3 Day Ball Pass Crossing

A challenging and spectacular 3 day adventure in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Day 1: A 6-8 hours trekking, 5.5km (3.4 mi) Distance with a 1200m (3937 ft) ascent.

Drive to Mount Cook (about 1 hour), transfer to 4WD vehicle and drive as far as possible up the old Ball Hut Road, parallel to the Tasman Glacier. The effects of glacial recession are very evident as we hike beside the lateral moraine. Climb up onto Ball Ridge and along to Caroline Hut at 1800m/6000ft, perched right opposite the awe-inspiring Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook. The panorama includes Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, all the mountains adjoining the Tasman Glacier, and Lake Pukaki.

Your guide will choose one of two routes (Waterfall direct or Cove Stream) depending on conditions and weather. If snow conditions are firm below Caroline Hut, you are likely to be introduced to crampons and ice axe.

In addition to our personal clothing, the crampons, ice-axe, helmet and harness, we will be carrying some fresh items of food (e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, meat). The hut is stocked with nonperishable food, mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, gas and firewood.

Day 2 : Ball Pass Summit Trek

Trek to Beautiful Kaitiaki Peak – Practice basic mountaineering techniques, using crampons and ice-axe on the way.

Day 2: A 6-8 hours return from Caroline Hut.

Kaitiaki Peak (2222m/7290ft) south of Ball Pass and take in the dramatic views of the South Ridge of Aoraki Mt Cook. Maybe explore a crevasse on the Ball Glacier. Back at Caroline Hut take time to watch the sun set on Mt Tasman and the ice avalanches thunder down the Caroline Face.

Day 3 : Ball Pass Summit Trek

Return dasent to Mount Cook Village

Day 3: A 5-7 hours trekking, 5.5km (3.4 mi) distance, 300m (984 ft) ascent.

Return to Mount Cook Village via the Tasman Valley (Cove Stream, Waterfall direct or Ball Ridge routes). Depending on conditions and group ability, the guide may opt to take you back via a different route to your ascent. The descent routes allow good views out over the ever-expanding terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier.

Your driver will transfer you 1 hour to Mt Cook.