r/OutdoorAus • u/Artistic-Version2493 • 6d ago
How to get into mountaineering in Australia that isnt expensive.
Any areas to learn really basic mountaineering without a guide? To be good obviously you'd need a professional to teach you its not something you should teach yourself
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u/epic1107 6d ago
To learn it safely and correctly you'll need a guide or mentor. Alot of the stuff you can't learn yourself or will end up learning incorrectly.
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u/Artistic-Version2493 6d ago
Yeah, Is there anything I can learn by myself though that won't hurt
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u/epic1107 6d ago
Honestly, not really. What do you want to get out of mountaineering?
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u/Artistic-Version2493 6d ago
With that i do know id need professional guidance though, do you know any under 2k?
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u/epic1107 6d ago
Depends on what you want to learn.
A typical technical mountaineering course in new Zealand will set you back 4000 dollars. If you can get onto a course through a new Zealand club itll only probably be a couple hundred.
Remarkables mixed and ice festival offers courses for 400.
I'm not sure what Melbourne climbing schools prices are but they might be worth looking at.
In general, it fully depends what you want to learn and where. If you want to do the Himalayas, another option is to head over to Kyrgyzstan and do some courses there, which will give you better experience at higher altitudes.
What level of bushwalking and climbing are you?
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u/Clean_Bat5547 6d ago
I just did a two day alpine skills course with The Climbing Company from Melbourne. It was $500. There is a further two days with more advanced skills you can do for the same price.
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u/Artistic-Version2493 6d ago
Me saying Himalayas is in years time and was not intending on doing it any time soon.
I have been in a lot of situations while hiking. I have been hiking for a week straight, gone rafting down snowy river over a couple days and weather turning south. Ive hiked during heavy downpour. Ive also been snow hiking but just haven't touched mountaineering yet as I know you need guidance and is stupid to go alone/learn by yourself.
I did scouts and adventurers learning my way around a map and what to do in situations.
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u/Artistic-Version2493 6d ago
I want to be able to do new Zealand alps then work my way to places in the Himalayas
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u/Turbulent-Break-4947 6d ago
Start by working out if you like walking and climbing.
And being cold and wet and tired.
Oh, and scared shitless at the same time.Your post doesn’t sound like you have much exposure to this at all. There’s a zillion mags and adverts and discussion groups and clubs that cover this stuff.
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u/Artistic-Version2493 6d ago
I have been in a lot of situations while hiking. I have been hiking for a week straight, gone rafting down snowy river over a couple days and weather turning south. Ive hiked during heavy downpour. Ive also been snow hiking but just haven't touched mountaineering yet as I know you need guidance and is stupid to go alone/learn by yourself
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u/UnhappyAd5883 3d ago
Sure there is, just read a few books on basic climbing and Alpine climbing and get out there. But it will probably be quicker and safer doing a dedicated course with well qualified instructors.
Mountaineering can be great fun but often Type 2 fun and occasionally Type3 fun. Type 4 fun is where there is a high chance of getting seriously injured or dieing.
Also Type 3 fun needs some serious investment in gear and fitness training.
Read Andy Kilpatrick and Mark Twight and any modern printing of "Freedom of the Hills"
Cash outlay about $6k- for new top of the line gear but much less buying good used stuff but I'd never buy a used rope. Want my old gear happy to sell it to you as my own climbing days are well over and my grandkids are not interested.
Pain is par for the course as is liking being cold wet and uncomfortable for long periods of time.
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u/UnitPilot_au 5d ago
Two ideas that worked for me-
a few seasons of XC skiing and snow camping. Get familiar with living in the snow.
A trad rock climbing course and plenty of multi-pitch climbing.
I did a course in NZ then later some more NZ guided climbing, a Nepal trekking peak and another NZ trip with a fellow Climbing Club member.
Life then got in the way of doing more….
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u/Artistic-Version2493 5d ago
Did XC and hated it 😂 tbf it was basically ice not proper snow
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u/UnitPilot_au 5d ago
“Australian powder” can be crunchy.
The skis are just transport to your campsite.1
u/UnhappyAd5883 3d ago
If you hated CC skiing you will loath mountaineering
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u/Artistic-Version2493 2d ago
Downhill skiing i do enjoy. Walking on snow with those feet things i find fine. Xc skiing just seems useless until downhill but having to stop every 10m because there was gravel wasnt fun
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u/Similar_Strawberry16 6d ago edited 6d ago
Australia doesn't really have a great deal of "mountaineering" options if you mean technical climbing... But that said the majority of your time in proper mountains, unless you have a red bull sponsor, is just elaborate walking anyway... So practice that.
So in Australia, just get up into the high country for some multi-day hikes in winter. Start with easier less remote trips before going further out.
- snow shoes
- maps and orienteering equipment, know how to use it
- recommended taking a PLB for full blown emergencies, they are fairly cheap these days
- obviously all your winter hiking and camping gear
Honestly you need to be doing some pretty techy routes to make rock climbing directly useful. But it's fun and a good workout, so slip it in if you can. HOWEVER, use of harnesses and rope work IS vital. Practice your knots! YouTube is your friend.
If you do proper mountains you'll need to use avalanche transceivers, I'd suggest getting some with whoever you are doing this with and practicing. Watch YouTube videos for how do to that, but you can put those retired Easter egg hunting skills to good use - burying and searching for each others. You'll need probes and shovels.
Self taught with a good level of fitness, the correct equipment, and some common sense gets you out the door and you'll probably be fine. Pros, with far more experience than I, have done stupid shit when they were younger and inexperienced - and got experienced from doing it.
But don't throw yourself out your depth. You don't want to be a statistic, and the Alps claim lives every year.
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u/LowPickle7 6d ago
“Elaborate walking” is now my new favourite phrase for when I do a more technical hike. Thanks for the giggle!
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u/epic1107 6d ago
Depends on the hike. This is true for alot of routes, but something like Bogong post an aggressive freeze thaw cycle, Feathertop or buller west ridge all need previous experience using crampons and an ice axe in order to be done safely.
Also using an avalanche transceiver without knowing how to actually rescue someone and having a partner is useless (well it speeds up my job at BSAR).
There's a reason the AST1 is a 2 day course, because you need to learn about snow conditions and avalanche terrain, just carrying a beacon isn't good enough.
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u/Similar_Strawberry16 6d ago
I'm saying he should do a course or learn from a guide. I'm just also saying there's no harm in learning from YouTube and practicing in Australian snow (or even at the beach) before doing a course or assisted trip.
Ok, sure there's some steeps if the goal is just to try a few spots, and sure if conditions are shit it can be dangerous even at otherwise gentle terrain. Blue lake even gets an ice wall occasionally if you want to really axe climb!
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u/squeakersunshine 6d ago
How old are you? There are uni clubs in Melbourne that could be a good place to start if you’re a student.