"When I returned to Auckland, I felt so good and all my friends told me that I was 'glowing' and looked 'rested'....Hiking above the tree line in mountains away from phones, computers and work, I feel like I am being treated by the 'nature therapist' - I find it absolutely exhilarating and the effect lasts for a couple of weeks after I return to my desk....After Ball Pass, I am now ruined for 'Great Walks' with 40 other people where you spend one day in trees (usually beech), one day alpine and then 1 or 2 days in trees again." M. Blackwood, Auckland. March 2008
It was a wonderful time going over Ball Pass with your company, and I will be happy to recommend you to any friends who are interested. You can't be faulted! A very well run trip, and friendly company. It was lovely to have the extra day to spend in the environment and learn about equipment and techniques from the guide. All the planning and organization has been thought out well, with lovely touches like hut slippers and books and games. The food was excellent in menu, presentation, and quantity. Andrew was a great guide who was very competent, personable and positive. The trip was well organized and very manageable." N. Whyte, Alexandra. Jan. 2008
"I took part in your Ball Pass trip (23rd - 25th December 2007). Suffice to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and found Martin to be an excellent guide. I've written a review of the trip for my website You can access it here... A. Benson.
"The Ball Pass Crossing was well run and everything that your information said it would be. Three things in particular stand out: the guides were very skilled, good, safe and great company to be with - they are a real asset to your company. The traverse of the icy slope on Ball Pass was safely organised. The running out of lines- ropes between anchors down which we could walk was particularly appreciated. The practice with ice axes etc. the day before was also well run. Finally, the Caroline Hut was a spectacular place to stay. " P. Copeland, UK, March 2007.
"Fantastic trek, eye-popping views, great guides, great tales." A. Symons, Australia, Mar. 2006.
"Ewan was very knowledgeable and helpful, hut facilities were excellent, I ate better than I do at home, scenery was AMAZING! Very happy with trip and will look to Alp. Rec. for future NZ guiding. I also learned a lot of new skills, which was a pleasant surprise." C. Herr, USA, Apr. 2006.
"Your place up in the mountains is unbelieveable! The trip was epic, and allowed for the needed time away from responsibility to enjoy the majestic peaks, peacefulness, tranquility, and to be able to soak up the very special feeling up there that cannot be described properly with words. Thank you for allowing me the space and opportunity to re-find my path in life, glimpse a bit of clarity, re-find bits of myself that were on the verge of being lost, and re-invigorating and motivating me to again want to fully live and live fully, and effect good change in this world of ours. You have a very special place up there, and wonderful, true human beings that help you run/guide your trips. I can't thank you enough. I will remember this trip and your mountains forever." A. Brewer, USA, Jan. 2006.
"Best instruction on use of crampons I have ever had. Guides were excellent - a good team and lots of fun. Trip finished far too quickly!" S. Hornibrook, Scotland, Nov. 2005
"Wonderful experience with unbelievable scenery. VERY knowledgeable guide that was a pleasure to tour with. Ewan definitely made this a great experience with his calm, cool demeanour and desire for feedback during the trip to help meet our needs. Excellent! Will recommend to any that head to NZ." K. Brewer, USA, Jan 2006.
"Our guide, Ewan, was sincerely one of the nicest, professional, humanistic, appropriate, no nonsense human beings whom I am/was delighted to have met. Also Graham who joined our group was an inspiration." R. Jardini, USA, Nov 2005.
"The Ball Pass Crossing was one of the highlights of my trip to NZ. Thanks to our fantastic guide!" M. Kosterman, Netherlands, Jan 2006.
"Fantastic trip, start to finish; well planned, well executed. Learned a lot about tramping in challenging conditions, without ever feeling I was out of my depth." K. Schoff, USA, Nov 2005.
"I had an incredible time, was taken as close (sic) to heaven than I have ever been before. The guide showed incredible professionalism." S. Carrington, Christchurch, April 2005.
"Two quality guides that worked and played well together.full of good information all day long and late into the night. The atmosphere created by the guides from the start to the end will ensure the success of this trip in the future. The scenery of course sells itself. Many thanks for a great alpine experience." K. Van Eck, Oamaru. April 2005.
"Graham has great personality and is a really professional guide. His patience and instructions made me able to participate in this program successfully." Y. Moa, Indonesia. February 2005.
"One of the best outdoor excursions I've ever been on. Better than sex! (well, almost)." F.Blakiston, journalist. March 2000.
" We had just amazingly good time and I felt that I was getting way more than my moneys' worth! All the guides around the hut showed real dedication and very genuine intererest in clients' well-being and and comfort. They were also genuine, fun people to be around. The surroundings, the hut and the food (the quality and the quantity) were really a positive surprise. I would definitely recommend you to anybody who is interested in mountaineering and spending some quality time up in the mountains. I also liked the fact that you can offer various sorts of mountaineering equipment for free to your clients, that is something that also sets you apart from other businesses. Sometimes the lack of proper gear can be really a big obstacle for tourist who travels for a longer period of time and can't haul specific type of gear around the world. Last, I would like you to forward my thanks to Wolfgang "The Wolfman", who really put all his experience and enthusiasm to my use. An awesome guide and teacher, that guy. Thank you very much!" M. Koukka, Finland, March 2008
"I would like to thank your team for a truely wonderful experience up at
Caroline Hut/Ball Pass over the last few days. I was really not fully aware of the challenges and experiences I would go through and so the resulting feeling of satisfaction and achievement was very high for me. The guide, Wolfgang, was so professional in taking us on this trip. He was very safety conscious all the time and his eye never let an incorrect knot etc past. His pace of training and of climbing was just right. He also cooked fantastic meals without bother! Even though the weather was very bad on Saturday he used this time to teach us knots and techniques for Sunday which was fantastic - abseiling, be-laying, glacier work, glissade...Wolfgang also seemed to understand about Maori issues relating to the hut and the mountain. I was impressed just listening to him. Also the design and strength of the Caroline Hut is a credit to you. It was so comfortable and well stocked. On Friday night the wind was so strong it shook the hut quite a bit (understatement). I would not have been able to do such a course without the hut and truely value this large investment by you. Thank-you again. I am keen to do another course (maybe the ski touring one). " G. Chisholm, Christchurch, Feb. 2008
"You created a learning environment, which challenged the clients. Precautions were taken to maximise safety. The attitude of the guide was excellent. He was laid back enough to be comfortable, however, when it came to professionalism and safety, he was very serious. I chose your company because of value for money and the fact that the Caroline Hut was privately owned and operated. " D. Robinson, Australia, Nov. 2007
"Whatever the standard you have for everyone involved in Alpine Recreation is above and beyond. Your guide was fantastic and the way you provide the equipment is wonderful because it means that people can explore the experience without having to be thoroughly committed - although the trip inspires commitment quite surely! " N. Soucek, Australia, IMC Nov. 2007
"The professional and competent approach taken by you both mirrored the apporoach taken within this organisation to training and other activities. The tremendous weather we had for most of the time provided us with spectacular views in an environment that is stunning but at the same time full of potential hazards and traps for inexperienced mountineeers. The graduated approach taken to guiding us through the various skills, and catering for the varied capabilities of the group were particularly appreciated. " G. Day, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer, 4th Otago South Battalion Group, New Zealand Army, May 2007
"The guide really tried to feel the level of the group and in my case I couldn't have got a better start to my mountaineering career. The view was stunning and the climbing sorties were great. I could not have had a better five days in Mount Cook." R. Eriksson, Sweden. Jan. 2007
"Main benefit was the ability to base the course from the private hut right on the doorstep of the alpine environment. Good practical introduction to mountaineering/alpine trekking with the guides happy to share information and answer questions." L. Amies, Australia. Jan 2007
"For an introduction to climbing in the mountains, there wouldn't be a better facility in NZ." P. Chapman, Dunedin. February 2005.
"Could not improve on trip. Excellent guide. Fantastic food. Great climb as you learn focus for those with already some experience. Excellent use of fixed line ensuring safety. Will definitely seek to do intermediate course in the future. Top free poster as well!" B. Goss, Australia, Mar 2006.
"I found one of the great pluses with your course was being able to arrive in NZ with basic warm clothes and have the specific technical gear provided, that's a huge bonus when travelling from overseas; particularly when the outlay for mountaineering gear is high and people like myself did the course to 'try before we buy'. Personally I was very impressed with the way that Ewan tailored the course around our needs and I thought it was professionally run." S. Parker, Australia.
"It was a really awesome trip, 5 of my best days of the last 13 months travelling...great memories!" S. Grout, UK. Feb 2006.
"I feel confident on glacial snow, using crampons and ice-axe. I understand ice/snow anchors, crevasse spotting and avalanche dangers better. I am inspired to continue snow/ice training. Gary was always extremely enthusiastic and motivating, with a sincerely caring and professional approach to his work with us. He was unfailingly patient, kind and good humoured - an excellent instructor/guide/sportsman." K. Baye, China, Feb. 2006.
"The trip was amazing and tailored to develop our existing knowledge and teach us new skills. My understanding of snow/ice skills and safe snow/glacier travel has improved dramatically. Awesome experience." D. Oldfield, UK, Dec 2005.
"This was the first step in what I know will be a long recreation that I love and will do for the rest of my life. I've always looked at snowy peaks while tramping and always thought they looked too hard. Now I have an understanding of alpine climbing and I'm looking forward to many more trips to alpine ranges to practise what I have learnt and to gain experience. Ewan was an excellent guide, who encouraged and challenged us. I met some fantastic people. I will remember this trip with the fondest of memories forever. I'm coming back for the Intermediate Course!." A. Souter, Australia, Jan. 2006.
"Gary was an outstanding teacher, respectful, competent, calm, professional, consistent, attentive, and his ability to fit in quality teaching with the weather etc. was excellent, as well as his ability to encourage, to stand back and not be condescending; to be aware of the needs and abilities of the team. Really well done. It was great being able to use Alpine Recreation gear, and not have to buy expensive equipment for the trip." H. Cameron, Australia. December 2004.