The Sky Piercer

Xavier De le Rue, Nadine Wallner and local Sam Smoothy take on the iconic peak of Mt. Cook. Being beaten down by the weather the trio of adventures travel around the south island, surfing in the Caitlins, climbing and biking in Lake Wanaka, diving for Crayfish on the West Coast, bush-wacking and climbing to lines high in the alpine but they're quickly running out of time. With a short pocket of weather opening on the final days of their stay, the team head out in gliders to get a good look at the face and define their lines. From the air the face glistens, hinting at the ice below, most people tell them they will not achieve the top and will have to turn back. The team start their ascent in a howling gale, morale is low and they don’t feel they will make the top but with 24 hours left they have to try.