Essential Alpine Skills Course
Course Dates
No dates set at this stage. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a private course for you and your friends.
Overview
​
The Essential Alpine Skills course is designed to teach participants the necessary skills to enjoy our Alpine regions responsibly and safely.
​
The courses are conducted over 3 days (two nights) starting from Thredbo resort. We take the chairlift to the top of Crackenback and commence our adventure from there. There is free overnight parking at Thredbo. Weather permitting, we shall make an ascent of Mt Kosciuszk during the course.
​
Courses start at 8am on the first day at the nominated meeting place, where personal equipment is checked and group equipment distributed. We return to the carpark around 4 - 4.30pm on the final day.
The course will include elements of the following topics:
-
Clothing and Equipment selection
-
Cross country skiing or snow shoeing
-
Snow Shelters – site selection, tent erection and protection
-
Emergency shelters
-
Snow Camping and cooking
-
Snow craft
-
Route selection
-
Navigation
-
Weather assessment
-
Avalanche awareness
-
Group management
-
Hypothermia prevention and prevention/treatment of other alpine/outdoor health issues
-
Leave no trace skills and ethics
Accommodation & Meals
​
Accommodation is in tents, camping on the snow. Snow tents are available for hire. Participants will need insulated sleeping mattresses and sleeping bags rated to at least -10 celsius.
Participants provide their own food but will be advised of the type of food to bring.
Lightweight camping stoves and pots can be provided for those who need them.
We can also provide advice on appropriate camping food to bring.
Fitness
​
While you do not need to be an elite athlete to take part, the course is physical and you will have to carry a backpack of around 15kg. There is no age restriction but K7 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.
Costs
​
Guiding fees are $1200 (GST inclusive) per person for the 3 day course for a minimum of 4 people. If there are less than 4 people Andrew Lock Adventures will contact you to discuss alternatives.
Thredbo Kosziuszko Express chairlift is $49 per person at the time of printing.
Occassionally, Snowy Mountains weather can be severe and it may be appropriate to postpone or cancel the course. If the course is cancelled by Andrew Lock Adventures, all deposits will be fully refunded.
Included
-
Highly experienced mountain guide
-
Full Liability Insurance
-
NPWS guide fees & charges (this doesn’t include the National Park’s Visitor/Car entry fee
-
Communications, first aid kit, water purification tablets, navigation equipment
-
Snow shoes, adjustable ski poles and snow shovels
-
Disposable biodegradable toilet waste bags
Not included
-
Travel to and from Thredbo
-
Accommodation and meals
-
Hire costs of required clothing and/or equipment
-
Kosciuszko express chairlift ticket (if needed)
-
Any other costs not listed under Inclusions
Clothing and Equipment
​
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.
​
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.
Your Guide
​
Andrew Lock is Australia’s most accomplished high altitude mountaineer. He is the only Australian (in fact the only person in the British Commonwealth) to have climbed all fourteen of the world’s 8000 meter ‘death zone’ mountains, including Mt Everest, twice. He was the first Australian to lead a commercial expedition to Everest’s summit and has been leading treks, mountain climbs, scientific, research and adventure expeditions for more than 25 years from the Arctic to Antarctica and the Himalaya to the Australian outback. He was expedition leader and field training officer on three Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions and has been teaching Alpine and mountain skills for 20 years. Andrew first experienced the alpine environment as a teenager right here in the Australian Snowy Alps and returns every year to pursue his love of back country skiing, climbing and alpine camping.
National Parks Permits and Insurance
​
The course is run in conjunction with 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 travel/medical insurance.
Booking a place
​
To reserve a spot on this course, click the SIGN ME UP button and complete:
-
Booking Form
-
Medical History and Liability Waiver
​
-
A 50% deposit of the course fee is required to confirm your place.
-
The deposit is required not less than 4 weeks prior to the course.
Click the PDF image below to DOWNLOAD the Required Clothing and Equipment for ALPINE SKILLS
