North-facing crags in close proximity to the hut
Enthusiastic UIAGM / NZMGA guides
A large variety of climbs and off-the-beaten-track
Gear hire is included - try before you buy
Unseasonal snow at Mt. Somers
Mount Somers Rock Course
Improve your outdoor rock climbing technique in a stunning setting!
This 4-5 day intensive rock climbing course with a qualified instructor will help train you to become a confident lead-climber and prepare you for multi-pitch and trad rock climbing. The stunning setting at Mt Somers is a great introduction to real outdoor climbing and a fantastic 'get away from it all' holiday. Let our guides use their knowledge to find the right climbs to help you progress quickly.
"If this were in Europe it would be regarded as world-class!" - Wolfgang Maier, IFMGA guide.
Overview
The Mount Somers Rock Course is a 4-5 day outdoor rock climbing course based from Pinnacles Hut at Mount Somers. It is suited to rock climbers of all abilities but ideal for those wanting to get into multipitch trad lead climbing.
Price details
2-4PER GUIDE
$
PER PERSON
| Participants | 4 days | 5 days |
|---|---|---|
| Individual bookings | ||
| returning client discount, if you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before. | ||
| Group Booking Discounts (NZ$ per person) | ||
| Group booking of 3-4 | ||
Included:
- IFMGA/NZMGA certified mountain guide
- National Park fees
- Hut accommodation
- Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
- Free surface transport (Tekapo - Mount Somers return)
- ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
- ALL technical climbing equipment
Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.
Scheduled dates
NOV-APR
Green : Minimum reached - guaranteed departure.
Orange : Only 4 or fewer places available.
Red : No availability.
Venue: Mt Somers & Pinnacles Hut
PUBLIC HUT
Pinnacles Hut
3-4 nights are spend in Pinacles hut, a 19 bunk backcountry hut managed by the Department of Conservation. Only 2-3 hours hike from road end and set amongst native beech forest with easy access to the Pinnacles climbing area it is a lovely spot to spend a holiday.
Mt. Somers - 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
Itinerary
3DAYS
WALK IN/OUT
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 may choose a different venue from Canterbury's excellent rock sites to take advantage of better weather elsewhere.
Equipment
PROVIDED
All of your equipment will be checked during the gear check at our office at the start of your trip. Any equipment you need to borrow from us will be issued by your guide.
Alpine Recreation provides helmets, harnesses, rock shoes and other climbing equipment. Outdoor clothing, packs and boots can also be provided at no extra cost if necessary. Please see the equipment list for further details.