CLIMB MITRE PEAK
Knife edge ridges and huge exposure. Climb this iconic New Zealand mountain located in Milford Sound.
The Mitre Peak climb & guided ascent is varied with steep snow tussock, rock climbing, travel across knife edge ridges, huge exposure and incredible views of Milford Sound and Fiordland’s Mountains.
The Mitre Peak climb and guided ascent requires a good level of fitness and climbers should feel comfortable with basic rock climbing and moving on steep exposed terrain.
Mitre Peak is the most prominent peak from Milford Sound and a New Zealand tourism icon. Despite being well known the peak has relatively few ascents every summer season.
The trip starts with a helicopter flight from Milford Sound to above the bush line and to the start of the climb. We spend the night at this spectacular campsite before we make the climb. From here it is a steep demanding climb to the summit. This is a memorable day out and a unique New Zealand mountain experience that can only be offered by experienced professional mountain guides.
LOCATION
Milford Sound
MEETING POINT & TIME
Your guide will meet with you at 8.30am on the first day of the trip at your accomodation.
ITINERARY
Note that this itinerary is a sample only. Your final itinerary is subject to weather and other conditions.
Day 1
On the first day of the trip your guide will meet you at your accommodation at 8.30am. After introductions and a look at the topographical map we will go through a gear check to make sure that you have everything that you need for the trip. It is a three and a half hour drive to Milford where we will spend the night. Helicopter flight from Milford Sound to above the bush on the Mitre Peak ridge. We will make camp at this spectacular campsite for the night.
Day 2
Dawn start on Mitre Peak. Descend to low camp.
Day 3
Weather contingency day.
Day 4
Boat back to Milford Sound. Drive back to Queenstown.
CLIMB MITRE PEAK
BOOK A PRIVATE TRIP
INCLUSIONS
TRIP NOTES
Additional booking conditions
These are additional conditions to our standard booking terms and conditions.
A boat ride out from Mitre peak to Milford Sound is included in the trip costs. If a boat is unavailable then a flight out will be required at the additional cost to the client(s). This is approximately $950* total (divided by clients) additional to the trip costs. *All prices are subject to availability and occasional change by aircraft operators.
As part of the Mitre Peak climb a period of 4 days guiding is included in the price of the trip. It may be possible to complete the climb before the 4 day period is over. If you finish the climb early you may choose to retain the services of the guide, Fiordland has many other spectacular and challenging alpine climbing and rock climbing routes. If you choose to finish the trip early no refund is due.
Extending your 4 day Mitre Peak climbing trip may be possible depending on your guides commitments.
Extending your Mitre Peak Expedition may be possible depending on your guides commitments.
The cost of extending your trip is $700 plus $200 per person per day.
If your trip is involuntarily extended (for example being stuck on Mitre Peak due to bad weather) the cost will be $600 plus $100 per person per day.
Experience required
Ideally you have a strong hiking background and a high level of fitness for this trip. You should be comfortable moving in steep exposed terrain where you will be required to rock climb.
Clothing & equipment
Climbing in the New Zealand mountains requires that you have high quality equipment and clothing due to the extremes of weather we experience. Please ensure you look carefully at our equipment checklist. At the start of the trip your guide will go through your equipment and make sure that you have everything that you need for the trip. Please organise to have your extra equipment stored at your accomodation for the duration of the trip.
It is important that you keep as close as possible to the equipment checklist. The focus is on ensuring that you have the equipment you need, but also on keeping your pack as light as possible. If your guide is meeting you at your accomodation for the start of the trip it would be helpful if you have all your equipment and clothing organised and laid out in a logical fashion so they can check that everyone has the right equipment and clothing for the trip.
Accomodation during the trip
On the Mitre Peak climbing trip we use Homer Hut as our base camp, this dormitory style hut is owned and operated by the New Zealand Alpine Club. This hut is set in an incredibly beautiful area in the Fiordland mountains. Facilities at the hut are basic, the rooms are dormitory style and there is a large kitchen and communal area. There are no showers, electricity, or phone reception at the hut.
As part of the climb you will spend at least 1 night at a helicopter accessed high camp on Mitre Peak. The camp site is spectacular, looking down over Milford sound and across to Fiordland’s highest mountains.
Accomodation in Queenstown & Wanaka is not included in the trip costs. Staying in Queenstown or Wanaka may happen if you are delayed entering the mountains or exit early because of the weather. Being based in Queenstown during poor weather in the high mountains will enable us to use the Remarkables mountain range as often this is sheltered from the worst of the Southern Alps weather.
Accomodation in Queenstown before or after the trip is not included in trip costs. To organise accomodation before and after the course we recommend www.booking.com here you will find a wide range of accomodation depending on your preferred style and budget.
Daily trip logistics
Every day in the mountains is different with changing weather, snowpack, and access conditions. When you book your trip with Queenstown Mountain Guides we will discuss your goals for the trip and the general plan. When you meet with your guide on the first morning of your trip your guide will discuss with you the weather forecast and current conditions and make a final plan for the trip. It is best to be flexible so we can ensure that you will make the most of your time with us.
At the start of the trip we will fly into the mountains at the first possible opportunity.
On any poor weather days it is possible to learn skills inside the hut – for example crevasse rescue, navigation, weather theory, avalanche awareness.
On the final day of the trip we will aim to have you back in Queenstown by approximately 5.00pm.
Queenstown Mountain Guides uses aircraft to fly into the mountains and this enables us to bring a good supply of fresh food on our trips. Your guide will organise breakfast, lunch, and dinner for you when you are in the mountains. Your guide will cook your meals on a basic mountain stove but you will impressed by what is possible!
Aircraft access and egress
Aircraft access fees to the high camp on Mitre Peak is included in the trip costs.
From the high camp on Mitre Peak it is a 5 hour walk out down to the boat.
A boat ride out from Mitre peak to Milford Sound is included in the trip costs.
If a boat is unavailable then a flight out will be required at the additional cost to the client(s). This is approximately $950* total (divided by clients) additional to the trip costs. *All prices are subject to availability and occasional change by aircraft operators.
Guide to participant ratios
Mitre Peak is guided at a maximum 1:2 guide to client ratio.
