Alpine Recreation Canterbury Ltd was founded in 1981 by Company Directors Anne & Gottlieb Braun-Elwert. In 1991 and 1994 Alpine Recreation was a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards. You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience.
Ball Pass
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. With all but one of it's 29 peaks over 3000m, it is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek.
Ball Pass is a demanding 3 day trek which crosses the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman to the Hooker Valley. The route follows the Ball Ridge, vis a vis the Caroline Face of Mount Cook, and overlooks the Tasman Glacier. Guided walkers spend two nights at the fully furbished Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft.
Breathtaking views of Mount Cook and New Zealand's highest mountains. Rich alpine flora and unique bird life. Moderate snow and glacier travel.
You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is more demanding than other guided walks in New Zealand, such as the Milford or Routeburn Tracks, because it is alpine, traverses snow fields and a small glacier and there is no track in parts. Where there is a track it is narrow, uneven and you have to place your feet carefully. All equipment is provided. Walking the Milford and Routeburn Tracks beforehand can be a good warm-up for Ball Pass.
All equipment is provided.
The Ball Pass Trek is a good alternative to the Copland Pass Track which is now only accessible to experienced mountaineers
FITNESS: A high level of fitness is required. For experienced hikers or trekkers only.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide DATES: November - April, ex Lake Tekapo GUIDES: NZMGA, UIAGM mountain guides. COST PER PERSON: NZ$725 GROUP BOOKINGS: NZ$650 (3-5pax); NZ$580 (6-8pax)
Jubilee Route from Aoraki Mount Cook to Copland Valley Aoraki Mount Cook from Fitzgerald Pass.
The Jubilee Route is a new route across the Main Divide replacing the Copland Pass route. The Jubilee Route was pioneered in March 2003 by Anne & Gottlieb Braun-Elwert and Stella Sweney. We called it the Jubilee Route because its first ascent coincided with the 50th Jubilee of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Fitzgerald Pass links the grandeur of Mount Cook with the West Coast bush and the hot springs at Welcome Flats. It completely bypasses the problems associated with the old route over Copland Pass, i.e. the retreating Hooker Glacier, the steep and very dangerous moraine wall, and rockfall and flooding on the Hooker Lake shore. The Jubilee Route is also considerably shorter than the old Copland route. Hence no camping gear needs to be carried.
FITNESS: A VERY high level of fitness is required. For experienced hikers with mountaineering experience. GROUP SIZE: 2 participants per guide. DATES: By arrangement November to April. GUIDES:NZMGA, UIAGM mountain guides. COST PER PERSON: NZ $ 2400.00 per party (one or two participants)
Guide for 3 1/2 days, rental of crampons & ice axe, vehicle transport Lake Tekapo - Aoraki Mount Cook, GST, National Park concession fee, mountain food for three days. Not included: Accommodation and meals in Lake Tekapo before start on day 2. Bus transport at the end of the trip, hut fees.
Itinerary Day 1. Equipment check with Alpine Recreation, Lake Tekapo, 2.00 pm. Day 2. Early morning start. Drive to Aoraki Mount Cook. Climb over Fitzgerald Pass. Guide will accompany party to top of easy terrain of Copland Track. Guide will return to Mount Cook Village. Party continues on its own. Days 3 & 4. Spare days in case of delayed start due to adverse weather.
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