The Seven Summits Training Course, 7 Days, New Zealand
From: CHF 2'690
The Seven Summits Training Course is a private mountaineering course designed specifically for climbers considering climbing the seven summits. It provides the techniques, insights & confidence needed to climb the seven summits (highest peak on each continent).
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Strenuous Adventure Holidays
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Group Size Small Group
The Seven Summits Training Course
Instructed by seasoned Himalayan guides
This high-quality private 7 days climbing training course is tailored to people who plan to climb the Seven Summits.
The 7 days, Seven Summits training course can be geared to introduce you to the art of mountaineering and/or fine-tune your existing skills to prepare you for the adventures ahead. Some of the skills you will develop include ascending fixed ropes, snow camping, crampon and ice-axe skills, ladder crossing and general mountain movement.
The courses are run by our experienced Himalayan guides on one of New Zealand’s high mountain glaciated areas.
You have the flexibility in choosing the course dates which suit you best and can outline the type of skills you would like to achieve in line with your future climbing objectives, and for the seasoned climber, you have the ability to up-skill yourself in your chosen field from one of our specialist professional guides.
You can schedule your Seven Summits Training Course with us any time of the year. The austral summer climbing season is from November to April when the days are longer and weather and route conditions are more predictable. The winter climbing season runs from July through September.
At the end of the seven summits training course, participants will have the skills and direction for their next climb Seven Summits attempt.
A note about training on the lower altitude peaks of New Zealand – we recommend training in lower altitude mountain ranges such as the Southern Alps of New Zealand where there are many peaks of around only 3,000m in height, but similar in ruggedness and valley to summit altitude gains as the higher peaks of the Himalaya. This allows you to concentrate on the technical skills required for successful expedition climbing. We find that without the hassles of altitude slowing you down you are able to get ahead so much more quickly and you can concentrate on your altitude training further down the line.
Skills Covered
Our objective is to pass on the skills, which have made us successful in our own international climbing careers. The most important attributes being:
- A solid climbing standard and mountain awareness
- Sound judgement of your own ability
- Good planning and preparation skills
- Good decision making
Following is an outline of the skills taught during the Seven Summits training course, however, factors such as weather and climbing conditions may at times dictate that not all topics are covered in full. Because it is ‘your’ course, you may deem that the course focus is primarily on one or two aspects of climbing so you can increase your skill set in that area.
- Alpine snow climbing
- Basic snow and ice-craft
- Rope skills applicable to expedition climbing
- Glacier travel and self-rescue skills
- Mountain first aid, health, high altitude medicine and acclimatisation practices
- Preparation for high altitude expedition climbing
- Snow Camping
- Ladder crossing techniques and practice
How the Seven Summits Training Course Operates
We will spend as much time in the mountains as possible actually climbing, whilst developing skills. Initially, we will develop and reinforce skills in a contained environment and move onto more challenging terrain during the course if conditions permit.
The emphasis of the climb Seven Summits training course will be on safety and will involve fairly long days, where your guides will progressively introduce a wider range of skills and techniques.
Weather plays a major factor in any mountain experience and New Zealand’s Southern Alps get their share. We intend to run the course according to schedule however as we at the whim of the weather we often have to adjust our program accordingly.
Seven Summits Training Course Outline
The Seven Summits Training Course begins at 9.00 am on day one at the expedition HQ in Wanaka. Equipment pertinent to the course will be discussed and you can get all the advice you need concerning equipment from the guides. Rental equipment will be fitted at this time and final purchases can be made.
We then drive to our chosen destination (between 1-3 hours), load up the helicopter or plane and fly into the mountains. Leaving our gear in the hut, we’re off for a walk on the glacier!
Each day, depending on conditions, you will climb nearby mountains, while doing workshops on different aspects of mountaineering. At the end of the course, we will make our way to a lower elevation and fly back to our vehicle (weather permitting) and make our way back to Wanaka.
More Climbing Tours
- Guide fees
- Hut fees
- All meals and snack foods whilst on the trip
- Group equipment such as ropes, tents and stoves
- Avalanche rescue equipment (if needed)
- Handbook – A Climber’s Guide to NZ Mountaineering Techniques, by Guy Cotter and Mark Sedon
- Department of Conservation concession fees (37125-GUI)
- 15% New Zealand Goods and Services Tax
- Aircraft access and egress(see below)
Aircraft access alleviates long and tiring walks into the alpine region with heavy packs. It allows you to start the course fresh, gain more valuable instructional time and take advantage of fine weather periods. For this reason we utilise helicopters or ski planes depending on availability and the region we operate in. The helicopter or ski-plane flight into the alpine region is included in the course fee.
A bonus for this course is the inclusion of an egress flight in the course fee. We include an egress flight out from the mountains so your course spends the maximum amount of time above the snowline.
Accommodation During The Trip
We will provide your accommodation while the course is running which is from 9.00am on Day 1 until 5.00pm on the last day of your trip. All food and accommodation outside this time will be at your expense. When in the mountains you will stay in mountain huts with shared bunkrooms and basic facilities. There are no single rooms available and unlike European huts, you need to provide your own sleeping bag. Some mountain nights may be spent in tents or bivvies where you will be more exposed to the elements but the final decision on this will be made by the guides after weighing up all the factors.
For overnights in Fox Glacier and Mount Cook villages you will be accommodated in dormitory style Alpine Club huts and in Wanaka in dormitory style backpackers with shared bathroom facilities. You may decide to upgrade to single accommodations in Wanaka at your own expense, should you require.
Food
We place emphasis on providing nutritious meals and a good supply of snack food throughout the trip. If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us at the time of registration.
Travel and Accommodation
Air New Zealand and Qantas/Jetstar provide daily services for flights from Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington to Queenstown. There are also direct international flights from most major Australian cities to Queenstown.
A shuttle service operates several times daily between Queenstown and Wanaka (approximately one hour driving time and at a cost of $35 each way).
Bus services also operate daily between Christchurch and Wanaka (approximately 6 hours travel time).
Wanaka has a range of accommodation from backpackers, youth hostels, motels, and hotels to luxury lodges. We are happy to assist with your accommodation and bus transfer arrangements.
- Guide fees
- Hut fees
- All meals and snack foods whilst on the trip
- Group equipment such as ropes, tents and stoves
- Avalanche rescue equipment (if needed)
- Handbook – A Climber’s Guide to NZ Mountaineering Techniques, by Guy Cotter and Mark Sedon
- Department of Conservation concession fees (37125-GUI)
- 15% New Zealand Goods and Services Tax
- Aircraft access and egress(see below)
Aircraft access alleviates long and tiring walks into the alpine region with heavy packs. It allows you to start the course fresh, gain more valuable instructional time and take advantage of fine weather periods. For this reason we utilise helicopters or ski planes depending on availability and the region we operate in. The helicopter or ski-plane flight into the alpine region is included in the course fee.
A bonus for this course is the inclusion of an egress flight in the course fee. We include an egress flight out from the mountains so your course spends the maximum amount of time above the snowline.
Activity Level: Strenuous
To make the most of your experience, we encourage you to work on your fitness prior to the trip. Your guide places special focus on fitness levels and will regulate the pace accordingly. Hill walking is especially useful and you should try carrying a pack with a few water bottles in it which you can empty prior to your descent, thus saving your knees from unnecessary stress.