Bad Weather Policy

Last update: 20 May 2023

Ball Pass & Aoraki Mount Cook Trek

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. If the trip cannot be postponed then for a Ball Pass Crossing for the first day the group will do an alternative day hike in an area where the weather is fine. (During northwest storms it can be pouring with rain at Mt Cook, but a few kilometers further east in Lake Tekapo it can be beautifully sunny.) Alpine Recreation will arrange accommodation in Lake Tekapo; then on Day 2 the group will go in to Caroline Hut and cross the pass on Day 3. During the last few seasons we only had to take up this option once per season. Alternatively we can offer the a 3-day mountain walk in the Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. This would only be an option if the weather looked as though it was going to be bad for the entire duration of the trip, or if a climb to Caroline Hut is still not possible on day two.

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 good decisions for the group of participants. On rare occasions this could mean having to return or not to go to Caroline Hut on day one for reasons of safety. If we have to go to an alternative venue due to weather or unsafe snow conditions there is no refund.

If a Ball Pass 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.

Introductory Mountaineering & Intensive Mountaineering Skills Courses

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.

Specialized Alpine Climbing Course

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 and optional during a course - not essential. 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.

NOTE: THIS IS A CLIMBING COURSE AND NOT AN ASCENT BOOKING. LEARNING OF TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS ARE THE PRIORITY - we can achieve this in all weather conditions and courses will happen at the booked date.

Should other circumstances prevent access to the high alpine areas or allow access, but prevent access to certain routes or climbs, e.g. if a glacier is too cut up or access or conditions have become too dangerous, then the guide will suggest alternative venues 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 make good decisions for the participants with regard to safety and climbing options available.

Guided Ascents

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.

For ascents in adverse weather and conditions that make climbing impossible or unsafe, we attempt to offer an alternative date option IF GUIDES AND GUEST(S) CAN AGREE ON THE DATE AND COMMUNICATE THIS TO MANAGEMENT. We recognise the more objective-focused nature of ascents and like to offer options that allow a guest to achieve their goal safely.

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 make good decisions for the participants with regard to safety and climbing options available.

Ski Touring & Snowshoeing

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 make good decisions for the group of participants with regard to safety and ski touring options available.