Table of Contents
Mountain Experience Course | Summer 2011/12
The Mountain Experience Course (MEC) is Alpine Guides' introductory level mountaineering course. A perfect starting point for people developing an interest in the high mountains, and in traveling and camping above the snow line.
The MEC is for people with a background in hiking/tramping. No prior knowledge of rope systems or climbing is required. All “technical” climbing equipment is supplied, and the cost of the course is kept down by not relying on aircraft access.
One of the strengths of the MEC is the extremely flexible structure.The MEC uses Mount Cook Village area, and venues in the surrounding local mountains. Every course will be slightly different as we choose the mountain venue depending on the weather, and snow conditions at the time.
Apart from the great experience, you will also climb at least one peak, or cross an alpine pass - or both. You will finish the MEC with many new skills that will serve as a grounding for future adventures in the mountains.
What You Will Learn
The safe enjoyment of the mountain environment depends upon good judgment, technique, and equipment. Our guides will help you develop skills through the practice of climbing on snow, ice, and rock, and spending time in the high alpine environment.
After the course you should:
- Be able to camp above snow line/construct a bivvy
- Be confident on uneven/loose alpine terrain
- Be confident traveling/climbing on snow and ice
- Have basic rock climbing/rope skills
- Be able to cross alpine passes/climb moderate peaks with confidence
- Be ready for a more advanced climbing course, like the Technical Mountaineering Course ›
Topics covered on your course will include:
- Equipment, what to bring and how to use it
- Alpine camping/bivvying/snow shelters (if conditions allow)
- Snow skills: including using crampons, ice axe and self arrest
- Avalanche awareness
- Map reading/Navigation
- Weather forecasting
- Basic first aid
- Rope and rock climbing techniques
- Climbing on alpine snow, ice and rock
- Awareness of terrain/route finding
Depending on the course venue some glacier travel involved - along with relevant instruction.
Pricing 2011/12
Cost: NZ$2025 per person
The course fee includes the following:
- Guiding fees
- Alpine Guides Technical Manual (92 pages) ›
- All meals (including snacks and energy bars) ›
- Hut fees
- Local transport ›
- A range technical equipment ›
- Local accommodation for any nights necessary during the course ›
Maximum and Minimum Bookings
All MECs are limited to a maximum of 8 participants. The maximum guide to participant ratio is 1:4.
Minimum bookings
We guarantee to run the course you are booked on, with the following modification:
One person only: we shorten the course to 5 days.
Reporting Details
All MEC’s begin at 13:30 at Alpine Guides shop in Mt Cook Village on the start date, and finish at 12:00 midday on the last day. These times fit with scheduled bus services
Read more about transport options to Mount Cook ›
Private Courses
Private Mountain Experience Courses can be arranged at any time over the summer months (November - April) for groups of 2 or more people. The private course option allows you to choose dates and duration, and tailor the content to your specific requirements. Contact us about arranging a private course ›
Experience Required
The most important prerequisite is a high level of aerobic fitness. The MEC is about getting out there and gaining a knowledge of the alpine environment by “doing it”.
With all travel being on foot, a good level of fitness and the ability to carry a backpack is required. A solid bushwalking/trekking background is ideal. Previous alpine climbing or rock climbing experience is not required.
Read more about fitness for mountaineering ›
Course Structure
Dynamic mountain weather makes fixed itineraries impractical. The MEC is designed to work around changeable weather and snow conditions.
The MEC is split into two parts:
1. Village Section
- Introduction to the area and plans for the week
- Equipment - what to use, how to pack for the mountains
- Climbing Mt Sebastopol: moving on loose terrain, scree slopes, ridge travel
- A full day of rock climbing instruction, including rope handling skills, abseiling, learning basic knots and hitches.
2. Alpine Section
The MEC’s alpine venues include Mueller Hut, Ball Pass, Sefton Bivouac, and Twin Streams, amongst others. These areas provide a range of alpine terrain and opportunities to train, and climb peaks on snow, ice, and rock.
These locations are all either within walking distance, or can be walked into after a short drive (inside 20 minutes) from Mount Cook Village.
- Mueller Hut area - allows access to the Annette Plateau, with peaks like Annette (2,235 metres) and Mount Sealy (2,557 metres) close by.
- Ball Pass - Cross the classic alpine route from Tasman to Hooker Valley. Climb Mount Rosa (2,161 metres), or Mount Turner Peak (2,338 metres).
- Twin Streams in the Ben Ohau range is renowned for great alpine rock and allows access on to peaks like Mount Dark (2,496 metres).
During the course we will include map reading and navigation topics, study mountain weather and look at basic snow safety and avalanche awareness.
Each day’s activities can have you out and about for at least 8 hours.
When in the mountains, on any nights that you do not spend in a hut you will be creating a camp site. This can be as few as one, or up to 3 nights. Small parties may take a tent, but normally the campsite will be a bivouac.
For bivvying in the mountains you will require:
- A good quality sleeping pad
- A sleeping bag, and sometimes (but not always) a bivvy bag
Modern 3-season sleeping bags with breathable water-resistant shells are ideal for alpine camping in fine weather. They eliminate with the need for a further layer (a bivvy bag).
We have appropriate bags available to hire, and will supply bivvy bags if required. You are also welcome to bring your own combination of sleeping bag/bivvy bag.
Your guide will provide cooking stoves and fuel, and each person will be expected to carry a share of food and cooking equipment, and to assist with preparing meals. We provide eating utensils.
Mountain Huts
Most often (if not camping/bivying for a specific objective) you will be based out of one of a number of mountain huts, usually maintained by the Department of Conservation or NZ Alpine Club.
Read more about mountain hut living conditions ›
Snow Cover | Early and Late Season
MEC’s use venues at slightly lower altitudes, and over a greater range of altitudes than most other Alpine Guides trips (750 to 2,100 metres). At these elevations there is a mix of permanent and seasonal snow.
The amount of snow coverage and depth you encounter will vary with the course venue, the time of year, and major prevalent weather patterns (like La Nina/El Nino).
Early season late October to mid-December
- Expect snow underfoot from approx. 1,600 metres
- There will be less exposed rock
- Less distance to travel to reach snow instruction venues
- Less exposed hard ice
Late Season - mid-January and later
- Expect snow underfoot above 1,900 metres
- There will be more exposed rock
- You will need to need to travel further to get to snow instruction venues
- Exposed ice may be hard
Your guide will adapt the MEC syllabus to meet prevailing conditions encountered.
See also Weather - Snow Conditions, Summer and Winter ›
Footwear for the MEC
The Mountain Experience Course requires fully-shanked alpine boots. If you do not own appropriate boots we have these available to rent.
Read more about the correct boots for your Mountain Experience Course ›
We have a range of crampons, which fit practically all boots. Rock shoes will be provided if required, but bring your own if you own a pair.
Equipment and Clothing | MEC
Download the equipment checklist for the MEC (.pdf 200 Kb) ›
Please let us know what gear you need to rent - including any equipment supplied free of charge.
Choosing your clothing | Seasonal Variation
Our gear lists cater for all eventualities. Sometimes you may not require everything on the equipment list. Weather and conditions when your trip starts will help determine what is needed.
Temperatures, weather, and snow conditions will vary. The program is designed to work around these changes. Read about Weather & Snow Conditions, Summer and Winter ›
