Overview
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The four day Advanced Mountaineering and Ice Climbing course is aimed at those participants who already have some climbing experience on rock or ice, or who wish to develop the skills to undertake their own adventures on remote and steep terrain.
The course is conducted in the region of Blue Lake in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. Access is by snowshoe or ski, departing from either Guthega Ski Resort or Charlotte Pass Ski Resort depending on conditions and group preference.
We camp on the snow for three nights in the region of Blue Lake but not actually at the lake itself as this is not allowed by National Parks.
The group meets at the designated point at 8.30am on the first day, where gear is checked and group equipment distributed. We then snow shoe to the camping site, where we set up our tents and run through the elements of establishing and maintaining winter snow camps. In the afternoon of the first day we run through basic mountaineering skills and learn the differences between general mountaineering equipment and ice climbing equipment.
Days two and three are spent at Blue Lake learning ice climbing techniques, abseiling, jumaring, steep snow climbing and self arresting. We also practice placing protection, top roping and building ice belays.
On the final day we spend the morning revising essential skills before snow shoeing out to the carpark to arrive by 4.30pm.
Topics covered
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The course will include elements of the following topics:
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Clothing and equipment selection
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Ice climbing versus mountaineering boots
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Selection and use of crampons – French, German and American techniques
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General Rope Skills
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Essential knots
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Glacial Travel
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Selection and use of Ice Axe & Ice Hammer - glacier, mountaineering and steep ice
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Mechanical ascenders/descenders
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Prussiking
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Self-Arresting
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Snow and Ice Anchors/Protection/belaying
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Placing anchors
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Belaying on ice
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Top roping
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Route finding
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Safety considerations
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Avalanche Awareness
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Snow shoe usage
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Snow Camping
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Snow Shelters
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Leave no trace skills and ethics
Your Guide
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The course will generally be run by Andrew Lock and additional guide (usually Alex Sweet), both mountaineers with an exceptional background in alpine achievement and instruction.
Costs
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Guiding fees are $1600 (GST inclusive) per person for the 4 day course for a minimum of 4 people. If there are less than 4 people Andrew Lock Adventures will contact you to discuss alternatives.
Equipment hire costs are additional. Please see the Equipment Rental form for up to date rental cost
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Occasionally, Snowy Mountains weather can be severe and it may be appropriate to reschedule or cancel the course. If the course is cancelled by Andrew Lock Adventures, all deposits will be fully refunded.
Please see terms and conditions for information about cancelling your own participation.
Included
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Highly experienced mountain guide
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Full Liability Insurance
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NPWS guide fees & charges (this doesn’t include the National Park’s Visitor/Car entry fee
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Communications, first aid kit, water purification tablets, navigation equipment
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Snow shoes, adjustable ski poles and snow shovels
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Disposable biodegradable toilet waste bags
Not included
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Travel to and from Thredbo
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Accommodation and meals
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Hire costs of required clothing and/or equipment
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Any other costs not listed under Inclusions
Accommodation/Camping & Meals
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On most courses we camp above the snow line for three nights. You will need a tent, sleeping bag and camping stove. Download the recommended clothing and equipment list at the bottom of this page for further information, including where these can be rented from if you do not already own them. It is recommended that tents and stoves be shared to lessen your load. We can assist with putting tent partners together if desired.
You will need to arrange your own accommodation the night before the course starts and on the night of the last day of the course.
(see the additional information sheet for information on some local accommodation options.)
We can also provide advice on appropriate camping food to bring.
Fitness
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This is a physically demanding course. While you do not need to be an elite athlete to take part, you should have good fitness and be able to carry a 20 kg pack for 3 to 4 hours. There is no age restriction but Andrew Lock Adventures reserves the right to decline participation to anyone who we feel may be at undue risk due to health or fitness issues. If you have any concerns about your ability to undertake the course please contact Andrew Lock Adventures and/or your doctor.
Clothing and Equipment
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You must bring the correct clothing and equipment. The correct boots are essential for this course. You can download the required Clothing and Equipment list specific to this course at the bottom of this page. Please review the list and contact us if you have any questions. The clothing and equipment list provides additional information about retail outlets that rent out alpine camping equipment.
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Technical climbing equipment and mountaineering boots are available for hire through Andrew Lock Adventures.
​Please complete the Equipment Rental Form ​if you wish to hire any of this equipment.
National Parks Permits and Insurance
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The course is run for K7 Adventures which has the required National Parks and Wildlife Service permits and liability insurances. However these do not cover you for accident or injury and you should have your own accident and injury insurance. It is strongly recommended that your insurance covers you for trip cancellation as well as ambulance and helicopter evacuation. Whatever your insurance, be sure to confirm that you will be covered for mountaineering in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
Booking a place
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To reserve a spot on this course, click the SIGN ME UP button and complete:
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Booking Form
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Medical History and Liability Waiver
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A 20% deposit of the course fee is required to confirm your place at the time of booking..
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The balance is required not less than 12 weeks prior to the course.
Click the PDF image below to DOWNLOAD the Required Clothing and Equipment for ADVANCED MOUNTAINEERING AND ICE CLIMBING
Required Clothing and Equipment for Advanced Mountaineering and Ice climbing
