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partners for NZ Alps in Feb 14-Jan-2006 At 11:07:11 AM Andrew_M

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Maybe waiting till Feb is a good idea, but plan on doing rock routes like everyone says. The weather is usually crap in January anyway (we got one single climbing day in the two weeks we were there- jan 1 to now). There were lots of rumours about how bad routes out of Plateau were. Apparently the East ridge of Cook is still accessible by Cinerama Col, but descent is probably best back down the ridge (we spoke with a young feller in Homer hut who'd just done it in a single 24 hour push village to village...strong!).

The SW ridge of Aspiring is back in shape after the couloir being rock for a couple of months...although it is thin cauliflowered ice with not much pro...bring rock gear...still, very sweet climbing. Access across the Bonar and Quarterdeck is good. For the NW ridge, the ramp is cut off with a big 'schrund and folks have been doing the rock ridge from Shipowner.

When we left the Darrans (about a week ago) everything was still plastered in snow but some big rain has probably to simply sodden. Folks at homer hut were either clipping bolts at the chasm/babylon or hitching the hell out.

Just another NZ summer eh.

Andrew