2-4 participants, 1 guide.
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.

NZ$ exchange rate.

Please note that on public holidays there will be a surcharge of NZ$95 per person per day.
New Zealand public holidays 2013: New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 29/3, Easter Monday 1/4, Anzac Day 25/4, Labour Day 28/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12.
New Zealand public holidays 2014: New Year 1/1 & 2/1, Waitangi Day 6/2, Good Friday 18/4, Easter Monday 21/4, Anzac Day 25/4, Labour Day 27/10, Christmas Day 25/12, Boxing Day 26/12.

Included: IFMGA mountain guide for 4 or 5 days, hut accommodation, all food & transport ex Christchurch, all climbing equipment (excluding rock shoes), DOC concession fees, 15% GST.

Meals and accommodation before/after tour are NOT included.

An ideal rock climbing venue

"This sub alpine area has some of the best cracks and volcanic columns in the South Island. The rhyolite domes were forced up about 136 million years ago and fractured during a cooling process to form long parallel crack lines. On the Upper Cliffs the climbs are long and sustained, while some of the smaller outcrops are tilted back to make friendlier lines. Lower down the Pinnacles offer completely different rock, andesite, which is fully bolted. All in all Mt Somers is an ideal rock climbing venue: north-facing crags, a hut to use as a base 20 minutes walk away from the crags, and off-the-beaten-track."
- South Island Rock De Luxe

Pinnacles Hut

A 19 bunk backcountry hut managed by the Department of Conservation. Set amongst native beech forest with easy access to the Pinnacles. 2-3 hours hike from road end.

Climbing Experience:

All skill levels are catered for but it is recommended that climbers have had at least six sessions at an indoor climbing wall or similar.

Fitness:

Participants are expected to be regular exercisers, including aerobic and/or gym training. You need to have a good head for heights, a sense of adventure, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

DAY 1:

Meet your guide in Lake Tekapo at 8am. Drive to Mt Somers (2 hours). Walk in to hut (2-3 hours). Warm-up and skill assessment. Basics Checklist: roping up, belaying, abseiling, placing protection, hand and foot placement.

DAYS 2-4:

Climbs of varying difficulty (Grades 14-25), sport and trad. Video analysis and personal coaching.

DAY 5:

A further half-day of climbing before walking out and driving back to Lake Tekapo.

The above itinerary is flexible and if weather is not favourable for the Mt Somers area we reserve the right to choose a different venue to take advantage of better weather elsewhere.

East Coast - better weather

Mt Somers lies half-way between Christchurch and Lake Tekapo, to the east of the foothills of the Southern Alps. Prevailing winds across the South Island come from the west, so this area is one of the drier climbing regions.

Bad weather options

The itinerary is flexible, so that if weather is not nice for climbing at Mt Somers we have a choice of several other good rock locations.

Equipment:

Alpine Recreation provides all technical rock climbing equipment except rock shoes. Outdoor clothing and packs can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary. Mt Somers Rock Clothing & Equipment list.

Accommodation pre-/post- tour:

You will need to book accommodation in Lake Tekapo the night before. See here for recommendations:

http://www.alpinerecreation.com/accommodation.html

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.