At Adventure Consultants we thrive on introducing you to the skills we have developed in our own climbing careers to make your future endeavors both enjoyable and safe. We will share with you our technical and strategic know-how so you too can enjoy the same success in your own mountaineering aspirations.
We have taken climbers on the path from their first steps on ice to summiting on peaks such as Ama Dablam in the Himalaya and higher.
The best months to join our summer courses are from November to April annually, when weather and route conditions are more suited for alpine climbing in New Zealand. In winter we can still climb though, and you'll experience some of the best ice routes on offer on our Ice Climbing Course. Ski and Snowboard mountaineering courses are avaliable as are ski touring courses for private groups.
A note about training on lower altitude peaks - if your focus is on joining one of our expeditions in the future, we recommend training in lower altitude mountain ranges such as the Southern Alps of New Zealand where there are many peaks of around only 3000m in height, but similar in ruggedness and valley to summit altitude gains as the higher peaks of the Himalaya. This allows you to concentrate on the technical skills required for successful alpine climbing. We find that without the hassles of altitude slowing you down you are able to get ahead so much more quickly and you can concentrate on your altitude training further down the line.
Irrespective of where you would like to take your climbing career, our courses will provide you with the essential mountaineering skills and a greater confidence in the judgment and decision making aspects of operating in the alpine environment.
Our courses cover some or all of the following topics depending on how long the course is:
- Trip planning
- Environmental considerations
- Snow and ice climbing
- Belaying and rope skills
- Glacier travel techniques
- Alpine rock climbing
- Route selection and navigation
- Weather analysis and forecasting
- Avalanche awareness
- Camp management
- Crevasse and alpine rescue
- Emergency shelters
Comprehensive course notes will be issued to course participants which detail the format and itinerary of the course as well as topics to be covered, the venue, contacts, recommended reading, maps, equipment purchase advice, rental options and a whole lot more.
Our style of instruction is to learn the skills required to move safely in an alpine environment whilst actually climbing mountains along the way.
Watch our equipment video and learn from Guy Cotter about how to pack your backpack for New Zealand mountaineering conditions:
Guy Cotter, Mountain Guide and Director of Adventure Consultants
How do you get all that climbing gear into your pack? And what's it all for?! Do I really need to take that with me into the hills? Watch this video where Guy explains how to pack for mountaineering in New Zealand, with plenty of detailed explanations, tips and advice for successful climbing missions. Guy is the CEO of guiding company Adventure Consultants from New Zealand, has climbed five 8000m peaks and Everest x 4 times and is an IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guide with over 30 years experience in all things climbing.
The courses we offer are;
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSE
We offer 6 to 10 day Private Instruction Courses (PIC) for individuals and groups. Private Instruction allows you to nominate preferred dates, and we can work with you to customise a course itinerary which focuses on developing your skills in line with your future aspirations and goals. You may want to tackle steep alpine ice routes in summer, which requires a 1:2 ratio maximum, or demanding technical ice routes in winter, and a private course will get you geared up for these type of ascents. Alternatively you could be working towards climbing the Seven Summits, and we can tailor a course to teach you solid and safe mountaineering practices for ascending these peaks.
MOUNTAINEERING INSTRUCTION COURSES
We have our 5-day First Mountaineering Course, for an introduction to first time travel in the mountains, based in the Remarkables Range near Queenstown and then our 7-day Mountaineering Instruction Course is the next step up with the course taking place on glacial terrain in the high alpine mountain regions of the Southern Alps.
ALPINE CLIMBING COURSE
The 10 day Alpine Climbing Course (ACC) is for climbers who want to take their skills to a more advanced level. The course focuses on developing technical skills and lead climbing techniques by ascending a variety of alpine routes.
ALPINE ROCK CLIMBING COURSE
The 5-day Alpine Rock Climbing Course (ARC) is for experienced rock climbers who want to move into multi-pitch alpine rock climbing.
ICE CLIMBING COURSE
Our specialised 5 day Ice Climbing Course (ICC) operates on set dates during the winter months.
SKI & SNOWBOARD MOUNTAINEERING COURSE
Our specialised 5 day Ski & Snowboard Mountaineering Course (SSMC) operates on set dates during the winter and spring months.
REMARKABLES BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOURING
Take a guided ski tour to our winter Base Camp in the Wye Creek basin near to Queenstown, and experience the magic of backcountry ski and snowboard touring. We have 3 day trips in winter Friday through Sunday. Remarkables Backcountry Ski Touring.
ALPINE EXPEDITION COURSE
If your sights are set on the high altitude expedition climbing our 12 Day Alpine Expedition Course (AEC) is a unique opportunity to build on your mountaineering skills and learn about the fundamentals of expedition climbing.
SEVEN SUMMITS TRAINING COURSE
We can make the most of your Seven Summits adventure with our specialist 7 Summits Training Course (7STC). These are based here in NZ with skill development specific to the terrain you'll encounter on the seven highest peaks of the world!
MOUNT ASPIRING COURSE AND ASCENT WEEK
A popular option for people wanting to combine a course syllabus followed by an ascent of the majestic Mount Aspiring - take a look at our 7 day Aspiring course and guided ascent week - essentially a week long 1:1 private course with a guided ascent of Mt Aspiring included.
"Really it was the attitude - from the first phone call, the attitude of everyone who spoke with us was so friendly, warm, open, listening and informative. We felt special and like you were our type of place"
Nicholas, USA, Private Instruction Course.
**Remember, returning clients with Adventure Consultants receive 5% off their New Zealand guided ascent or mountaineering course.
Also, if it's your first trip with us and you book two trips, one after the other, then your second trip qualifies for our returning client 5% discount. For example, book on an Alpine Climbing Course, have a couple of days off in Wanaka after the course and then climb Mt Cook, and your Mt Cook climb is discounted. Magic!
