Altitude

One of the great advantages of climbing in the Mt Cook region is the Himalayan vertical scale, at relatively low elevations.

Mt Cook Village is at 760 metres (2,500 ft.) 29 mountains in the area rise above 3,000 metres (10,000 ft.). Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest at 3,754 metres (12,316 ft.).

From past experience acclimatisation for climbing at these altitudes has not proved necessary. However, some people can experience initial breathlessness for a few hours after landing on one of the high glacier nevés, and occasionally above 3,000 metres.

How "hard" will the course be?

Are you ready? How does Mt Cook compare to Mount Aspiring? Read about Trip Difficulty ›

Is your gear suitable for mountaineering?

Do you have questions about your existing equipment? See our guide to Equipment for Mountaineering in New Zealand ›