Alpine Skills

Mountaineering is about climbing to the top of something and getting down safely.  Here at Hillary Outdoors we have access to the best Alpine Climbing areas in the North Island.  Within an hour of our base we can be high on Mt Ruapehu getting ready to take on some spectacular routes on ice, snow and mixed terrain. There are beautiful gullies, exciting faces, fun ridge lines to climb, and beautiful summits to stand on. This is the ideal training ground for mountaineering further afield.

Introductory 2-day

Programme overview

This is a brief introduction to the alpine environment giving you the skills to walk most places on Ruapehu safely with the use of crampons and ice axe. After the 2 days, you should be able to confidently choose terrain within your capabilities and to climb many of the summits.

We focus on the basic skills needed to get about safely on the snow in an alpine environment.

This is a residential programme. All food and accommodation provided from Friday dinner on arrival through to Sunday lunch. You may like to bring a few snacks and a personal thermos to supplement the lunches that are provided.

Content:

• Use ice axes and crampons while walking about safely in an alpine environment
• Use of axe for step cutting and self-arresting
• Terrain selection
• Understanding a weather map and avalanche forecast
• Navigation
• Equipment and clothing available and how to use it correctly
• Go climbing