“The inspiration for going into the mountains originates in my admiration for Aoraki/Mt Cook. I started mountaineering in winter and still prefer being on snow and ice. I also perform much better in the cold. I have been exploring New Zealand mountains since 2018, and there is nothing better than a sunrise after a cold night.”

The base weight of Tanja’s pack depends on whether or not she packs her skis and is usually between 12-15kg.

Pack

I use a 50l Mountain Hardwear Direttissima pack, which has a separate avalanche gear pocket. It is a durable pack that I can fit everything in for even a five-day adventure. I keep essential pieces stored in dry bags.

Transalpine gear

I usually carry a set of Petzl Lynx Crampons and either a set of Petzl Quarks (adze and hammer) or for less technical terrain a lightweight Camp Nanotech axe and a Black Diamond Whippet. I have a lightweight ski touring harness as well as my glacier kit consisting of cords, ice screws, rope and helmet depending on the route and objective. Depending on the season, I also travel with my avalanche safety kit.

Essentials

No matter the mission, I always carry a PLB, headlamp, spare batteries, lighter, Spork, knife, and first aid kit. But most importantly, you will never see me in the hills without a bag of gummy bears, some sort of Austrian snack food and a small bottle of my grandad’s famous walnut schnapps to celebrate the day.

Cooking

I use an MSR Pocket Rocket with a pot on most trips. I also take a mug for a hot drink or soup.

Base layers

My base layer setup consists of fleece-lined leggings and a warm long-sleeved shirt. Two pairs of gloves are essential especially for transitioning to ice axes/skiing. I love the Outdoor Research Vigor midweight sensor gloves and my Black Diamond mittens. You always see me starting the trip in La Sportiva TX4 approach shoes. I’ll transition into mountaineering or ski boots along the way.

Weather protection

My favourite items are my hybrid shell pants and a thin breathable hybrid jacket from Dynafit. Staying warm and dry is critical in New Zealand mountains, so I carry an Arc’teryx waterproof hardshell jacket and a waterproof Mountain Equipment down jacket.

Sleeping gear

I love my -10℃ Cumulus sleeping bag that is customised to provide extra warmth in the foot box. With it goes a silk liner for extra comfort and odour protection. I use a Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Xtherm sleeping mat which has an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio and I usually carry a Vaude emergency bivvy in case of an unplanned night out.