A big hello from Wanaka to you!       

from The Aspiring Guides..............

What is nuts?
Today's temperature in downtown Wanaka is -4 C at 9am.  It's a blue sky day again, and we know that the waterfall ice at Black Peak is in good condition.  The Metservice weather website recommends that in order to feel comfortable at this temperature we need to wear 5 layers of clothing.    Here's a link to Wanaka's webcam.   http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/index.cfm/web_cam/interactive_cam.html
The good news is that this temperature is good for forming ice at Black Peak, snow-making machines, forms a good base at the local ski areas, ice skating on local lakes, wear your new down parka and winter gear to the supermarket.

Another nuts topic ...   the definition of "EXTREME SPORT"
--- There are several characteristics common to most extreme sports. 
--- Extreme sports are rarely sanctioned by schools;
--- Extreme sports tend to be more solitary than traditional sports;
--- Beginning extreme athletes tend to work on their craft without the guidance of a coach (though some may hire a coach later);
--- Athletes in these activities compete not only against other athletes, but also against environmental obstacles and challenges. These environmental variables are frequently weather and terrain related, including wind, snow, water and mountains. Because these natural phenomena cannot be controlled, they inevitably affect the outcome of the given activity or event.

When the term first surfaced circa the late 1980s/early 1990s, it was used for adult sports such as skydiving, scuba diving, surfing, rock climbing, snow skiing, water skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, mountaineering, storm chasing, hang gliding, bungee jumping, many of which were undergoing an unprecedented growth in popularity at the time.

A feature of such activities in the view of some is their alleged capacity to induce an adrenaline rush in participants.  However, the medical view is that the rush or high associated with the activity is not due to adrenaline being released as a response to fear, but due to increased levels of dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin because of the high level of physical exertion.  Furthermore, a recent study suggests that the link to adrenaline and 'true' extreme sports is tentative.  The study defined 'true' extreme sports as a leisure or recreation activity where the most likely outcome of a mismanaged accident or mistake was death. This definition was designed to separate the marketing hype from the activity.

Extreme tourism or shock tourism is a type of niche tourism involving travel to dangerous places (mountains, jungles, deserts, caves, etc.) or participation in dangerous events. Extreme tourism overlaps with extreme sport.  The two have in common the main attraction of, "adrenaline rush" caused by an element of risk, but may be differentiated to according to the degree of engagement and professionalism. 

What do you think Ron, if you hired a guide would your activity  still be rated as  "extreme"  ?

Winter news:  Ski resorts open in the area
With most resorts reporting a very good base for this time of year, (around a metre),  Wanaka is gripped with pre-ski season anticipation.  Here's a link to ski area info in NZ.  http://www.snow.co.nz/snowreports/report_index.asp

 Introduction to ski touring
Join us for a three day introduction to the backcountry, with the security of your guide.   Choose from either skis, telemarks, snowboard or snowshoes, and venture out for a tour of the Pisa range close to Wanaka and Queenstown. This is the easy way to cruise over rolling hills and experience what the backcountry touring buzz is about. This may even be your chance to experience your first turns down a virgin snow slope. Ooooh !  We don’t need any technical gear such as axes and crampons. We will aim to tour with a light day pack each day.  Private or scheduled tours commence in July.    Pisa  Range Tour 

More winter activities
Adventurous climbers needed:    take some time out this July, smash up some ice!

Know your stuff this winter...   Backcountry Awareness Courses for skiers/boarders based at Black Peak hut.  
Ski mountaineering tours:  Summit to Sea glacier traverse dates have been set from July -September.

Spring and Summer Climbing - ideas on excellent mountain expeditions with AGM
Four day ascents  (Earnslaw, Barth, Dixon, Minarets, Lendenfeld, Barff). 
Five day Mt Aspiring  
Five day Mt Sefton
Six day Mt Tasman
Six or seven day grade 5 alpine ice
Six or seven day Aoraki/Mt Cook  
Seven day Climbing Week
Eight day  Summit to Sea  glacier ascent/descent on foot  8 days  "Franz-tastic"
Ten day  SW ridge of Aspiring & Aoraki/Cook   

 

Ideas on mountaineering courses (our groups are small) 
One day  Sharpen UP program
Seven day intro Mountain Skills course 
Eight day Steep Alpine Ice course
Eight day Expedition of Mt Aspiring course
Private Instruction courses

Summer Wild Walks - ideas on excellent hiking in Mt Aspiring National Park

3 day Mt Aspiring Discovery
3 day Upper Wilkin Experience - fly-walk
3 day  Mt Aspiring glacier expedition 
4 day Gillespie pass
4 day Rabbit Pass fly-walk
8 day Gillespie/Rabbit Pass traverse

Free desktop photo:
We have some excellent photos to share with you.  Just email back with "desktop photo" in the subject line, and we'll email you a photo every 4-6 weeks.  If you'd like to share your photo send it to us (less than 1Mb please!)    When you receive the photo, it's easy to transfer it to your computer's desktop where you can look at it for inspiration.

Put forth your aspirations, we will convert them to reality ....

The team at Aspiring Guides - climb-trek-ski
Mt Aspiring National Park
w:  www.aspiringguides.com
e:  action@aspiringguides.com
p:  +64 3 443 9422
f:  +64 3 443 9540
l:  Lake Wanaka, New Zealand