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BALL PASS ALPINE CROSSING - HIKING ADVENTURE - 3 DAY HIKING TOUR
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers New Zealand's most spectacular apline scenery.
With all but on of its 29 peaks over 3000m, it is New Zealand's climbing mecca.
Most peaks are accessible only to experienced mountaineers. However, alpine hiking or trekking
is possible close to Mount Cook on the guided Ball Pass Trek, in the company of experienced mountain guides.
Ball Pass is a challenging 3 day alpine crossing of the Mount Cook Range from the Tasman to the Hooker
Valley. The hiking route follows the Ball Ridge, high above the Tasman Glacier, and opposite the mighty Caroline
Face of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest ice face. Guided hikers spend two nights at the private Caroline Hut at 1830m/6000ft,
using the middle day to climb an easy peak and explore the Ball Glacier. The views of
Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the highest in New Zealand are breathtaking. You will encounter rich alpine flora and unique bird life.
On the Ball Pass Crossing you will enter a "topuni" area, a place of great spiritual significance to Ngai Tahu, the
Maori tribe who were the first people to occupy most of
the South Island. Aoraki Mount Cook is their most sacred
ancestor, from whom they derive their identity and "mana"
or status. Aoraki possesses power over life and death and
represents a link between the natural and spiritual worlds.
It is a huge privilege to pass through this area and take
in the awe-inspiring views that Aoraki and the surrounding mountains offer.
You need to have previous hiking, backpacking, tramping or
bushwalking experience. This trek is more demanding than
other guided hikes in New Zealand, such as the Milford or
Routeburn Tracks, because it is alpine, traverses snow
fields and a small glacier and there is no track in parts.
Where there is a track it is narrow, uneven and you have
to place your feet carefully. All equipment is provided.
If you are planning to walk the Milford and Routeburn
Tracks or any of the other Great Walks, then it is best
to do these prior to the Ball Pass Trek, because those
hikes are much easier than the Ball Pass Crossing.
Current snow conditions.
Fitness Requirements - Participants of a Ball Pass crossing need to:
- be of above average fitness
- have extensive hiking, tramping or bushwalking experience
- be capable of sustained walking over steep, rugged, untracked and very exposed terrain
- be able to hike or climb at least 6 hours in a day without difficulty
- be sure-footed, well-coordinated and have good balance
- have no fear of heights
Minimum 2 participants, maximum 8 participants; 4 participants per guide.
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Min:
2 Max:
8 |
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November to April -
Contact us for details! |
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Tour Total NZ$ 980.00
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Single Surcharge: NZ 0.00 |
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