questioning whether the objective was too intimidating, Ryan was there to provide encouragement and settle the nerves. He was an excellent lead guide and we came away sorry of only one thing - that we did not have more days on the mountain with him.As an added bonus - Ryan was a great cook! We ate very well during our time with him. Hospitality was clearly top of mind - he even made sure to find us lodging in the Mt. Cook NP after our itinerary with Aspiring Guides had come to an end.Aspiring Guides is a well run, top class professional company. Dan, who manages the office as well as guides in Antarctica, was willing to speak to me at length in the build up to our trip. He was very generous with his time and provided good insights. Victoria, the office administrator, was equally generous with her time. She coordinated our last minute schedule change, which made all the difference.I heartily encourage anyone, of any level of experience, to enlist Aspiring Guides to accomplish your objective. They are an elite, top class organization. They will do everything possible to make your dream objective come true.Thank you AG! We loved meeting you guys! Wishing you happy days!

My wife and I embarked on a 21-day adventure to New Zealand, dedicating a full day and two nights to the charming town of Wanaka. We had booked a private hiking tour in Mt. Aspiring National Park with Doug Beech, the knowledgeable owner of Aspiring Guides. Despite the challenging weather forecast for higher elevations and our own reservations about our physical readiness, Doug reassured us the evening before with his adaptability and alternative plans.

I did the Gillespie Pass walk and it was incredible! It was a challenge but that challenge was doable because of how well supported we were by Aspiring Guides from the beginning to the end. The pre-walk support was exceptional - information, follow-up emails, website info about the walk, what to pack, how to prepare. The walk was amazing! Not easy, but the challenge was made so much easier by Ross, our patient, kind and encouraging guide. We were also very well fed (even though I am Coeliac this was managed easily by Ross). It was an inspiring, challenging and beautiful walk, I highly recommend it. Thank You!

A truly life changing experience. I came away from the course with a thorough understanding of what is needed for me to move self-sufficiently in the mountains. This course has given me the confidence to continue the process of finding and climbing more technical routes. The structure of the course allowed me to build a solid base of knowledge by the process of repetition. Each day’s skills built on the last, slowly adding more complexity's as it became more familiar. Sooji is a fantastic guide. Her enthusiasm for all things climbing clearly shows. Sooji was very patient with all my questions and quickly got a feel for where I was at with my climbing and my goals. It was up to me how much information I wanted to absorb. I will forever use the skills I learned from this course in the mountains. Thank you Sooji and thank you Aspiring guides.

I had an excellent ascent of Mt Aspiring with Aspiring Guides and my climbing guide Andrea. I was very happy on their introduction to mountaineering course a few years ago so chose Aspiring Guides for my first big ascent. Communication and preparation from the whole team was excellent in the lead up to the trip. This and flexibility in adapting to the weather made for a successful ascent. On the mountain Andrea was excellent in guiding me through the practicalities / skills required and supporting me when I struggled. Always safe, efficient and highly skilled I learnt a great deal from Andrea about everything from gear to techniques to mental approach. He calmly explained the appropriate technique for each situation as we transitioned and was encouraging with a gentle "just a little bit more" when I thought I couldn't go any further. This helped me get to the top and achieve a long term dream that was fuller and more satisfying than I could have hoped for.

My first time tramping in New Zealand ( and first multi-day trip after an absence of many years ). And so it was with a little trepidation, I turned up to the Aspiring Guides offices in Wanaka to start the 6 day Upper Wilkin valley and Gillespie pass trek in early March. To top it off, the weather forecast for the Makarora region was 63 mm rain on the first day; I began to wonder what I had signed up to. My doubts began to evaporate when I met our guide (and other members of Aspiring Guides staff ). They were very professional and thorough in pre-departure checking and situation assessment. We got underway pretty much on schedule and without too many changes to our itinerary despite the inclement weather conditions.

Our fantastic guide, Grace (and Aspiring Guides planning ) looked after us very well, and took care of every detail on the trip. And despite, challenging nature of this trek, I felt completely at ease and confident in all the situations I encountered. The skill and attentiveness of our guide played a large part in this. The only part left then was to immerse in and enjoy this incredible part of the world and share it with my 2 fellow trampers.

There were many fantastic memories on this trek, the ascent and descent of Gillespie pass in light snow conditions was one of them. The trek in the Upper Wilkin valley when the mountains opened up into a panorama as we rounded the corner, was another. Of course there was the unforgettable up and down climbing of the infamous "tree ladders", a treat that awaits. And as a finale ( and bonus), we had the "airy" helicopter ride back to Makarora.

For those looking for a challenge and a unique experience, I would highly recommend booking a trip with Aspiring Guides. The team are very professional and my time on the Mt Cook Glacier was awesome. My guide Kim came with heaps of experience and technical competency and made the week both enjoyable and a good challenge. The admin support, supplied equipment and pre-planning made everything easy, especially coming from overseas.

Walked the upper Wilkins and Gillespie pass in Mount Aspiring National Park as part of a group of 3 men who wished they had taken up back country walking as younger men! We were guided by Pat Gray. We were lucky with weather and had an epic 6 days of walking in a special part of the world. Our guide Pat was very well organised and knowledgeable and we were confident we were always in safe hands - many thanks Pat you are an outstanding young man! Aspiring guides have the walking experience maximised for enjoyment with “stashs” along the way to minimise pack weight. The backcountry huts we stayed in are well appointed and the Siberia hut in particular has a stunning location and epic views. Backcountry walkers are a fun bunch, and the evenings are a great opportunity to sharpen card playing skillls. The helicopter flight in and jet boat ride out at beginning and end of our walk were icing on the cake! Many thanks to Pat and Aspiring guides for a wonderful adventure.

I have been on 4 trips with Aspiring Guides now, and every one has been excellent! Some have been for summits (eg. Tititea/Aspiring), and others for more skills learning and technical work. Most recently I spent 3 days ice climbing in the Remarkables (with some mixed climbing and show shoeing thrown in). The guide Dean was fantastic (as was Andrea who I've been with before). A perfect combination of attention to safety, making me feel confident, and stretching me out of my comfort zone.

We used Aspiring Guides during our honeymoon for a 4-day Gillespie Pass trek. As avid backpackers, it was such a luxury to have an experienced company handle all of the logistics. Our guide Frankie was knowledgeable not just about the terrain but about flora and fauna we passed, was fun to hike with, and cooked amazing meals at camp! Having a guide took all the stress and thinking out of our trip to where we could just enjoy being outdoors and exploring a new place.HIGHLY recommend this incredible small business! We’d love to go back and book another trip with them.

We had a great Black Peak hut trip of four days with our excellent guide Andrew - and this despite one day of very high winds and rain. The upside of that day was good fresh snow high up. Andrew was a great guide - very friendly, combing both a customer and safety focus, not to mention cooking skills. I learned a lot from him about the practical aspects of avalanche risk detection. The hut is small but very cosy with all one needs for a few days stay. A back-country trip there is highly recommended. Robin

Brilliant Gillespie-Rabbit guided trip in Mt Aspiring National Park over the New Year. The logistics managed by Aspiring Guides was superb... enabling big adventures with mainly fresh and delicious food, without huge heavy packs. We had a small group with lots of laughs. Despite our wide experience we all learned heaps from our talented and chilled guide, Adam. His local knowledge and experience is superb especially around river-crossings, navigation and delicious cooking :). Thanks team!

Let’s go to the heart of adventure.

Exploring is human instinct. That urge to scale new heights, to venture off the beaten path? We feel it too. Once that spark is lit, it’s a passion that burns for a lifetime.

Every expedition, every adventure is different; a fresh challenge that beckons us back time and again.

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Our Partners

Aspiring Guides is a guiding company based in Wānaka, New Zealand. We help people form a real connection with the outdoors. Whatever your adventure aspirations, we’re here to get you there. Here are the partners that help us make your adventure possible.

Climb

Course

4 Day Black Peak Ice Climbing

Trip Overview

4 Day Black Peak Ice Climbing Itinerary

Pre trip meeting: Evening prior to scheudled trip

Day 1: Arrival Day

Day 2 + 3: Full Climbing Days

Day 4: Departure Day

Route Information

Always on the ascent

Stewards of tomorrow

Champions of Safety

Practical Information

Course Inclusions

Trip Inclusions

Equipment List

Frequently asked Questions

Planning your trip