Seek Beta and Adventurers for Mt. Cook Climb

Posted by madclimber on Nov 3, 2011
Page Views: 394

Dates: Nov 14, 2011 through Dec 19, 2011
Location: New Zealand
City or Place: Christchurch
Skill Level: Advanced
Categories: Ice Climbing, Mountaineering
Partner Status: Want Partners

Hi all! I need some help with ice climbing training and other skills to get to top of Mt. Cook via Linda Glacier. I'm an experienced mountaineer who has done expedition style climbing/ glacier travel (i.e. Aconcagua, Cotopaxi, Rainier, etc.) and have the knowledge for creavase rescue, even took official mountaineering courses.

I live in Southern California (Orange County) where there is no ice climbing available, I know I need to leave so I was thinking about moving to New Zealand, training for a few weeks on other peaks before having a go at Mt. Cook. I'm willing to stay in huts/ couchsurf/ rent an apartment/ buy a van/ whatever it takes to stay close to climbing communities for the month I expect to do the training. I'm not interested in paying high prices for a guide, I'd rather learn the skills, but if a low cost guide is available, I would be willing to consider that.

1. Does this seem feasible?
2. Are there any easier ice climbs in NZ or is there any place someone can recommend I get this training (i.e. climbing clubs)?
3. Has anyone climbed Mt. Cook and can tell me what mountains they climbed to get prepared and is there something I'm missing?

Any adventurous people interested in join me for easier training climbs or Mt. Cook? :)

http://www.summitpost.org/aoraki-cook/150306

Thanks!