RP
Riki Patel
Lead guide · NZMGA Alpine
Fourteen seasons guiding in Aoraki/Mt Cook, formerly with Aspiring Guides. Holds a WAFA and a crevasse rescue instructor certification. Speaks Hindi and English.
NZMGA-certified · Mount Cook Village
Guided climbs for summit days, first alpinists, ridgelines and ski descents.
Summit Access runs guided ascents of Aoraki / Mt Cook, Mt Tasman and the surrounding peaks from our base at The Hermitage. Every climb is led by an NZMGA-certified guide with a rescue radio, and every season starts with a face-to-face briefing in the village.
Check availability →Guided climbs & routes
Pick a peak that matches your experience.
Every route below is led by one of our certified guides with a 1:2 ratio (1:1 for expert routes). Prices include guiding, ropes, hardware and hut fees. You bring boots, clothing and fitness.
Showing 8 of 8 routes
- Sealy Tarns & Mueller Hut1800 m1 day · $320 pp
- Ball Pass Crossing2121 m2 days · $680 pp
- Mt Wakefield — South Ridge2058 m1 day · $450 pp
- Nazomi — East Ridge2290 m2 days · $890 pp
- Aoraki / Mt Cook — Linda Glacier3724 m3 days · $2400 pp
- Mt Tasman — Symes Ridge3497 m3 days · $2200 pp
- Aoraki / Mt Cook — East Ridge3724 m4 days · $3600 pp
- Grand Traverse (Tasman to Cook)3724 m5 days · $4800 pp
Courses & season conditions
Learn the skills before you need them.
Courses run November through February. Maximum four students per instructor. All gear is provided for the course duration.
- Intro to Alpine — Ice & Snow Skills2 days$680 pp
- Intermediate Mountaineering4 days$1450 pp
- Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue2 days$720 pp
- Ski Touring — Tasman Glacier3 days$1800 pp
Current conditions
- Snowline
- 2100 m
- Avalanche
- Moderate — watch for wind slabs above 2400 m
- Hut status
- Plateau Hut open · Empress Hut closed for maintenance
- Forecast
- Settled northwesterly until Thursday, then frontal passage
- Last updated
Our guides
Five certified guides, one hut.
Every Summit Access guide holds a current NZMGA alpine or aspirant certification and carries a PLB, a rescue radio and a group shelter. Between us, we have forty-seven seasons in the park.
SC
Sarah Calder
Senior guide · NZMGA Alpine
Climbed Aoraki forty-six times across every major route. Ex-DOC ranger at Unwin Lodge. Specialist in ski touring and weather reading.
JT
Jules Torrance
Guide · NZMGA Aspirant
Rock and mixed specialist with twelve years on the East Ridge. Runs our intro courses and is the in-house rigging expert.
MH
Mere Henare
Guide · NZMGA Aspirant
Ngāi Tahu guide with a deep knowledge of Te Reo names and stories for the peaks. Leads Ball Pass and Mueller Hut trips. First-aid instructor.
DW
David Whitaker
Guide · NZMGA Aspirant
Mountain meteorologist by training, calls the weather windows the team relies on. Leads all Tasman Glacier ski-touring trips.
Fitness & gear
What to bring, what we provide.
You need to arrive fit enough for a full day of step-kicking above 2000 m. We recommend eight weeks of hill training (Torlesse or similar) before any guided summit attempt.
You bring
- Double or single mountaineering boots (B2/B3 rated) Rental available
- Hardshell jacket and trousers
- Baselayer set — merino or synthetic
- Insulated jacket (Primaloft or down)
- Sun hat, warm hat and buff
- Sunglasses with side shields + ski goggles
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and lip balm
- Sleeping bag rated to −10°C for hut trips Rental available
- Water bottles (2L total) and packed lunches
- Personal medication and a copy of your insurance
We provide
- Ice axes (walking and technical)
- Crampons fitted to your boot
- Climbing harness and helmet
- Ropes, screws, snow stakes and anchors
- Group shelter, PLB and rescue radio
- Hut fees and park permits
Safety protocols
- Every party carries a PLB registered with RCCNZ and a DOC emergency radio. Guide checks both at the briefing.
- Avalanche transceivers are mandatory above the snowline. We check batteries and perform a group search drill at the trailhead.
- Weather call at 5 am: the guide reviews MetService alpine and the NZAC snowpack advisory. If either is unfavourable, we reschedule — no questions asked, no extra fee.
- 1:2 ratio on moderate and hard routes (1:1 on expert). No exceptions, even if you are a returning client.
- Turnaround time is set before every climb and printed on the route card. The guide's decision is final.
Book a climb
Tell us which peak and when.
We will confirm availability within two working days. A 30% deposit secures your dates; the balance is due seven days before the climb. Full refund if we cancel for weather.
Common questions
Do I need prior alpine experience?
Not for Mueller Hut or Ball Pass. For technical routes we require either our Intro to Alpine course or proof of equivalent experience from another NZMGA operator.
What happens if weather cancels my climb?
We reschedule at no extra cost within the same season. If you cannot reschedule, you receive a full refund minus the national park permit fee (which DOC does not refund).
Can I rent boots and sleeping bags?
Yes. B2 boots $45/day, B3 double boots $65/day, sleeping bag $25/night. Book by email at least seven days ahead as sizes run out.
Is helicopter access included?
Grand Traverse and East Ridge include a heli flight to Plateau Hut. Other routes start on foot from the Hooker or Tasman valleys. We can arrange optional fly-ins for an additional fee.
What about insurance?
ACC covers accidents in New Zealand. Overseas visitors must hold travel insurance covering helicopter rescue to 4000 m. We can recommend providers.