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General Climbing Discussion

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Ice climbing/mountaineering in oz 9-Apr-2006 At 4:57:26 PM maxots

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Probably no snow for a couple of months, and the ice will be a while after that. Have a look at the guides for bogong and buller on this site, both have some reference to seasons I think...

As for equipment, I usually don't take much as the climbs are quite short. That said I haven't been to Bogong or Buller yet (only blue lake) but If I went Id take a fair bit of rock gear and prob a couple of pitons to try and get some gear. At blue lake you would want a handful of rock gear and maybe one or two screws. If toproping (a more realistic option at blue lake) then take some big slings and a couple snow stakes for setting up anchors above the flows.

Though last season I did overnighters to blue lake, I'm set on doing day trips this year. For getting in most folks use snowshoes though we found out a rental shop in Cooma rent Skis with bindings to fit B3 rated mountaineering boots. I'm planning on getting these next year. Either way If your toproping at blue lake and doing a day trip you could bring one set of tools and crampons between you. That way you could do the walk in pretty fast, esp on skis!

If your doing multipitch lines at Buller then obviously two tech tools + crampons are a must....

some good articles on scottish stuff that are probably quite applicable to Oz winter stuff

on clothing (good bit on gloves > always a tricky one) and personal gear
http://www.psychovertical.com/?scottishwinterclothingandequipment

on winter racks
http://www.psychovertical.com/?winterrackgear

thios articles a bit sparse but has a bunch of good links
http://www.needlesports.com/advice/winter.htm

winter essentials
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/winter.html