Adv 223 Yumpu

we ARE tramping
During the Mountaineering Skills Course you practise ice climbing and placing protection in rock, snow and ice.
Your heart will surely skip a beat when the
"whumpfing" sound of a thin snow bridge is
being tested by your weight. But as a part of
the Mountaineering Skills Course, the guide
will teach you how to rescue yourself or a
team member when falling into the deep
gaps. And also how to travel safely when
you see the remains of a fresh avalanche -
commonly at the bottom of Mt. French.
Colin Todd Hut is one of the million-star
hotels you may sleep in during the course,
and the direct way to the hut involves
climbing roughly 100 vertical meters up a
steep slope. Here you'll get familiar with your
ice axe and hammer, and after a while, the
motion of 'hook, hook, step, step' becomes a
well known rhythm.
Colin Todd has a glorious view of Mt.
Aspiring and the North-West Ridge, which
is the most popular route to summit the
mountain. Colin Todd is also known for
its feather-covered guest: the Kea, New
Zealand's only alpine parrot with a massive
appetite for outdoor gear, so make sure to
store all your equipment inside.
An alarm from a GPS watch at 3 AM marks the
alpine start. Hot drinks and muesli with powder
milk are downed before heading out on a pitchblack
glacier. Only lit up by narrow beams from
head torches and flickering stars above.
One of the lessons you learn in the school
of mountaineering is to catch the curveballs
the weather throws at you. From a crisp
and hard surface, the snow turns into a
thick and saturated paste sticking to your
crampons or snowshoes.
But no matter the weather, the classroom
is still open, and the toolbox of
mountaineering is growing bigger by the
hour. Practising in different circumstances
constantly will bring you a well-rounded
learning experience.
And as the days in the mountains fly by, you
will get sweaty from digging pits for your
snow anchors, discover new and narrow
cracks for your rock protection, and you will
sigh with relief when your ice screw finally
sits solidly in the icewall after spending time
with an the hammer and axe.
The sun is out, making the glacier look like
a thin blanket of sparkling crystals, and you
reach for your camera to perpetuate this
magical moment in the mountains.
And as you turn your face towards the
camera to take a selfie, you face something
yourself: You're an aspiring mountaineer,
and you can use your new skills to access
summits in our beautiful country.
Our course is an intensive 7-day
mountaineering course with
comprehensive instruction in all facets of
mountaineering and alpine climbing such
as:
• Mountain hazards identification
and avoidance including avalanche
awareness
• Mountain weather
• Ropework, including belay, abseiling
and rescue
• Protection and anchors on snow,
rock and ice
• Glacier travel techniques and
crevasse rescue
• Multipitch climbing and rescue
• Snow, ice and mixed climbing
• Alpine rock climbing
• Mountain shelter and camp
management
• Equipment and clothing selection
• Route selection & navigation
• Trip planning including assessment
of weather and conditions, human
factors and terrain
At the end of the course you will be a
competent member of a mountaineering
team, being able to contribute to decision
making on mountaineering expeditions,
attempt summits via routes graded 1 to 2
(NZ grade) or undertake guided ascents
of more technical objectives.
www.aspiringguides.com
Tramping on Mt Howitt, Hooker Range, high above the Landsborough Valley
Photo: Mark Watson / Highluxphoto
Whether it’s a day trip with the family or a multi-day adventure deep into the wilderness, Bivouac has the best gear,
from the top brands, to keep you safe, comfortable, warm and dry. Our friendly staff are happy to provide expert
advice, ensuring you get the right equipment and the right fit. If you need it for tramping, we have it, because at
Bivouac Outdoor we ARE tramping.
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www.bivouac.co.nz
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