Alpine Course 1 & 2 (Mt Buffalo)

Looking to complete both Alpine Courses in one trip? This option is the perfect choice for you. Join Alpine Course 1 and Alpine Course 2 over 4 consecutive days and build confidence in essential mountaineering skills through a progressive, hands-on learning experience.

ALPINE COURSE 1

Master the essential skills for safe alpine travel: snow techniques, self-arrest, basic anchors, and risk assessment. Perfect for those venturing into alpine terrain for the first time.

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE ALPINE WORLD

What is Alpine Snow Travel?

Alpine terrain presents unique challenges requiring specific skills and techniques. This course teaches the fundamental skills needed to travel safely in alpine environments, focusing on snow travel, self-arrest, and basic anchor systems.

What Will We Learn?

Essential Knots and Ropework

• Fisherman’s and Double Fisherman’s

• Italian hitch

• Clove hitch

• Prusik knot

• Figure of eight

• Tape knotSnow Travel Techniques

• Step kicking

• Duck foot technique

• Crossover step

• Rest step

• Plunge step

• Descending techniquesSafety Skills

• Self-arrest without equipment

• Head-up and head-down positions

• Ice axe techniques

• Safe travel principles

• Group managementAnchor Systems

• T-Trench snow anchors

• H anchors

• Deadman anchors

• Snow bollards

• Belaying on snow

• Basic abseiling systemsRisk Assessment

• Human factors

• Terrain evaluation

• Weather considerations

• Group decision making

ALPINE COURSE 2

Take your alpine skills to the next level with advanced techniques in steep terrain, complex anchors, mixed climbing, and rescue systems.

REACH NEW ALPINE HEIGHTS

What is Advanced Alpine Travel?

Building on foundational skills, this course delves into the techniques needed for more challenging alpine terrain. You’ll learn to move efficiently and safely on steep snow and ice, handle complex rope systems, and manage technical climbs in alpine conditions.

What Will We Learn?

Advanced Movement Skills

• Steep terrain techniques with crampons and ice axes

• Near-vertical climbing on snow and ice

• Technical descent methods

• Efficient movement in mixed terrainRope and Protection Systems

• Roped glacier travel

• Snow protection placement

• Advanced anchor building

• Direct harness and anchor belaying

• Safe climbing in alpine terrainMixed Climbing Skills

• Dry tooling fundamentals

• Rock protection while wearing crampons

• Transitioning between snow, ice, and rock

• Movement techniques for mixed terrainRescue and Safety

• Simple hauling systems

• Crevasse rescue techniques

• Team arrest scenarios

• Emergency response in alpine terrain

Prerequisites

No previous alpine experience required, but good fitness level recommended

Times

• Aim to be learning from 9am to 4pm each day.

The course fee does not cover

• Transport to/from Melbourne, including parking fees on location
• Food
• Accommodation

Note on accommodation

• We have a contact in Bright where a few beds are available for $50 per night and ground accommodation (bring sleeping bag and mattress) is available for $20 per night.

For more details including equipment, click Go to Bookings Site.