New Zealand Alpine Trekking

• Hike up high in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home of New Zealand's highest mountains.
• Challenge yourself to an adventurous alpine trek, crossing snow fields, a small glacier and untracked, rugged terrain.
• Traverse the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman Valley to the Hooker Valley in 3 days, climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier.
• Get close to the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook and enjoy breathtaking views of nearly all of our 3000m peaks.
• Be awed by Aoraki's Caroline Face as you hike up the Ball Ridge and watch its ice avalanches from the safety of Caroline Hut.
• Tap into the experience of your mountain guide to learn new skills and venture onto terrain you wouldn't otherwise attempt.
• Enjoy the comfort of two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, with guaranteed bunk space in a spectacular location.
• Relax in the good company of like-minded adventurers and hear an exciting tale or two from your guide.
• Little or no mountaineering experience? No problem, but you do need to have done lots of hiking, be good on your feet and have a high level of fitness.
• Don't have all the gear? No worries - all equipment is provided - including boots, harness, crampons, ice-axe.

↑ Aerial photograph of the Ball Pass route (click to enlarge).

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. All of New Zealand's 3000m plus peaks, except Mt Aspiring, are contained in this national park and the adjacent Westland National Park. This is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, alpine hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek, in the company of experienced mountain guides.

On the Ball Pass Crossing you will enter a "topuni" area, a place of great spiritual significance to Ngai Tahu, the Maori tribe who were the first people to occupy most of the South Island.

"Aoraki", the name given by NgaiTahu to New Zealand's highest peak (Mount Cook), is their most sacred ancestor, from whom they derive their identity and "mana" or status. Aoraki possesses power over life and death and represents a link between the natural and spiritual worlds. It is a huge privilege to pass through this area and take in the awe-inspiring views that Aoraki and the surrounding mountains offer.

2-4 participants per guide, up to 8 with 2 guides.
Individual bookings welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund.

Bookings received and paid up fully before the 30 April 2012 will qualify for the 2011-12 season prices.

NZ$ exchange rate.

Please note that on public holidays there will be a surcharge of NZ$80 per person per day.
New Zealand public holidays 2011-12: Labour Day 24/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12, New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 6/4, Easter Monday 9/4, Anzac Day 25/4.
New Zealand public holidays 2012-13: Labour Day 22/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12, New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 29/3, Easter Monday 1/4, Anzac Day 25/4.

Included: guide, hut accommodation, all food & transport ex Lake Tekapo, crampons, ice-axe, and all other climbing equipment and boots if required, National Parks concession fees, 15% GST.

Meals and accommodation before/after tour are NOT included.

» Caroline Hut is available for the exclusive use of Alpine Recreation parties.

» Located in a spectacular setting, directly opposite the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook.

» Fully equipped with pot belly stove, firewood, gas, solar lighting, sleeping bags and non-perishable food.

» More Caroline Hut photos...

» For the guided Ball Pass Crossing you need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is beginner mountaineering and is more demanding than other guided hikes 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. Particularly on the third day there are steep rock scree slopes to descend and even on the first day, while walking parallel to the Tasman Glacier, there are unstable moraine slopes to negotiate.

If you are planning to walk the Milford and Routeburn Tracks or any of the other Great Walks, then it is best to do these prior to the Ball Pass Trek, because those hikes are much easier than the Ball Pass Crossing.

The Ball Pass Trek is a good alternative to the Copland Pass Track which has become much more difficult due to glacier recession having cut off the access to Hooker Hut and steepening the moraine wall at the bottom of the Copland Ridge.

» Besides personal clothing you'll need to carry some items of fresh food to the hut. Your pack on Day 1 should weigh no more than 10-12 kg, including the crampons, ice-axe, helmet and harness, which we provide.

Several hikes of at least 6 hours' duration involving some uphill are recommended as preparation for Ball Pass. You do not need prior mountaineering experience.

» Participants for a Ball Pass Crossing need to:

• be of above average fitness (be able to climb up 300 vertical metres within an hour)
• have extensive hiking, tramping or bushwalking experience
• be capable of sustained walking over steep, rugged, untracked and very exposed terrain
• be able to hike or climb at least 6 hours in a day without difficulty
• be sure-footed, well-coordinated and have good balance
• have no fear of heights or problems with vertigo

» For an easier option, we recommend the Aoraki Mount Cook Trek or the Tekapo Trek.

» Ball Pass is just to the south of the South Ridge of Mount Cook. The route allows close views of New Zealand's highest mountains and most spectacular alpine scenery. Ball Pass map & aerial photo.

» DAY 1:
8am gear check at our office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo.

Travel to Mount Cook (about 1 hour), and the end of the Tasman Glacier. Hike up the old Ball Hut Road, parallel to the glacier. From Ball Shelter, climb 850m up the Ball Ridge to Caroline Hut at 1800m/6000ft, perched right opposite the awe-inspiring Caroline Face of Mount Cook. The panorama includes Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, all the mountains adjoining the Tasman Glacier, and Lake Pukaki.

As the hut is fully stocked we only need to carry some fresh items of food (e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, meat) and our personal clothing and equipment.

4-6 hours trekking.

» DAY 2:
Learn basic mountaineering techniques. Climb Kaitiaki Peak (2222m/7290ft) south of Ball Pass and take in the dramatic views of the South Ridge of Aoraki. Maybe explore a crevasse on the Ball Glacier. Back at Caroline Hut take time to watch the sun set on Mt Tasman and the ice avalanches thunder down the Caroline Face.
6 hours return.

» DAY 3:
This is the longest and toughest day, with exposed and steep slopes to negotiate. We cross Ball Pass at 2130m/7000ft. Now the view opens to the South Face of Aoraki, the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers, Mount Sefton and the Copland Pass. The steep descent from Ball Pass usually requires the use of crampons. When snow conditions are icy a fixed line rope method is used to ensure no-one can slide down the slope. The terrain is rugged and untracked and you rely on your professional mountain guide to find a safe route around gorges and bluffs down to the East Hooker Valley. Following old moraine terraces you hike through some of the lushest vegetation to be found in the National Park and return to Mount Cook Village. (8-10 hours). Return travel to Lake Tekapo.

The crossing of Ball Pass on Day 3 is subject to safe snow and weather conditions. The professional judgement of your guide will take into account all factors, including client fitness for the conditions. Please see our Bad Weather Policies.

Information in German:

Ball Pass Brochüre Download.

Equipment:

Alpine Recreation provides helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice-axes. A detailed equipment list will be sent at time of booking. Outdoor clothing, packs and boots can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary.

Accommodation pre-/post- tour:

As our equipment check takes place at 8am on the morning of departure, you need to book accommodation in Tekapo the night before. After the tour, it is recommended to overnight in Tekapo again, or in Mount Cook. Accommodation options in Tekapo.

Insurance:

In case of accident New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC) will cover the majority of costs (about 80%) involved with evacuation and injury treatment, even for visitors to New Zealand. However you still need ordinary travel insurance to cover such things as your cancellation if an injury prevents you taking part on the trip, or a close relative suddenly becomes ill; and medical insurance in case you become ill. More information re Accident Compensation. The New Zealand Alpine Club provides a good mountaineering specific travel insurance.

How green are we?

Alpine Recreation reduces its carbon footprint and environmental impact through such things as:

- restricting group size
- using fuel efficient vehicles
- minimising use of vehicles and aircraft
- recycling, re-using, composting, avoiding "consumerism"
- minimal impact huts
- bulk buying of food supplies
- promoting conservation of native flora and fauna
- supporting community efforts to encourage appreciation of the natural environment

For details please refer to our Environmental Care Action.