Mount Aspiring
Mount Aspiring
Tititea/Mount Aspiring Guided Ascent
Known as the "Matterhorn of the South" due to its asthetic shape, Mount Aspiring stands alone as the only 3000m peak outside of Mount Cook National Park. The mountain offers a selection of routes on alpine rock, snow and ice and can be climbed with or without helicopter access - this is a rare opportunity to climb a 3000m peak purely under your own power. The foot approach to the mountain via the grassy flats of the Matukituki Valley, through beech forest then on rock up to Bevan Col and across the Bonar Glacier, is a rewarding adventure in itself!
I thought the level of organization and planning at every level was excellent. The office staff was very quick to respond to emails from the beginning, the food was well proportioned and varied, and the guides organized the week well to take advantage of the weather. I also think my guides were…Read more
Colin Todd Hut
Colin Todd Hut is located at 1800m below the north-west ridge of Mount Aspiring. It is a basic 12 bunk hut with a water supply, toilet, radio and an amazing view. As the hut is the departure point for ascents of Mount Aspiring, it is often crowded so it may be necessary to use a small tent or bivvy outside. It is a public hut that cannot be booked and works on a first-come first-served basis.
Equipment:
Participants must carry their own sleeping bags, personal gear and some of the group equipment, food, stove, fuel, and cooking utensils (all provided by us).
French Ridge Hut
French Ridge is a modern alpine hut and a great base for alpine treks / hikes and mountaineering in the summer and ski mountaineering in the winter. It is located part way up French Ridge at 1480m and offers great views over the Matukituki Valley. It is a common access point for mountaineers aiming to climb Mount Aspiring. It is a 20 bunk serviced alpine hut with solar lighting, heating and cooking facilities. It is a public hut that cannot be booked and works on a first-come first-served basis.
Equipment:
Participants must carry their own sleeping bags, personal gear and some of the group equipment, food, stove, fuel, and cooking utensils (all provided by us).
We recommend settling guiding dates well in advance since peak season times are often booked up. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.
| Dates | Spaces |
|---|---|
| 4 - 9 May 2025 | private groupN/A |
| 24 - 29 November 2025 | private groupN/A |
| Updated: 3 March 2025 at 11:00 pm | |
Private bookings
Private guide: book a guide just for you and benefit from a completely custom itinerary.
Loyalty discount: If you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before, you will be eligible for $100 off the standard trip price (does not apply to any already discounted prices).
| Private Guide Price | 5 days price per person | 6 days price per person | 7 days price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private booking group size | NZ$6100 1 per guide | NZ$7300 1 per guide | NZ$8400 1 per guide |
Deposit Payment
A non-refundable per-person deposit is payable to secure a booking:
- NZ$1,500.00
The remaining balance of the trip price (including any applicable discounts) is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are booking within 60 days of the trip start, the full amount will be due.
Booking conditionsInclusions & Exclusions
All prices include the following:
- IFMGA / NZMGA certified mountain guide
- National Park fees
- Hut accommodation
- Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
- Ground transport (Tekapo - Raspberry Flat return)
- ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
- ALL technical mountaineering equipment (with the exception of boots)
The following items are NOT included:
- Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.
- Flights are NOT included
Flights
Flights are not included in the price, as costs vary according to the venue, type of aircraft and occupancy. Depending on the venue, it is often possible to be picked up from a lower landing site on the return flight or to combine flights with other groups heading in to and out of the mountains to significantly reduce flight costs.
Weather dependent: As there is no guarantee of being able to fly (due to weather) and no obligation to fly, we like to be able to pass on any potential savings directly to our guests.
| Price per flight (the cost is split equally amongst guests) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Aircraft | Spaces | Price |
| Raspberry Flat to / from Bevan Col | Helicopter | 3 | NZ$1,470.00 |
| Raspberry Flat to / from Bevan Col | Helicopter | 4 | NZ$1,960.00 |
| Raspberry Flat to / from Bevan Col | Helicopter | 5 | NZ$2,450.00 |
Please note: Flight prices are given as examples only and are subject to change by aircraft operators at any time. In addition to guests, each aircraft will also transport the guide and gear.
Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 5 - Extreme
Regular alpine starts with long and sustained days (14+ hours) on difficult or technical terrain. Expect to carry a heavy pack at times (12-16kg) between huts or bivvies. Consecutive days with ascents of 1200+ vertical meters in often steep terrain are expected. Prior experience with bivouac / snow camping is recommended. For hardened mountaineers only.
Agility: 5 - Expert scrambling/climbing agility
A high level of commitment required with serious consequences for mistakes. Frequent and sustained exposure to significant heights or large drops. Moderate - steeper (30-50°) slopes common. Concentration and focus required at all times. Recent mountaineering experience required. Solid footwork, cramponing (including front-pointing) and ice axe skills expected.
Technical Mountaineering: 3.5 - Experienced mountaineer +
Proficiency with technical rope skills and a basic understanding of rescue systems required. Comfortable crossing moderate-steeper snow slopes (30-50°) with ice axe and crampons. Experience climbing with 1 and 2 ice tools, front-pointing and 10-point cramponing technique in various snow/ice conditions. Competency climbing on rock (AU grade 12-15).
Trip Difficulty Ratings - more infoRoute Information
You are recommended to allow an extra day spare after your booked dates in case we need to postpone the start of the trip by a day due to weather (if guiding schedules allow). Any spare days can be used for rock climbing or refreshing mountaineering skills if necessary.
Depending on snow conditions there may be a choice of routes from Colin Todd to ascend and descend Aspiring (NW Ridge or Ramp) and also for the walk out (Quarter Deck to French Ridge Hut or Bevan Col).
| Gear Check | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 pm | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Days 1-2 - Walk in
Meet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo (on the way from Christchurch to Wanaka). Gear check and outfitting with any gear you need.
Drive to Wanaka (2 hours).
Walk up the Matukituki Valley to Aspiring Hut - 2 hours hiking.
Continue on to Colin Todd Hut via Bevan Col on day 2 - 10 hours hiking and climbing.
Subsequent Days
Your guide will spend time with you preparing for the ascent, using the best weather window for an attempt on the summit. Spare days will be used for rock climbing or refreshing mountaineering skills as necessary.
The summit day typically takes 12-13 hours via the Northwest Ridge.
Last Day - Walk out
Descend to Aspiring Hut via Bevan Col or French Ridge and return to Lake Tekapo
Route Information
You are recommended to allow an extra day spare after your booked dates in case we need to postpone the start of the trip by a day due to weather (if guiding schedules allow). Any spare days can be used for rock climbing or refreshing mountaineering skills if necessary.
Depending on snow conditions there may be a choice of routes from Colin Todd to ascend and descend Aspiring (NW Ridge or Ramp) and also for the walk out (Quarter Deck to French Ridge Hut or Bevan Col).
| Gear Check | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 pm | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
First Day
Meet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo (on the way from Christchurch to Wanaka). Gear check and outfitting with any gear you need.
Drive to Wanaka - 2 hours.
Fly in to Bevan Col (weather permitting). Cross the Bonar Glacier to Colin Todd Hut - 1.5 hours hiking.
Subsequent Days
Your guide will spend time with you preparing for the ascent, using the best weather window for an attempt on the summit. Spare days will be used for rock climbing or refreshing mountaineering skills as necessary.
The summit day typically takes 12-13 hours via the Northwest Ridge.
Last Day
If flying out, cross the Bonar Glacier to meet the helicopter at Bevan Col.
If walking out, descend to Aspiring Hut via Bevan Col or French Ridge and return to Lake Tekapo.
Mount Aspiring - Clothing & Equipment Checklist
Your gear check time will be provided at time of booking. Please bring as many of the items on the equipment list as you can. We can provide (at no extra charge), any of the items in list A that you are missing. Reminder: all food is provided.
All technical mountaineering equipment (crampons, ice axe, helmet, etc.) is provided.
*1 Grade B3 Mountaineering Boots: an insulated rigid leather boot as per the Mountain Boot & Crampon Guide, eg. La Sportiva Nepal Evo or Scarpa Summit GTX. Boots must be well broken-in and waterproofed. While we recommend that you invest in your own boots for technical ascents, you can hire boots from: Gnomes Alpine Sports, Darfield; Small Planet Sports, Queenstown; or MT Outdoors, Wanaka. Book any hire equipment well in advance.
*2 Blister kit: we recommend Compeed and Leukoplast - available at chemists in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.
A. Equipment which Alpine Recreation can provide if you do not have your own:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| avalanche safety equipment transceiver, shovel, probe | 1 |
| backpack - 45L must have side tension straps | 1 |
| buff / sun scarf for protecting ears & neck | 1 |
| eating utensils mug, bowl, spoon | 1 |
| gaiters to fit over trekking / mountaineering boots | 1 |
| high lumen headlamp with spare battery | 1 |
| mountaineering equipment helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness, carabiners, slings, prussics | 1 |
| polypro / merino thermal leggings | 2 |
| polypro / merino top long-sleeved | 2 |
| sun hat | 1 |
| synthetic / fleece jacket | 1 |
| warm gloves / mittens | 1 |
| waterproof gloves / mitts with removable inner for quick drying | 1 |
| waterproof hard-shell pants full-length zip | 1 |
| waterproof pack liner to keep your gear dry | 1 |
| waterproof parka must have a hood | 1 |
| wool hat / balaclava | 1 |
| woollen socks | 2 |
B. Equipment you must bring yourself/Alpine Recreation do not provide:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 4 season sleeping bag lightweight | 1 |
| camera | 1 |
| down jacket | 1 |
| drink bottle wide-mouth, minimum 1.5 litres | 1 |
| ear plugs in case of snorers | 1 |
| lightweight insulated sleeping mat if not going to a hut | 1 |
| personal first aid please provide your own blister kit | 1 |
| personal underwear | 1 |
| quick-drying shirt long-sleeved, for sun protection | 1 |
| quick-drying trekking pants / shorts | 1 |
| small dry bags for organising gear | 1 |
| snow goggles | 1 |
| sun and lip screen high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| sun glasses high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| technical mountaineering boots Grade B3 Mountaineering Boots | 1 |
| toiletries please keep these to a minimum | 1 |
How do I make a booking?
Simply click on Book Your Adventure, fill out the enrolment form, and pay your deposit fee. Once you have submitted your completed enrolment form and we have received your deposit payment, we will confirm your reservation on the trip. You will receive a formal confirmation receipt by email.
What happens if we have really bad weather?
New Zealand's weather is notoriously fickle. It is possible you could be delayed getting into or out of the mountains due to the weather. For this reason, we recommend leaving 1-2 days spare at the end of your trip to avoid disruption to other travel plans. Your guide will endeavour to provide alternative activities/venues to give you the best possible experience. In some cases, if all participants and the guide have flexibility with time, it may be an option to postpone the whole trip by a day (however we cannot guarantee this option and it is at the discretion of the guide).
In many cases, the weather may not be as bad as the forecast might lead you to believe - please remember that we are used to dealing with New Zealand's weather on a regular basis and know where to go and what to do to make the most of it!
Please see our Bad Weather Policies for more information.
What mountaineering equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any technical equipment you need to borrow (including ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, etc.) is provided FREE OF CHARGE and will be issued by your guide at the gear check. Please note that we can only provide boots for less technical objectives and recommend you bring your own.
Do I need travel insurance?
In the case of an 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, we strongly recommend taking out travel insurance, as you still need cover for things such as 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. Many standard travel insurance policies DO NOT cover high-risk adventure activities so be sure to check the wording of your policy.
More information on New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC).
Recommended insurance providers:
→ New Zealand Alpine Club provides mountaineering specific insurance options for New Zealand or Australian residents.
→ Austrian Alpine Club provides world-wide rescue and repatriation insurance to members.
→ World Nomads provides travel insurance for guided adventure activities.
→ Insure4less provides cover for a selection of high-risk activities for Australian residents.
Where can I park my car?
Secure off-street parking is available by Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge. Please leave your car keys with us (in case we have to move your vehicle if someone is parked in and so you don't lose your keys on the mountain!).
