New to Aus BC.

[hackett007]

Ok this year will be my first year skiing back country in australia. I will be in Perisher/thredbo. So where is the best place to go. I have skied Backcountry overseas and loved it, is aus bc anything similar to the Back country in america? Is there any nice steep runs. I only ask this, because when I have looked at pictures of backcountry in australia it looks more like a sight seeing hike. (meaning it is all flat)

cheers guys, hopefully your in the area we can do some trips together!

Hackett

[Paul Oberin]

I remember seeing pics last season of Aus BC and the pitch looked about 45 degrees, which is real avalanche danger stuff in the right conditions.

[hackett007]

Oh awesome. Yeh like i said, im new to aus BC. so im totally naive on what to expect.

[Caboose]

From Thredbo

you have easy access up the lifts (1 trip pass is about $26) you can then head to main range

closest is Signature Hill, but Leather Barrel Creek and other spots aren't too far away

or drive up to Dead Horse Gab and hike up ending at South/Southern Rams Head & LBC

from PB

from MT P (lift access) you have Paralyser (sp)

or From Guthega you have Mt Tate across the Dam wall or a couple of hours hike to Twynam across the creek

[ 18.03.2009, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Caboose]

or see here

http://www.snowatch.com.au/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000035

[pow pig]

Expect to ski The Sentinel and Watsons Crags some day... or at least hope to... or maybe not...

Carruthers Peak, Ramsheads, Paralyser, Mt Tate... google is your friend.

Check out these links for a taster. Mainly hiking and cross-country stuff but there's some good slopes too in some photos! Some just need some snow imagination....

http://rsc.anu.edu.au/~evans/images/sentinelandcrags.jpg

http://ehrenfest.anu.edu.au/~denis/watsonswinterhalf.jpg

http://www.cccsc.asn.au/Text/Album/1994.html

http://www.cccsc.asn.au/Text/PicShow/PCD2450/72.html

http://ehrenfest.anu.edu.au/~denis/index.php

http://members.tip.net.au/~alanlevy/Skiing.HTM

http://members.tip.net.au/~alanlevy/DayTours.HTM

http://maps.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=33867&d=pics&cmd=sp&c=1&x=148%2E29042&y=%2D36%2E40992&w=40000

[ 18.03.2009, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: pow pig ]

[BlueHue]

I like this site, good description of bc areas in NSW.

http://www.ozbc.net/

There is some serious terrain out there on the western faces of the main range, but with all the dangers you get in the US and some pretty serious blizzards/weather because of the very strong winds we frequently get here.

Be good to start off finding some experienced ski touring buddies to learn from who know the areas well.

[pow pig]

That site is the best ****e! It's also in my favourites so I can drool over some sweet sweet lines whenever I like...

Hackett, go in and drool, but don't be a fool... :D

[BlueHue]

Yep in my favourites too for much the same reason. Drool material to get motivated for backcountry this winter :D

[Swede]

Some nice little chutes out at Club lake hacket. If there's enough snow left in spring after they open up the road to Charlotte you can easily walk out and back in the day.
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w88/Ecka_Swede/?action=view&current=Carruthers94.flv

[ 18.03.2009, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Swede ]

[John Deere]

Note that most decent western faces are a fair hike from civilisation (5+k's) so a day trip is a very big day!

Except maybe club lake from CP as Swede says, but CP is a mission to get to in itself for a day trip!

[snowhappy]

I have seen some photos of the western faces on the western side of the range and you wouldnt think you where in OZ

[BlueHue]

Originally posted by John Deere:
Note that most decent western faces are a fair hike from civilisation (5+k's) so a day trip is a very big day!

Except maybe club lake from CP as Swede says, but CP is a mission to get to in itself for a day trip! Yeh I'd wondered about that, some of those gorges look like a huge effort to get back out of!

[John Deere]

Watson Creek is really great skiing, but your right the skin out is absolutely gruelling....four runs in a day killed me!

[Caboose]

seriously need to hump out one of those portable rope tows ;)

[skijacski]

Oh you boys, just take it like a man and soock it in.

No portable rope tow is going to give you the same satifaction!

I love skinning back out of the steeps, as it gives me another perspective of the snow and the creepy crawlies that are entombed in the layers.

It's all about the journey. But then I'm just a girl! And what do girls know! :D

graemlins/snowflake.gif

[ 27.03.2009, 06:41 PM: Message edited by: skijacski ]

[John Deere]

Never said I didn't like it....it was softy cabbage who piked on the runs and mentioned the portable rope tow ;)

[Officer Schmenz]

i like the hike out.. every step is... "oh ****.. will my skin hold.. or am i going to slide back down the hill backwards with my skis flailing around"

each step a small victory that im still standing.. well.. the majority anyway!

[Podlettte]

Officer you (and I) need Glop stopper for our skins! smile.gif

[BlueHue]

I've got a photo of Pods on her first attempt at skinning.... at the time I think a lift might have seemed like a good idea!

I like skinning uphill just enjoying a bit time hanging out in the snow and mountains.

[SA]

I'm sure we all look like gumbies the first few times out!

[Caboose]

Originally posted by John Deere:
Never said I didn't like it....it was softy cabbage who piked on the runs and mentioned the portable rope tow ;) i think you appreciated my discretion in knowing my physical limits

but then you are pretty tough - i'm sure you could have humped me out ;) tongue.gif

[SA]

Originally posted by Caboose:
but then you are pretty tough - i'm sure you could have humped me out ;) tongue.gif You were skinning Mt Brokeback???

:eek:

[BlueHue]

graemlins/big_laugh.gif

Yep SA, Pods has only had the one slip whilst skinning. Looking pretty efficient at it now after only a couple of days ski touring.

[SA]

Only 1 slip?!

That's doing well - I'm sure I was having at least 1 slip every minute ;)

[BlueHue]

Ok lets call it fall, not a slip. Gave all involved a good laugh, even Pods once she was up and on her feet again.

I just have a habit of trying to slide backwards cause I get too gun ho about how steep a slope I can skin up!

[ 27. April 2009, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: BlueHue ]

[Podlettte]

aww thanks honey! smile.gif

it was hilarious even as I was flopping to the ground!

there was a bump of snow in my way and I "walked" to the top and got stuck on top so sort of tried to encourage both feet forward to go down the other side.... Only problem was I'd forgotten my heels were (obviously) unlocked and all i ended up doing was free falling forward graemlins/big_laugh.gif

not too gung ho about the steepness, that's the poweder poaching nature of you BH ;)

When you head out with him SA, make sure you aren't polite and wait, cause he'll be into the fresh snow with first turns before you can get your skins off!

[ 27. April 2009, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Podlettte ]

[SA]

I'm rarely polite and wait. Ask hopey tongue.gif

[Officer Schmenz]

bahaha i did a similiar stack pods.... in japow... i was zooming along the flat then.. BAM i duno what happened... face first into pow.. arms by my side.. like a penguin falling on its belly.. funniest **** ever.

[SA]

Insta-tele :D