Bushwalking Skills: Planning a Climb of Mt Aspiring, New Zealand

Mt Aspiring, NW ridge, ramp, SW ridge, seen from Mt Barff (to SW)

Mt Aspiring (3033m) in the south island is New Zealand's second highest mountain and is set amongst some spectacular alpine scenery. While a serious mountaineering challenge, comparable to many more famous climbs in Europe, guides are available for those with little experience.

Weather can be unpredictable and extreme, as in all alpine areas, and the terrain life threatening. Fortunately, it is easily accessible by road or helicopter from nearby Wanaka which can make selecting a safe weather window easier.

The links below collate some of the information I have collected from commercial, government web sites and personal blogs in preparation for a climb later this year.

Equipment

Mountain Recreation Equipment List www.mountainrec.co.nz
Aspiring Guides Equipment List (download pdf)
Boots and Footwear (Alpine Guides)
Equipment and Clothing | Aoraki/Mount Cook Expedition (download pdf) (Alpine Guides)
Pre-trip Information (Alpine Guides)
Guide to Equipment and Clothing | Gear for Mountaineering in New Zealand (Alpine Guides)
Equipment and Clothing Check-lists (Alpine Guides)
NZ Ascents Equipment (download pdf) (Adventure Consultants)
NZ Summer Equipment Notes (download pdf) (Adventure Consultants)
Mountaineering Instruction Course Equipment (download pdf) (Adventure Consultants)

Equipment Hire

New Zealand Alpine Club
Bivouac Outdoor (Christchurch +10 other locations)
Outside Sports Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau specialise in hiking, biking, camping, fishing, skiing, snowboarding )
Bev's Tramping Gear Hire (based in Te Anau)
Mainly Camping (Wanaka) rental and retail: climbing, mountaineering
Wanaka Sports beacons for hire

Guided Climbs

Mt Aspiring Guided Climb (Mountain Recreation)
Mt Aspiring/Tititea (Mt Aspiring Guides. com)
Guided Ascent of Mt Aspiring/Tititea (Alpinism and Ski Ltd )
Guided Tour Mt Aspiring / Tititea (Adventure Consultants)
Sunrockice Mount Aspiring 5 Day Program (SunRockIce New Zealand Mountain and Ski Guides )

Commercial Resources

From Alpinism and Ski Ltd

News from the Mountain and Ski Guiding Experts (Alpinism and Ski Ltd)
Posts related to Mt Aspiring Ascent (Alpinism and Ski Ltd)
Guided Tour Mt Aspiring / Tititea (Download pdf) (Adventure Consultants)
Sunrockice Mount Aspiring 5 Day Program (download trip information pdf) Sunrockice New Zealand Mountain and Ski Guides
Conditions: Mt Aspiring National Park (Aspiring Guides)
**** Backcountry Tips-October 2008 (download pdf)
The proof is in the pudding - SW Ridge Mt Aspiring Jean Clairmonte (Aspiring Guides)
Safety and rivers in the New Zealand backcountry (Aspiring Guides)

Department of Conservation Resources (DOC)

Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre Contact Details
Mt Aspiring National Park: introduction, features , places to stay, plan and prepare (DOC)
Mount Aspiring National Park Alerts
Prepare and Plan Links to alerts, safety, weather, minimising your impact, online booking, maps, licences and permits
Planning a trip in the backcountry? (pdf , 415K)
Safety: equip yourself well

plus much more

Mountain Safety Council Resources (MSC)

Safety Tips
MSC online resources for download include pamplets such as

Using Avalanche Transceivers
Bushcraft - Going Bush
River Safety
Outdoor First Aid -Preventing Hypothermia

MSC Resources: Equipment: pack liners and survival bags for online purchase (NZ only)
MSC Resources: Free Downloads: Mountain Radio Contacts, Bushcraft - Intentions form pads
MSC Radio Communications Pamphlet (pdf download)

plus much more

Blogs

SummitPost.org