Nat Luxton
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo ▷
5.0/5
I wanted to gain some experience, and confidence, after completing a mountaineering course last summer, so felt a trip with an experienced guide would be best.
I phoned Alpine Recreation and spoke with Axel, who answered all of my questions, and advised that Elke would be the guide for me. I loved this confident assurance, and the idea of having a female guide, so booked a 5-day, 1:1 trip with her. This was the best decision I could have made, especially given that I have a terrible fear of heights!
I felt comfortable with Elke from the outset, from checking my gear to discussing her thoughts for our time in the mountains. She led me through unfamiliar, sometimes terrifying, terrain; schooled me in the art of crevasse rescue and navigation when bad weather made us hut-bound, and was somehow able to coax me to my very first summit, all with the patience of a saint. Until you're faced with your worst fear you don't realise just how emotionally exposed you are, yet with Elke this felt safe; there was no judgement, only support. Whilst reaching a summit was not an essential element of the trip, I'm so glad that I did, and know I could not have done it without the constant support & reassurance from Elke. It would be so easy to quit now that I've had my summit, but this has been such a positive experience that I want to continue, to push myself further, try to overcome my fear so that I can further evolve in the mountains I've come to feel at peace in. I can but hope that Elke will be with me on this journey.
So, would I recommend Alpine Recreation- hell yes!
Wow, Nat! Thank you so much for this feedback. It is really heartening to know what this private Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course meant to you and we are so glad that Elke, our Co-Director, could help you deal with your fear of heights. Well done on summiting Turner Peak!
Alpine Recreation