Mt French Guided Ascent

A Beginner Mountaineering Trip

Mt French - Aspiring National Park - Guided Ascent

A beginner ascent of Mt French in Aspiring National Park via the French Ridge is a rewarding introduction to alpine climbing in New Zealand. Starting from the Raspberry Flat car park, the track begins with a gentle walk through beech forest along the West Matukituki Valley, following the well-maintained track to the French Ridge Hut. The hike to the hut takes approximately 6-7 hours and involves a steady climb through lush forest, across streams, and over grassy river flats.

Once at the French Ridge Hut, climbers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Mt Aspiring/Tititea. The next stage involves a scramble up the French Ridge, which becomes progressively steeper and more exposed. Beginners should be comfortable with basic scrambling techniques and have a good level of fitness.

As climbers ascend, they encounter spectacular views of the Bonar Glacier and the Southern Alps. The summit push to Mt French requires traversing snowfields and negotiating crevasses, so basic snow and ice skills, including the use of crampons and ice axes, are essential. This ascent provides a fantastic introduction to alpine climbing, offering both challenge and beauty in one of New Zealand’s most stunning national parks.

CLIMBING/ROUTE DESCRIPTION

The route on Mt French via French Ridge and the Quaterdeck starts at about 1450m with an easy track from the hut. Then after a hour or two, the steeper and more technical part of the climb starts. Mountaineering gear is then required to cross the Quaterdeck and reach the Bonar Glacier and the foot of the summit ridge of Mt French. A short, easy but exposed ridge leads to the top of Mt French at 2356m of Altitude.

Climbing difficulty

Mt French Ascent via French Ridge is an easy climb.

Considerer as a beginner mountaineering trip, it nevertheless requires an good fitness as the days are relatively long, as well as the approach and the walk out to and from the Hut.

The technical climbs is NZ I // EU F.

Why Choose Summit Explorers ?

Years of guiding experience, safety focused, flexible and adaptative to your needs, fun, smiling…. Summit Explorers mountain guides are always going above and beyond for you to have the best trip and mountain experience!

 

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.  

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Mt French Ascent

From NZ$ 1590

3 Day Trip

ROUTE

French Ridge & Quaterdeck

DATES

October to April

CLIMBING DIFFICULTY

Beginner

CLIENT TO GUIDE RATIO

Max 1:4

Itinerary

Day 1. Early morning start from Wanaka to drive up ther scenic Aspiring Road to its terminus, Raspberry Car Park. The 6 to 7hrs walk to French Ridge Hut starts with a easy track on the green and grassy West Matukituli Valley. After 3 to 4hrs walk in and a nice break we start the vertical climb to reach French Ridge Hut. Once above the bush line we can fully admire the alpine landscape surronding us.  

Day 2. Early start again to enjoy a nice morning light and a good snow freeze making our travel on the snow easier. Half-way up French Ridge, we stop and gear up: rope, crampons and ice-axe out to climb the Quaterdeck, last difficulty before reaching the summit ridge to Mt French. The last 100m to the summit offer a stunnig view on Mt Aspiring and the Bonar Glacier. 

Day 3. After a chill morning well deserved we start our descent towards the valley and finally Raspberry Cark park where our adventure begun.

Dates & Pricing

Mt French Guided Ascent

1 pers. NZ$ 3690

2 pers. NZ$ 2290/pers.

3 pers. NZ$ 1790/pers.

4 pers. NZ$ 1590/pers.

Add-on weather day

NZ$ 650

DATES

October to April

Flexible dates

PRICE INCLUDES
  • IFMGA/NZMGA Mountain Guide
  • Ground transport from Wanaka
  • Alpine Hut Fees
  • All Meals and snacks
  • Technical climbing gear
  • GST
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Personal equipment
  • Appropriate climbing clothes
  • Personal Insurance
  • Cancellation Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

EXTRA WEATHER DAY, WHAT IS IT?

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 day and does not include accomodation or meals.

What If the weather is bad from 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. 

Terms and Conditions

Please visit our Booking terms and conditions page

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