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Upcoming Expeditions |
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3 day and 4 day Mt. Aspiring Treks
4 day Mt. French Trek/Climb (Recommended by Lonely Planet G'books)
4 day Franz Josef and Fox glacier - Main Divide to the Sea Expedition
Copland Pass Traverse & helicopter overflight.
MT. ASPIRING GUIDED TREKS: Our treks commence in Wanaka with a drive to the Matukituki Valley. It is an easy 3 hour valley walk to our self contained private Lodge at Shovel Flat at the base of Mt. Aspiring, in the heart of the Park. A variety of guided activities are available from 3 to 8 days including valley walking, alpine treks and peak climbing on a group or individual basis including:
 Matukituki river |
 Aspiring from Avalanche Lodge |
 Clear streams & Joffre cliffs |
MT. ASPIRING TREK - 3 DAYS "A Taste of the Mountains"
THREE DAYS of guided trekking, visiting waterfalls, icefalls and viewing avalanches around the base of Mt. Aspiring.
Day 1: Stroll up the magnificent Matukituki Valley to our private Lodge with a Mtn Rec. Guide past superb waterfalls and towering peaks. The last hour of the three hour walk is in lush beech forest before emerging at Shovel Flat. A comfortable mountain hut atmosphere, bunkroom or tent accomodation, meals, hot shower, sleeping bags and liners are provided. Available for individual, group or exclusive use.
Day 2: Explore the dramatic upper valley and the spectacular 1500 metre Joffre Cliffs, 300 metre waterfalls, tumbling icefalls, glaciers and splendid varieties of alpine flowers. Alternatively, the day can be spent around Shovel Flat visiting huge ice caves and waterfalls near the hut. Day 3: A leisurely stroll drowm the valley pausing to fish, swim or watch bird life in the forests and flats.
| Cost: $645 (min. 3 persons/or surcharge) |
MT ASPIRING GUIDED TREK -- 4 DAY BREAKAWAY GLACIER:
A taste of the mountains" Mt. Aspiring Guided Trek - 4 day option: Includes a day trek to the BreakAway Glacier.
(Click
here for Guided Trek Notes)
(Click here for
Equipment Lists)
| Cost: $745 (min. 3 persons/or surcharge) Season: ALL YEAR ROUND |
MT FRENCH/ MT ASPIRING VIEW CLIMB - 4 DAYS .
A Taste of Mountaineering. Join our four day climb to the expansive and wild Bonar Glacier with a professional Mountain Guide. Attempt Mt French and gain an inspiring view of Mt Aspiring after an overnight stay at French Ridge Hut. No previous mountaineering experience required, however participants should be fit. Included in this "taste of mountaineering" are: Transport from Wanaka, accomodation, food, equipment.
| Cost: $995 (minimum of 3 /or surcharge) Season: September to June |
(Also see Mt. French Trek-Climb)
COPLAND PASS GUIDED CROSSING with
helicopter overflight to Mt. Cook: This famous high alpine pass links
Mt Cook and Westland National Parks. The spectacular
mountains and lush forest views make it an unsurpassed 4
day alpine trek for strong outdoors people. The pass
crossing is on steep rock and glacier requiring ice axe,
crampons and rope. Groups benefit greatly by the Guide
accompanying them for the whole journey to provide
assistance with route-finding, river-crossings, logistics
and local knowledge. We start from the West Coast with a
helicopter flight to Mt. Cook to commence the mountain
crossing back to the West.
The price includes transport from Wanaka to Fox, a
helicopter flight to Mt. Cook, rent of ice axe and
crampons and group alpine hardware.
Cost: 3 persons $1180(p/p); 2 persons(p/p) $1750;
1person-$3,500
Food and hut fees are not included in the above price but
can be supplied by MtnRec for $230 p/p.(for details see
Private Expeditions)
MAIN DIVIDE TO THE SEA: Join us for a 4 day journey down one of the largest glaciers in New Zealand, the Fox. It's our HOT new successful expedition requiring a lot of enthusiasm, good fitness and fine weather. Details: 4 day Fox Expedition
PRIVATE GUIDING: We conduct private guided treks & climbs throughout Mt Aspiring and Mt Cook National Parks during the Summer and Winter seasons. Aircraft access, food and hut fees extra. 1st person $495/day: 2nd person $140/day
Facilities at our Shovel flat ,"Avalanche" Lodge are for our exclusive client use and include: Dining and kitchen, bunkroom and hot shower.
Our Base -
Avalanche Lodge |
Clear, clean streams |
Extract from Air NZ inflight magazine:
"ADVENTURE AND COMFORT FOR ASPIRING CLIMBERS" Avalanche Lodge is a name which could give some people insomnia. However, after a three hour walk up the West Matukituki Valley of Mount Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps, most trekkers sleep well despite the rumble of snow avalanches.
View of Aspiring from Avalanche Lodge window |
The lodge is operated by Geoff & Beryl Wayatt as part of their mountaineering and guided-trekking business. It is nestled at the top of Shovel Flat, surrounded by a spectacular circle of snow peaks and hanging glaciers. The visually elusive Mount Aspiring crowns the breathtaking backdrop.
Since forming Mountain Recreation Ltd. in 1973, the Wayatts' clientele has changed considerably. "Our mountaineering school numbers have dwindled and we are now seeing more of the older, less altitude ambitious groups," says Geoff Wayatt.
"They want to spend time in wild locations without suffering too much or carrying heavy packs. They love energetic days but want the guarantee of a dry bunk and warm sleeping bag. I have also installed a hot shower as an alternative to a cold plunge in the Matukituki River."
Geoff Wayatt, a veteran mountain guide, was the first person to ski from the summit of Mount Cook in 1982. He climbed the precipitous East Face of Mt Cook in 1991, seven days before the summit fell off. He has confirmed his standing as one of New Zealand's most experienced mountain guides by amassing a total record of 83 ascents from 1966 to April 2006.
"The Routeburn and Milford Tracks are almost at their full capacity, so people are looking for alternatives or more adventure." Most of the National Park is untracked and rarely seen, except by aircraft. For enthusiasts willing to walk a few hours a day, Mt. Aspiring Treks opens up a dramatic world of unparalleled mountain and forest vistas.
Useful Link: New Zealand Tourism