27 m away
Aoraki / Mt. Cook East Face
A collossal line and a truly world class ski face.
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8.3 km
- Ascent
- 1.6 km
- Descent
- 1.7 km
The Sky Piercer: East Face of Mt Cook.
Mount Cook
Riding the East Face of Mt. Cook with Sam Smoothy, Nadine Wallner & Fraser McDougall
Ski Touring Extreme
- Distance
- 7.7 km
- Ascent
- 1.4 km
- Descent
- 1.4 km
- Duration
- 5-6 hrs
- Low Point
- 2.1 km
- High Point
- 3.4 km
- Gradient
- 74˚
This face is rarely in condition and the weather in New Zealand makes it particularly tough to find a "window" in which to attempt the face. We thought we would have to turn back due to ice, but were incredibly lucky to have really good conditions nearly to the summit ridge.
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Description
We started from the Plateau hut, crossing the glacier on skins at 2am before putting on crampons to head over the Bergschrund and on up the face. The face was in better condition than we anticipated, but ice axes and crampons were still a requirement.
We arrived on the summit ridge at about 9am in the morning and had an amazing ride back down the face, patience paid off.
Featured in The Sky Piercer Movie - watch online at Red Bull.com here: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/tv/film/AP-1XCA8N5311W11
Difficulty
Extreme
Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.
High Exposure (E3)
In case of a fall, death is highly likely.
Remoteness
Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.
Best time to visit
Features
- Ski Mountaineering
Equipment required
- Rope
- Skins
- Ice axe
- Crampons
Similar routes nearby
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Mount Dixon South East Ridge
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- Distance
- 5.1 km
- Ascent
- 832 m
- Descent
- 832 m
136 m away
Caroline Face
The largest and most mythical alpine face in New Zealand, it was first descended on skis in October 2017.
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 2.1 km
- Descent
- 2.1 km
9.1 km away
Aiguille Rouges North Face
Superb spring skiing on a beautiful and open face.
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- Distance
- 1.3 km
- Ascent
- 447 m
- Descent
- 39 m
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The Minarets
A great and semi easy access ski tour on the West Coast
Moderate Ski Touring
- Distance
- 8.6 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 1.1 km
9.3 km away
Glacier Peak
A stunning and semi-technical ski tour on the West Coast
Difficult Ski Touring
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 1.1 km
- Descent
- 1.1 km
9.9 km away
Zig Zag Route, Malte Brun
A very technical and spectacular line on a major peak
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 6.3 km
- Ascent
- 74 m
- Descent
- 2 km
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Guidebooks in this area
5 routes · Ski Touring
5 of the Best Big Mountain Ski Tours in New Zealand
17 routes · Ski Touring
The Finest Ski Tours Around Mount Cook
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