Mt Aspiring: from carpark to the top [Silent Climbing in New Zealand]

[@whakaipolodge2502]

Great video and a lot of memories of over 20 years ago. A lot less snow and ice on your climb. We accessed via the ramp. Thank you for producing and sharing.

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you, friend, for your kind words! 😊 It's sad to see the changing landscape and not being able to experience it as you did back in the days🏞️. But, that's the season we're in, and we enjoy it. You must have done it earlier in the year, haven't you? 🤔 Which month did you do it back then?

[@whakaipolodge2502]

@@alpine_squad yes it was January. It was also a good snow year as even then The Ramp could be difficult.

[@alpine_squad]

Wow, January! Nowadays, Ramp usually gets cut off by mid-November. The ridge is surprisingly bare compared to previous decades. We've heard people now climb Aspiring it in March wearing just running shoes!

[@dbellnzbell6]

great climb team! just love that peak

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you! And indeed the peak is awesome

[@ciaranmoloney418]

Will Stay tuned for the video with all the details, looks great

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, halfway through the video and we're pumped about this one! Finally conquered the mountain, but man, New Zealand weather is so unpredictable! 😅 Loved it! We'll definitely do it again, probably the South-West Ridge this time! 🏔️🌦️

[@toshadavinci5379]

Always want to climb aspiring but now Im over 60 I can live vicariously thru this video

[@alpine_squad]

Glad our video gives you this joy of experiencing and living through it! You’re just 60yo, with a solid action plan hope it’s not late to attempt climbing Aspiring yourself too! All the best

[@matthewlatty]

Awesome video, awesome hike! I just got back from hiking four days at Red River Gorge in Kentucky (personal fave place of mine). Home now, and I'm already missing the woods a little. Watching this was a nice segway into my tomorrow. Goodnight from Indy ✌️

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you! Your adventure at Red River Gorge sounds amazing! Do you make any recordings? The woods have a way of pulling us in, don't they? For us, going back to the city after being in nature can be a bit depressing. Totally hear you on that! Hope you have a peaceful night and lots of cool outdoor adventures ahead! Peace ✌️

[@TomWoodwardVideos]

Well done guys, epic trip. I've gotta get myself up there next summer.

[@alpine_squad]

Thanks Tom! You’d definitely enjoy being up there - bring your Polish girlfriend along too. 😉☺️

[@ReviveVeganCafe]

Looks like an awesome trip - thanks for sharing!!! J&V!

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you, J&V! This is what helps us to appreciate creation of the wonderful Creator. And it’s a good place to be. We hope you’ll experience it too, one day :)

[@vnaidu4973]

awsome video guys!

[@alpine_squad]

Thanks, Vivek! 🏔️ Are you guys planning any exiting trips for this winter? ❄️🥶

[@ibaydillah3537]

Beauty mount adventure

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you! Mountains truly are magical-each one holds a unique adventure and breathtaking views. Can't wait to conquer more peaks!

[@kiwigecko1]

Gosh so many memories we climbed it back in 1977 .

[@alpine_squad]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing! It must have looked different back then, but still just as majestic. I hope you're still able to get outdoors and enjoy some adventures from time to time, even now.

[@Tony-ji5cb]

Amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you, Tony!

[@paulred158]

Kiaora! Beautiful video.

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you, Paul! The views were indeed stunning…

[@thelanonline]

Why weren't you roped up going across the glacier around 22:00 ?

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, great question! The lower part of Bonar Glacier, especially between Bevan Col and Colin Todd Hut, doesn't have any big cracks or crevasses, especially later in the season when everything is already open. So, it's usually safe to cross without being roped up. Plus, there's quite a bit of traffic there daily, which kind of adds peace of mind. However, we roped up the last time we were there because we were crossing it in a whiteout. But as long as you can see where you're heading, it's usually alright. Approaching Colin Todd Hut from the Quarterdeck Pass or Breakaway would be a totally different story, though.

[@TomWoodwardVideos]

@@alpine_squad good to know

[@Beni-pj7dx]

Good video. I climbed Aspiring back in 1978 when I was 17. I climbed it via French ridge and the ramp. An awesome experience and beautiful part of New Zealand .

[@alpine_squad]

Hi Ben, thanks for your kind words! It must have been an epic adventure back in 1978. I believe the landscape has changed quite a bit since then, especially with the ramp route. It gets cut off quite quickly in the early season nowadays and is quite exposed. Well done! Have you been into climbing since then?

[@Beni-pj7dx]

@@alpine_squad Thanks for the reply. Yes I climbed at Mt cook and overseas until I was 23. I enjoy tramping still but haven’t climbed since getting married and having children. God bless and hope you have many more adventures

[@hg7240]

The outhouse used to have a wooden sign on it reading : "God's Throne", and back then it was all snow. I don't remember seeing so much rock.

[@alpine_squad]

Huh that’s loads of creativity from someone to come up with a sign like this 🪧! How long ago was this? What time of the year were you up there? This is end of December and kind of expected to have bare rock at that altitude…

[@hg7240]

@@alpine_squad We were there Jan/Feb 1989. I was my 3rd season climbing and the BEST memories I could have ever wished for. Stunningly beautiful country. cheers from New England

[@alpine_squad]

Oh wow, yeah true, I imagine back in 1989 there was much more snow than now… We honestly feel very humbled knowing how many people visited this beautiful remote location throughout the years and that we all can connect with each other because of this beauty and life-changing experiences it gives!

[@barbaracameron-smith7093]

I am confused. Mt Aspiring sits directly above Aspiring Hut. In the olden days (1970s) you walked on a bit, got to Scotts Bivy and climbed 'up the gut' to the Bonar Glacier. From there you walked up the glacier to Colin Todd Hut.

[@alpine_squad]

What you’re describing sounds like the Bevan Col route… This new Aspiring hut was rebuilt in the same location as the old one, so the way up would have been the same as in this video… It’s quite a long distance to be honest, but could it be that your memory compressed all the painful hours into minutes and left you out only with the best parts?

[@kattacnu3843]

Awesome

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you 🙏 this video is meant to let the watcher sinking deep into the adventure following all the way up to the very🔝 of Mt Aspiring! We’re glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardhawken6586]

no ropes were harmed in the making of this video

[@alpine_squad]

Well, we managed to bypass the section that normally requires ropes by taking the snow ledges - which, luckily, were still intact in mid-December. We think we might have been the last ones to use them! Additionally, the glacier near Colin Todd hut was crevasse-free due to its flat terrain, so many people were walking that route without ropes. However, it ultimately comes down to personal comfort level. We did use ropes to rappel down the buttress on the way back, though 😊. For a detailed explanation of our route and decisions, check out the video on Aspiring: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKO8Z5qemZWfndUsi=LDcfrHG6B4i9PBW9

[@trevorhumphrey6982]

Typical do no track maintenance😮

[@fahimhasan1998]

Subscribe for unedited video

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you 🙏

[@acezblue]

is there any free training for alpine mountaineering? coz i really want to do it.

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, that's a good question. Though there's nothing free in the world today, you can learn from KZbin videos or books like "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills" and other guidebooks. A lot of knowledge is available online. However, having a mentor who can share practical skills with you and develop a pathway for your growth might be excellent. Also, try to join a local alpine club, depending on the area of the world you're in.

[@acezblue]

@@alpine_squad thanks im from New Zealand. I do a lot of tramping but i really love to go some alpine mountaineering stuff

[@alpine_squad]

If you do a lot of tramping, you already have a solid foundation for learning mountaineering, as much of the time is spent below the snowline during the approach (unless you're a rich cookie flying helicopters around). Depending on your location, you could join your local NZAC section or sign up for the annual Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival in Queenstown. In our opinion, the clinics and instructional courses offered there are the cheapest and most effective way to learn snowcraft and leading in snow and ice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3asqaqsntJnorcsi=HU5pvyicYybl3ucC

[@acezblue]

Thank you for this information. It helps a lot thank you. Now i know when im gonna start. . I never attempt doing some alpine mountaineering without knowing 1st the basic skills. So afraid to get caught by avalanche 😂​@@alpine_squad

[@skiing4697]

@@acezblue Hi I am in the same situation as you. 17 years old, a well experienced tramper but am keen to start learning mountaineering. I am also a very experienced skier so that might help a bit with alpine skills.

[@mairamtajogi]

Which month did you hike ?

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, it was late December, just before the snow bridges were gone. Many believe that the best time to climb Mt. Aspiring is between November and December.

[@spencerstrohm5937]

what month was this in? Thanks

[@alpine_squad]

It was a Christmas Time. Second half of December.

[@TheFockerizer]

is this after your Mt Earnslaw one??

[@alpine_squad]

Hey, Earnslaw was back in 2019, and Aspiring last year, so technically, yes, Aspiring was after Earnslaw 😊

[@tanmaybhati6963]

which route did you guys use ?

[@alpine_squad]

Hey 👋, this time the approach was via Bevan Col to Colin Todd hut, and then up ⬆️ classic North West Ridge bypassing the lower section via Kangaroo Patch. We’re to publish another video about this trip giving all the details in two weeks time.

[@tanmaybhati6963]

@@alpine_squad aw thanks, saw your video - how to fail on mt aspiring. gotta a question you guy did Shipowner/North West Ridge and did you guys came down on the other side went up and climb the north ridge again ?, why not just follow the ridge all the way, is it harder ? ( planing to do my mountaineering cource next year in NZ, and would love to do mt aspiring soon after)

[@alpine_squad]

The "How to Fail" video was our first attempt on Mt Aspiring a few years back. The full North-West Ridge is a very good route. It's just long, and we're not the fastest party in the world yet. That day, we ran out of time as it was getting too late in the afternoon. This current video is our second attempt a year later; we took the Kangaroo Patch and joined the ridge before the buttress and then proceeded to the summit. All the best with your New Zealand endeavours next year. Mt Aspiring might definitely be a good one for you to climb!

[@jamesholder5638]

Congratulations

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you friend ☺️

[@mairamtajogi]

I was hoping for better view from summit

[@alpine_squad]

We too, lol 😂

[@mairamtajogi]

I saw your other video and got know your partner is not an experienced hiker, then too she managed to climb Mt Aspiring.. thats commendable

[@alpine_squad]

Yes, Angelica’s growing, she progressed very well within last 6 years. She wants to climb Ama Dablam one day 😊

[@mairamtajogi]

@@alpine_squad are u based in NZ ? I am from Auckland, i did Roys peak last winter and the view from summit was so beautiful i fell in love southern alps. After that i did Coromandel Pinacle and Tongariro. I want to do something this winter, could you pls suggest some good hiking points in south island where i can get good view from summit?

[@alpine_squad]

Yes, we live in Auckland. A classical Mueller Hut in winter (if you’re up to walking on crampons yet), that’s a good one. We also have a video on it. Single Cone of the Remarkables, Mitre Peak in Fiordland, Mt Earnslaw later in the season, but these ones are with elements of mountaineering. Then you can progress to climb Mt Brewster, but also do Ruapehu and Taranaki in summer.

[@ibaydillah3537]

I love woman adventure

[@alpine_squad]

Thank you :)

[@theyetti8811]

Clickbait. I do believe that this video has been edited. Many different clips and background music.

[@alpine_squad]

Hm, I’d disagree - there is no color grading, no voice overs, no explaining, no pop ups or additional icons, and of course you can’t film the whole assent which takes days as just one video file and upload that 24hour footage on YT. Check this vid out - it has been heavily edited in terms of story telling, explanations and narrations, various pop ups etc - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKO8Z5qemZWfndU

[@theyetti8811]

Thank you for changing the video title. But

[@alpine_squad]

But... what?