Archived trip from old website run by Will S
The ANU Mountaineering Club (ANUMC) will conduct an ice climbing and alpine survival training activity in the Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) each weekend of July.
This is an entry-level activity designed to provide a foundation of alpine skills for ANUMC members. These skills are centred on ice climbing, winter navigation, snow travel, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, snow caving, river crossing techniques, and avalanche awareness.
As well as these technical skills, this activity will teach communication skills, teamwork skills, leadership strategies, risk management, emergency prevention strategies and good decision making. This activity will culminate with a summit attempt of Australia's third tallest mountain - Mt Twynam.
This start location will be a three-hour drive from Canberra, and reaching Blue Lake will require four-five hours over snow. The approach route begins at Guthega Pondage and generally follows the Illawong Trail. We then trend along the Snowy River to Headley Tarn, where Base Camp will be established. We will do a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning trip to Blue Lake for Ice Climbing, and attempt to summit Mount Twynam. We will return the same way we came in. Only basic navigation is required, however, poor weather can make visibility tricky. Up to 50 people ski along this track each weekend, it’s entirely over-snow and we could be caught in a snowstorm (which takes a bit of endurance). Snow caves are typically the only possible shelter during a heavy fall, but there should be good conditions for tents. Phone reception is generally good on all summits and ridges, and is poor in valleys. Plan for alpine conditions –windy, wet and cold.
The ANU Mountaineering Club (ANUMC) will conduct an ice climbing and alpine survival training activity in the Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) each weekend of July.
This is an entry-level activity designed to provide a foundation of alpine skills for ANUMC members. These skills are centred on ice climbing, winter navigation, snow travel, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, snow caving, river crossing techniques, and avalanche awareness.
As well as these technical skills, this activity will teach communication skills, teamwork skills, leadership strategies, risk management, emergency prevention strategies and good decision making. This activity will culminate with a summit attempt of Australia's third tallest mountain - Mt Twynam.
This start location will be a three-hour drive from Canberra, and reaching Blue Lake will require four-five hours over snow. The approach route begins at Guthega Pondage and generally follows the Illawong Trail. We then trend along the Snowy River to Headley Tarn, where Base Camp will be established. We will do a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning trip to Blue Lake for Ice Climbing, and attempt to summit Mount Twynam. We will return the same way we came in. Only basic navigation is required, however, poor weather can make visibility tricky. Up to 50 people ski along this track each weekend, it’s entirely over-snow and we could be caught in a snowstorm (which takes a bit of endurance). Snow caves are typically the only possible shelter during a heavy fall, but there should be good conditions for tents. Phone reception is generally good on all summits and ridges, and is poor in valleys. Plan for alpine conditions –windy, wet and cold.
Trip category
Mountaineering
Date and Time
—
Estimated Costs
None