Ball Pass Mountaineering Trek Mount Cook Hiking Tour Alpine Hike New Zealand

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Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. With all but one of its 29 peaks over 3000m, it 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.

Ball Pass is a challenging 3 day alpine trek in the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman Valley. The hiking route follows the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. Guided hikers spend two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, using the middle day to climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier. The views of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the highest in New Zealand, are breathtaking. You will encounter rich alpine flora and unique bird life.

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.
Climb Kaitiaki Peak (2222m) and learn how to use crampons and ice-axe.
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 technical equipment is provided - including boots, harness, crampons and ice-axe.

Fully guided and tuition from a professional mountain guide

Only 4 participants per guide with maximum group size 8 with 2 guides

Warm private hut at 1800m

All equipment provided, no hidden costs

DEPARTURES: Nov 2013 - April 2014, The Ball Pass Summit departs often during the season - if a date you are after isnt listed get in contact with us as it may well be available. Trips depart every 2 days.

FITNESS: A high level of fitness is required. For experienced hikers or trekkers only.

For the Ball Pass Summit Trek you need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is beginner mountaineering and is more demanding than any of the Great Walks, 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. In places 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 Summit Trek, because those hikes are much easier.

The Ball Pass Summit 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.

PACK WEIGHT: 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.

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

Participants for a Ball Pass Summit Trek need to:

be very fit (be able to climb up 300 vertical metres within an hour)
have extensive hiking, tramping or bushwalking experience
be able to maintain a reasonable pace over steep, rugged and untracked 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

GROUP SIZE: Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide. Individual bookings are 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.

INCLUDED IN PRICE: Guide, hut accommodation, all food, transport ex Lake Tekapo, crampons, ice-axe, and all other climbing equipment and boots if required, National Park concession fees and GST. Meals and accommodation before/after tour not included.

On the Ball Pass Summit trek 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 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.

Aoraki, as seen from Lower Hooker Valley

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Departure Dates



2013/2014

	Jan 4th	Tekapo	G

	Jan 10th	Tekapo	A

	Jan 14th	Tekapo	A

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	Jan 30th	Tekapo	A

	Feb 5th	Tekapo	G

	Feb 11th	Tekapo	A

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	Feb 23rd	Tekapo	A

	Feb 27th	Tekapo	A

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	Mar 11th	Tekapo	A

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	Mar 19th	Tekapo	A

	Mar 23rd	Tekapo	A

	Mar 27th	Tekapo	A

	Apr 12th	Tekapo	A

	Apr 16th	Tekapo*	A

	Apr 20th	Tekapo*	A

	Apr 24th	Tekapo*	A

	Apr 28th	Tekapo	A

A:Available G:Guaranteed Departure C:Closed

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Tour Prices


	2013/2014

			NZ$1,200 AU$1,020

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