WESTERN FACES EXPERIENCE - SPLITBOARDING

These are big days & demand advanced riding skills, fitness & endurance. The descents & ascents are steep & long! You will be taken by the grandeur of the steep & exposed breathtaking terrain of the Main Range. This is splitboard mountaineering country where it’s too steep for climbing skins & you will ascend with splits on pack. Guide to client ratio is 1:3, avalanche equipment will be supplied. Helmets are necessary!

Pleae see MORE DETAIL below

Guiding Topics

• Avalanche gear familiarisation

• Route Selection

• Steep s

• Technical skinning

• Steep transitions

• Climbing styles

• Crampon / Ice axe use

• Descent strategies

• Exposure & confidence

• Snow Stability 

Intended Location

• Western Faces: backside of Mt Twynam

• Depending on group’s capabilities i.e. skills, fitness , endurance other Western Facing destinations are possible

• Blue Lk as contingency

Rating: Tough

Only for experienced participants with advanced boarding skills & a high level of fitness. Steep climbs & descents with long distances will be encountered with tours totalling approximately 15 – 20km & ascents up to 1500 vertical meters.

Duration: 9hrs approx, distances include descents which is generally half the total distance

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Meeting Place

• Start: Guthega SMBC HQ 7:00a.m.

  • Brief

  • Equip familiarisation

  • Route overview

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Experience Required

• Previous backcountry experience preferred

• Be a strong off piste rider

• Big days, a high level of fitness & endurance is required

• You must be comfortable on steeper exposed slopes

Group Size

• 1:3 guide to client ratio

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Included

• Backpack

• Crampons & Ice Axe

• Avalanche gear: beacon, probe, shovel

• Guiding & Instruction

Needs

• See ”EQUIP LIST" below

• Helmets are necessary

• Talk to us about splitboard hire recommendations

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More Detail

This is an arduous tour only for those with advance riding skills, previous touring experience & a high level of fitness. The terrain encountered is very confronting consistently steep slopes with a lot of exposure. We need to be assured that you are suitable for this demanding tour, ideally you should have previously undertaken our Guthega Backcountry Tour. If not we will discuss your capabilities prior to the tour, a referee is ideal.  You must be well rested & prepared for the day. If it is obvious from the outset you are unsuitable for the tour we will modify the tour as necessary!

Note

• Helmets are required for this tour, we suggest a lightweight Touring style helmet

• Parking for this trip will be at Guthega as we don't make the last lifts back for Perisher return.

• Participants must be at Guthega SMBC HQ at 7:00a.m. for briefing, tour will commence at 7:30a.m. sharp!

• Guide to client ratio is 1:3max. Smaller numbers are okay but a minimum charge applies.