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altelis
Mar 21, 2008, 3:34 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 2168
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w/o having looked at the sites, what do you mean by "more general"
are you looking for one trip that will include waterfall, alpine and mixed routes?
or (and i really mean no insult here) was that comment simply stemming from a misunderstanding of ice climbing coming from a lack of experience?
'cause if i was going to lead a ice noob on a bunch of climbs i too would probably at least start the trip with a tone of single pitch WI routes. you can toprope, give good technique advise while watching the climber, etc.
moving on to alpine routes too quickly (and thereby throwing in all the weather and objective hazard variables) seems like it wouldn't be safe from a guiding stand point nor enjoyable from a student standpoint.
i would say that if you really are a noob and you really want to learn to ice climb i would pick a company that would concentrate on WI. that way you can concentrate most on a new technique and medium.
as a learner i think that it would be a little overwhelming to start on alpine routes. dealing with thin ice, possible terrible weather, etc.
just my opinion....
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gargrantuan
Mar 21, 2008, 4:32 PM
Post #3 of 5
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Registered: Apr 1, 2005
Posts: 182
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if you want to learn ice climbing go to canada not NZ. my kiwi partner says there isn't much WI there and it is really fickle in forming, you can certainly learn in glacier ice though!
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dizzypete
Mar 22, 2008, 5:43 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Registered: Mar 21, 2008
Posts: 4
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Hey thanks for the replies guys
I have been climbing on and off for about 10 years and would say i climb at an intermediate level. I realize ice is going to be a lot different which is why I'm doing a tour thing, and both of the ones I'm considering say that no previous ice/alpine experience is required.
I chose New Zealand mainly because i live in Australia so its closer and cheaper than Canada (though that would be awesome).
By more general i just meant something other than solely waterfalls, i.e. glaciers and so on. I have never been ice climbing before so yeah i dont really understand the differences. We don't get much ice here in Aus :)
cheers
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kiwiprincess
Mar 22, 2008, 7:43 AM
Post #5 of 5
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Registered: Oct 26, 2007
Posts: 307
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I did 2 of these courses
Aspiring guides did a 3 day trip . It was good since it meant only one day off work. we flew in and out so got 3 days climbing
Adventure consultants- 5 day course fly in walk out so 4- 4.5 days climbing. The extra time meant more focus on getting you leading.
Both companies were awesome -Great info, great guides, adequete food, and safe.
Both were on waterfall ice but in different locations Aspiring's being more remote so less other people.
I would totally recommed either company and the office staff are super helpful so if you have any questions e mail them or give them a call.
S
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