Annette Plateau Snow Camping trip - Late October/November 2026

Annette Plateau, Sealy Range Mt Cook 

 Multi day trip to Annette Plateau including camping in the snow.

Itinerary:

Friday afternoon:
Carpool from Christchurch on Friday afternoon, plan to leave at about lunch time or early afternoon.
Stay at Wyn Irwin Lodge, Mt Cook Village.

Saturday:
Early start. Hike up past Muller hut and on to Annette Plateau area.
Select a suitable area and set up camp. 
If time allows, a quick summit of Mt Annette to watch the sunset.

Sunday:
Break camp, hike back to car and drive back to Christchurch.

Remember we will be camping above the dirt line, so it is compulsory to pack out ALL your rubbish, including your poo.

Previous experience required:

• “Intro to Mountaineering” course or similar experience is required.
• Have suitable boots and crampons and know how to use them. (Your crampons MUST be suitable for your boots)
• Must have done at least 1 day moving on snow and ice using crampons and ice axe.
• Proficient at fall arresting with an ice axe.
• Able to climb 1500m elevation gain in a day with a heavy pack.
• “Avalanche awareness” course or equivalent experience is required.
• Glacial travel experience and knowledge.

Gear required:

• Boots that can handle snow and crampons that fit them 
• Ice axe
• Helmet
• Harness and crevasse rescue kit. 
• Suitable clothing, including winter gloves, insulation layers, waterproof jacket.
• Avalanche kit (transever, probe shovel).
• Tent/bivi and winter sleep system (min R4 mat and -10 deg sleeping bag)
• Food, cook system.
• Poo pot or poo bags.

Plan B: Camp at Lewis Pass Top Tarns or backup dates from 6 to 8 November 2026.

Questions: If you have any questions about the trip, feel free to contact [email protected]

Resources:

Topomap: https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-43.172228,171.667814&z=14