Trek Notes - New Zealand

Mt Aspiring Glacier Expedition 3 days


This is your chance to experience one of New Zealand's most famous glaciers.

This multiday Glacier expedition explores the magnificent Bonar Glacier. We supply all the technical gear, all you need are a good pair of boots and a spirit of adventure. New Zealand's glaciers are spectacular, but very few people ever get to visit the catchments of these vast oceans of snow.

If you have ever wanted to travel on ice a thousand feet thick or safely explore towering columns of ice, this is the trip for you. The magnificence of this region speaks for itself. It is however a demanding trip and requires previous outdoor experience and a good fitness level. It is an opportunity to discover the grandeur of the alpine regions and develop an approach to the mountain environment.

Mount Aspiring itself is a majestic peak and the only peak over 3000 metres outside Mount Cook National Park. The Mount Aspiring National Park is renowned for its wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise and a must for mountaineers. The views are endless and unforgettable. The park is part of Te Wahipounamu - Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. Mount Aspiring National Park straddles the southern end of the Southern Alps.

Rifleman, bellbird, South Island robin, yellow crowned parakeet, mohua (yellowhead), tomtit, South Island fantail and New Zealand pigeon are common bush birds. Towards evening, native bats and moreporks (small owls) may be seen and heard. Blue ducks and paradise shelducks live in the valley.

Mount Aspiring is often referred to as the ‘Matterhorn of the South'. The local Maori people have several names for the peak, ....`Tititea' which means Glistening Peak and `Te Maakahi o Tuterakiwhanoa ' which comes from the traditions of the Waitaha people and describes the wedge(maakahi) of a legendary figure, Tuterakiwhanoa who used it to shape landscapes.

Prerequisites      No previous mountaineering experience necessary. Trekking and hiking     experience required for long days walking. 

Accommodation                    Hut

 Bonus                          Gear provided, except boots

 Itinerary

Day one             Adventure begins!

After a gear check in Wanaka we drive down the magnificent Matukituki Valley (one hour) to Raspberry Creek where your adventure begins.  The track travels 2.5 hours along the beautiful Matukituki river before climbing steeply for another 3 hours to French Ridge Hut. This is a fantastic location on the edge of the high glaciers. 1080m ascent

Day two              Up to the glacier

An introduction to crampons and ice axe, weaving in and out of crevasses as we make our way towards the famous Quarter Deck armed with a camera.   Here we first set foot onto the Bonar Glacier.   The ‘Quarterdeck' is a reminder of the awesome configuration carved by the ice age.   The glacier gives way to open ridge tops. We are surrounded by peak and glacier views - a photographer's delight.   Return to French Ridge hut for the evening. 800m ascent : 6-7 hours

Day three          Homeward Bound

The track takes us back down toward the valley floor. It's magic to be back on flat ground again,perhaps we stop here at Pearl flat for lunch.   We have a few more hours before reaching Aspiring hut.   2 hours of walking beside the Matukituki River bring us back to our vehicle and the ride back to base.   500m descent 5-6 hours experience required Participants need to have a high level of fitness.   The uphill to French Ridge is tough and demanding. The glacier terrain is mostly straight forward, rolling and undulating, cramponing and ice axe techniques will be taught by your guide. 

Since it is a fully guided trip, under the security of your guide, there is no demand for previous mountaineering experience.   Previous trekking or hiking experience would be beneficial as long periods on your feet are required.

 

 

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