Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: December 20, 2004
Climbed the SW Ridge with Michael Tselman after 4 days of waiting at French Ridge Hut. We went to the hut with 4 days of food, but stretched this to 7 days, hoping to take advantage of a 36 hour forecasted weather window. On December 19, the weather cleared and we climbed via the Quarterdeck to gain the Bonar Glacier. On reaching the foot of the SW Ridge, we dug a snow cave, where we rested until 2:30AM. We started for the summit at 5AM on December 20 and found good conditions. One tricky step early on the ridge required a belay and after this we simul-climbed on 45-50 degree slopes until the three crux pitches at the top of the route. The first pitch was steep ice with good sticks, but no opportunities for screws and after this, two more pitches of 60 degree alpine ice to join the NW Ridge. From the summit, we descended the NW Ridge, intending to take "The Ramp" back to the Bonar, but we ended up in the West Couloir (NZ Grade 3) due to an error on my part. About 4 pitches of belayed downclimbing and one rappel got us back to the glacier and our bivy. After collecting our gear, we headed back to French Ridge Hut and then to the car the following day. Bivy to Summit 7 hours, Summit to Bivy 4.5 hours, Bivy to Hut 2.5 hours.
Route Climbed: North-West-Ridge Date Climbed: 04. march 2001
I climbed Mt. Aspiring together with Anja Cerpnjak and John Leeder. We took the easierst route over the north-west-ridge. We're lucky with the weather, had a wonderful day and a phantastic view. For the ascent to Colin Todd Hut I recommend the way via Bevan Col which offers a great view on the southface of Mt. Aspiring. For more informations check my webpage: http://www.tomperm.de/TourenNZ.htm
Tom Fralich - Dec 21, 2004 5:30 pm
Route Climbed: SW Ridge Date Climbed: December 20, 2004Climbed the SW Ridge with Michael Tselman after 4 days of waiting at French Ridge Hut. We went to the hut with 4 days of food, but stretched this to 7 days, hoping to take advantage of a 36 hour forecasted weather window. On December 19, the weather cleared and we climbed via the Quarterdeck to gain the Bonar Glacier. On reaching the foot of the SW Ridge, we dug a snow cave, where we rested until 2:30AM. We started for the summit at 5AM on December 20 and found good conditions. One tricky step early on the ridge required a belay and after this we simul-climbed on 45-50 degree slopes until the three crux pitches at the top of the route. The first pitch was steep ice with good sticks, but no opportunities for screws and after this, two more pitches of 60 degree alpine ice to join the NW Ridge. From the summit, we descended the NW Ridge, intending to take "The Ramp" back to the Bonar, but we ended up in the West Couloir (NZ Grade 3) due to an error on my part. About 4 pitches of belayed downclimbing and one rappel got us back to the glacier and our bivy. After collecting our gear, we headed back to French Ridge Hut and then to the car the following day. Bivy to Summit 7 hours, Summit to Bivy 4.5 hours, Bivy to Hut 2.5 hours.
TOMPERM - Jul 7, 2004 9:19 am
Route Climbed: North-West-Ridge Date Climbed: 04. march 2001I climbed Mt. Aspiring together with Anja Cerpnjak and John Leeder. We took the easierst route over the north-west-ridge. We're lucky with the weather, had a wonderful day and a phantastic view. For the ascent to Colin Todd Hut I recommend the way via Bevan Col which offers a great view on the southface of Mt. Aspiring. For more informations check my webpage: http://www.tomperm.de/TourenNZ.htm
ant morgan - May 4, 2004 9:28 pm
Route Climbed: Coxcomb Ridge Date Climbed: Dec 2002We turned back at the last gendarme.
I suggest bivvying at the base of this route - it was too long a day approaching from French Ridge hut.
ant morgan - May 4, 2004 9:24 pm
Route Climbed: Up Ramp, down NW Ridge Date Climbed: Jan 2002Good, enjoyable climbing.
A very sexy mountain!
frankm - Mar 16, 2004 5:32 am
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge via Ramp Date Climbed: 5 February, 2004Well worth the investment of the guide service! See my photos and my trip report for details.
hhsilleck - Jan 10, 2004 7:33 pm
Route Climbed: Up via the Ramp, down NW ridge Date Climbed: March 2003Climbed with Anna from Aspiring Guides - wonderful trip start to finish. Very icy on the ramp, and a long way out through the Matukituki valley.