CLASSEN SADDLE AND AIDA GLACIER Ski Touring

Standing outside Murchison Hut you look across to two of the best ski runs in the Mount Cook region, Classen Saddle and the Aida Glacier.
To reach Classen Saddle, ski down from the hut onto the Murchison Glacier and then with skins on, zigzag your way up through the crevasses to point 2178 on the ridge (SE of Classen Saddle), about 2 hours from the hut. It’s usually straightforward to find a way through the crevasses in winter or spring.
From here you can ascend Phyllis Peak on skis - or for mountaineers, cross Classen Saddle itself and around a plateau and ramp under Whataroa Saddle for an ascent of Mt Mannering (2669m) on the main divide. It’s a 750 metre vertical descent from Phyllis back down the West-facing slopes to the Murchison.
The Aida leads up more gentle slopes, then through a crevassed icefall in the middle, and up to Mt Sydney King for a similarly exhilarating ski back down.