Rock Climbing Guiding and Instruction

DAY 1
Meet at our office in Wanaka at 8:30am. Here you meet your guide and after a gear check, head out to the Matukituki Valley. We start with the basics of footwork and get you comfortable with the idea of exposure to heights. Learning to trust the protection systems is a big part of day one. Your guide will push you without burning you out. On hot days, we often stop for a cooling swim at one of the many local swimming holes.

DAY 2
Using your new skills you can begin to tackle longer climbs. Pitching and belaying are refined and you begin to get a feel for how the protection systems work. With a wide variety of climbs to choose from, there are lots of options to explore away from the crowds and find the next climb for your skill progression.

DAY 3
Continue to push your climbing grade, practice leading skills or get an introduction to multi-pitch climbing. Getting much further off the ground gives you a great chance to have a look around this amazing area. The goal is to give you the skills, confidence and judgement to climb independently.

DAY 1
Meet at our office in Wanaka at 8:30am. Here you meet your guide and after a gear check, head out to the Remarkables Ski Field out of Queenstown. Depending on the weather up high we will start at the crags in Wye creek for a warm up or head straight up to the Alpine Rock routes around the Alta Cirque. The 1-1.5hr walk takes in vistas while we ascend to the lake and get on the rock.

DAY 2
Alpine Multipitch at its finest we often attempt "DB eh? Butress" the classic of the area. With bolted belays and pitches of slab schist climbing, sit at the belay and enjoy the breathtaking views of Queenstown from 2000m. There is also the option for doing the Remarkables Grand Traverse which never ceases to amaze. This is a scrambling roped rock ridge route with maximum exposure and 360 degree views.

DAY 3

Depending on energy levels and weather we can enjoy a local cragging session in the sun or head up the valley again for another route on the cirque walls, the world is your oyster here.

DAY 1
Meet at our office in Wanaka for a dawn start at 7:30am. Here you meet your guide and after a gear check, then start the drive to Milford Sound (4hrs). On our way in to the valley, just before the entrance to the Milford tunnel, we pull over roadside to warm up on the Shotwell Slabs where we get a great introduction to granite friction climbing and the style and character of the rock in the area. Bolted sport routes and stunning views of the steep mountain surronds.

DAY 2-4
We spend the next few days experiencing all that The Darrans has to offer utilising short access areas to maximise the time on the rock. Depending on weather we might check out some of the super popular and classic routes on Moirs Mate or down to the waters edge in the sounds at Copper Point. Depending on your stoke and endurance we can climb every day the weather allows but always allow the expectations for at least a little bit of rain as we are in Fiordland, the wettest place in New Zealand, but that's what makes it so beautiful. Most people find that a bit of weather is great for resting after a staunch crank on the granite.

DAY 5
If there is still a bit of juice in the tank we can check out the Chasm for some steep sport climbing in the shelter of the overhanging cave where your pump will be tested to the limit. Once we are sufficiently thrashed we begin the drive back to Wanaka and civilization which is a welcome sight after being in such a wild zone.

Rock climbing with Aspiring Guides offers quality instruction, guiding and climbing. We have a huge variety of climbing available, we start with the basics and progress you through all the essential skills. Rock Climbing is available for corporate team building programs and school groups. Contact us directly for details.

We use the local Wanaka crags where there are routes for all abilities. For new climbers, this is an introduction to the fundamental principles and techniques of rock climbing movement and footwork. You will gain confidence in your skills, exposure to heights and trusting the rope. You will get more comfortable handling the ropes in the principles of pitching and belaying.

Progress from top roping to leading; adapt from gym climbing to rock; from clipping bolts to placing gear. Push your grade and fill those gaps which may be in your technical repertoire such as anchor building or rescue techniques. Having a concentrated burst of climbing with professional instructors can let you step up to a new level of skill.

This is for climbers with some experience of leading climbs and wishing to progress to multi-pitch and alpine routes. The focus is on efficient techniques and systems to climb safely and quicker on longer and committing multi-pitch and alpine rock routes. Visiting more advanced crags such as Chinaman's Bluff in the Dart Valley, the Upper Matuktuki Valley and the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown.