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Routes on the East face to the central summit. In yellow, the Jones route climbed on their ascent. In pink, the new ski line ‘Hunter’s Moon.’ Photo: Mathurin Vauthier
Canadian skier Christina Lustenberger and France’s Guillaume Pierrel ventured to New Zealand for a ski adventure unlike any other—one that led them to tackle one of the most daunting lines of their careers.
The duo ascended Aoraki/Mount Cook’s central peak (3,717m) via the rarely repeated Jones route. From there, they pushed each other beyond their comfort zones, descending a steep, wildly icy 1,000m face by linking ramps and gullies—a line that demands respect from even the most seasoned skiers.