Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:11 am
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:08 am Posts: 74 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Quote:
Whats the story with the steeper tighter terrain a little farther up the highest peak from where u guys dropped in?
I assume you're talking about "Avalanche gully" which is the one half in shadow in this photo. It's definately "shred-able", however it requires a technical exit, ice axe (or 2) and crampons which we didn't have.
Here's the top. Looks quite mellow once you huck the cornice, but it really steepens up, depending on your line there is the odd mandatory air. It's not called "avalanche gully" for nothing! It's a massive terrain trap too, there aren't too many safe zones if it slides on you. We deemed it too dangerous, as it'd had quite a bit of snow over the previous week (+ wind loading). A guy died skiing that gully last year, so you definitely need to be a bit cautious.
Having said that, it's on my "to do list" when the conditions are right!
Method, thanks for getting back to me on this. It is so interesting to see such terrain in Australia. Very cool. I am talking about that entire zone starting from the shadow line in your first photo above and then heading right to the end of the rock bands. It look like a very fun playground with a ton of different lines. I dont doubt it is dangerous at times and that is very unfortunate that there have been accidents there, in fact I am very surprised to hear that anyone has ever died in an avalanche in Australia. In the states we dont think of Austrailia when we think of big dangerous terrain! That is why your TR is really cool for me to see. I would guess that on the right day some nice, steep , technical stuff on that face could be skied. I would be interested in seeing photos of that someday.
Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:42 am
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:33 pm Posts: 37 Location: San Diego
firstlight wrote:
Jetlag We will be doing some more stuff this year and it will be on film The faces indicated by Purple.
Yeah ive been there to surf one winter (04) which I guess was a big snow year for you guys. The entire flight from Sydney to Adelaide was full of snow. Musta been incredible down south in the mountains. Never imagined there was this good of terrain.
Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:50 am
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 4:08 am Posts: 74 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Wow!
Quote:
We will be doing some more stuff this year
Those lines look insane....
I assume this is an "overnight" line i.e. you need to overnight in the snow to get it!
I flew over Mt Feathertop today and the photo is a little grainy (took it on my iPhone) as I had to crop to get the detail I wanted, but you can get a good look at the terrain. Mt Hotham is at the bottom left of the photo. The Razorback is visible as the ridge that runs from just above Hotham all the way to Mt Feathertop (slightly left of centre, 2/3rds of the way up). The big spur that meets the Razorback close to Mt Feathertop is the Diamantina Spur. There's some great lines off there too.
Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:34 am
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:51 am Posts: 445 Location: Surfing or Splitboarding Downunder
As you can see we have been on close on a few occasions (red Google earth trip) Would be best on an overnighter but could be done in a day trip , see google for Dave Bain he has done it in one day! We would attack from Charlottes pass for camp at Blue lake. See area below
Hey Adam, I am coming downunder again this year and would love to get involved in some back country trips with you locals. I will be in NZ until mid July and then Australia until late August. I am hoping to get in as many treks as possible during this time. I will be based out of Melbourne.
BTW this is my first post. I currently live in Central Russia close to the Republic of Khakassia (Siberia) and board 90% of the time in remote back country although we tend to use snowkats and snowmobiles as much cheaper here than elsewhere. I am originally from Australia but have only boarded in Oz a few times whilst most of my experience is in NZ, Russia and some in Europe. This will be my first year getting into splitboarding.
Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:37 am
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:51 am Posts: 445 Location: Surfing or Splitboarding Downunder
Come on DownUnder and get some white stuff. Hopefully the weather is good enough early in the season for some tours. We are doing a Splitfest in Vic this year so come along to that. Cheers
Post subject: Re: Australia: snakes, crocs and Crikey! Awesome Backcountry
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 5:25 pm
Joined: Sun May 08, 2011 9:57 pm Posts: 48 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
First up epic trip report Method. As hot and dry as Australia always seems to look from across the ditch, you guys have some cool terrain hidden up your sleeve! Great stuff.
Zenhugh if you are looking for some touring partners for when you are in the South Island of NZ send me a message as there is small but dedicated crew of splitters getting around who would be more than happy to show you round some zones. Winter is not far away away down here!
Come on DownUnder and get some white stuff. Hopefully the weather is good enough early in the season for some tours. We are doing a Splitfest in Vic this year so come along to that. Cheers
Thanks mate. I assume the splitfest is advertised on the site you have.
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