Big mountain training at a 'low' altitude. Learn the skills to climb expedition-style for your Seven Summits mission in New Zealand's Southern Alps.

The Mount Cook region is a perfect training and proving ground for mountaineers. Sir Edmund Hillary trained for his successful Everest and Antarctic expeditions here, and some of the world’s most successful climbers and guides began their climbing careers at Mount Cook.

Aoraki Mount Cook area offers Himalayan vertical scale, steep glaciers, and fast-changing weather. The benefit of training here is the high-altitude feel, without the dangers of extreme cold and lack of oxygen.

Our Expedition Course base camp is at a prime location, deep in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We fly you in and out, to avoid heavy load carrying, and to maximise training time. Our expedition course guides are veterans of the expedition climbing world, with experience in the Himalayas, South America, Alaska, and Antarctica.

Led by veteran expedition guides
Tailored to match your goals and objectives
Suitable for aspirant Seven Summits climbers and polar explorers
Training available for individuals or groups

Climbing Ability

Any

Elevation

2,000m/6,650f

Duration

6 days

Location

Aoraki Mount Cook, NZ

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Planning. Set up. Fly in.

DAY 2

Camping Skills

DAY 3

Climbing and Mountaineering Skills 1

DAY 4

Climbing and Mountaineering Skills 2

DAY 5

Crevasse Rescue Day

DAY 6

Climbing and Mountaineering Skills 3

DAY 1

After meeting your guide the first part of the day involves a comprehensive gear check and organisation of equipment and clothing. Food, tents, cooking equipment, ropes and technical equipment need to be prepared for flying in.

We will establish a formal trip plan, and discuss things like weather, time, distances, camp locations, and the general strategy for the coming days, just as a group would on an expedition climb.

After lunch, if weather permits, we will fly deep into the Southern Alps to your base camp location on the upper Tasman Glacier. Given the right weather conditions, we will set up an expedition-style BC ("Base Camp") using tents and/or snow caves/natural shelter features.

If the weather is considered too limiting for learning progression, we may spend some time based out of alpine huts.

DAY 2

Today we work on camp-fortifying techniques and building snow and/or block walls. On general expeditions, we use a group cook tent, which must be dug into the snow and set up at each camp as we work our way up the mountain.

Being able to efficiently and effectively dig in and reinforce camps on any expedition is extremely important to the group's safety and success. No detail is spared in covering these methods.

Group camping and cooking etiquette are put into practice. Camp duties will be assigned on a rotational basis. We will plan on moving camp at least two times on this course, to gain experience with establishing camp in different locations.

DAY 3

Today we work on snow skills - ice axe and crampon use, and glacier travel. Snow conditions will dictate much of what training is possible. Potentially deep and soft snow conditions can make skills practice challenging. Climbers tend to wade rather than climb in these conditions.

If self-arrest and cramponing practice are not possible, we will cover more in-depth avalanche assessment scenarios. Some of the topics we cover will be:

- Understanding mountain weather
- Navigation and route finding
- High altitude physiology and the acclimatization process
- Avalanche awareness
- Sled rigging

DAY 4

Today we use the east ridge of Mount Aylmer 2,699m to learn to move efficiently through a route protected by fixed lines and fixed protection. This is important for maintaining our schedule and maximising summit days on the upper mountain. We will spend the majority of this day practicing passing snow stakes/pickets, running protection, and ascending fixed lines as a rope team.

DAY 5

This involves crevasse rescue and group rescue scenarios. Crevasse rescue methods on expeditions are often different than on other mountain situations, because of:

- The unique nature and size of the rope teams
- The heavy backpacks and sleds each member has to tow
- We will practice scenarios for individual and group rescue, as they relate to crevasse falls

DAY 6

Conditions in the mountains can be demanding and diverse. We will likely employ a number of techniques, from snowshoeing to cramponing, as we try to ascend as high as the weather and conditions will allow. Either, climbing Elie De Beaumont 3,109m or Hochstetter Dome 2,827m will be attempted, after an alpine start.

We will then descend, pack up our camp, and fly back to Mount Cook Village. We finish up with a summary session before ending the course at 5:00pm.

Departures and Pricing

Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control

Start/End	Departing from	Quantity	Pricing	Notes
Oct - Apr 2025	Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand	1:1 guide to climber ratio	$10,495 NZD $ Exchange Rates*	Notes 6 day trip. Please select your dates in the booking form.
Oct - Apr 2025	Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand	1:2 guide to climber ratio	$5,950 NZD $ Exchange Rates*	Notes 6 day trip. Please select your dates in the booking form.
Oct - Apr 2025	Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand	1:3 guide to climber ratio	$4,450 NZD $ Exchange Rates*	Notes 6 day trip. Please select your dates in the booking form.
Oct - Apr 2025	Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand	1:4 guide to climber ratio	$3,725 NZD $ Exchange Rates*	Notes 6 day trip. Please select your dates in the booking form

Want to head straight to the big mountains? Check out the Himalayan Climbing Course

PREPARE

Fitness

The most important prerequisite is a high level of aerobic fitness, and the ability to carry a backpack. As we fly the course in and out of the mountains, extended heavy load carrying is usually not required - only when moving base camps.

Technical Experience

Previous alpine climbing or rock climbing experience is not required.

Skills Covered

Camp management: tent camping, and emergency shelter options
Fixed-line techniques and alpine self-contained rope craft
Basic crampon and ice axe use
Glacier travel and self-rescue
Sled fixing and towing
How to travel and climb safely in extreme, glaciated mountain terrain
Mountain weather and snow conditions analysis
Navigation
Decision-making and risk analysis at altitude

Learn how to rescue yourself and team mates on the Expedition Training Course

Why Adventure Consultants

The Adventure Consultants story evolved from the Southern Alps of New Zealand where large glaciated mountains forged our passion for high places. It is a legacy that still exists today through guided ascents and instruction programs. We work with the best guides in the country to bring you high-quality programs that introduce you to the best the country has to offer and we regularly partner with Alpine Guides (Aoraki) to provide professional guiding under the IFMGA qualification program.

Why Us?

Experience incredible glacier terrain on the Expedition Climbing Course

Inclusions

The price of your trip includes the following:

Professional NZMGA/IFMGA mountain guide
All meals including snacks and energy bars
Helicopter access and egress from the mountains
Mountain Hut fees (as required)
Local accommodation, as required
Free use of a range of technical equipment.

A climber departs in the early hours of the morning to climb a peak

A course that sets you up for all your future climbing endeavours.

GALLERY

Become ONE with the ice!

A climber celebrates on the top of a peak in the New Zealand mountains, arms outstretched in elation.

A comprehensive course that includes reaching summits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fitness & Training

Just how fit is 'fit enough'? Mountaineering is a demanding activity. The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your time with us. Unless you regularly climb, bushwalk/hike, and are used to long days carrying a pack, you will need to train for mountaineering.

Mountaineering is primarily an aerobic activity

Strength is important for lifting a pack, but it is more important to build up your aerobic fitness level and stamina for long climbing days. Aerobic fitness can only be improved over months - so start your training program now.

As you come close to the time for your climbing trip try to use a few weekends to load up with a 7-10 kg pack and walk all day (8 hours), up hills, if possible, to work on endurance.

Don’t underestimate how rigorous mountaineering can be. It is better to be over-prepared.

See our Fitness Training page for training tips and programs.

Summer Mountaineering Conditions

The summer climbing period extends from November to early-April. You must be prepared for a wide range of conditions, from very warm, to cold snowy days. As the summer season advances access on to climbing routes will change.

Summer Temperatures and Daylight Hours

Actual air temperatures may be 8°C, but can feel like 28°C due to reflected radiation.
Coolest period: November to mid-December, and March-April. Range -10°C to +10°C
Warmest period: January and February. Range -5°C to +15°C
Daylight hours: 05:00 to 21:00, with shorter days later in the season.

Changing Snow Conditions

During November and December access on to routes is usually easier, due to fewer crevasses. Expect fresh snow during storms. Your guide will place greater emphasis on avalanche awareness. Avalanche transceivers are normally carried.

The snowpack is deeper and "wetter". Conditions can be soft underfoot early in the season, especially in the afternoon.

From January onwards the snowpack will consolidate (shallower foot penetration). Crevasses are larger. Crevasse bridging is weakest. Less chance of snowfall. Rock fall hazard increases.

Late Season - March onwards: Conditions are typically "hard" underfoot. Crevassing is at its greatest extent. Night temperatures are dropping. Greater chance of snowfall.

Travel & Transport

For international visitors, Christchurch or Queenstown are the main entry points to the South Island, with the most public transport options. Christchurch has more direct flights.

Intercity Coaches
Intercity Coaches provide direct daily services routes to Aoraki Mount Cook to and from Queenstown and Christchurch. Visit the Intercity website here. We recommend buying a FlexiPass to make considerable savings on your bus fare.

Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Get a shuttle directly to Mount Cook with Cheeky Kiwi Travel. They operate out of Christchurch and Queenstown.

If you have a mountaineering trip booked with us and are unable to coordinate transport from Twizel, please check in with us. We can help arrange transport from Twizel to Mt Cook.

Aircraft Access

In the remote mountains of New Zealand, there are no cable cars or roads to high elevations to provide easy access to the mountains. Walking into many mountain venues can use up to 2 days of your trip, across very rugged terrain.

To make the best use of your time many of our trips use aircraft access. When you arrive the scale, and nature of the terrain, will make the logic for flying obvious.

Flying access and egress is included in the cost of the Technical Mountaineering Course.

Walking out from your mountain venue is possible, but flying out is by far the more popular choice. Walking out may be beyond your fitness, especially at the end of a long trip. Conditions and weather may dictate that a flight out is the safer choice. Your guide will discuss these options with you.

Insurance

Once you have made your booking we strongly advise buying travel insurance, to cover you for unexpected cancellations, or other misadventures on your travels.

Travel insurance cancellation policies will protect you from losing the deposit for your trip if you have to cancel unexpectedly.

Insurance specifically for mountaineering activities is optional. New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) system extends to all visitors to New Zealand and includes cover in the event of an accident.

Any travel agent, or insurance broker (even your credit card provider) can assist with standard insurance, including insurance for trip cancellation.

The New Zealand Alpine Club can provide insurance coverage for their New Zealand and Australian members visiting NZ.

Practice pitched climbing skills on the Expedition Climbing Course

"AC offered a course which was perfectly suited to my skill level, abilities and ambition. I know AC's good reputation from personal encounters with previous clients. You have a solid and well earned reputation. Very professional with an air of being quite relaxed and easy going"

Chris Vincent, Australia

Time in the mountains always brings rewards

"I had previously utilised Adventure Consultants and other guiding companies but came back to AC as it is a most professional organisation"

Adam Rosen, Australia

Navigating glacier terrain on the Expedition Climbing Course

"My guide was very enthusiastic and appropriately professional. AC are very well organized and customer satisfaction is paramount"

Henry Van Brussel, United States

Ladder crossing on Island Peak summit day

Take your climbing to the next level and head to the Himalaya! Join an AC 6,000m peak expedition to climb Island Peak or the Three Peaks Nepal!

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