|
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular alpine scenery. With all but one of its 29 peaks over 3000m, it is New Zealand's climbing mecca. Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, alpine hiking or trekking is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek, in the company of experienced mountain guides.
Ball Pass is a challenging 3 day alpine crossing of the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman to the Hooker Valley. The hiking route follows the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and opposite the mighty Caroline Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. Guided hikers spend two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, using the middle day to climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier. The views of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the highest in New Zealand, are breathtaking. You will encounter rich alpine flora and unique bird life.
- Hike up high in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home of New Zealand's highest mountains.
- Challenge yourself to an adventurous alpine trek, crossing snow fields, a small glacier and untracked, rugged terrain.
- Traverse the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman Valley to the Hooker Valley in 3 days, climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier.
- Get close to the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook and enjoy breathtaking views of nearly all of our 3000m peaks.
- Be awed by Aoraki's Caroline Face as you hike up the Ball Ridge and watch its ice avalanches from the safety of Caroline Hut.
- Tap into the experience of your mountain guide to learn new skills and venture onto terrain you wouldn't otherwise attempt.
- Enjoy the comfort of two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft, with guaranteed bunk space in a spectacular location.
- Relax in the good company of like-minded adventurers and hear an exciting tale or two from your guide.
- Little or no mountaineering experience? No problem, but you do need to have done lots of hiking, be good on your feet and have a high level of fitness.
- Don't have all the gear? No worries - all technical equipment is provided - including boots, harness, crampons and ice-axe.
- Fully guided and tuition from a professional mountain guide
- Only 4 participants per guide with maximum group size 8 with 2 guides
- Warm private hut at 1800m
- All equipment provided, no hidden costs
- High quality - Qualmark endorsed
DEPARTURES: From Jan - April 2 2012, The Ball Pass trek departs virtually every second day. Please contact us for dates and availability on departures during this period.
FITNESS: A high level of fitness is required. For experienced hikers or trekkers only.
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide. Individual bookings are welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund.
GROUP BOOKINGS: 3 - 5 persons NZ$930 per person. You need to book a minimum of 3 persons to qualify for this discounted rate. 6 - 8 persons NZ$880 per person. You need to book a minimum of 6 persons to qualify for this rate.
INCLUDED IN PRICE: Guide, hut accommodation, all food, transport ex Lake Tekapo, crampons, ice-axe, and all other climbing equipment and boots if required, National Park concession fees and GST. Meals and accommodation before/after tour not included.
On the Ball Pass Crossing you will enter a "topuni" area, a place of great spiritual significance to Ngai Tahu, the Maori tribe who were the first people to occupy most of the South Island. Aoraki Mount Cook is their most sacred ancestor, from whom they derive their identity and "mana" or status. Aoraki possesses power over life and death and represents a link between the natural and spiritual worlds. It is a huge privilege to pass through this area and take in the awe-inspiring views that Aoraki and the surrounding mountains offer.
You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or bushwalking experience. This trek is more demanding than other guided hikes in New Zealand, such as the Milford and Routeburn Tracks, because it is alpine, traverses snow fields and a small glacier and there is no track in parts. Where there is a track it is narrow, uneven and you have to place your feet carefully. All equipment is provided. If you are planning to walk the Milford and Routeburn Tracks or any of the other Great Walks, then it is best to do these prior to the Ball Pass Trek, because those hikes are much easier than the Ball Pass Crossing.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011/2012 |
|
|
|
|
Jan 2nd |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Jan 4th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Jan 12th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Jan 20th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Jan 24th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Jan 26th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Jan 31st |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 2nd |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 6th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 8th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 10th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 16th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 19th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 24th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Feb 26th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Feb 28th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 1st |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 4th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Mar 6th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 11th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Mar 13th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 15th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 18th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 21st |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 23rd |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 25th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Mar 27th |
|
Tekapo |
|
A |
|
|
|
|
Mar 31st |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Apr 2nd |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Apr 4th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Apr 6th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
|
Apr 8th |
|
Tekapo |
|
G |
|
|
|
A:Available
G:Guaranteed Departure
C:Closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
