GET READY FOR SUMMER!
Are you ready for some mountain adventures this summer season? We are! We've just run our staff training at Ball Pass, welcoming 4 new faces to our team and have completed our annual restock of Caroline Hut. Due to a very busy winter season at Rex Simpson Hut, we also did a restock there to replenish supplies for the summer. We've had a quick transition from winter to summer, with some early birds already ticking off adventures in October... see the recent highlights below for details.
Dave and Keith digging out the Caroline Hut toilets. Oct. 2015.
Trips are already filling up fast, with an exciting summer season ahead of us. We're currently trying to fill a few spaces on some guaranteed departures, please see below for details for what's on offer.
DON'T FORGET OUR RETURNING CLIENT DISCOUNTS
Ball Pass T-Shirts
We have designed our own customised Ball Pass t-shirt! These are available in both men's and women's sizes and can be purchased from the Alpine Recreation office for NZ$45.
Left: women's fit, right: men's fit.
If these prove popular we may yet bring out some more designs :)
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
We had a busy winter with many alpine and nordic ski tours and snowshoeing trips. We welcomed both new and familiar faces, back for their 'winter fix'. With regular topups of snow, we enjoyed a long season in the Two Thumb Range - a much needed improvement on the previous winter! In fact, we were so much busier than expected, that we started to run short of a few supplies at the hut - the first time ever!
Ski touring in the Two Thumb Range, August 2015.
Photos from our winter adventures
July - Ski Touring in the Liebig Range
July - Snowshoeing in the Macaulay Valley
August - Ski Touring in the Two Thumb Range
August - Ski Touring on the Franz Josef Glacier
Ski touring on the Franz Josef Glacier, August 2015.
The Symphony on Skis - Film Project
Our winter finished with a bit of a family project. To celebrate 30 years since the original crossing and to commemorate her father Gottlieb, Carla Braun-Elwert is making a film on the "Symphony on Skis". She was joined on the traverse by sister Elke and her husband Keith and family friends Axel and Jochen Reiser. For the latest details of the upcoming ski mountaineering film and a day-by-day photo diary of their expedition, please see: http://www.symphonyonskis.com and https://www.facebook.com/symphonyonskis
Exploring ice tunnels during the making of the "Symphony on Skis" film.
Spring Climbing
We've made the most of the weather windows through October, sneaking in some early ascents between westerly storms. We welcomed back repeat clients, with Dean Robinson climbing Elie de Beaumont with guide Wolfgang and Melissa Feild making a quick ascent up Nuns Veil with guide Elke.
Sunset on Aoraki/Mt. Cook from our bivvy in the Tasman Valley, Oct. 2015
UPCOMING TRIPS
Our summer program covers multi-day alpine hikes and treks in the high country as well as up on the glaciers. For the alpinists we have guided ascents and mountaineering instruction courses to suit all tastes. Come and join us in our mountain playground for an unforgettable adventure!
Alpine Trekking
We offer a full range of mountain adventures to suit experienced hikers through to seasoned mountaineers. A good starting point (which is also good for families) is the Tekapo Trek. This can be followed by our ever popular Ball Pass Summit Trek. We also offer a number of glacier treks for returning clients and can customise almost any trip to suit your needs - we even do Team Building packages.
Summer Instruction Courses & Guided Ascents
Learn the skills and gain the experience to climb New Zealand's highest peaks! We have a full range of mountaineering courses to suit all levels of experience. Courses can be customised to your needs on request. Combined course discounts available.
Introductory Climbing Course
Intermediate Climbing Course
Advanced Climbing Course
If you have a specific peak or goal in mind, please contact us. We guide all the major peaks in New Zealand and many more... Let us help you prepare for the best success on your objective.
Private Guiding
Spaces available on guaranteed departures
27-29 December 2015: Ball Pass Summit Trek - 3 spaces
9-14 January 2016: Advanced Climbing Course - 1 space
18-20 February 2016: Ball Pass Crossing - 5 spaces
Trekking along Ball Ridge in front or Aoraki / Mt. Cook.
We look forward to seeing you again this summer!
With kind regards from the team at Alpine Recreation.
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