Alpine Trekking Guides are able to lead groups up to and through sub alpine walking terrain

Alpine Trekking Guides (ATGs) are able to lead trekking groups through non-technical trekking terrain - bush, subalpine, max grade I (new Mount Cook guide book grading) (where permanent or seasonal snow may be encountered) .

They may also be under supervision, guide technical trekking terrain, including “easy” glaciated neve trekking terrain, as well as suitable hard ice areas of lower glaciers.

The use of learnt, trained and assessed guiding techniques for such trekking, as per the  NZMGA training and assessment  scheme, could/will be  used , and the basic skills of alpinism may be required. These include: use of ice axe, self arrest and crampon techniques

Some examples of  non-technical trekking terrain (where, in general, rope guiding techniques would not be expected/ required) are:

• Three Pass trip (Arthurs Pass);
• Mueller Hut, Mt Wakefield, Mt Sebastopol, Sefton Biv (AMCNP)
• Cascade Saddle, up to Brewster Glacier, (Mount Aspiring National Park);
• Five Pass trip, Gertrude saddle (Mt Aspiring/Fiordland National park)

Technical Trekking Terrain

Technical Trekking Terrain is where the use of the rope is included in guiding techniques (expected), including “easy”*  neve glacier terrain.

[* Non-technical glacier neve where a guide ropes up clients in glacier mode, and walks them up or down glacier expecting the terrain and route to be reasonably flat or low angle, route finding straightforward, not expecting to negotiate challenging bergschrunds or not traversing ice falls (yes, stopping to take photos of such features as picturesque seracs from a safe position) ]

It is expected that the guide enters into the intended spirit of these terrain guidelines to reflect their basic training and experience of such terrain. If their clients which to explore more technical or challenging terrain, a NZMGA climb or IFMGA guide should be engaged.

Technical trekking terrain requires supervision of ATG guides by either NZMGA Climb or IFMGA Guides

Activity providers may develop Site Specific SOPs for their terrain that encompasses technical trekking terrain. 

The NZMGA very much supports a program where an ATG first works under direct supervision at a particular Technical Trekking Terrain site. Then, they may continue to work under the indirect supervision of an IFMGA Mountain or NZMGA Climb Guide.

Guidance for supervising/chief guides:

Examples of technical trekking terrain suitable for a well site trained and supervised NZMGA Alpine Trekking Guide is:

• Neve walk/trekking in summer from Tasman Glacier Kelman landing zone or upper neve landing zone, and trek down glacier to aircraft pick up.
• Ball Pass
• Pioneer Hut to Pioneer Pass
• Overnight to Plateau Hut and gentle neve walk onto Grand Plateau.
• Chancellor Dome
• Barron Saddle exit via lower glacier route
• Brewster Glacier to Mt Top Heavy
• Mtns Ruapehu, Tongariro, Taranaki
• Rabbit pass

Technical Terrain conditions for ATGs changes daily, seasonally and annually, significantly changing the hazards and technical difficulties. On the ground supervision and assessment of conditions is vital.