Finally, The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp in New Zealand is open and now firmly established on the International “Adventure” trail.
Passionate ‘huntin’ shootin’ and fishing kiwi gent – Doug Rikard-Bell and his most capable team, have concocted this amazing Base Camp and social centre par ‘escalante’ in Glenorchy.
It’s a pretty 45-minute drive west of Queenstown, and within the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Base Camp consists of 14 individual “designer” cabins, a communal dining area, some shared bathrooms, a mixed sauna, a cosy toilet block… and more.
All entwined around a magnificent Wood fired ‘Barbeque-Grill ’ on the central courtyard.
Each cabin is different, comfortable, exquisitely detailed and with an individual Log Fire heating unit.
They vary from a practical 4 bunk combination to 6-8 group units, or friendly Family options with a grand double bed and bunks above.
Completing the choices are super cozy (wilderness sexy) lux cabins with large individual bathrooms and every possible amenity.
All cabins have campfire wake me ups (coffee and teas) but the real ‘apre action’ is around the massive Wood fired Barbeque-Grill on the deck and then eating around the newly christened Communal Long table.
Our dusk arrival was a very casual and civilized event and after being shown our allocated bunk room and the all-important ski storage-drying room, we settled down to a delicious slow-cooked meal with Doug and his adventure guide guru Jon Tyler.
This included them explaining their clearly focused global positioning of The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp and the diverse clientele that they were now attracting.
Our breakfast was a toasty treat and a “help yourself to our healthy regional choices” …and “please do your dishes” to encourage Adventure Lodge comradery.
It worked well and after some social banter our Heli Ski group arrived, dumped their bags and we all headed out to the Glenorchy International Airport – Heli pad. Ha ha …Well, they do move the sheep!
Our Alpine Guides exclusively use HELIWORKS choppers based in Queenstown and our twin-engine Eurocopter was powerful and reasonably comfortable, with the usual squeeze of 4 in the back and Guide and Pilot up front.
After the important and obligatory safety briefing with the two guides Tim O’Leary and Zack Hufted, we split into two groups and were soon ‘Up Up’n’ away into the Richardson Mountain Range looking for good spring powder snow and safe landing spots on the ridges.
There’s not much room on a Kiwi Heli drop and after the chopper has gone it’s eerie quiet and busy, getting skis on and following the guides tracks.
In the steeps we skied one at a time, then as the slopes mellowed, branched out to seek the best conditions. The spring temps and the previous night’s cold snap had produced some difficult Crispy Pie Crust and we were warned to avoid it at all costs!
It was a great day under the indigo blue sky and we all enjoyed the challenge of the tricky and best snow.
After a more-than-you-can-eat lunch and hydration, we rotated groups and continued the epic challenge on the now “releasing” (into corn snow) sunnier-facing slopes.
An extra fuel pickup ended my day on an amazing high at the Invincible Snowfields Heli-pad. Then it was a casual 4×4 cruise back to The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp.
Cold beers and plenty of bravado chat are de rigueur after all Heli days, then saunas and showers before continuing in front of the Barbeque-Grill and around the magnificent communal Long Table.
The Base Camp alpine cuisine was hearty and flavorful and well balanced with regional wines and good company. And eventually, the staff joined us to provide the continuing comradery and friendships.
After a late ‘healthy’ breakfast and watching the Heli Gang Lift Off for another spring Pow Pow hunt, I checked out Glenorchy and all the outdoor activities available to visitors.
Including the Dart River adventures in Jet Boats, coffee and cake at The Trading Post, a long chat with a fellow Morgan owner and eventually a Pie and a Pint at the famous and unique Glenorchy Hotel.
And driving back to Queenstown around Lake Whakatipu clearly put the unique kiwi flavors on the perfect pavlova.
Thanks. I‘ll be back for a second helping.
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