The Copland Pass

Southern Alps Guiding is offering a 4-day Copland Pass trip package. The Copland Pass crossing is a world-renowned alpine crossing and takes in some of the most scenic landscape that New Zealand has to offer. It is definitely one the great walks of this country and there is no other crossing of the main divide that offers such an accessible and beautiful trek. The trek starts from the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

  Cost and Schedule

Day 1 Trek along the beautiful east Hooker valley amounst the Mt Cook Lilies and an abundance of alpine flora. The east Hooker offers stunning scenery. The south face of Aoraki Mt Cook being the predominant feature of the walk. Travelling along the east bank of the Hooker glacier lake offers some incredible sights of icebergs floating on the lake. A decent from the terraces onto the glacier for the hike to the Hooker Valley bivvy on the west side of the Hooker valley is required. Time from Mt Cook village to the Hooker Bivvy site is 4-6 hours. Day 2 An early start for the steady ascent of the Copland ridge is necessary. There is some interesting terrain here and your guide will be looking after your safety and will be using the climbing rope in some cases. The ascent is quite direct so travel up the ridge toward the pass requires some good footing techniques. Winding up the ridge is fun and the Copland shelter is reached after 2.5-4 hours. This is where we put our crampons on and get ready to cross the small glacier and climb the final snow slopes to the famous Copland Pass at 7050 ft or 2150 metres. The views are incredible. Viewing the three peaks of Aoraki Mt Cook, the upper Hooker Glacier, Mt Sefton, La Perouse, the main divide, the ocean to west and the rain forests. It's spectacular. Now it's time to descend the pass on the west side. Your guide will be looking after your safety with the climbing safety rope until easier snow slopes are reached lower down the West Coast side of the pass and the West Coast National Park. It's then onto Douglas Rock hut where a well earned meal and hot drinks will be prepared for you. You can expect 7-12 hours for this day. Once you reach the pass it's all down hill to the West Coast!!! Day 3 Today starts off very leisurely. It's only a few hours to Welcome Hut. Of course river levels can rise quickly on the West Coast due to heavy rain so times can vary. Your guide will ensure safe river crossings at all times. The Welcome Flat hut is a grand sight. Not only is the hut bigger but this is the time everyone has been waiting for...... the Welcome Flat hot springs. Soaking in natural hot springs in the middle of the wilderness is a fantastic experience. A good night sleep is usually had by all after a good soaking and a hot meal prepared by your guide. Day 4 An early start is required for the 5-6 hour trek to the road end and the Fox Glacier township to meet the bus or the trans alpine flight back to Aoraki Mt Cook. The trek is quite stunning and takes in some of the West Coast's beautiful rain forest. Day 5 Travel day to Aoraki Mt Cook for the guide if a transalpine flight is not possible.

Cost of trip is NZ$1995.00 per person (min 2). This includes guide fee, food, hut fees (1 night Douglas Rock hut & Welcome Flat hut), food, crampons, ice axe, cooking fuel, permit fees & GST 12.5%. The Copland Pass crossing is recommended for fit hikers and trampers/trekkers. A crossing of the main divide of the Southern Alps can be a serious undertaking. Be safe. Use a certified guide.

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SOUTHERN ALPS GUIDING - MOUNTAIN AND SKI GUIDES REGISTRATION FORM

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Trip Type:

Copland Pass...[ ]

Level of Fitness: Not great but loves a good time in the mountains / Average/ Really fit

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PAYMENT: A deposit of NZ$500 per person is payable at the time of booking. Balance payable at commencement of trip.

Disclaimer: I understand that mountaineering, skiing and flying in the mountain areas carry a certain element of risk. I assume all risks and will hold Southern Alps Guiding and their agents or associates free from any and all liabilities of every kind and nature whatsoever. These terms shall serve as a release and assumption of risk for myself and all members of my family. Southern Alps Guiding and its agents finalise all arrangements for these tours upon the express condition that they shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of weather or any defect in any vehicle or aircraft or through the acts of default of any company or persons engaged in conveying the passengers or carrying out of arrangements of the tour.

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SOUTHERN ALPS GUIDING

COPLAND PASS TREK

CLOTHING and EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES

Please see the equipment list for full details of what you will personally need to bring along for your Copland pass crossing. We have limited gear for hire. Give us a list of your gear requirements and we'll give you a price for rental.

Due to the nature of the mountain environment equipment and clothing must be suitable for its intended purpose. It must be light, remain effective when wet or iced and dry easily. Below are some notes which may help you save time and money. Bring your own clothing, wet weather gear and your own equipment if it is adequate and learn how to use it.

CLOTHING

OUTER LAYER

There are numerous fabrics which are both water resistant and breathable. These fabrics can be expensive but can last for years if looked after well. Shell clothing needs to be tape sealed on the seams or it will leak. It also needs to be easy to move in and be able to be put on and taken off when wearing gloves or mittens.

JACKET / WATERPROOF SHELL: Look for a full front zipper model with a good attached hood with draw cord which will fit over a helmet. Some models have adjustable hoods. Preferably it should be long enough to allow a generous overlap with your storm pants.

STORM PANTS: Preferrably have full length zips down the legs so they can be put on and taken off when you are wearing boots and crampons.

OVER MITTENS: There are several glove combinations which work. We generally use fleece lined waterproof-breathable mitts. It is best to have a model where the liners can be removed to make drying easier. A pair of polypropylene or wool gloves as an additional liner to these also allows some dexterity without exposing the fingers.

GAITERS: Full calf- length gaiters keep the snow out and need a good tie down system under the in-step to stop them creeping up at the heel and allowing snow in.

THERMAL LAYERS

FLEECE JACKET: Should ideally be the full front zip variety to allow ventilation. Zip up pockets help avoid losing items which are stored there.

FLEECE SWEATER: Optional: A lighter weight sweater (Equivalent to 100 or 200 weight Polartec) is a good addition if you need extra warmth or it is not cold enough for your regular jacket.

HAT: Either wool or fibrepile, must extend over the ears and should not have a tendency to fly off in a strong wind. A polypropylene balaclava is good to carry as a spare or as a neck warmer.

SOCKS: Have two changes with you for a trip. Wool or a mix with nylon are a good choice.

INNER LAYER: SHIRT: High neck (a zip gives some temperature control), long sleeve polypropylene tops are excellent. A long sleeve cotton shirt in a light colour can be useful for those hot days on the glacier.

LONG-JOHNS: Merino wool or Polypropylene long-johns are lightweight and provide a change if your fleece pants are wet or too warm. They also provide lots of additional warmth if worn under the pile pants, though this would generally only be required in winter.

UNDERWEAR: Bring sufficient changes of your regular underwear.

FOOTWEAR

BOOTS: Good sturdy trekking books with ankle support and waterproof. Must be able to take a strap-on pair of crampons. We can't allow clients to wear runners on the trip.

OTHER SUNHAT: A baseball cap is commonly used but it won1t protect your ears from the sun. A cotton or silk scarf is a sensible addition for ear and neck protection. Wide brim hats have the extra protection but need to have a chin cord to stop them blowing away.

CLIMBING EQUIPMENT

CRAMPONS (Can be supplied)

ICE AXE (Can be supplied)

SLEEPING BAG

Can use down or synthetic as the fill, the down being less bulky but more susceptible to getting wet. Bring a bag rated as 2 season or better ( approx 0 degrees Celsius).

SLEEPING PAD

You will need a sleeping mat if we decide to camp out under the stars. A full-length closed-cell foam mat or `thermarest' or the combination of closed-cell foam mat with a short light weight thermarest are warmest.

HEADLAMP or TORCH

Petzl make the best headlamp available. Bring spare batteries for your trip.

PACK

There are many models available which are suitable. Your pack should have at least a 65 litre capacity.

OTHER ITEMS

SUN GLASSES:

POCKET KNIFE: The Swiss Army style, Leather man, or other equivalent.

STUFF BAGS: oPTIONAL: Lightweight nylon bags with draw cords to store spare clothes etc. Very useful for organising gear in your pack or when you1re in a hut. Bring 2 or 3.

TOILET BAG: Bring a small toilet kit - flannel, small towel, some soap, toothpaste and toothbrush. If you are going on a week long trip a very small bottle of shampoo can be nice.

SUN BLOCK: A small bottle or tube of maximum protection sun block is essential. Lip balm (with SPF 15 or higher) is also essential and worth carrying in your pocket for application during the day.

WATER BOTTLE: The wide mouth plastic bottles are recommended. It pays to have sufficient capacity to carry two litres. Dehydration can be a major problem in the mountains.

PLASTIC BOWL, CUP and SPOON: A light non-breakable bowl and spoon. The cup can be stainless steel, tin or non breakable plastic, though hot drinks in stainless steel/tin burn your mouth easily.

FIRST AID KIT: A basic personal first aid kit is necessary. Blister tape, 2nd skin (optional), gauze pads, crepe and triangular bandages, painkillers. Also any personal medication required. (Please remember to inform your guide if you are on prescription medicine). Store the first aid kit in a waterproof container, a plastic bag inside a stuff sack is often adequate.

NOTE BOOK and PENCIL: Preferably waterproof paper notebook or wrapped in plastic bags.

Camera and spare film to capture those magic moments.