6-day Technical Mountaineering Course (TMC) - OENZ

6-Day Mountaineering Course

Build the Skills to Climb New Zealand’s Classic Winter Routes—Independently and Safely

This 6-day mountaineering course is designed for aspiring climbers looking to take on New Zealand’s classic alpine routes and beyond. Based in Arthur's Pass National Park, you'll develop and refine essential alpine skills under the guidance of expert local instructors, including ropework, snow anchors, glacier travel, and crevasse rescue.

With access to peaks like Mt Temple, Mt Phipps, and Mt Cassidy, you'll train in real mountain terrain while staying at comfortable alpine lodges—plus experience snow cave living and emergency shelter construction. This course is ideal for those with prior basic alpine training and avalanche rescue skills, ready to progress to more technical climbs and independent ascents.

Course Highlights

• Climbing steep snow and mixed terrain using crampons and ice axes

• Advanced ropework: knots, belaying, abseiling, and team climbing

• Snow anchors (stakes, bollards, T-slots) and belay techniques

• Glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and hauling systems

• Snow caving and emergency shelter skills

• Trip and route planning using NZ mountaineering grading systems

Accommodation

• Night 1: Arthur's Pass Lodge (hot showers, kitchen facilities)

• Nights 2–6: Temple Basin Alpine Lodge
  (One night may be in a snow cave or basic alpine hut)

Catering

• Fully catered at Temple Basin Lodge (breakfast, dinner, dessert)

• Self-catered on day one (dinner) and day two (breakfast)

AGe

• 18+
  

Requirements

• Confident using crampons and an ice axe

• Able to self-arrest and perform avalanche rescue

• This is an intermediate-level course—contact us if unsure about your prerequisites

Train in real mountain conditions, learn from experienced alpine guides, and take the next step toward independent mountaineering.