Aoraki/Mount Cook Guided Ascent
Linda Glacier RouteAoraki/Mt Cook Guided Ascent
The summit of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, offers a breathtaking panorama of rugged beauty. Rising to 3,724 meters, it stands majestically amidst the Southern Alps. The summit is cloaked in snow and ice, offering a formidable climbing asent, although only for experienced climbers… its climb required a minimun of four days. From the top, the views stretch across the Tasman Glacier, surrounding peaks, and the vast expanse of the South Island, rewarding climbers with an unforgettable, awe-inspiring experience.
At 3,724 meters, Aoraki/Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak – a majestic giant rising from the heart of the Southern Alps. Cloaked in snow and ice year-round, this iconic mountain offers one of the most rewarding and challenging alpine climbs in the Southern Hemisphere. For those with the skills and ambition, a Aoraki/Mount Cook guided ascent is a truly unforgettable experience — and with the right team, it’s within reach.
Our guided ascents of Aoraki/Mount Cook are designed for experienced climbers seeking to push their limits in a serious alpine environment. The climb typically takes a minimum of four days, including time for preparation, approach via the Tasman Glacier, and acclimatization. Weather windows can be short and conditions ever-changing, which is why having an experienced guide is essential — not only just for safety, but also for increasing your chances of a successful summit.
From the top, the views are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll stand above a world of glaciers, ridgelines, and jagged summits, with the Tasman Glacier sprawling out beneath your feet. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a powerful and humbling moment that climbers never forget.
As a professional guiding service, we provide all logistical support, route planning, and safety management, allowing you to focus fully on the climb. Our guides are certified, highly experienced, and deeply passionate about helping climbers achieve their goals in this incredible alpine setting.
Ready to take on New Zealand’s highest mountain? Join us for a Aoraki/Mount Cook Guided Ascent and experience the thrill, challenge, and beauty of standing on top of the country.
CLIMBING/ROUTE DESCRIPTION
The Linda Glacier route on Aoraki/Mount Cook has an elevation of 1700m from Plateau hut. We start our ascent by crossing the Plateau glacier to step on the foot of the lower Linda Glacier. After few hours of glacier traveling we have a nice rest just below the Bowie Ridge. The climb from here starts to steepen as we cross the Linda Shelf to reach the foot of the Summit Rocks. A 300m vertical ice and mixte climb then follow, just right when the sun rises above the horizon, show garantee! The last 200m of ascent follow the Summit Ice Cap to the top. Well Done!
The descent follows the same route down.
Climbing difficulty
The Linda Glacier Route on Aoraki/Mount Cook is considered to be an “advanced climb”
It required good mountain fitness, previous mountaineering and climbing/scrambling experience.
Previous experience on Ice-Climbing is hightly recomanded as the upper climb is of an inclinason of 60º to 80º and most of the time icy.
The technical grade of Aoraki/Mt Cook Linda Glacier Route is NZ 3 // equivalent to European D.
It’s a 1700m vertical climb from the Hut and a 15hrs+ climbing day.
Not sure if this climb is right for you?
We have help plenty of climbers and skiers to achieve their dreams, we can help you making yours come true.
Just reach out to us and will discuss together wether you are up for this trip or you will need to build more experience, we will help you to create a custum journey to achieve your goal.
Trip Info
LOCATION
Linda Glacier | Plateau Hut | Aoraki/Mount Cook NP
DATES
Mid October to end of December
DURATION
4 to 6 day trip
CLIMBING DIFFICULTY
Advanced
GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO
1 Guide for 1 client max
PRICE
From NZ$5,950/pers.
Itinerary
Day 1. Approach to Plateau Hut, via Cinerama Col ( 10/12hrs walk in ) or via Helicopter ( not included in the price ).
Day 2. Exploration of the lower Linda Glacier.
Day 3. Ascent of Aoraki/Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route – 15hrs + day
Day 4. Flying out ( not included in the price ) or walking out ( 8/10hrs walk out ).
Day 1. Approach to Plateau Hut, via Cinerama Col ( 10/12hrs walk in ) or via Helicopter ( not included in the price ).
Day 2. Training climb on Glacier Dome or Anzac Peak
Day 3. Exploration of the lower Linda Glacier.
Day 4. Ascent of Aoraki/Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route – 15hrs + day
Day 5. Flying out ( not included in the price ) or walking out ( 8/10hrs walk out ).
Day 1. Approach to Plateau Hut, via Cinerama Col ( 10/12hrs walk in ) or via Helicopter ( not included in the price ).
Day 2. Training climb on Glacier Peak or Anzac Peak
Day 3. Exploration of the lower Linda Glacier.
Day 4. Ascent of Aoraki/Mt Cook via the Linda Glacier route – 15hrs + day
Day 5. Weather Contengency day or extra climbing day
Day 6. Flying out ( not included in the price ) or walking out ( 8/10hrs walk out ).
Dates & Pricing
PRICE - 4 DAY TRIP
NZ$5,950
PRICE - 5 DAY TRIP
NZ$7,450
PRICE - 6 DAY TRIP
NZ$8,790
DATES
mid October to end of December – Flexible dates
EXTRA WEATHER DAY
NZ$650/group
TRIP INCLUSION
- IFMGA/NZMGA Mountain Guide
- Apine hut fees
- trip meals + snacks
- Ground transport from Wanaka
- Technical climbing gear
- GST
TRIP EXCLUSIONS
- Helicopter flights if option selected
- Personal equipment
- Appropriate climbing clothes
- Transport to Wanaka
- Personal Insurance
- Cancellation Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Extra Weather Day, What this is?
It’s a NON-GUIDED day, to add-on at the begining and/or the end of your trip at the time of booking, to guaranty the availiability of the guide, in the event of bad weather and the trip’s dates have to be shiftted slightly. The price is per group and per day and does not include accomodation or meals.
What If the weather is bad for my trip ?
The Southern Alps in New Zealand is a worldwide desired climbing and skiing destination due to its remoteness and wilderness beauty. Windows of nice settled weather between fronts are oftern in place. But as for all mountain ranges in the world, the Southern Alps also has challenging weather. After all, it’s a long, high mountain range located on a tiny island surounded by the Tasman Sea and the Southern Pacific Ocean…
Summit Explorers Mountain Guides are well experienced in judging the weather and conditions to provide you the best possible trip. They will go above and beyond to make the trip happen. But sometimes, it’s out of our control, so if the weather remains terrible and prevents the trip from happenning as originally planned, you will be offered a different location and/or climb. There will be no refund for bad weather and conditions. However, depending of the agreement and avaibility of the guide, an arrangment could be discussed to postpone the trip at a different date.
Should I get a trip insurance
We strongly advice that all clients purchase travel and cancellation insurance that specifically covers cancellation due to injury or illness as well as weather cancellation. This is highly recommended for all trips with Summit Explorers due to the nature of the trips we provide. We have a relationship with the provider Global Rescue which has an option which includes a “Cancel for any Reason” policy. Rescue and Extraction is covered by ACC in New Zealand, however ACC does not cover for any trip cancellation. Insurance policy costs will vary based on age, duration of trip and coverage selected. . You can learn more and get a free quote here: Global Rescue by Summit Explorers
How do I get to Wanaka
Queenstown airport is the closest to Wanaka. There are regular shuttles which service Wanaka.
For shuttle and taxi information:
Summit explorers Terms and Conditions
Please visit our Booking terms and conditions page
Why Choose Summit Explorers
YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL GUIDING EXPERIENCE
Our Company and our incredible team of mountain guides are passionate, talented climbers and skiers who have a extremely valuable guiding experience in the New Zeland mountains and Internationally.
SAFETY FOCUSED
Our number one priority is insuring that every body that join us on a trip, will enjoy a safe one! Certified Mountain Guides are trained to perform at the highest international standards of skills and safety.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Adaptative to your needs and dreams, always on the search to make your mountain journey a memorable one, that’s what we do and how we guide.
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