Westland Glaciers Trek

The Westland Glaciers Trek is a challenging 6 day alpine adventure in Westland National Park. Trekkers fly in to either Centennial or Pioneer Hut a the top of the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers, spend the next 4 days exploring the upper glacier neves, soaking in the amazing scenery and trekking to the top of some non-technical peaks before flying back out.

This 6-day trip has been developed for trekkers who have already done the Ball Pass Crossing and seek a new challenge. It's a great combination of glacier trekking and some introductory level mountaineering.

Our 4-day Introductory Mountaineering Course or the Ball Pass Crossing are recommended as ideal preparation for this trip.

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Included:

• IFMGA/NZMGA certified mountain guide
• National Park fees
• Hut accommodation
• Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
• Free surface transport (Tekapo - Fox Glacier return)
• ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
• ALL mountaineering and trekking equipment

Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.

Pioneer & Centennial Huts are the bases for the Westland Glaciers Trek. They are public huts that cannot be booked, they work on a first come first served basis.

Trekking Fitness & Endurance

It is essential that participants are fit enough to walk out from the high mountain venue. This involves hiking with a full pack (approximately 20kg) over sometimes rough ground for 8-12 hours.

Previous mountaineering experience and good cramponing skills are essential.

Our Introductory Mountaineering Course or the Ball Pass Crossing are recommended as ideal preparation for this trip.

Day 1

8am gear check at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. Drive to Fox Glacier via Haast Pass and through the South Westland World Heritage Area. We pause for a walk to a beach with wild surf, where sometimes penguins can be observed. 6 hours driving. 1 hour walking.

Day 2

Fly by helicopter from Fox Glacier to Centennial or Pioneer Hut at the top of the Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers. Refresh crampon, ice-axe and self arrest skills on and around Mt Jervois or Grey Peak. Practise roping up for glacier travel. 6 hours.

Day 3

Travel to the watershed of the Fox and Franz Glaciers and climb Mt Von Bulow which affords excellent views over the Westland region. 5-7 hours.

Day 4

Travel to Marcel Col at just over 3000m on the Main Divide walking below the towering peaks of Haast and Lendenfeld. 5-7 hours.

Day 5

Descend to Chancellor Hut at the head of the Fox Glacier. Fly out to Fox Glacier township. 4-5 hours.

Day 6

Return to Tekapo.

This is a sample itinerary. There is some flexibility with this programme to work around unfavourable weather or glacier access conditions (eg. Days 5-6 could be combined if necessary; or the flight in could occur on Day 1 or on Day 3, with ice climbing on the lower Fox Glacier as a substitute on Day 2.)