The Seven Summits Training Course, 7 Days, New Zealand

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.

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