SNOW IS ON THE HILLS!
The first snow of the season has fallen on the hills around Lake Tekapo and it's got us excited about the winter season ahead! Time to dust off the skis and start making some plans for winter adventures...
Ski touring the "Darwin Bowls" above Tasman Glacier. Elie de Beaumont and Hochstetter Dome in the background.
New this year - "SHE'S ON SKIS"
This season we're offering an exclusive girls-only ski touring trip. Join two of New Zealand's select few female IFMGA guides - Lydia Bradey and Elke Braun-Elwert for a week of Glacier Ski Touring. Previous ski touring experience is required.
Dates: 4-10 September 2016 (7 days)
We've had a very positive response so far, with half the spaces filled within a few days of introducing the trip. There are currently 4 spaces remaining. Contact us for expressions of interest or if you'd like more information.
Enjoying the terrain around the Murchison Glacier.
REX SIMPSON HUT
Our favourite winter getaway has been restocked and is ready to welcome visitors this winter! A small deck has been added - for enjoying the view in the afternoon sun after your day's adventure - along with the regular dose of autumn cleaning and maintenance. Many thanks to Anne, Eric, Ursi, Richard and Yvonne for all their hard work and for making this lovely hut an even nicer place to be! More photos...
Eric and Richard adding the deck to Rex Simpson Hut. Photo: Ursi Saggers.
Adventures on offer at Rex Simpson Hut this winter:
DON'T FORGET OUR RETURNING CLIENT DISCOUNTS
UPCOMING TRIPS
May and June are usually our quiet season, but for those of you that just can't wait for your next adventure, we have a few upcoming trips (all guaranteed departures) with a few spaces remaining...
Alpine Trekking Trips
25-27 May 2016: Tekapo Trek - 4 spaces
20-22 June 2016: Tekapo Trek - 4 spaces
Depending on how much snow there is, these treks may already be on snowshoes!
Winter Climbing Courses
22-25 June 2016: Waterfall Ice Climbing - 2 spaces
27 June - 1 July 2016: Introductory Mountaineering Course - 3 spaces
4-7 July 2016: Waterfall Ice Climbing - 2 spaces
Waterfall Ice Climbing at Ailsa Stream.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
We had a busy summer with lots of Ball Pass adventures, climbing courses and glacier treks. We were pleased to welcome back our regular clients, both young and old. A special mention must go to the Kennedy boys who summited Hochstetter Dome in late season conditions, aged just 11 and 13!
The Kennedy family arriving at the top of Hochstetter Dome on their Mount Cook Glaciers Trek, April 2016.
The long hot summer took its toll on the glaciers, especially after the lean snow cover from the previous winter. There were a lot more crevasses than usual, which made travelling around more time consuming and somewhat tricky - the upside was that there were a lot more ice formations to explore and some big holes to climb in and out of! The effects of global warming are certainly noticeable - it would've been interesting to see what Gottlieb thought of it all!
Crevasse rescue practice on the Advanced Climbing Course, April 2016.
The Symphony on Skis Film Project - update
Carla has temporarily moved back to Tekapo to work exclusively on editing the Symphony on Skis film. She's been hard at work and the results we've seen so far are stunning. We can't wait to see the final result! For the latest details of the upcoming ski mountaineering film, see: http://www.symphonyonskis.com and https://www.facebook.com/symphonyonskis
The Symphony on Skis team on Graham Saddle. Photo: M. Goodman.
We look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure with us this winter!
With warm regards from the team at Alpine Recreation.
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