Anniversary ascent suffers windy blow

Mother Nature has scuttled the best laid plans of three mountaineers with gales forcing them to the postpone a celebratory ascent of Mt Aspiring for the second day.

Three mountaineers, Whitney Thurlow and Gavin Lang, of Aspiring Guides, and their Peruvian client Aritza Monasterio were to have left Wanaka for French Ridge Hut on Sunday aiming to re-enact on Monday the first ascent of the 3033m peak by Englishman Major Bernard Head, who reached the summit on November 23 1909.

There had been a backup plan to summit yesterday but Aspiring Guides director Andy Oxley said the weather window was too tight.

"There are winds of up to 120kmh on the tops and the mountain forecast is much the same for the rest of the week, with winds up to 130kmh for the next few days and an approaching front," Ms Oxley said.

"It's a shame but we don't want them blown off the top."

To celebrate the anniversary the men had planned to use early 20th century climbing apparel and equipment and to follow the same route as Major Head and his two guides, Jack Clarke and Alex Graham, crossing the Bonar Glacier from French Ridge and reaching the summit via the west face.

This week's climb was to be the first in New Zealand for Mr Monasterio and would have marked the beginning of celebrations for the Mount Aspiring/Titiea anniversary.

The celebrations will culminate in a function at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Saturday.

Hosted by the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Department of Conservation, the evening will include several speakers including Mt Aspiring Station owner John Aspinall, mountaineer Geoff Wyatt, and Wanaka musician Martin Curtis.

A slideshow and footage of archival material will also be shown during the evening, which starts at 7.30pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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