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If you have ever wanted to hike on a glacier, safely stepping across yawning crevasses, or try climbing out of a gaping blue crevasse, then this is the NZ trekking trip for you. Surrounded by New Zealand's largest peaks, Plateau Hut is the ultimate mountain getaway. With a range of options to explore the glacier and nearby peaks, this is a perfect trip for any level of aspiring mountaineer.
"Magnificent scenery of the Southern Alps. Spectacular views. Special thanks to Phil for a memorable 3 days - an excellent, experienced, competent guide. A trip you couldn't really succeed on your own unless very experienced. All staff very friendly and willing to answer any queries. Well organised."
Plateau Hut is situated at 1800m on the edge of the Grand Plateau and is the usual starting point for ascents of Aoraki/Mt Cook. It is a 15 minute flight from the airport in Mount Cook village (2.5 hours drive from Wanaka). From the hut, there are options to climb the nearby Glacier Dome peak for views of the full length of the Tasman Glacier and explore the crevasses of the Grand Plateau.
C= confirmed to run
Join a scheduled departure or book a private or custom trip on dates to suit you.
With helicopter access and a variety of objectives accessible from the hut this is the ideal trip for those after spectacular mountain views without too much effort. No previous experience using crampons is nessesary.
Meet at our Wanaka office to meet your guide and do a complete gear check. There will be time for getting last minute items if you have to. It is a 2.5 hour drive to Mount Cook village where the helicopter whisks the team on the 15 minute flight up the Tasman Glacier to the Grand Plateau. Spend the afternoon learning the basic snowcraft and glacier travel skills to safely explore the surrounding area. Clear nights will provide shots of spectacular moonlit mountains and clear stars.
An early start to catch the golden sunrise catching the eastern faces of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Put your skills into action for an easy ascent of the nearby Glacier Dome for views along the entire length of the Tasman Glacier. In the afternoon, explore the Grand Plateau and try your had at ice climbing in a spectacular gaping crevasse. There is also an opportunity to dig a snow cave and spend the night in it.
Explore a little further into the Grand Plateau. Maybe making it as far as Cinerama Col with it's views of the massive 2000 vertical meters of the Caroline Face of Aoraki. Fly down through the ice fall back down to ground level and onwards back to Wanaka.
This video provides practical demonstration of the common equipment and clothing required for hiking in New Zealand.
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