Sport climbing on ice!
If you like your cragging cold and icy but also like the idea of a warm shower at night to reset for the next day, our town based ice climbing trip is right up your alley.
Ice climbing with the comforts of town...
From Late June through early August the Remarkables range out of Queenstown offers some great quick access waterfall ice cragging and is well known in New Zealand as a proving ground. Though close to town and the Remarkables Ski field, you will still feel the remoteness as you step out of the ski area boundary and into the wild beyond. This zone is not for the feint hearted! As you traverse to the South Face of the Remarkables either to attempt to hone your skills on "Touchdown" or traverse Queens Boulevard to explore the multi-pitch world of New Zealand mixed climbing, you will be inspired by the views of the busy town below and the peaks of the Southern Alps across the valley. All while being able to return to the comfort of accommodations at the foot of the access road.
Day before pre-trip meeting
We meet at the Aspiring Guides office in Wanaka at 5:30pm for an hour-long pre-trip meeting. Introductions are made and course outline reviewed. Equipment is checked and allocated by your guide. Any last-minute questions are answered regarding gear.
Day One
Meet early at the Aspiring Guides office to prepare lunch before driving to the Remarkables Ski field in Queenstown. Here we gear up in the carpark to walk the 1.5hrs to the south face of Single Cone via Wye Saddle. Your guide will introduce you to the basics of climbing as you get your first taste of steep ice on "touchdown". You will begin with easy top-roping routes while you get your bearings in this beautiful frozen world. After a full day climbing, it is back to town for a warm up and a well-earned rest at some comfy accommodation.
Day Two & Three
After a big breakfast, it is back to the ice for more climbing. There are many routes along the queens boulevard traverse that offer varying levels of technical difficulty and straight ice routes or try mixed climbing on rock and ice. Many people give leading a try and learn the exhilaration of being on the sharp end! You will learn about placing 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 Single Cone.
Day Four
The final day can be spent up at the ice or if town is more attractive for weather or temperature after a few cold days, we can try some dry tooling at the near by crag specifically designated for climbing with tools on steep rock. Then its a leisurely drive back to base over the crown range and back to civilisation for debrief and beers.
The head of the Blue Creek Valley is draped with climbable flows of varying length and difficulty.
There are shorter, low-angled routes for learning as well as vertical climbing for the more adventurous.
Course syllabus includes:
- 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.
Availability
| Trip Date | Available |
|---|---|
| July 3rd - 6th | 2 Places Left! |
| July 15th - 18th | 2 Places Left! |
| July 24th - 27th | OPEN for INQUIRY |
| Require a minimum of 3pax to run at this price |
Pricing
| Client Ratio | Price |
|---|---|
| 1:1 | $5250 |
| 1:2 | $3150 |
| 1:3 up to 1:4 Group Rate 4 days | $2250 |
What's included
- NZMGA or IFMGA qualified guide
- Transport to and from Queenstown and up and down the access road each day.
- Accommodation in Frankton/Jacks Point
- technical equipment
- meals and energy foods
- hut, park and landing fees
- GST
Frequently asked questions
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.
Equipment Detail
Tai was fantastic. He was thorough, patient and extremely knowledgeable. He was always safety conscious and provided excellent feedback both during and after the climbs. He also got us to practise some skills such as ice anchors and ice screw placeme...read more
Fraser, Australia, Winter Ice Climbing Course
Remarkables South Face
