Caroline Hut is located on the Ball Ridge, in the lee of Mt. Cook (for the prevailing westerlies and nor'westerlies), so it is seldom that we cannot walk in to the hut, even if the weather is marginal. There is a wood-fired pot belly stove in the hut and a good drying rack. However, this is a high alpine environment and it could happen that the walk in to the hut may have to be deferred by a day. If all participants in the group have the flexibility to postpone the trip by a day and if guide(s) and hut are available, then we postpone the entire trip by one day. Otherwise the trip is reduced to a two day crossing and the group is being accommodated in Lake Tekapo for the first day. During the last few seasons we only had to take up this option once per season. Alternatively we can offer the "Tekapo High Country Trek", a 2 to 3-day mountain walk in the Two Thumb Range to the east of Lake Tekapo, based at the Rex Simpson Hut. This would only be an option if the weather looked as though it was going to be bad for all 3 days or if a climb to Caroline Hut is still not possible on day two. Since the Ball Pass operation started in 1991 this contingency plan has only been carried out once.
If the group is at Caroline Hut and the weather or snow conditions do not permit a crossing of the Pass then the group will descend to the Tasman Valley.
When you book a trip you book the guide and all the organisation that goes with it, you cannot book the weather. Our guides are trained and instructed to always make the best possible decision for all the participants. On rare occasions this could mean having to return or not to go to Caroline Hut on day one for reasons of safety. On such occasions we do not give a refund.
Caroline Hut is located on the Ball Ridge, in the lee of Mt. Cook (for the prevailing westerlies and nor'westerlies), so it is seldom that we cannot walk in to the hut on the first day, even if the weather is marginal. There is a wood-fired pot belly stove in the hut and a good drying rack. However, this is a high alpine environment and it could happen that the walk in to the hut may have to be deferred by a day. In that case day 1 of the climbing course is spent on climbing instruction either indoors or at a climbing crag to the east of the Divide and the group is accommodated either in Lake Tekapo or Aoraki-Mount Cook. Since we started running these courses at Caroline Hut in 1991, the number of times we have had to postpone the start of a course due to weather would average once per year or less. In other words your chances of being able to follow the normal itinerary would be 98%.
If bad weather occurs during your course, our guides are trained to make best use of the time and give instruction on as many topics as possible indoors. Caroline Hut is for Alpine Recreation groups only, so for any indoor instruction you will have a comfortable classroom.
When you book a trip you book the guide and all the organisation that goes with it, you cannot book the weather. Our guides are trained and instructed to always make the best possible decision for all the participants.
Due to its geographical location New Zealand's high mountains are exposed to sudden and severe weather changes. Hence access flights and ascents of peaks are always weather dependent. If bad weather postpones or prevents access to the high alpine area then our guides will endeavour to choose alternative venues for climbing instruction such as climbing crags to the east of the Divide.
Should other circumstances prevent a climb, e.g. if a glacier is too cut up or access or conditions have become too dangerous, then the guide will suggest alternative peaks within the capability of the climber(s). No refund can be given in such a case. When you book a trip you book the guide and all the organisation that goes with it, you cannot book the weather. Our guides are trained and instructed to always make the best possible decision with regard to safety and climbing options available.
Due to its geographical location New Zealand's high mountains are exposed to sudden and severe weather changes. Access flights to the glacier venues are always weather dependent and can be delayed. If guides and participants are flexible then we may simply postpone the entire trip. However, this is not always possible. Alternatively we can offer to go to the Lake Tekapo High Country.
No refund can be given in such a case. When you book a trip you book the guide and all the organisation that goes with it, you cannot book the weather. Our guides are trained and instructed to always make the best possible decision with regard to safety and ski touring options available.