A call to arms. Somewhere beneath the West face of Mt. Aspiring, Simon hatched a plan. A secretive discussion with Pete, then an open discussion amongst all of us. Unanimously we agreed and commenced executing the plan - Aspiring's 3033 meters were to pass under our boots that day, the walk home would have to wait.

After burying most of our kit in a snow-hole we set about the task of making a late sprint up the NW-ridge, Simon and Pete in the lead. Now that "Light and Fast" Twight book comes into play grinned Simon.

This time I was ready for the shrund and, with a bit of squeezing and chimneying it was behind us. With a bit (lot) more puffing and panting, rock and ice, wind and spindrift we made it to a convenient spot for a rest and far too many bits of chocolate, snakes-alive, cheese, tuna, bread, Mars-bars... all in a big mush washed down with icy water. My tummy hurts. Then onwards and upwards with Esther steaming ahead on the icy scree. Just as I needed to catch my breath... we summitted!

Picture: Esther snapped this shot of me (and Chris's back) during the ascent - thanks!

Doh! There is no view. The weather has gone to the dogs again during our ascent.

Picture: I can see Esther (who is eating a muesli bar) and Simon who is looking serious again. I can see my hand in front of my face. But that's about it! So here's another summit photo which could have been taken in the Wanaka carpark in a blizzard but is actually taken on Mt. Aspiring's beautiful peak.

Picture: Pete: OK, so what's the weather doing guys?
Alan: What weather? I can't see anything up here.

The descent took place in black and white: black silhouettes of cardboard cut-out climbers disappearing into the white cloud. Not much of a view! Any exposed sections were completely blotted out, as were any recognizable landmarks more than a few meters away, making the descent an eery affair.

It was a cheerful but exhausted bunch who returned for yet another night in Colin Todd hut after a 10 hour round trip up and down the Wanaka supermarket carpark. The next day we headed back down the gaping Quarterdeck Pass to French Ridge hut... and beneath the cloud layer, which subsequently lowered to ensure mud and snow for our walk out the next day.

Here's an image of Aspiring scanned from a postcard I bought by Craig Potton (he had clear weather and air transport) obviously. I wish I could say the same - about the weather that is.

Our route up the NW ridge is in blue. Rollover the image for a route on my tick list for next year! I hope this little plug for Craig Potton's fantastic "Classic Peaks of NZ book" makes up for the appearance of this image on my personal website. It is a terrific book with plenty of pictures and routes to encourage the would-be NZ climber to visit soon.