Browne Fox: Chancellor Dome Heli-trek

This has to be one of New Zealand's finest days in the mountains. It starts with a thrilling flight by helicopter, over magnificent rainforest and ice pinnacles, into the valley of the Fox Glacier. Your helipad is at 1,270 metres (4,000 feet) on Chancellor Shelf, just above historic Chancellor Hut. In season, this area is rich in flowering alpine plants and the mountain antelope, Chamois, can frequently be seen.

From Chancellor Hut, the route ascends through snowgrass basins to a spot where a glorious view of Mt Tasman appears. Here your guide will organise you for a safe ascent of the gully. This gully gives access to a broad ridge and a beautiful snow shelf below the summit of Chancellor Dome. A highlight is the final ascent to the summit at 2,004 metres (6,526 feet). This climb, takes you to the point that affords the best view of the Southern Alps highest peaks and the magnificent snowfields that feed the Fox Glacier. To the west, you see the surf of the Tasman Sea breaking on Gillespies Beach.

After a relaxing lunch you descend to the hut, and fly down the glacier back to Fox Glacier township. As an introduction to mountaineering this trip cannot be surpassed.

Please note: This is a mountain trip with helicopter access, not a helihike on the glacier and is weather dependant.

Fitness level required: Good

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