Itinerary:

Day 1 Meet at Mount Cook Village for course briefing and equipment check. 2 Fly to course venue, which is usually at one of the mountain huts at the head of the Tasman Glacier.3-8 Technical Mountaineering Course. Activities include theory, instruction and some practical climbing.9 Trek or optional flight back to Mount Cook Village.10 Course finishes around midday.

Note: itinerary is weather dependant and flying days may change.
Included: Professional mountaineering guide (guide:client ratio of 1:4), technical manual, air access, hut fees, local transport and some technical equipment.
Not Included: International flights, return flights from Mountain Hut to Mt Cook Village, transfer to/from Mount Cook Village, departure taxes, visas, mountaineering insurance, other meals, drinks, optional activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: 9 breakfasts,8 lunches,9 dinners
Valid From: 01 Jan 09
Notes: ArrivalChristchurch and Queenstown are the nearest international airports and it's approximately 5-6 hours drive from each place. Contact Newmans Coach Line for information: www.newmanscoach.co.nz or call +64 3 3799020 (from outside New Zealand) or 03 3799020 (from within New Zealand). You should arrive in Mount Cook Village and arrange for accommodation there the night before the expedition starts. Then please make your own way to our joining point at Mount Cook Village on Day 1 at 1:30 pm (please refer to your itinerary for details of joining point).Experience requiredAmbitions?Most participants on a TMC will have ambitions to undertake their own future climbing trips. Prior alpine (snow and ice) mountaineering experience is not required to participate on a TMC.Rope skillsThe TMC involves learning rope skills, and some complex pulley systems. Without prior rope handling experience the course will present too steep a learning curve. We expect all participants to have basic rock climbing skills. You should be able to second AU grade 14 rock, or have rope skills from caving, abseiling, or rescue work, know some knots, and be familiar with tying into and using a harness.FitnessApart from being enthusiastic and keen to learn new skills, a high level of aerobic fitness is expected. Previous bushwalking/trekking experience is desirable, as you will carry a light pack on most days and a heavy pack over 1- 2 (long) days if walking out of the mountains.What You Will LearnTopics covered on your course will include: A? Equipment, what to bring and how to use it A? Trip planning and preparation A? Knots and hitches for mountaineering A? Snow and ice climbing A? Belay techniques and systems A? Snow, ice and rock anchors A? Step and stance cutting A? Abseiling A? Alpine rock A? Glacier travel and crevasse rescue A? Route finding A? Emergency shelters and procedures A? Rope management A? Mountain weather and forecasting A? Avalanche hazard evaluation A? First aid for mountaineering A? Mountain navigation A? Hut management, food preparation, cookingYou will also learn about your own capabilities and your own ability to live in the mountains and to accept their ever changing conditions.
Starts/Ends: Mount Cook Village to Mount Cook Village
Trip Reference: PDTM