SINGLE CONE CLIMB
Climb to the summit of Single Cone, the highest point of the Remarkables. A classic New Zealand mountain adventure.
A climb of Single Cone takes you to the highest point on the Remarkables mountain range. The view from the summit is incredible with the 2000m west face of the Remarkables sharply dropping away to the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. In the summer months climbing is straightforward, walking on tussock and rock with a steep climb up the final gully, followed by a steep and very exposed ridge traverse to reach the summit.
In the winter season the use of ice axe and crampons are required. The climb involves crossing snow fields with snow shoes or crampons and ice axe. Above this we climb the final snow and ice couloir to reach the summit ridge. It normally takes 4 -5 hours to reach the summit.
Queenstown Mountain Guides are Queenstown’s only professionally certified IFMGA climbing & ski mountaineering guiding company, so you know you will be in safe hands and have the greatest chance of success. Don’t take any chances, book with Queenstown’s only mountaineering professionals.
Queenstown Mountain Guides run guided mountaineering trips all year round on the Remarkables. The nature of the climbing changes with the season.
Winter – Expect heavy snow cover on the Remarkables. This time of year is more suited to snow and ice climbing. Expect cold temperatures. Good mountaineering clothing and equipment is required at this time of year.
Spring – Remarkables are covered in snow but the rock faces and ridge lines are now free of snow making it possible to climb the rock alpine ridge lines. This is a good time of year for the Grand Traverse of Single & Double Cone.
Summer – The winter snow is now mostly melted away leaving only the occasional snow field. By the end of the summer there will be no snow left on the Remarkables. This time of year suits climbing rock routes to the summits of Single and Double Cone and is also a great time of year for the Grand Traverse of Single & Double Cone.
LOCATION
Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown.
MEETING POINT & TIME
8.00am. Your guide will meet with you at 8.00am at your accomodation. Alternatively, you are welcome to come to our office at Unit 403, 875 Frankton Rd in Queenstown.
TRIP DURATION
Approximately 8 hours
BAD WEATHER POLICY
If we cannot operate the trip because of bad weather we offer the option of running the trip on the next good weather day or offering a full refund if you are unavailable or the guide is unavailable due to pre-booked work commitments.
OUR DAY
Our guide will meet you at your accommodation at 8:00am and after introductions will check your clothing and equipment.
From Queenstown its a 30 minute drive up to the car park on the Remarkables. From here we hike through the ski field and into the backcountry towards Single Cone. We hike past lake Alta and climb towards Wye Saddle where we will have very good views of the Remarkables mountain range and the other high mountain areas surrounding Queenstown. These mountain areas include the Mt Aspiring National Park, the Richardson Mountains, and the Harris Mountains.
As we gain height on the mountain hiking terrain turns into climbing terrain and a rope is required on the upper mountain. Some exposed pitched climbing leads to the very exposed summit ridge line of Single Cone. It is normal to summit Single Cone between 12:00pm and 1:00pm.
From the summit on a clear day it is possible to see Mt Aspiring, Mt Earnslaw, Cecil Peak, and in the far distance Mt Cook. The views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu are incredible.
We are normally back in the carpark by 4:00pm and will have you back to your accomodation in Queenstown by 5:00pm.
SINGLE CONE CLIMB
BOOK A PRIVATE TRIP
INCLUSIONS
TRIP NOTES
Experience required
What to bring
Clothing & equipment
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.
Guide to participant ratios
We operate at a maximum ratio of 1 guide to 4 participants when alpine climbing in the Remarkables. For some routes for example the Grand Traverse of Single & Double Cone we operate at a 1 guide to 2 participants maximum ratio with very experienced participants in good conditions.
For less experienced clients or in more difficult conditions (for example winter & spring) we operate at a 1:1 participant guide ratio.
