The thing that makes rock climbing special is that since the 90s women have helped push the boundaries of the sport. People with any body type may climb well, as you’re only moving your own weight. A slight person can often outperform a muscleman. That being said one of Britain’s greatest ever rock climbers, John Dunne, has been described as “overweight”.
It’s a great leveler: even experienced climbers get scared pushing their limits. Trusting the belayer, your gear and your own ability provides the biggest challenge. Even though it can be scary, with the correct techniques rock climbing is an extremely safe sport (miles safer than mountain biking or skiing).
Endurance
Season
Spring to Autumn
Duration
1 day+
Guide Ratio
1:1 – 1:4
Prices per day: Wanaka & Queenstown
4 people: $200 pp
3 people: $250 pp
2 people: $360 pp 1 person: $700
10% discount for successive days in a row e.g. 2 days 1 person is $1330
Half day rates – Wanaka only
4 people: $175 pp
3 people: $220 pp
2 people: $300 pp
1 person: $525
Wanaka and Queenstown are great locations to teach and learn essential skills for Rock Climbing.
It’s New Zealand’s biggest sport climbing area, with a huge variety of styles. Over 500 routes of all grades, mostly steep face climbing. The rock type is schist, a metamorphic rock with lots of quartz. . The routes are mainly single pitch, with some multipitch and trad climbing as well. A multipitch example at the Little Big Wall is Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out, 60m grade 16**
Most of the Wanaka rock climbing areas are within 20 mins drive. Wye Creek is an hour and a half’s drive, plus a 90 min walk.
There are alpine multipitch routes available at Treble Cone and the Remarkables. At Treble Cone we have the classic Green Gates Revisited, grade 18 ***. In the Remarks we have The Fat Lady Sings at the Circus, 135m, grade 16***
For the latest information on routes, the best guidebook is Wanaka Rock – NZ Alpine Club published by the NZ Alpine Club.
To cool off after a good days climbing, we have many great swimming holes in the area, some with deepwater soloing options.
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